UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported): June 22, 2021
Aeluma, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 000-56218 | 85-1083654 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
27 Castilian Drive Goleta, California |
93117 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
805-351-2707
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Parc Investments, Inc.
2255 Glades Road, Suite 324A
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: none.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We were incorporated as Parc Investments, Inc. in the State of Delaware on August 21, 2020. Prior to the Merger (as defined below), we were a “shell company” (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).
On June 22, 2021, our board of directors and all of our pre-Merger stockholders approved a restated certificate of incorporation, which was effective upon its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 22, 2021 and through which we changed our name to “Aeluma, Inc.” On June 22, 2021, our board of directors also adopted restated bylaws.
On June 22, 2021, Biond Photonics, Inc., a privately held California corporation (“Biond Photonics”) merged with and into our wholly-owned subsidiary, Aeluma Operating Co., a corporation formed in the State of Delaware on June 22, 2021 (“Acquisition Sub”). Pursuant to this transaction (the “Merger”), Acquisition Sub was the surviving corporation and remained our wholly owned subsidiary, and all of the outstanding stock of Biond Photonics was converted into shares of our common stock.
As a result of the Merger, we acquired the business of Biond Photonics and will continue the existing business operations of Biond Photonics as a public reporting company under the name Aeluma, Inc.
Also between June 22, 2021 and June 25, 2021, we sold an aggregate of 3,885,000 shares of our common stock to “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to a private placement offering at a purchase price of $2.00 per share. Additional information concerning the private placement offering is presented below under Item 2.01, “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—The Merger—The Offering” and “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets,” and under Item 3.02, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.”
In accordance with “reverse merger” or “reverse acquisition” accounting treatment, our historical financial statements as of period ends, and for periods ended, prior to the Merger will be replaced with the historical financial statements of Biond Photonics prior to the Merger, in all future filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
As used in this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”), unless otherwise stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms the “Company,” the “Registrant,” “Aeluma,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the registrant, Aeluma, Inc., incorporated in the State of Delaware, and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Merger and the company name change described above.
This Report contains summaries of the material terms of various agreements executed in connection with the transactions described herein. The summaries of these agreements are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by, reference to these agreements, which are filed as exhibits hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
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Form 10 Information
Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the registrant was a shell company immediately before the completion of the acquisition of a significant amount of assets, otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, as Parc Investments, Inc. was immediately before the Merger, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if the Company were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company following the consummation of the Merger, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.
This Report responds to the following Items in this Report:
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Item 2.01 | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets. |
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities. |
Item 3.03 | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. |
Item 4.01 | Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant. |
Item 5.01 | Changes in Control of Registrant. |
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
Item 5.06 | Change in Shell Company Status. |
Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
Prior to the Merger, we were a “shell company” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act). As a result of the Merger, we have ceased to be a “shell company.” The information included in this Report constitutes the current “Form 10 information” necessary to satisfy the conditions contained in Rule 144(i)(2) under the Securities Act.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Description of Business”, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements relate to, among others, our plans, objectives and expectations for our business, operations and financial performance and condition, and can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “will,” “could,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “continue” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
● | our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property protection and the scope and duration of such protection; |
● | our reliance on vendors; |
● | our ability to attract and retain key personnel; |
● | anticipated trends, growth rates and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we operate; |
● | our estimates regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering, expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and our need for or ability to obtain additional financing to fund our operations; |
● | developments and projections relating to our competitors and our industry, including market projections, estimated product pricing, market adoption of new technologies and changing industry trends; |
● | the impact of current and future laws and regulations; |
● | the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on our business, results of operations and future growth prospects; |
● | our intended use of proceeds from the Offering (as defined below); and |
● | other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the caption “Risk Factors.” |
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, operating results, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
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You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law.
You should read this Report and the documents that we reference in this Report as exhibits with the understanding that our actual future results, performance, and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.
The market in which the Company intends to operate in is a highly competitive business environment. The Company’s business is and will continue to be affected by government regulation, economic, political and social conditions, consumer response to new and existing products and services, technological developments and, particularly in view of new technologies, the ability to protect intellectual property rights. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from management’s expectations because of changes in such factors. Other factors and risks could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements. Due to such uncertainties and the risk factors set forth herein, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon such forward-looking statements.
ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.
The information contained in Item 2.01 below relating to the various agreements described therein is incorporated herein by reference. All descriptions of the agreements described below are qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of the relevant agreement that is filed as an exhibit to this Report and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 2.01 COMPLETION OF ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
THE MERGER AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Merger Agreement
On June 22, 2021, Parc Investments, Inc., Acquisition Sub and Biond Photonics entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on June 22, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Biond Photonics merged with and into Acquisition Sub, with Acquisition Sub continuing as the surviving corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary.
As a result of the Merger, we acquired the business of Biond Photonics, a California corporation, doing business as Aeluma. See “Description of Business” below. At the time the certificates of merger reflecting the Merger were filed with the Secretaries of State of California and Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each of Biond Photonics’ shares of capital stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger was converted into the right to receive (a) 1.299135853 shares of our common stock (the “Common Share Conversion Ratio”), with the maximum number of shares of our common stock issuable to the former holders of Biond Photonics’ capital stock equal to 4,100,000 after adjustments due to rounding for fractional shares. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock owned by our stockholders prior to the Merger were forfeited and cancelled (the “Stock Forfeiture”).
See “Description of Capital Stock” below for more information. The issuance of shares of our common stock to Biond Photonics’ former security holders are collectively referred to as the “Share Conversion.”
The Merger Agreement contained customary representations and warranties and pre- and post-closing covenants of each party and customary closing conditions.
As a condition to the Merger, we entered into an indemnity agreement with our former officer and directors (the “Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to indemnify such former officer and directors for actions taken by them in their official capacities relating to the consideration, approval and consummation of the Merger and certain related transactions.
The Merger was treated as a recapitalization and reverse acquisition for us for financial reporting purposes. Biond Photonics is considered the acquirer for accounting purposes, and our historical financial statements before the Merger will be replaced with the historical financial statements of Biond Photonics before the Merger in future filings with the SEC. The Merger is intended to be treated as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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The issuance of securities pursuant to the Share Conversion was not registered under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, which exempts transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC thereunder. These securities may not be offered or sold in the U.S. absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement and are subject to further contractual restrictions on transfer as described below under “Shares Eligible for Future Sales.”
The Offering
Immediately following the Effective Time of the Merger, we sold 3,482,500 shares of our common stock pursuant to an initial closing of a private placement offering at a purchase price of $2.00 per share (the “Offering Price”). We held a second closing on June 28, 2021 for an additional 402,500 shares of our common stock. Accordingly, we sold a total of 3,885,000 shares of our common stock. The private placement offering is referred to herein as the “Offering.”
The aggregate gross proceeds from the Offering are $7,770,000 (before deducting placement agent fees and expenses of the Offering, which are estimated at $1,029,505.
The closings of the Offering were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC thereunder. The common stock in the Offering was sold to “accredited investors,” as defined in Regulation D, and was conducted on a “reasonable best efforts” basis.
In connection with the Offering and subject to the closing of the Offering, we agreed to pay the placement agent, GP Nurmenkari Inc. (the “Placement Agent”), a U.S. registered broker-dealer, a cash placement fee of 10% of the gross proceeds raised from investors in the Offering (or 3% of the first $800,000 of gross proceeds raised from pre-Merger Biond Photonics shareholders and their friends and family) and to issue to it 50,000 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to 10% of the number of shares of common stock sold in the Offering (other than the first $800,000 of common stock sold to pre-Merger Biond Photonics shareholders and their friends and family, for which the placement agent will not receive any warrants), with a term of five years and an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). We also agreed to pay certain expenses of the Placement Agent in connection with the Offering.
As a result of the foregoing, we paid the Placement Agent and its sub-agents an aggregate commission of $715,900 and issued to it 50,000 shares of our common stock and Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 348,500 shares of our common stock in connection with the two closings of the Offering. We have also reimbursed the Placement Agent for approximately $35,000 of expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.
Subject to certain customary exceptions, we have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent to the fullest extent permitted by law against certain liabilities that may be incurred in connection with the Offering, including certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act, and, where such indemnification is not available, to contribute to the payments the Placement Agent and their sub-agents may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
Registration Rights
In connection with the Merger and the Offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which we have agreed that promptly, but no later than 60 calendar days from the final closing of the Offering, we will file a registration statement with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”), covering (i) the shares of our common stock issued in the Offering; (ii) the 50,000 shares of common stock issued to the Placement Agent and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants, (iii) the shares of our common stock issued as a result of the Share Conversion; and (iv) 2,500,000 shares of our common stock held by our stockholders prior to the Merger ((i)-(iv) collectively, the “Registrable Shares”). We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such Registration Statement is declared effective within 150 calendar days after the final closing of the Offering.
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Subject to customary exceptions, if (i) we are late in filing the Registration Statement, (ii) the Registration Statement is not declared effective within 150 days after the final closing of the Offering (provided that such failure of the Registration Statement to be declared effective within one hundred fifty (150) calendar days is the result of any action or failure to act on the part of the Company) (the “Registration Effectiveness Date”), (iii) we fail to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (iv) the holders of Registrable Shares cannot use the Registration Statement to resell the Registrable Shares for a period of more than 15 consecutive trading days (except for suspension of the use of the Registration Statement during certain Blackout Period (as defined below)), or (v) following the listing or inclusion for quotation on the OTC Markets, the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or the NYSE American, trading of our common stock is suspended or halted for more than three full, consecutive trading days ((i)-(v) collectively, “Registration Events”), we will make payments to each holder of Registrable Shares as monetary penalties at a rate equal to 12% per annum of the total value of Registrable Shares held or purchased by such holder and affected during the period, based on the Offering Price; provided that the maximum amount of monetary penalties paid by us will not exceed 8% of such total value. No monetary penalties will accrue with respect to (1) any Registrable Shares removed from the Registration Statement in response to a comment from the staff of the SEC limiting the number of shares of common stock which may be included in the Registration Statement (a “Cutback Comment”), (2) any Registrable Shares that may be resold without manner of sale restrictions, current information requirements, volume limitations or other limitations under Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (3) any Registrable Shares excluded from a Registration Statement because a holder fails to provide information concerning the holder and the manner of distribution of the holder’s Registrable Shares that is required by SEC rules to be disclosed, and (4) any circumstance in which the SEC does not declare the Registration Statement effective on or before 150 days after the final closing of the Offering, and the reason for the SEC’s determination is that (a) the offering of any of the Registrable Shares constitutes a primary offering of securities by the Company, (b) Rule 415 of the Securities Act may not be relied upon for the registration of the resale of any or all of the Registrable Shares, and/or (c) a holder of any Registrable Shares must be named as an underwriter and such holder does not consent to be so named in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the SEC does not declare the Registration Statement effective before the Registration Effectiveness Date, in certain circumstances we may still be liable for liquidated damages if we do not continue to use our commercially reasonable efforts at the first opportunity that is permitted by the SEC to register for resale all such Registrable Securities, using one or more registration statements that we are then entitled to use. Any cutback resulting from a Cutback Comment shall be allocated (a) first from the Registrable Shares issued as a result of the Share Conversion on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof; (b) second from the Registrable Shares issuable upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof; (c) third from the Registrable Shares held by pre-Merger stockholders of the Company, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof; and (d) fourth from the Registrable Shares purchased by investors in the Offering, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof.
We must use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement effective for five years from the date it is declared effective by the SEC or until the date on which all Registrable Shares have been transferred other than to certain enumerated permitted assignees under the Registration Rights Agreement.
We will pay all expenses in connection with the registration obligations provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, and stock exchange fees, printing expenses, all fees and expenses of complying with applicable securities laws, the fees and disbursements of our counsel and of our independent public accountants, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of a single counsel to the holders of the Registrable Securities, not to exceed $10,000. Each holder will be responsible for its own sales commissions, if any, transfer taxes and the expenses of any other attorney or advisor such holder decides to employ.
Lock-Up Agreements and Other Restrictions
In connection with the closing of the Merger, all of Biond’s shareholders prior to the Merger (collectively, the “Restricted Holders”) holding immediately following the Effective Time an aggregate of approximately 4.1 million shares of our common stock, entered into lock-up agreements (the “Lock-Up Agreements”) in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to this Report. Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreements, the Restricted Holders are restricted for a period commencing on the closing of the Merger and ending 18 months after the first date on which Aeluma’s common stock is first traded on the OTCQB or OTCQX market maintained by OTC Markets Group, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American (the “Restricted Period”) from selling or disposing of shares of our common stock held by (or issuable to) them, excluding any shares purchased by them in the Offering, subject to customary exceptions. All descriptions of the Lock-Up Agreements herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of Lock-Up Agreement that is filed as an exhibit to this Report and incorporated herein by reference.
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OTC Quotation
Our common stock is currently not listed on a national securities exchange or any other exchange, or quoted on an over-the-counter market. Following completion of the Offering, we have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause our common stock to be quoted on the OTC Markets QB tier as soon as practicable following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and, even if we do so, there can be no assurance that our common stock will continue to be quoted on the OTC Markets or quoted or listed on any other market or exchange, or that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or continue. See “Risk Factors—There is currently no market for our common stock and there can be no assurance that any market will ever develop. You may therefore be unable to re-sell shares of our common stock at times and prices that you believe are appropriate.” below.
Our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and upon the closing of the Merger, we adopted our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of incentive awards of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, cash awards, and stock bonus awards. We initially reserved 980,000 shares of our common stock for issuance pursuant to awards granted under our 2021 Plan. The number of shares reserved for issuance under our 2021 Plan will increase automatically on January 1 of each of 2022 through 2031 by the number of shares equal to the lesser of 5% of the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock as of the immediately preceding December 31, or a number as may be determined by our board of directors. See “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans” below for more information about the 2021 Plan.
Departure and Appointment of Directors and Officers
Our board of directors is authorized to consist of five (5) members, and currently consists of three (3) members. As of the Effective Time, Mr. Ian Jacobs and Mr. Mark Tompkins resigned from our board of directors, and Mr. Jonathan Klamkin, Mr. Lee McCarthy and Mr. Steven DenBaars were appointed to our board of directors.
Also, as of the Effective Time, Mr. Jacobs resigned from all officer positions with us, and Jonathan Klamkin was appointed as our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Lee McCarthy was appointed as our interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
See “Management” below for information about our new directors and executive officers.
Pro Forma Ownership
Immediately after giving effect to the Merger (and assuming the issuance of an aggregate of 4,100,000 shares of our common stock in the Merger), the Stock Forfeiture, and the two closings of the Offering, there were up to 10,535,000 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, as follows:
● | the shareholders of Biond Photonics prior to the Merger hold 4,100,000 shares of our common stock, excluding any shares purchased by them in the Offering and after adjustments due to rounding for fractional shares; |
● | investors in the two closings of the Offering hold 3,885,000 shares of our common stock, excluding any shares issued to them in connection with the Merger as a result of being a holder of Biond Photonics stock prior to the Merger; and |
● | the Placement Agent and/or its designees hold 50,000 shares of our common stock, excluding any shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants they received in connection with the Offering; and |
● | 2,500,000 shares are held by persons who purchased or received such shares for services rendered from us prior to the Merger. |
In addition, there were as of the Closing Date:
● | warrants to purchase an aggregate of 348,500 shares of our common stock issued to the Placement Agent and/or its designees in connection with the Offering; and |
● | 980,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan, subject to adjustment as provided above. |
No other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock are outstanding as of the date of this Report.
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Accounting Treatment; Change of Control
The Merger is being accounted for as a “reverse merger” or “reverse acquisition,” and Biond Photonics is deemed to be the acquirer in the reverse merger. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the historical operations that will be reflected in our financial statements relating to periods prior to the Merger will be those of Biond Photonics, and will be recorded at the historical cost basis of Biond Photonics, and the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Merger will include the assets and liabilities of Biond Photonics, historical operations of Biond Photonics, and our operations from the Closing Date. As a result of the issuance of the shares of our common stock pursuant to the Merger, a change in control occurred as of the date of consummation of the Merger.
Except as described in this Report, no arrangements or understandings exist among present or former controlling stockholders with respect to the election of members of our board of directors and, to our knowledge, no other arrangements exist that might result in a change of control.
We expect to continue to be a “smaller reporting company,” as defined under the Exchange Act, and an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) immediately following the Merger. We believe that as a result of the Merger, we have ceased to be a “shell company” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act).
DEFINITIONS
Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this report only, the following terms have these meanings:
● | CMOS: Complementary metal oxide semiconductor, a widely used semiconductor transistor architecture |
● | InGaAs: Indium gallium arsenide, a compound semiconductor commonly used for detectors and lasers |
● | InP: Indium phosphide, a compound semiconductor material and substrate for InGaAs and other related compound semiconductors |
● | Lidar: Light detection and ranging, a remote sensing technique for measuring distance to an object and to generate 3D images |
● | MOCVD: Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition |
● | NIR: Near infrared |
● | Optoelectronic: electronic devices and systems that source, detect or control electromagnetic radiation (light) |
● | Silicon: Semiconductor widely used for microelectronics |
● | SPAD: Single photon avalanche diode, a photodetector capable of detecting low intensity signals |
● | SWIR: Shortwave infrared |
● | VCSEL: Vertical cavity surface emitting laser, a laser utilized for communications and sensing applications |
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
About the Company
The Company was formed as a vehicle to seek the acquisition of, or merger with, an existing operating company.
As a result of the consummation of the Merger, on June 22, 2021, Biond Photonics merged into our wholly owned subsidiary, and the business of Biond Photonics became the business of the Company going forward. Accordingly, at the closing of the Merger, the Company ceased to be a shell company.
We develop novel optoelectronic devices for sensing and communications applications. Aeluma has pioneered a technique to manufacture devices using high performance compound semiconductor materials on large diameter silicon wafers that are commonly used to manufacture mass market microelectronics. This enables cost effective manufacturing of high-performance photodetector array circuits for imaging applications in mobile devices. These devices may be used as image sensors that generate an image by detecting light, in a manner similar to a digital camera taking pictures. Our devices may incorporate additional functionality for 3D image capture when integrated into various system architectures. This technology has the potential to enhance the performance and capability of camera image sensors, Lidar, augmented reality, facial recognition, and other applications. Aeluma has acquired a key piece of manufacturing equipment, an MOCVD tool, and has headquarters in Goleta, CA with a manufacturing cleanroom to house this equipment.
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Because we will leverage compound semiconductor materials including InGaAs, our devices may operate out to longer wavelengths, up to at least 1600 nm, which is advantageous for a number of reasons including eye safety. Beyond 1400 nm is considered eye safe at significantly higher optical power levels relative to that at shorter wavelengths. Therefore, for Lidar sensing systems, the range (the detectable object distance) can be increased significantly. Operating at specific longer wavelengths (for example, near 1550 nm) also enables imaging both in low light (dark) conditions, as well as in direct sunlight. Therefore, images could be captured outdoors and in various conditions.
Our Strategy
Aeluma will continue to develop its technology that includes novel materials and devices based on those novel materials. Our primary focus is to manufacture high performance photodetector array circuits for image sensors that may find use in mobile devices. Although our initial target is the mobile market, we recognize that our devices have broad applicability and our strategy will evolve as we further engage potential customers across various market segments. As we are currently operating in a research and development phase, we do not have any commercial products at this time.
Our Technology
Our technology is based on heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductor materials on silicon. This heterogeneous integration enables the subsequent device fabrication and manufacturing in silicon manufacturing lines that are suited to large-volume production. Manufacturing on silicon also enables unique device configurations that are either not possible, challenging, or cost prohibitive relative to manufacturing on traditional compound semiconductor substrates such as InP.
Competition
There are two primary classes of image sensors currently in the market, low cost silicon sensors for mass market applications, and high performance InGaAs sensors deployed primarily in specialty applications. The major suppliers of silicon CMOS image sensors include Sony, Samsung, Omnivision, On Semi, STM, Panasonic, Canon, SK Hynix, and others (Source: Yole Development, www.yole.fr). The major suppliers of InGaAs sensors include Hamamatsu, FLIR/Teledyne, Princeton Lightwave/Argo AI, Sensors Unlimited, Excelitas, and others (Source: Markets and Markets, www.marketsandmarkets.com).
We believe that our technology will be able to compete effectively because we are uniquely positioned to outperform silicon CMOS image sensors while achieving a cost of manufacturing that is lower than that for traditional InGaAs sensors. Compared to silicon, InGaAs demonstrates higher detection sensitivity and a broader wavelength absorption spectrum. Silicon absorbs or detects light in the visible spectral region (400-750 nm) and partially in the NIR spectral region (greater than 750 nm), cutting off near 940 nm. InGaAs not only demonstrates higher absorption in the visible and NIR, but also extends well into the SWIR spectrum (1000-2500 nm), cutting off near 1700 nm, with the ability to extend beyond 2000 nm using strained InGaAs material.
We believe that we are also positioned to win on price in competing with current InGaAs sensors while having the ability to realize much larger area photodetector arrays because of our ability to manufacture on 12-inch silicon wafers, whereas competing InGaAs photodetectors are manufactured on InP wafers that are typically 2-4 inches in size. Therefore, in addition to realizing many more sensor chips per wafer, we have the ability to realize array sizes that are larger than what is possible with traditional InGaAs manufacturing on InP wafers.
Existing and potential competitors have or could have advantages such as greater name recognition, longer operating histories, broader and deeper product portfolios, larger customer bases, substantially greater financial and other resources, and larger scale manufacturing operations. However, we believe that our products will have the potential to compete because of our unique ability to manufacture high performance devices at low cost.
Customers
Aeluma currently has two potential customers that have provided non-binding support letters. These potential customers, who are manufacturers or research and development centers, wish to procure materials from us once our facility is operating and we are able to produce those materials. Aeluma bought a key piece of manufacturing equipment, a MOCVD tool, from one of the customers as part of a non-binding supply chain agreement, which provides that the customer will buy materials from us once we have installed and qualified the equipment.
Potential customers include those in the mobile market (both mobile phone manufactures and companies that sell integrated solutions to them), Lidar for cars, defense and aerospace. See, Risk Factors – “Our customers may require our products to undergo a lengthy and expensive qualification process without any assurance of product sales.”
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Markets
The CMOS image sensors market was approximately $19B in 2020 and is projected to be $30B in 2026 (Source: Yole Development). During 2018, the revenue breakdown by market was 68% mobile, 7% consumer, 8% computing, 6% automotive, 6% security, 3% industrial, 1% medical, 1% defense and aerospace (Source: Yole Development, CMOS Image Sensor Industry 2020 report, www.yole.fr).
In terms of unit sales, the following are projected for 2024: 1.73 billion mobile phones, 131 million tablets, and 113 automotive vehicles (Source: www.idc.com). Manufacturers of mobile phones, tablets, and Lidar for automotive vehicles may be prospective customers for Aeluma. In the mobile market, Apple arguably leads in terms of deploying advanced capabilities such as Lidar sensing in their devices; Apple does not use our technology. Apple leverages VCSEL emitters in conjunction with SPAD detectors for a Lidar scanner in smartphones and tablets and such technology “helps to deliver faster, more realistic augmented reality experiences and improves autofocus in low-light scenes in photos and videos” (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/05/apple-awards-an-additional-410-million-from-its-advanced-manufacturing-fund-to-ii-vi/). Other major smartphone suppliers include Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, Huawei, and realme (Source: www.counterpointresearch.com).
In addition to smartphone and tablet, other image sensor markets include: defense and aerospace, industrial, medical, automotive, robotic vehicles, machine vision, camera, motion detection, smart building and people counting, military, thermal imaging (Source: Yole Development).
Research and Development will be key to our success, enabling us to differentiate from competitors. The goal of our research and development efforts is to maintain leadership in heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductors on silicon for scaling the manufacturing of high performance optoelectronic devices. To support research and development, we will pursue government funded programs, although there are no assurances that such programs will be awarded. Such programs could not only offset research and development costs, but should provide pathways to customers, thereby supporting commercialization efforts.
Our Intellectual Property Approach
Our strategy for the protection of our proprietary technology is to seek worldwide patent protection with a focus on jurisdictions that represent significant global semiconductor markets. However, we will assess on a case-by-case basis whether it is strategically more favorable to maintain trade secret protection for our inventions and “know-how” rather than pursue patent protection. Generally, patents have a term of twenty years from the earliest priority date, assuming that all maintenance fees are paid, no portion of the patent has been terminally disclaimed and the patent has not been invalidated. In certain jurisdictions, and in certain circumstances, patent terms can be extended or shortened.
Intellectual Property
While we currently hold no issued patents, we have filed four patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and have executed a letter of intent with a university to negotiate a license option for one of their issued patents. We have also filed a trademark for the name Aeluma with the USPTO. We will maintain protection of trade secrets that include “know-how” and process recipes.
Governmental Regulations
Our primary products are anticipated to be compound semiconductor optoelectronic devices manufactured on silicon substrates, including InGaAs photodetectors and photodetector arrays. To the extent that our products are or become subject to U.S. export controls and regulations, these regulations may limit the export of our products and technology, and provision of our services outside of the United States, or may require export authorizations, including by license, a license exception, or other appropriate government authorizations and conditions, including annual or semi-annual reporting. Export control and economic sanctions laws may also include prohibitions on the sale or supply of certain of our products to embargoed or sanctioned countries, regions, governments, persons, and entities. In addition, various countries regulate the importation of certain products, through import permitting and licensing requirements, and have enacted laws that could limit our ability to distribute our products. The exportation, re-exportation, and importation of our products and technology and the provision of services, including by our partners, must comply with these laws or else we may be adversely affected, through reputational harm, government investigations, penalties, and a denial or curtailment of our ability to export our products and technology. Complying with export control and sanctions laws may be time-consuming and may result in the delay or loss of sales opportunities. Although we take precautions to prevent our products and technology from being provided in violation of such laws, our products and technology may have previously been, and could in the future be, provided inadvertently in violation of such laws, despite the precautions we take. If we are found to be in violation of U.S. sanctions or export control laws, it could result in substantial fines and penalties for us and for the individuals working for us. Export or import laws or sanctions policies are subject to rapid change and have been the subject of recent U.S. and non-U.S. government actions. Changes in export or import laws or sanctions policies, may adversely impact our operations, delay the introduction and sale of our products in international markets, or, in some cases, prevent the export or import of our products and technology to certain countries, regions, governments, persons, or entities altogether, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We are also generally subject to other industry and environmental regulations for electronic and semiconductor products such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC. See “Risk Factors—Environmental and health and safety liabilities and expenditures could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition” for additional information.
Manufacturing
We currently have not established material manufacturing capability. We plan to control our core MOCVD manufacturing and development, with MOCVD capability at our Goleta, California headquarters. That location will have a production scale system capable of materials growth on up to 12-inch wafers. We believe that this system, with the ability to grow InGaAs materials on silicon, InP, and other substrates, will provide sufficient capacity for both our photodetector business pursuits, as well as sales of wafer materials.
Sales
We currently do not have revenue or sales contracts. We do have two non-binding letters of intent from two different customers for development activities.
Marketing
We have not started marketing activities at this time.
Environment
We seek to comply with all applicable statutory and administrative requirements concerning environmental quality. Expenditures for compliance with federal state and local environmental laws have not had, and are not expected to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, results of operations or competitive position.
Properties
Our principal executive office is located at 27 Castilian Dr., Goleta, CA. We pay an annual rent of $156,165.
Effective February 22, 2021, we entered into a triple-net lease agreement with SBR Associates LP for the commercial building at 27 Castilian Dr. Goleta, CA for a term of five years, that began on April 1, 2021. The base rent for this property is $13,013.75 per month, with a CPI escalation over the initial base rent over the term of the lease. The lease expires on March 31, 2026 with the option to renew the lease with reasonable notice.
On March 15, 2021, we entered into a month to month agreement to sublease a portion of this property to the previous tenant at a base rental rate of $1.45 per square foot, per month.
Employees
The only employees of Aeluma as of the date of this Report are the CEO and interim CFO/COO. We plan to hire additional persons on an as-needed basis. We have engaged with a financial consultant and a technical consultant.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration, governmental proceeding or any other legal proceeding currently pending or known to be contemplated against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such, and we and the members of our management team have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 10 years preceding the date of this prospectus. We may however be involved, from time to time, in claims and lawsuits incidental to the conduct of our business in the ordinary course. We carry insurance coverage in such amounts as we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances and that may or may not cover any or all of our liabilities in respect of these matters. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations, but cannot guarantee same.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information contained in this Report, including our audited annual and interim unaudited financial statements, unaudited pro forma financial statements and the related notes included in this Report, before deciding to invest in our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could suffer materially. In such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business, Growth Prospects and Operating Results
We are recently formed and only in the initial development stages, we have generated no revenue and have never been profitable. Our lack of operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects and may increase the risks associated with an investment in our Shares.
Biond Photonics was formed in 2019 and has generated no revenue. Therefore, the Company is subject to the risks involved with any speculative early-stage enterprise. There is no assurance that the Company will successfully offer, market and distribute its products or services. The Company may experience continuing net losses and negative cash flows from operations. The extent of continuing losses and negative cash flows from operations and the time required to reach profitability are highly uncertain. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve profitability or that profitability, if achieved, can be sustained on an ongoing basis. There is no assurance that actual cash requirements will not exceed our estimates. Such risks for the Company include, but are not limited to:
● | an evolving, unpredictable and unproven business model; |
● | an intensely competitive developing market; |
● | rapidly changing technology; |
● | managing development and growth; |
● | dependence on key personnel; |
● | dependence on outsourced resourced, materials and equipment; |
● | limited operating capital and limited access to credit; and |
● | other unforeseen changes and developments in operations, the product and markets. |
In order to address these risks, the Company must, among other things:
● | implement and successfully execute its business strategy; |
● | provide superior customer service; |
● | respond to competitive developments; |
● | attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; and |
● | respond to unforeseen and changing circumstances. |
The Company cannot make the assurance that it will succeed in addressing these risks.
If we do not have access to capital on favorable terms, on the timeline we anticipate, or at all, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We will require a substantial amount of capital to meet our operating requirements and remain competitive. We anticipate to routinely incur significant costs to conduct research and development, implement new manufacturing and information technologies, to increase our productivity and efficiency, to upgrade equipment and to expand production capacity, and there can be no assurance that we will realize a return on the capital expended. We also anticipate incurring material amounts of debt to fund these requirements in the future. Significant volatility or disruption in the global financial markets may result in us not being able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, on the timeline we anticipate, or at all, and we may not be able to refinance, if necessary, any outstanding debt when due, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Any inability to obtain additional funding on favorable terms, on the timeline we anticipate, or at all, may cause us to curtail our operations significantly, reduce planned capital expenditures and research and development, or obtain funds through arrangements that management does not currently anticipate, including disposing of our assets and relinquishing rights to certain technologies, the occurrence of any of which may significantly impair our ability to remain competitive. If our operating results falter, our cash flow or capital resources prove inadequate, or if interest rates increase significantly, we could face liquidity problems that could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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Our cash resources are insufficient to meet our planned business objectives without additional financing. These and other factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and our independent auditor has included a qualification to that effect in its audit opinion relating to or financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Because we are a company with a very limited operating history, without revenues and are only minimally capitalized, we have a lack of liquidity and may need additional financing in the future. Additional financing may not be available when needed, which could delay our development or indefinitely postpone it. Our investors could lose some or all of their investment.
We are only minimally capitalized. Therefore, we expect to experience a lack of liquidity for the near future in our operations. We expect to adjust our expenses as necessary to prevent cash flow or liquidity problems. However, we expect we may need additional financing, which we do not now possess, to fully develop our products and operations. We expect to rely principally upon our ability to raise additional financing, the success of which cannot be guaranteed. If we require additional capital, we may need to identify alternate sources of capital for working capital purposes. To the extent that we experience a substantial lack of liquidity, our development in accordance with our proposed plan may be delayed or indefinitely postponed, our operations could be impaired, we may never become profitable, fail as an organization, and our investors could lose some or all of their investment.
We rely on our management team and other key employees and will need additional personnel to grow our business. The loss of one or more key employees or our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could harm our business.
Our future success is substantially dependent on our ability to attract, retain and motivate the members of our management team and other key employees throughout our organization. The loss of one or more members of our management team or other key employees could materially impact our sales or our research and development programs and materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our management team members or key employees. Competition for highly skilled personnel is intense. We may not be successful in attracting or retaining qualified personnel to fulfill our current or future needs. For positions in our offices near Santa Barbara in particular, we may experience challenges hiring new and mid-level employees in part due to the high local housing costs. Our competitors may be successful in recruiting and hiring members of our management team or other key employees, and it may be difficult for us to find suitable replacements on a timely basis, on competitive terms, or at all.
Our lack of an independent audit committee at this time may hinder our board of directors’ effectiveness in monitoring our compliance with our disclosure and accounting obligations. Until we establish such committee, we will be unable to obtain a listing on a national securities exchange.
Although our common stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, for purposes of independence we use the definition of independence applied by Nasdaq. Currently, we have no independent audit committee, and audit committee functions are performed by our board of directors as a whole. An independent audit committee would play a crucial role in the corporate governance process, assessing our processes relating to our risks and control environment, overseeing financial reporting, and evaluating internal and independent audit processes. We may, however, have difficulty attracting and retaining independent directors with the requisite qualifications to serve on an audit committee. An independent audit committee (with certain exceptions and phase in-periods if we are a controlled company) is required for listing on any national securities exchange. Therefore, until such time as we meet the audit committee independence requirements of a national securities exchange, we will be ineligible for listing on any national securities exchange.
If our estimates or judgments relating to our critical accounting policies are based on assumptions that change or prove to be incorrect, our results of operations could fall below the expectations of investors, resulting in a decline in the market price of our common stock.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements. Significant assumptions and estimates used in preparing our financial statements include those related to assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our results of operations may be adversely affected if our assumptions change or if actual circumstances differ from those in our assumptions, which could cause our results of operations to fall below the expectations of investors, resulting in a decline in the market price of our common stock.
Changes in accounting rules and regulations, or interpretations thereof, could result in unfavorable accounting charges or require us to change our compensation policies.
Accounting methods and policies for companies such as ours, including policies governing revenue recognition, leases, research and development and related expenses, and accounting for stock-based compensation, are subject to review, interpretation and guidance from our auditors and relevant accounting authorities, including the SEC. Changes to accounting methods or policies, or interpretations thereof, may require us to reclassify, restate or otherwise change or revise our historical financial statements, including those contained in this Report.
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Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
We do not expect to become profitable in the near future and may never achieve profitability. To the extent that we continue to generate taxable losses, unused losses will carry forward to offset future taxable income, if any, until such unused losses expire. Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research tax credits) to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. The merger, our prior equity offerings and other changes in our stock ownership may have resulted in ownership changes. In addition, we may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership, some of which are outside of our control. As a result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use our pre-change net operating loss carryforwards to offset U.S. federal taxable income may be subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us. In addition, at the state level, there may be periods during which the use of NOLs is suspended or otherwise limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase state taxes owed.
We will depend on a limited number of customers and the loss of one or more of these customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We currently have no customers, but we have letters of intent from two potential customers. These intent letters are non-binding and the customers could elect not to purchase our products or services. This could result in financial, as well as technical adverse effects since we expect to benefit from technical feedback from the customers in addition to income. If we lose one or both of these customers our technical progress could be delayed.
In addition, we cannot assure that any of our future customers will not cease purchasing products from us in favor of products produced by other suppliers, significantly reduce orders or seek price reductions in the future, and any such event could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, profitability, and results of operations.
Furthermore, if a significant portion of our revenue is derived from customers in certain industries, a downturn or lower sales to customers in such industries could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Uncertainties regarding the timing and amount of customer orders could lead to excess inventory and write-downs of inventory that could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We expect that our sales will be typically made pursuant to individual purchase orders or customer agreements, and we do not expect to have long-term supply arrangements with our customers requiring a commitment to purchase. We expect that the agreements with our customers may allow them to cancel orders prior to shipment for standard products and, generally prior to start of production for custom products without incurring a penalty. We anticipate to routinely generate inventory based on customers’ estimates of end-user demand for their products, which is difficult to predict. In times of under supply for certain products, some customers could respond by inflating their demand signals. As markets level off and supply capacity begins to match actual market demands, we could experience an increased risk of inventory write-downs, which may materially adversely affect our results of operations and our financial condition. In addition, our customers may change their inventory practices on short notice for any reason. Furthermore, short customer lead times are standard in the industry due to overcapacity. The cancellation or deferral of product orders, the return of previously sold products, or overproduction of products due to the failure of anticipated orders to materialize could result in excess obsolete inventory, which could result in write-downs of inventory or the incurrence of significant cancellation penalties under our arrangements with our raw materials and equipment suppliers. Unsold inventory, canceled orders and cancellation penalties may materially adversely affect our results of operations, and inventory write-downs, which may materially adversely affect our financial condition.
Our customers may require our products to undergo a lengthy and expensive qualification process without any assurance of product sales.
Prior to purchasing our products, our customers may require that our products undergo an extensive qualification process, which involves testing of the products in the customer’s system, as well as rigorous reliability testing. This qualification process may continue for a few months or longer, and we cannot guarantee that products will pass the required tests. However, qualification of a product by a customer does not ensure any sales of the product to that customer. Even after successful qualification and sales of a product to a customer, a subsequent revision to the product or software, changes in the product’s manufacturing process or the selection of a new supplier by us may require a new qualification process, which may result in delays and in us holding excess or obsolete inventory. After our products are qualified, additional time may be required before the customer commences volume production of components or devices that incorporate our products. Despite these uncertainties, we will devote substantial resources, including design, engineering, sales, marketing and management efforts, toward qualifying our products with customers in anticipation of sales. If we are unsuccessful or delayed in qualifying any of our products with a customer, such failure or delay would preclude or delay sales of such product to the customer, which may impede our growth and cause our business to suffer.
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If the Company cannot effectively manage growth by implementing and improving its operational and financial systems, the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be material adverse affected.
In order to maximize the potential growth in the Company’s market opportunities, the Company may have to expand rapidly and significantly. The impetus for expansion could place a significant strain on the management, operational and financial resources of the Company. In order to manage growth, the Company will be required to implement and continually improve its operational and financial systems, expand operations, attract and retain superior management and train, manage and expand its employee base. The Company can give no assurance that it will effectively manage its operations, that its system, procedures, or controls will adequately support operations or that management of the Company will successfully implement its business plan. If the Company cannot effectively manage growth, the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
If our estimates related to expenditures are inaccurate, our business may fail.
Our success is dependent in part upon the accuracy of our management’s estimates of expenditures for the next twelve months and beyond. If such estimates are inaccurate, or we encounter unforeseen expenses and delays, we may not be able to carry out our business plan, which could result in the failure of our business.
We may not obtain insurance coverage to adequately cover all significant risk exposures.
We will be exposed to liabilities that are unique to the products we provide. There can be no assurance that we will acquire or maintain insurance for certain risks, that the amount of our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover all claims or liabilities, or that we will not be forced to bear substantial costs resulting from risks and uncertainties of business. It also may not be possible to obtain insurance to protect against all operational risks and liabilities. The failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage on terms favorable to us, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities.
We face a potential risk of product liability as a result of any of the products that we develop, manufacture and/or offer for sale. For example, we may be sued if any product we develop, manufacture and/or sell allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
● | decreased demand for products that we may offer for sale; |
● | injury to our reputation; |
● | costs to defend the related litigation; |
● | a diversion of management’s time and our resources; |
● | substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients; and |
● | product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions. |
We currently do not maintain any product liability insurance. We may obtain insurance when we commence commercial operations. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain product liability insurance or that such insurance will be affordable or sufficient. If we are unable to obtain or retain sufficient product liability insurance coverage, it could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of products we develop. Even if we obtain product liability insurance in the future, we may have to pay amounts awarded by a court or negotiated in a settlement that exceed our coverage limitations or that are not covered by our insurance, and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient capital to pay such amounts.
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Warranty claims, product liability claims and product recalls could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Manufacturing semiconductors is a highly complex and precise process, requiring production in a tightly controlled, clean environment. Minute impurities in our manufacturing materials, contaminants in the manufacturing environment, manufacturing equipment failures, and other defects can cause our products to be non-compliant with customer requirements or otherwise nonfunctional. We face an inherent business risk of exposure to warranty and product liability claims in the event that our products fail to perform as expected or such failure of our products results, or is alleged to result in bodily injury or property damage (or both). In addition, if any of our designed products are or are alleged to be defective, we may be required to participate in their recall. A successful warranty or product liability claim against us in excess of our available insurance coverage, if any, and established reserves, or a requirement that we participate in a product recall, could have material adverse effects on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, in the event that our products fail to perform as expected or such failure of our products results in a recall, our reputation may be damaged, which could make it more difficult for us to sell our products to existing and prospective customers and could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Since a defect or failure in our product could give rise to failures in the goods that incorporate them (and claims for consequential damages against our customers from their customers), we may face claims for damages that are disproportionate to the revenue and profits we receive from the products involved. We plan to attempt to limit our liability through our standard terms and conditions of sale and other customer contracts in certain instances; however, there is no assurance that such limitations will be effective. To the extent that we are liable for damages in excess of the revenue and profits we received from the products involved, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We may be subject to litigation from time to time during the normal course of business, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time in the normal course of business or otherwise, we may become subject to litigation that may result in liability material to our financial statements as a whole or may negatively affect our operating results if changes to business operation are required. The cost to defend such litigation may be significant and may require a diversion of our resources. There also may be adverse publicity associated with litigation that could negatively affect customer perception of our products and business, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. As a result, litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Natural disasters and other business disruptions could cause significant harm to our business operations and facilities and could adversely affect our supply chain and our customer base, any of which may materially adversely affect our business, results of operation, and financial condition.
We expect that our manufacturing and other facilities, as well as the operations of our third-party suppliers, are susceptible to losses and interruptions caused by floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and similar natural disasters, as well as power outages, telecommunications failures, industrial accidents, pandemics and similar events. The occurrence of natural disasters in any of the regions in which we or our suppliers will operate could severely disrupt the operations of our businesses by negatively impacting our supply chain, our ability to deliver products, and the cost of our products. Such events can negatively impact revenue and earnings and can significantly impact cash flow, both from decreased revenue and from increased costs associated with the event. In addition, these events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease. We may carry insurance to generally compensate for losses of the type noted above, however, even if we obtain such insurance it may not be adequate to cover all losses that may be incurred or continue to be available in the affected area at commercially reasonable rates and terms. To the extent any losses from natural disasters or other business disruptions are not covered by insurance, any costs, write-downs, impairments and decreased revenue can materially adversely affect our business, our results of operations and our financial condition.
There is no assurance on the future successful completion of strategic transactions by us to successfully implement our business strategies.
Our ability to complete future strategic transactions could be important to the successful implementation of our business strategies, including our strategies to strengthen our geographic diversity and broaden its customer base. Successful completion of a strategic manufacturing partnership agreement or other similar transaction depends on a number of factors that are not entirely within our control, including our ability to negotiate acceptable terms, conclude satisfactory agreements and obtain all necessary regulatory approvals. In seeking to partner with another company, we may require capital investment, funding for operations, or dedicated personnel with special skills. If we need to finance this activity, we may not be able to obtain the necessary financing on satisfactory terms and within the timeframe that would permit the transaction to proceed. If any of these factors prevents us from completing one or more strategic transactions, we may not be able to expand our business in the manner and on the schedule that we plan. In addition, we may incur significant costs arising from our efforts to engage in strategic transactions. These costs may exceed the returns that we realize from a given transaction. Moreover, these expenditures may not result in the successful completion of a transaction.
Even if we complete one or more strategic partnership agreements, we may be unable to work effectively with the partner company which may impact our ability to reach the goals of the partnership. Further, such a partnership could disrupt ongoing business, distract management and employees or lead to increased expenses.
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We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations and could have a material adverse impact on us. The recent coronavirus outbreak could materially and adversely affect our business.
An outbreak of a new respiratory illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) has resulted in millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide as of the date hereof, and continues to spread across the globe, including within the United States. The outbreak of COVID-19 or by other epidemics could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the spread of the virus worsens in regions in which we have material operations or sales, our business activities originating from affected areas, including sales, manufacturing and supply chain related activities, could be adversely affected. Disruptive activities could include the temporary closure of our facilities and those used in our supply chain processes, restrictions on the shipment of our products, business closures in impacted areas, and restrictions on our employees’ and consultants’ ability to travel and to meet with customers. If workers at one or more of our offices or the offices of our suppliers or manufacturers become ill or are quarantined and in either or both events are therefore unable to work, our operations could be subject to disruption. Further, if our manufacturers become unable to obtain necessary raw materials or components, we may incur higher supply costs or our manufacturers may be required to reduce production levels, either of which may negatively affect our financial condition or results of operations.
As events are rapidly changing, we do not know how long the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures that have been introduced to respond to it will disrupt our operations or the full extent of that disruption. Further, once we are able to restart normal business hours and operations doing so may take time and will involve costs and uncertainty. We also cannot predict how long the effects of COVID-19 and the efforts to contain it will continue to impact our business after the pandemic is under control. Governments could take additional restrictive measures to combat the pandemic that could further impact our business or the economy in the geographies in which we operate. It is also possible that the impact of the pandemic and response on our suppliers, customers and markets will persist for some time after governments ease their restrictions. These measures have negatively impacted, and may continue to impact, our business and financial condition as the responses to control COVID-19 continue.
Our current operations are concentrated in one location and in the event of an earthquake, terrorist attack or other disaster affecting this location or those of our major suppliers, our operations may be interrupted and our business may be harmed.
Our principal executive offices and primary epiwafer operating facilities are situated near Santa Barbara, California, and most of our major suppliers, are located in areas that have been subject to severe earthquakes and are susceptible to other disasters such as tropical storms, typhoons or tsunamis. In the event of a disaster, we or one or more of our major suppliers may be temporarily unable to continue operations and may suffer significant property damage. Any interruption in our ability, or that of our major suppliers, to continue operations could delay the development and shipment of our products and have a substantial negative impact on our financial results. As part of our risk management policy, we maintain insurance coverage at levels that we believe are appropriate for our business. However, in the event of an accident or incident at these facilities, we cannot assure you that the amounts or coverage of insurance will be sufficient to satisfy any damages and losses.
Risks Relating to the Semiconductor Industry
We will rely on limited sources of wafer fabrication, packaged products fabrication and product testing, the loss of which could delay and limit our product shipments.
We expect to subcontract wafer fabrication services to third party suppliers.
These suppliers also offer such services to other companies, which may lead to us not having access to adequate capacity for our needs and our customers’ needs. We may have less control over delivery schedules and overall support versus other customers and users of those facilities. If the wafer foundries we use are unable or unwilling to manufacture our products in our required volumes, or at specified times, we may have to identify and qualify acceptable additional or alternative foundries. This qualification process could typically take three to six months and we may not find sufficient capacity in a timely manner or at an acceptable cost to satisfy our production requirements.
Some companies that supply products to our customers are similarly dependent on a limited number of suppliers. These other companies’ products may represent important components of camera systems or sensor assemblies and other products into which our products are designed. If these companies are unable to produce the volumes demanded by our customers, our customers may be forced to slow down or halt production on the equipment for which our products are designed, which could materially impact our order levels.
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Because we will depend on third-party manufacturers to build portions of our products, we will be susceptible to manufacturing delays and pricing fluctuations that could prevent us from shipping customer orders on time, if at all, or on a cost-effective basis, which may result in the loss of sales, income and customers.
We will depend on third-party manufacturers to build several stages of our products. Our reliance on these third-party manufacturers reduces our control over the manufacturing process and exposes us to risks, including reduced control over quality assurance, product costs, and product supply and timing. Any manufacturing disruption by these third-party manufacturers could severely impair our ability to fulfill orders. Our reliance on third-party manufacturers also creates the potential for infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property. If we are unable to manage our relationships with third-party manufacturers effectively, or if our third-party manufacturers experience delays or disruptions for any reason, increased manufacturing lead-times, capacity constraints or quality control problems in their manufacturing operations, or if they otherwise fail to meet our future requirements for timely delivery, our ability to ship products to our customers would be severely impaired, and our business and results of operations would be seriously harmed.
Downturns or volatility in general economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In recent years, worldwide semiconductor industry sales have tracked the impact of the financial crisis, subsequent recovery and persistent economic uncertainty. We believe that the state of economic conditions in the United States is particularly uncertain due to recent and expected shifts in legislative and regulatory conditions concerning, among other matters, international trade and taxation, and that an uneven recovery or a renewed global downturn may put pressure on our sales due to reductions in customer demand as well as customers deferring purchases. Volatile and/or uncertain economic conditions can adversely impact sales and profitability and make it difficult for us and our competitors to accurately forecast and plan our future business activities. To the extent we incorrectly plan for favorable economic conditions that do not materialize or take longer to materialize than expected, we may face oversupply of our products relative to customer demand. Reduced customer spending may in the future drive us and our competitors, to reduce product pricing, which will result in a negative effect on gross profit. Moreover, volatility in revenue as a result of unpredictable economic conditions may alter our anticipated working capital needs and interfere with our short-term and long-term strategies. To the extent that our sales, profitability and strategies are negatively affected by downturns or volatility in general economic conditions, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical, and significant downturns or upturns in customer demand can materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and, as a result, is subject to significant downturns and upturns in customer demand for semiconductors and related products. We cannot accurately predict the timing of future downturns and upturns in the semiconductor industry or how severe and prolonged these conditions might be. Significant downturns often occur in connection with, or in anticipation of, maturing product cycles (for semiconductors and for the end-user products in which they are used) or declines in general economic conditions and can result in reduced product demand, production overcapacity, high inventory levels and accelerated erosion of average selling prices, any of which could materially adversely affect our operating results as a result of increased operating expenses outpacing decreased revenue, reduced margins, underutilization of our manufacturing capacity and/or asset impairment charges. On the other hand, significant upturns can cause us to be unable to satisfy demand in a timely and cost efficient manner. In the event of such an upturn, we may not be able to expand our workforce and operations in a sufficiently timely manner, procure adequate resources and raw materials, or locate suitable third-party suppliers to respond effectively to changes in demand for our existing products or to the demand for new products requested by our customers, and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Rapid innovation and short product life cycles in the semiconductor industry can result in price erosion of older products, which may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid innovation and short product life cycles, which often results in price erosion, especially with respect to products containing older technology. Products are frequently replaced by more technologically advanced substitutes and, as demand for older technology falls, the price at which such products can be sold drops, in some cases precipitously. In addition, our and our competitors’ excess inventory levels can accelerate general price erosion.
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Shortages or increased prices of raw materials could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Our manufacturing processes will rely on many raw materials. Generally, we expect that our agreements with suppliers of raw materials will impose no minimum or continuing supply obligations, and we will obtain our raw materials and supplies from a large number of sources on a just-in-time basis. From time to time, suppliers of raw materials may extend lead times, limit supplies or increase prices due to capacity constraints or other factors beyond our control. Shortages could occur in various essential raw materials due to interruption of supply or increased demand. If we are unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner, the costs of our raw materials increases significantly, their quality deteriorates or they give rise to compatibility or performance issues in our products, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy and has had and could continue to have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The COVID-19 pandemic, and the various governmental, industry and consumer actions related thereto, are having and could continue to have negative impacts on our business and have exacerbated or could further exacerbate conditions in our other risk factors noted below. These impacts include, without limitation, potential significant volatility or continued decreases in the demand for our products, changes in customer and consumer behavior and preferences, disruptions in or additional closures of our manufacturing operations or those of our customers and suppliers, disruptions within our supply chain, potential financial difficulties of customers and suppliers, significant changes in economic or political conditions, and related financial and commodity volatility, including volatility in raw material and other input costs. The situation is changing rapidly and there may be additional impacts that we are not currently aware of.
It is also uncertain what the impact of various legislation and other responses being taken in the United States and other countries will have on the economy, international trade, our industries, our businesses and the businesses of our customers and suppliers. Governments around the world have implemented stringent measures to help control the spread of COVID-19, including quarantines, “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders, travel restrictions, business curtailments, school and childcare closures, and other measures. These actions have caused, and are continuing to cause, business shutdowns or slowdowns and significant disruption in the global economy. Despite the gradual reduction of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the apparent recovery of many company’s operations, significant uncertainty still exists concerning the overall magnitude of the impact and the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been reports of a global semiconductor shortage, including supply chain shortages and delays in this industry, which could delay our ability to obtain equipment and raw materials, as well as our ability to partner with foundries. To the extent that this shortage persists, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations. We will continue to closely monitor updates regarding the continuing impact of COVID-19 and the semiconductor industry and adjust our operations according to guidelines from local, state and federal officials. In light of the foregoing, we may take actions that alter our business operations or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders.
Despite our efforts to manage the impacts, the degree to which COVID-19 and related actions ultimately impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows will depend on factors beyond our control including the duration, spread and severity of the outbreak, the actions taken to contain COVID-19 and mitigate its public health effects, the impact on the U.S. and global economies and demand for our products, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions resume. Continued disruption to the global economy, as well as to the end markets our businesses serve, could result in material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our facilities and processes may be interdependent and an operational disruption at any particular facility could have a material adverse effect on our ability to produce our products, which would materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We may utilize an integrated manufacturing platform in which multiple facilities may each produce one or more components necessary for the assembly of a single product. If we do, an operational disruption at a facility toward the front-end of our manufacturing process may have a disproportionate impact on our ability to produce our products. For example, if our multiple facilities rely predominantly on one third-party for manufacturing at the front-end of its manufacturing process, in the event of any operational disruption, natural or man-made disaster or other extraordinary event at such third-party facility, we may be unable to effectively source replacement components on acceptable terms from qualified third parties, in which case our ability to produce our products could be materially disrupted or delayed.
Conversely, if our facilities are single source facilities that only produce one of our end-products, a disruption at any such facility would materially delay or cease production of the related product. In the event of any such operational disruption, we may experience difficulty in beginning production of replacement components or products at new facilities (for example, due to construction delays) or transferring production to other existing facilities (for example, due to capacity constraints or difficulty in transitioning to new manufacturing processes), any of which could result in a loss of future revenues and materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
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We may be unable to maintain manufacturing efficiency, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We believe that our success will materially depend on our ability to maintain or improve our margin levels related to manufacturing. Semiconductor manufacturing requires advanced equipment and significant capital investment, leading to high fixed costs, which include depreciation expenses. Manufacturing semiconductor components also involves highly complex processes that we and our competitors are continuously modifying to improve yields and product performance. In addition, impurities, waste or other difficulties in the manufacturing process can lower production yields. Our manufacturing efficiency will be an important factor in our future profitability, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to manufacture efficiently, increase manufacturing efficiency to the same extent as our competitors, or be successful in our manufacturing rationalization plans. If we are unable to utilize manufacturing and testing facilities at expected levels, or if production capacity increases while revenue does not, the fixed costs and other operating expenses associated with these facilities will not be fully absorbed, resulting in higher average unit costs and lower gross profits, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The failure to successfully implement cost reduction initiatives, including through restructuring activities, could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
From time to time, we may implement cost reduction initiatives in response to significant downturns in our industry, including relocating manufacturing to lower cost regions, transitioning higher-cost external supply to internal manufacturing, working with our material suppliers to lower costs, implementing personnel reductions and voluntary retirement programs, reducing employee compensation, temporary shutdowns of facilities with mandatory vacation and aggressively streamlining our overhead.
We cannot assure you that any cost reduction initiatives will be successfully or timely implemented or that they will materially and positively impact profitability.
If we are unable to identify and make the substantial research and development investments required to remain competitive in our business, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
The semiconductor industry requires substantial investment in research and development in order to develop and bring to market new and enhanced technologies and products. The development of new products is a complex and time-consuming process and often requires significant capital investment and lead time for development and testing. We cannot assure you that we will have sufficient resources to maintain the level of investment in research and development that is required to remain competitive.
In addition, the lengthy development cycle for our products will limit our ability to adapt quickly to changes affecting the product markets and requirements of our customers and end-users. There can be no assurance that we will win competitive bid selection processes, known as “design wins,” for new products. In addition, design wins do not guarantee that we will make customer sales or that we will generate sufficient revenue to recover design and development investments, as expenditures for technology and product development are generally made before the commercial viability for such developments can be assured. There is no assurance that we will realize a return on the capital expended to develop new products, that a significant investment in new products will be profitable or that we will have margins as high as we anticipate at the time of investment or have experienced historically. To the extent that we underinvest in our research and development efforts, or that our investments and capital expenditures in research and development do not lead to sales of new products, we may be unable to bring to market technologies and products that are attractive to our customers, and as a result our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We may be unable to develop new products to satisfy changing customer demands or regulatory requirements, which may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapidly changing technologies, evolving regulatory and industry standards and certifications, changing customer needs and frequent new product introductions. Our success will be largely dependent on our ability to accurately predict, identify and adapt to changes affecting the requirements of our customers in a timely and cost-effective manner. Additionally, the emergence of new industry or regulatory standards and certification requirements may adversely affect the demand for our products. We plan to focus our new product development efforts on market segments and applications that we anticipate will experience growth, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying high-growth areas or develop products that meet industry standards or certification requirements in a timely manner. A fundamental shift in technologies, the regulatory climate or consumption patterns and preferences in our existing product markets or the product markets of our customers or end-users could make our current products obsolete, prevent or delay the introduction of new products that we planned to make or render our current or new products irrelevant to our customers’ needs. If our new product development efforts fail to align with the needs of our customers, including due to circumstances outside of our control like a fundamental shift in the product markets of our customers and end users or regulatory changes, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
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The semiconductor industry is highly competitive, and our inability to compete effectively could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The semiconductor industry is highly competitive, and our ability to compete successfully depends on elements both within and outside of our control. We will face significant competition from major global semiconductor companies as well as smaller companies focused on specific market niches. In addition, companies not currently in direct competition with us may introduce competing products in the future.
Our inability to compete effectively could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. Products or technologies developed by competitors that are larger and have more substantial research and development budgets, or that are smaller and more targeted in their development efforts, may render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive. We also may be unable to market and sell our products if they are not competitive on the basis of price, quality, technical performance, features, system compatibility, customized design, innovation, availability, delivery timing and reliability. If we fail to compete effectively on developing strategic relationships with customers and customer sales and technical support, our sales and revenue may be materially adversely affected. Competitive pressures may limit our ability to raise prices, and any inability to maintain revenue or raise prices to offset increases in costs could have a significant adverse effect on our gross margin. Reduced sales and lower gross margins would materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The semiconductor industry has experienced rapid consolidation and our inability to compete with large competitors or failure to identify attractive opportunities to consolidate may materially adversely affect our business.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by the high costs associated with developing marketable products and manufacturing technologies as well as high levels of investment in production capabilities. As a result, the semiconductor industry has experienced, and may continue to experience, significant consolidation among companies and vertical integration among customers. Larger competitors resulting from consolidations may have certain advantages over us, including, but not limited to: substantially greater financial and other resources with which to withstand adverse economic or market conditions and pursue development, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of their products; longer independent operating histories; presence in key markets; patent protection; and greater name recognition. In addition, we may be at a competitive disadvantage to our peers if we fail to identify attractive opportunities to acquire companies to expand our business. Consolidation among our competitors and integration among our customers could erode our market share, negatively impact our capacity to compete and require us to restructure our operations, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
We will be dependent on the services of third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers, and any disruption in or deterioration of the quality of the services delivered by such third parties could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We plan to use third-party contractors for certain of our manufacturing activities. Our agreements with these manufacturers may require us to commit to purchase services based on forecasted product needs, which may be inaccurate, and, in some cases, require longer-term commitments. We will be also dependent upon a limited number of highly specialized third-party suppliers for required components and materials for certain of our key technologies. Arranging for replacement manufacturers and suppliers can be time consuming and costly, and the number of qualified alternative providers can be extremely limited. Our business operations, productivity and customer relations could be materially adversely affected if these contractual relationships were disrupted or terminated, the cost of such services increased significantly, the quality of the services provided deteriorated or our forecasted needs proved to be materially incorrect.
Sales through distributors and other third parties will expose us to risks that, if realized, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may sell a significant portion of our products through distributors. Distributors may sell products that compete with our products, and we may need to provide financial and other incentives to focus distributors on the sale of our products. We may rely on one or more key distributors for a product, and the loss of these distributors could reduce our revenue. Distributors may face financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, which could harm our collection of accounts receivable and financial results. Violations of the FCPA or similar laws by distributors or other third-party intermediaries could have a material impact on our business. Failure to manage risks related to our use of distributors may reduce sales, increase expenses, and weaken our competitive position, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
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Our potential future global operations may subject us to risks inherent in doing business on a global level that could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our long term expansion plans are realized, we anticipate that a certain amount of our total revenue may be derived from countries outside of the United States in the future, and we might maintain certain operations in these regions. In addition, we may rely on a number of contract manufacturers whose operations are primarily located outside of the United States. Risks inherent in doing business on a global level include, among others, the following:
● | economic and geopolitical instability (including as a result of the threat or occurrence of armed international conflict or terrorist attacks); |
● | changes in regulatory requirements, international trade agreements, tariffs, customs, duties and other trade barriers; |
● | licensing requirements for the import or export of certain products; |
● | exposure to different legal standards, customs, business practices, tariffs, duties and other trade barriers, including changes with respect to price protection, competition practices, IP, anti-corruption and environmental compliance, trade and travel restrictions, pandemics, import and export license requirements and restrictions, and accounts receivable collections; |
● | transportation and other supply chain delays and disruptions; |
● | power supply shortages and shutdowns; |
● | difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, including collective bargaining agreements and workers councils, exposure to foreign labor laws and other employment and labor issues; |
● | currency fluctuations; |
● | currency convertibility and repatriation; |
● | taxation of our earnings and the earnings of our personnel; |
● | limitations on the repatriation of earnings and potential additional taxation of foreign profits in the U.S.; |
● | potential violations by our international employees or third-party agents of international or U.S. laws relevant to foreign operations (e.g., the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”)); |
● | difficulty in enforcing intellectual property rights; and |
● | other risks relating to the administration of or changes in, or new interpretations of, the laws, regulations and policies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. |
We cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming the risks that relate to or arise from operating in international markets, the materialization of any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Special authorizations, permits, licenses may be required for our operations, which if delayed or denied could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition
The semiconductor industry commonly uses various hazardous materials in the manufacture of products. These materials may be incorporated in end products, be waste products of the manufacturing process, or be released accidentally. Such hazardous materials are regulated by state, local, and federal law and applicable policies, regulations or other requirements. Furthermore, the semiconductor industry commonly utilizes equipment that can increase the risk of fire, water damage, electric shock to personnel, in addition to other risks. Semiconductor operations generally require permits, licenses and other authorizations from government agencies. Since we have not yet commenced any of these operations, no permits or other authorizations have been obtained. Any delay or denial of such authorizations could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
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Environmental and health and safety liabilities and expenditures could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our future manufacturing operations may be subject to various environmental laws and regulations relating to the management, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and the emission and discharge of pollutants into the air, water and ground, and we may be identified as either a primary responsible party or a potentially responsible party at sites where we or our predecessors operated or disposed of waste in the past. Our operations may also be subject to laws and regulations relating to workplace safety and worker health, which, among other requirements, regulate employee exposure to various hazards including hazardous substances. We do not currently maintain environmental insurance to cover certain claims related to historical contamination and future releases of hazardous substances. Moreover, we cannot assure you that even if such insurance is purchased, that it will cover any or all of our material environmental costs. In addition, the nature of our future operations may expose us to the continuing risk of environmental and health and safety liabilities including:
● | changes in U.S. state and federal, and international environmental or health and safety laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, future laws or regulations imposed in response to climate change concerns; |
● | the manner in which environmental or health and safety laws or regulations will be enforced, administered or interpreted; |
● | our ability to enforce and collect under indemnity agreements and insurance policies relating to environmental liabilities; |
● | the cost of compliance with future environmental or health and safety laws or regulations or the costs associated with any future environmental claims, including the cost of clean-up of currently unknown environmental conditions; or |
● | the cost of fines, penalties or other legal liability, should we fail to comply with environmental or health and safety laws or regulations. |
To the extent that we face unforeseen environmental or health and safety compliance costs or remediation expenses or liabilities that are not covered by insurance, we may bear the full effect of such costs, expenses and liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We may be subject to disruptions or breaches of our secured network that could irreparably damage our reputation and our business, expose us to liability and materially adversely affect our results of operations.
We may routinely collect and store sensitive data, including IP and other proprietary information about our business and our customers, suppliers and business partners. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information will be critical to our operations and business strategy. We may be subject to disruptions or breaches of our secured network caused by computer viruses, illegal hacking, criminal fraud or impersonation, acts of vandalism or terrorism or employee error. Our security measures and/or those of our third-party service providers and/or customers may not detect or prevent such security breaches. The costs to us to reduce the risk of or alleviate cyber security breaches and vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions and delays that may materially impede our sales, manufacturing, distribution or other critical functions. Any such compromise of our information security could result in the misappropriation or unauthorized publication of our confidential business or proprietary information or that of other parties with which we do business, an interruption in our operations, the unauthorized transfer of cash or other of our assets, the unauthorized release of customer or employee data or a violation of privacy or other laws. In addition, computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms and other malicious software programs that attack our systems, or that otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities, and any such attack, if successful, could expose us to liability to customer claims. Any of the foregoing could irreparably damage our reputation and business, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The failure to comply with the terms and conditions of our contracts could result in, among other things, damages, fines or other liabilities.
We expect to have a diverse customer base consisting of both private sector clients and public sector clients, including the U.S. government. Sales to our private sector clients are generally expected to be based on stated contractual terms, the terms and conditions on our website or terms contained in purchase orders on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Sales to our public sector clients are generally expected to be derived from sales to federal, state and local governmental departments and agencies through various contracts and programs, which may require compliance with regulations covering many areas of our operations, including, but not limited to, accounting practices, IP rights, information handling, and security. Noncompliance with contract terms, particularly with respect to highly-regulated public sector clients, or with government procurement regulations could result in fines or penalties against us, termination of such contracts or civil, criminal and administrative liability to the Company. With respect to public sector clients, the government’s remedies may also include suspension or debarment from future government business. The effect of any of these possible actions or the adoption of new or modified procurement regulations or practices could materially adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
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Risks Relating To Intellectual Property
If we are unable to protect the intellectual property we use, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We do not currently own or license any patents to our technology. While we have several pending patent applications in various stages of progress, there can be no assurance that any of them will be issued. The enforceability of any patents, trademarks, copyrights, software licenses and other IP we own or may own may be uncertain in certain circumstances. Effective IP protection may be unavailable, limited or not applied for in the U.S. and internationally. The various laws and regulations governing registered and unregistered IP assets, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, mask works and copyrights to protect products and technologies are subject to legislative and regulatory change and interpretation by courts. With respect to our IP generally, we cannot assure you that:
● | any of the U.S. or foreign patents and pending patent applications that we may employ in our business will not lapse or be invalidated, circumvented, challenged, abandoned or licensed to others; |
● | any of our pending or future patent applications will be issued, have the coverage originally sought or be enforceable against third party infringers; |
● | any of the trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how or mask works that we employ or will employ in our business will not lapse or be invalidated, circumvented, challenged, abandoned or licensed to others; or |
● | any of our pending or future trademark, copyright, or mask work applications will be issued or have the coverage originally sought. |
If we seek to enforce our rights, we may be subject to claims that the IP right is invalid, is otherwise not enforceable or is licensed to the party against whom we are asserting a claim. In addition, our assertion of IP rights may result in the other party seeking to assert alleged IP rights of its own against us, which may materially adversely impact our business. An unfavorable ruling in these sorts of matters could include money damages or an injunction prohibiting us from manufacturing or selling one or more products, which could in turn negatively affect our business, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition, some of our products and technologies may not be covered by any patents or pending patent applications. We intend to protect our proprietary technologies, including technologies that may not be patented or patentable, in part by confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, inventors’ rights agreements with our collaborators, advisors, employees and consultants. We cannot assure you that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach or that persons or institutions will not assert rights to IP arising out of our research. Should we be unable to protect our IP, competitors may develop products or technologies that duplicate our products or technologies, benefit financially from innovations for which we bore the costs of development and undercut the sales and marketing of our products, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If our technologies are subject to claims of infringement on the intellectual property rights of third parties, efforts to address such claims could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may from time to time be subject to claims that we may be infringing third-party intellectual property (“IP”) rights. If necessary or desirable, we may seek licenses under such IP rights. However, we cannot assure you that we will obtain such licenses or that the terms of any offered licenses will be acceptable to us. The failure to obtain a license from a third-party for IP we use could cause us to incur substantial liabilities or to suspend the manufacture or shipment of products or our use of processes requiring such technologies. Further, we may be subject to IP litigation, which could cause us to incur significant expense, materially adversely affect sales of the challenged product or technologies and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel, whether or not such litigation is resolved in our favor. In the event of an adverse outcome in any such litigation, we may be required to:
● | pay substantial damages; |
● | indemnify customers or distributors; |
● | cease the manufacture, use, sale or importation of infringing products; |
● | expend significant resources to develop or acquire non-infringing technologies; |
● | discontinue the use of processes; or |
● | obtain licenses, which may not be available on reasonable terms, to the infringing technologies. |
The outcome of IP litigation is inherently uncertain and, if not resolved in our favor, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Risk Relating to Our Common Stock and the Offering
An investment in our company should be considered illiquid.
There is currently no market for our Common Stock. An investment in the Company requires a long-term commitment, with no certainty of return. Because we did not become an SEC reporting company by the traditional means of conducting an initial public offering of our Common Stock, we may be unable to establish a liquid market for our Common Stock. Moreover, we do not expect security analysts of brokerage firms to provide coverage of the Company in the near future. In addition, investment banks may be less likely to agree to underwrite primary or secondary offerings on behalf of the Company or its stockholders in the future than they would if we were to become a public reporting company by means of an initial public offering of common stock. If all or any of the foregoing risks occur, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company. Following the completion of the Merger, we cannot predict whether an active market for its Common Stock will ever develop in the future. The lack of an active market impairs purchasers of the Company’s Common Stock at the time they wish to sell their shares or at a price that they consider reasonable. The lack of an active market may also reduce the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and will be able take advantage of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies,” which could make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an “emerging growth company,” we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Common Stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
We are a smaller reporting company, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are currently a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company and we have a public float of less than $250 million and annual revenues of less than $100 million during our most recently completed fiscal year. In the event that we are still considered a smaller reporting company at such time as we cease being an “emerging growth company,” we will be required to provide additional disclosure in our SEC filings. However, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports and in a registration statement under the Exchange Act on Form 10. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a smaller reporting company may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that, if not properly remediated, could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in future periods.
Our management identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Management concluded that there was a material weakness in our internal controls because there was an insufficient number of personnel with appropriate technical accounting and SEC reporting expertise to adhere to certain control disciplines and to evaluate and properly record certain non-routine and complex transactions.
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A material weakness in internal control over financial reporting is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If we fail to (1) remediate the significant deficiencies identified in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, (2) maintain the adequacy of internal control over our financial reporting with regard to the financial condition and results of operations of the Company, or (3) remediate the material weakness identified in our internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes Oxley, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time. Also, such ineffective controls could impair our ability to report quarterly and annual financial results, or other information required to be disclosed, in a timely and accurate manner and could cause our financial reporting to be unreliable, leading to misinformation being disseminated to the public. In addition, other material weaknesses may be identified in the future. If we are unable to correct deficiencies in internal controls in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms will be adversely affected. This failure could negatively affect the market price and trading liquidity of our common stock, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, subject us to civil and criminal investigations and penalties, and generally materially and adversely impact our business and financial condition.
There may be limitations on the effectiveness of our internal controls, and a failure of our control systems to prevent error or fraud may materially harm our company.
Proper systems of internal controls over financial accounting and disclosure are critical to the operation of a public company. As we are a start-up company, we are at the very early stages of establishing, and we may be unable to effectively establish such systems, especially in light of the fact that we expect to operate as a publicly reporting company. This would leave us without the ability to reliably assimilate and compile financial information about the Company and significantly impair our ability to prevent error and detect fraud, all of which would have a negative impact on the Company from many perspectives.
Moreover, we do not expect that disclosure controls or internal control over financial reporting, even if established, will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Failure of our control systems to prevent error or fraud could materially adversely impact us.
Our officers and directors own a significant percentage of our outstanding voting securities which could reduce the ability of minority stockholders to effect certain corporate actions.
Collectively, our officers and directors own an aggregate of 3,530,745 shares of our common stock, or approximately 33.51% of our outstanding voting securities. As a result, currently, and after this offering, they will possess significant influence and can elect a majority of our Board and authorize or prevent proposed significant corporate transactions without the votes of any other stockholders. They are expected to have significant influence over a decision to enter into any corporate transaction and have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of stockholders, regardless of whether or not our other stockholders believe that such transaction is in our best interests. Such concentration of voting power could have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change of control or other business combination, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over the then-prevailing market price for their Common Stock.
We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future, and consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our Common Stock.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to holders of our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors must rely on sales of their shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investments. There is no guarantee that shares of our Common Stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have purchased their shares.
We are currently subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions and if we continue to be subject to such regulations and restrictions you may have difficulty selling shares of our Common Stock.
The Commission has adopted regulations which generally define so-called “penny stocks” as an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. Our Common Stock is a “penny stock”, and we are subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act, or the Penny Stock Rule. This rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors” (generally, individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouses). For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. As a result, this rule affects the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and affects the ability of purchasers to sell any of our securities in the secondary market.
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For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require delivery, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule prepared by the Commission relating to the penny stock market. Disclosure is also required to be made about sales commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements are required to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stock.
There can be no assurance if and when our shares of Common Stock will not be considered a “penny stock” because of its price or qualification for exemption from the Penny Stock Rule. In any event, even if our Common Stock were exempt from the Penny Stock Rule, we would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the Commission the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny stock if the Commission finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has adopted similar rules that may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock. FINRA rules require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for such customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
The shares of common stock issued in the Merger and the Offering or held by our pre-Merger stockholders are “restricted securities” and, as such, may not be sold except in limited circumstances.
None of the shares of common stock issued in the Merger and the Offering or held by our pre-Merger stockholders have been registered under the Securities Act or registered or qualified under any state securities laws. The shares of common stock issued in the Merger and the Offering were sold or issued pursuant to exemptions contained in and under those laws. Accordingly, such shares of common stock are “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and must, therefore, be held indefinitely unless registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, or an exemption is available from the registration requirements of those laws. The certificates or book-entry entitlements representing the shares of common stock issued in the Merger and the Offering or held by our pre-Merger stockholders reflect their restricted status.
We have agreed to register the shares of common stock issued in the Merger and the Offering, as well as the common stock held by our pre-Merger stockholders.
We cannot assure you, however, that the SEC will declare the registration statement effective, thereby enabling the shares of common stock issued in the Merger or the Offering to be freely tradable. In addition, Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which generally permits the resale, subject to various terms and conditions, of limited amounts of restricted securities after they have been held for six months will not immediately apply to our common stock because we were at one time designated as a “shell company” under SEC regulations. Pursuant to Rule 144(i), securities issued by a current or former shell company that otherwise meet the holding period and other requirements of Rule 144 nevertheless cannot be sold in reliance on Rule 144 until one year after the date on which the issuer filed current “Form 10 information” (as defined in Rule 144(i)) with the SEC reflecting that it ceased being a shell company, and provided that at the time of a proposed sale pursuant to Rule 144, the issuer has satisfied certain reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. We believe this requirement to file Form 10 information has been satisfied by the filing of this Report on Form 8-K. Because, as a former shell company, the reporting requirements of Rule 144(i) will apply regardless of holding period, the restrictive legends on certificates for the shares of common stock issued in the Merger and the Offering or held by our pre-Merger stockholders cannot be removed except in connection with an actual sale that is subject to an effective registration statement under, or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of, the Securities Act. If we are unable to timely register the shares of common stock issued to stockholders in the Merger or the Offering, then the ability to re-sell shares of such common stock will be delayed.
We have agreed, at our expense, to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC registering the resale of up to (1) 4,100,000 shares of our common stock issued in connection with the Merger; (2) 50,000 shares of common stock issued to the Placement Agent and up to approximately 348,500 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Placement Agent Warrants; (3) all shares issued in connection with the Offering; and (4) 2,500,000 shares of our common stock held by our pre-Merger stockholders. To the extent such registration statement is not declared effective by the SEC, or there are delays resulting from the SEC review process and comments raised by the SEC during that process, the shares of common stock proposed to be covered by such registration statement will not be eligible for resale until the registration statement is effective or an exemption from registration, such as Rule 144, becomes available. If (i) the registration statement is not filed within 60 days of the final closing of the Offering, (ii) the registration statement is not deemed effective within 150 days of the final closing of the offering, (iii) the registration statement ceases to remain continuously effective or the holders described above are otherwise not permitted to utilize the prospectus therein to resell their registrable securities for a specified period of time, (iv) the registrable securities are not listed or included for quotation on the OTC Markets Group, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American (an “Approved Market”) or (v) following the listing or inclusion on an Approved Market, trading of our common stock is suspended or halted on such Approved Market for more than three full, consecutive trading days, then we may be subject to certain liquidated damages pursuant to the registration rights agreement we entered into with the holders described above.
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Substantial future sales of shares of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
We have agreed, at our expense, to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC registering the resale of up to (1) 4,100,000 shares of our common stock issued in connection with the Merger; (2) 50,000 shares of common stock issued to the Placement Agent and up to approximately 348,500 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Placement Agent Warrants; (3) all shares issued in connection with the Offering; and (4) 2,500,000 shares of our common stock held by our pre-Merger stockholders. After it is effective, the registration statement will permit the resale of these shares at any time for up to three years following the effective date of such registration statement. The resale, or expected or potential resale, of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price for our common stock and make it more difficult for you to sell shares of our common stock at times and prices that you feel are appropriate. Furthermore, we expect that, because there will be a large number of shares registered pursuant to a registration statement, selling stockholders will continue to offer shares covered by such registration statement for a significant period of time, the precise duration of which cannot be predicted. Accordingly, the adverse market and price pressures resulting from an offering pursuant to a registration statement may continue for an extended period of time and continued negative pressure on the market price of our common stock could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise additional equity capital.
Because our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the Offering, you may not agree with how we use them and the proceeds may not be invested successfully.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, and therefore, our management will have broad discretion as to the use of the Offering proceeds. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for our company.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. In addition, because we did not become a reporting company by conducting an underwritten initial public offering of our common stock, and because we will not be listed on a national securities exchange, security analysts of brokerage firms may not provide coverage of our company. We cannot assure you that brokerage firms will provide analyst coverage of our company in the future, or continue such coverage if started. In addition, investment banks may be less likely to agree to underwrite secondary offerings on our behalf than they might if we became a public reporting company by means of an underwritten initial public offering, because they may be less familiar with our company as a result of more limited coverage by analysts and the media, which could harm our ability to raise additional funding in the future. The failure to receive research coverage or support in the market for our shares will have an adverse effect on our ability to develop a liquid market for our common stock, which will negatively impact the trading price of our common stock.
In the event we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, or if our operating results fail to meet the expectations of analysts, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
Because the Merger was a reverse merger, the registration statement we file with respect to the shares of our common stock received by stockholders of Company in the Merger, investors in the Offering and the shares of our common stock held by our pre-Merger stockholders may be subject to heightened scrutiny by the SEC.
Certain SEC rules are more restrictive when applied to reverse merger companies, such as the ability of stockholders to re-sell their shares of common stock pursuant to Rule 144, and the SEC may subject the registration statement we file with respect to the shares of common stock received by investors in the Merger and the Offering or held by our pre-Merger stockholders to heightened scrutiny. The SEC may limit registration of shares held by pre-Merger stockholders, potentially for an extended period of time, which would significantly limit the ability of such holders to sell their common stock.
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Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred shares, which may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities and the division of our board of directors into three classes, serving staggered terms of three years each.
We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
Our certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel, which may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders.
Our certificate of incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware 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. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This choice of forum provision may limit or make more costly a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our certificate of incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We note, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Upon dissolution of the Company, you may not recoup all or any portion of your investment.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the proceeds and/or assets of the Company remaining after giving effect to such transaction, and the payment of all of our debts and liabilities will be distributed to the stockholders of Common Stock on a pro rata basis. There can be no assurance that we will have available assets to pay to the holders of Common Stock, or any amounts, upon such a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our Company. In this event, you could lose some or all of your investment.
Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile and could decline significantly following the Merger.
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The quotation systems, including the OTC Markets QB tier, or stock exchanges, including Nasdaq, on which our common stock may be quoted or on which our common stock may be listed following the Merger have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Even if an active, liquid and orderly trading market develops and is sustained for our common stock following the Merger, the market price of our common stock may be volatile and could decline significantly. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the market price of our common stock as of the date of the consummation of the Merger. We cannot assure you that the market price of common stock will not fluctuate widely or decline significantly in the future in response to a number of factors, including, among others, the following:
● | the realization of any of the risk factors presented in this Report; |
● | actual or anticipated differences in our estimates, or in the estimates of analysts, for our revenues, results of operations, level of indebtedness, liquidity or financial condition; |
● | additions and departures of key personnel; |
● | failure to comply with the requirements of the OTCQB market, or following our potential up listing on Nasdaq; |
● | failure to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or other laws or regulations; |
● | future issuances, sales, resales or repurchases or anticipated issuances, sales, resales or repurchases, of our common stock; |
● | publication of research reports about us, or the semiconductor and sensors industries generally; |
● | the performance and market valuations of other similar companies; |
● | broad disruptions in the financial markets, including sudden disruptions in the credit markets; |
● | speculation in the press or investment community; |
● | actual, potential or perceived control, accounting or reporting problems; and |
● | changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines. |
In the past, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their shares. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Following the consummation of the Merger, we will be obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be impaired. In addition, the presence of material weaknesses increases the risk of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements.
We are currently a public company and are required, pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on its annual report on Form 10-K. Following the Merger, we will be subject to the same requirements. Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, such internal controls are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could cause us to fail to meet its reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.
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The report by management will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified in internal control over financial reporting. However, for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act following the consummation of the Merger, its independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Management’s assessment of internal controls, when implemented, could detect problems with internal controls, and an independent assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls by our auditors could detect further problems that management’s assessment might not, and could result in the identification of material weaknesses that were not otherwise identified. Undetected material weaknesses in internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation. We are required to disclose changes made in internal control and procedures on a quarterly basis. To comply with the public company requirements, we may need to undertake various actions, such as implementing new internal controls and procedures and hiring accounting or internal audit staff.
We are in the early stages of developing the system and processing documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404. We may not be able to complete its evaluation, testing, and any required remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that internal control over financial reporting is effective.
If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of its internal control, including as a result of the material weaknesses described above, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of financial reports, which would cause the price of our common stock to decline, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC. In addition, if we are unable to continue to meet these requirements following the consummation of the Merger, we may not be able to remain quoted on the OTC Markets QB, or following our potential up listing, Nasdaq.
There is currently no market for our common stock and there can be no assurance that any market will ever develop. You may therefore be unable to re-sell shares of our common stock at times and prices that you believe are appropriate.
Our common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or any other exchange, or quoted on an over-the-counter market. Therefore, there is no trading market, active or otherwise, for our common stock and our common stock may never be included for trading on any stock exchange, automated quotation system or any over-the-counter market. Accordingly, our common stock is highly illiquid and you will likely experience difficulty in re-selling such shares at times and prices that you may desire.
We may need to raise additional capital by sales of our securities, which may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and your rights in us may be reduced.
We expect to continue to incur product development and selling, general and administrative costs, and in order to satisfy our funding requirements, we will need to continue to raise additional capital above and beyond the anticipated proceeds of this offering. The sale or the proposed sale of substantial amounts of our Common Stock or other securities in the public markets may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and our stock price may decline substantially. Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution and a reduction in the price that they are able to obtain upon sale of their shares. Also, new equity securities issued may have greater rights, preferences or privileges than our existing Common Stock. Furthermore, additional capital may not be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms, if at all, and our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control, and you may not be able to sell our Common Stock.
Publicly traded companies generally have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our securities, regardless of our actual operating performance.
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The market for our Common Stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. The volatility in our share price is attributable to a number of factors. First, our shares of Common Stock are sporadically and thinly traded. As a consequence of this lack of liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. The price for our shares Common Stock could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares of our Common Stock are sold on the market without commensurate demand, as compared to a seasoned issuer which could better absorb those sales without adverse impact on its share price. Second, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our limited operating history and lack of revenue to date, and uncertainty of future market acceptance for our potential products. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-averse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a seasoned issuer. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our Common Stock will be at any time, including as to whether our Common Stock will sustain its current market price, or as to what effect the sale of shares or the availability of Common Stock for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price.
The market price of our Common Stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to, among other factors:
● | the significant downward pressure on our Common Stock price caused by the sale of a significant number of shares could cause our Common Stock price to decline, thus allowing short sellers of our Common Stock an opportunity to take advantage of any decrease in the value of our Common Stock; | |
● | the presence and action of short sellers in our Common Stock; | |
● | market acceptance of our existing products, as well as products in development; | |
● | the timing of regulatory approvals; | |
● | our ability or the ability of third-party distributors to sell, market, and distribute our products; | |
● | our ability or the ability of our contract manufacturers to manufacture our products efficiently; | |
● | changes in our financial performance or a change in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; | |
● | our ability to raise additional funds to complete development of our pharmaceutical product candidates; | |
● | announcements of innovations or new products or services by us or our competitors; | |
● | the emergence of new competitors or success of our existing competitors; | |
● | operating and market price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable; | |
● | sales or purchases of our Common Stock by insiders; | |
● | commencement of, or involvement in, litigation; | |
● | changes in governmental regulations; and | |
● | general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of related markets. |
In addition, if the market for stock in our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the market price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations.
If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause the price of our Common Stock to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and distract our Board and management.
Our common stock may not be eligible for listing or quotation on any securities exchange.
We do not currently meet the initial quantitative listing standards of any national securities exchange. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet the initial listing standards of any national securities exchange, or, if we do meet such initial listing standards, that we will be able to maintain any such listing. Further, the national securities exchanges are adopting so-called “seasoning” rules that will require that we meet certain requirements, including prescribed periods of time trading over-the-counter and minimum filings of periodic reports with the SEC, before we are eligible to apply for listing on such national securities exchanges. We intend to contact an authorized market maker for an over-the-counter quotation system for sponsorship of our common stock, but we cannot guarantee that such sponsorship will be approved and our common stock listed and quoted for sale. Even if our common stock is quoted for sale on an over-the-counter quotation system, buyers may be insufficient in numbers to allow for a robust market and it may prove impossible to sell your shares. In addition, an investor may find it difficult to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock. In addition, if we fail to meet the criteria set forth in SEC regulations, various requirements would be imposed by law on broker-dealers who sell our securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. Consequently, such regulations may deter broker-dealers from recommending or selling our common stock, which may further affect its liquidity. This would also make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital.
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We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company, and any decision on our part to comply only with certain reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging growth companies, including:
● | not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
● | reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and annual report on Form 10-K; and |
● | exemptions from the requirements of holding non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering. Our status as an emerging growth company will end as soon as any of the following takes place:
● | the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenues; |
● | the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; |
● | the date on which we have issued, in any three-year period, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or |
● | the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of the completion of this Offering. |
We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on any of the exemptions afforded emerging growth companies. If some investors find our common stock less attractive because we rely on any of these exemptions, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and the market price of our common stock may be more volatile.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this provision of the JOBS Act. As a result, we will not be subject to new or revised accounting standards at the same time as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Therefore, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to those of companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a “smaller reporting company” even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenues is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.
We may face risks related to securities litigation that could result in significant legal expenses and settlement or damage awards.
We may in the future become subject to claims and litigation alleging violations of the securities laws or other related claims, which could harm our business and require us to incur significant costs. Significant litigation costs could impact our ability to comply with certain financial covenants under our credit agreement. We are generally obliged, to the extent permitted by law, to indemnify our current and former directors and officers who are named as defendants in these types of lawsuits. Regardless of the outcome, litigation may require significant attention from management and could result in significant legal expenses, settlement costs or damage awards that could have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included in this Report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” elsewhere in this Report. You should review the disclosure under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.
Overview
On June 22, 2021, the Company, Acquisition Sub and Biond Photonics entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on June 22, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Biond Photonics merged with and into Acquisition Sub, with Acquisition Sub continuing as the surviving corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary.
As a result of the Merger, we acquired the business of Biond Photonics, a California corporation, doing business as Aeluma. See “Description of Business” below. At the time the certificates of merger reflecting the Merger were filed with the Secretaries of State of California and Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each of Biond Photonics’ shares of capital stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger was converted into the right to receive (a) 1.299135853 shares of our common stock (the “Common Share Conversion Ratio”) , with the maximum number of shares of our common stock issuable to the former holders of Biond Photonics’ capital stock equal to 4,100,000 after adjustments due to rounding for fractional shares. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock owned by the stockholders of PUBCO prior to the Merger were forfeited and cancelled (the “Stock Forfeiture”).
See “Description of Capital Stock” below for more information. The issuance of shares of our common stock to Biond Photonics’ former security holders are collectively referred to as the “Share Conversion.”
The Merger Agreement contained customary representations and warranties and pre- and post-closing covenants of each party and customary closing conditions.
As a condition to the Merger, we entered into an indemnity agreement with our former officer and directors (the “Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to indemnify such former officer and directors for actions taken by them in their official capacities relating to the consideration, approval and consummation of the Merger and certain related transactions.
The Merger was treated as a recapitalization and reverse acquisition for us for financial reporting purposes. Biond Photonics is considered the acquirer for accounting purposes, and our historical financial statements before the Merger will be replaced with the historical financial statements of Biond Photonics before the Merger in future filings with the SEC. The Merger is intended to be treated as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The issuance of securities pursuant to the Share Conversion was not registered under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, which exempts transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC thereunder. These securities may not be offered or sold in the U.S. absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement and are subject to further contractual restrictions on transfer as described below under “Shares Eligible for Future Sales.”
The Offering
Immediately following the Effective Time of the Merger, we sold 3,482,500 shares of our common stock pursuant to an initial closing of a private placement offering at a purchase price of $2.00 per share (the “Offering Price”). We held a second closing on June 28, 2021 for an additional 517,500 shares of our common stock. We held a second closing on June 28, 2021 for an additional 402,500 shares of our common stock. Accordingly, we sold a total of 3,885,000 shares of our common stock. The private placement offering is referred to herein as the “Offering.”
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The aggregate gross proceeds from the two closings of the Offering were $7,770,000 (before deducting placement agent fees and expenses of the Offering, which are estimated at $1,009,505.
The two closings of the Offering were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC thereunder. The common stock in the Offering was sold to “accredited investors,” as defined in Regulation D, and was conducted on a “reasonable best efforts” basis.
In connection with the Offering and subject to the closing of the Offering, we agreed to pay the placement agent, GP Nurmenkari Inc. (the “Placement Agent”), a U.S. registered broker-dealer, a cash placement fee of 10% of the gross proceeds raised from investors in the Offering (or 3% of the first $800,000 of gross proceeds raised from pre-Merger Biond Photonics shareholders and their friends and family) and to issue to it 50,000 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to 10% of the number of shares of common stock sold in the Offering (other than the first $800,000 of common stock sold to pre-Merger Biond Photonics shareholders and their friends and family, for which the placement agent will not receive any warrants), with a term of five years and an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). We also agreed to pay certain expenses of the Placement Agent in connection with the Offering.
As a result of the foregoing, we paid the Placement Agent an aggregate commission of $715,900 and issued to it 50,000 shares of our common stock and Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 348,500 shares of our common stock in connection with the two closings of the Offering. We have also reimbursed the Placement Agent for approximately $35,000 of expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.
Subject to certain customary exceptions, we have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent to the fullest extent permitted by law against certain liabilities that may be incurred in connection with the Offering, including certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act, and, where such indemnification is not available, to contribute to the payments the Placement Agent and their sub-agents may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
Departure and Appointment of Directors and Officers
Our board of directors is authorized to and consists of 5 members. As of the Effective Time, Mr. Ian Jacobs and Mr. Mark Tompkins resigned from our board of directors, and Mr. Jonathan Klamkin, Mr. Lee McCarthy and Mr. Steven DenBaars were appointed to our board of directors.
Also, as of the Effective Time, Mr. Jacobs resigned from all officer positions with us, and Jonathan Klamkin was appointed as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Lee McCarthy was appointed as our interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
See “Management” below for information about our new directors and executive officers.
Prior to the Merger, the sole business purpose of the Company was to seek the acquisition of or merger with, an existing company.
As a result of the consummation of the Merger, on June 22, 2021, Biond Photonics, Inc. became our wholly owned subsidiary and the business of Biond Photonics, Inc. became the business of the Company going forward. Accordingly, at the closing, the Company ceased to be a shell company.
Aeluma develops novel optoelectronic devices for sensing and communications applications. Aeluma has pioneered a technique to manufacture devices using high performance compound semiconductor materials on large diameter silicon wafers that are commonly used to manufacture mass market microelectronics. This enables cost effective manufacturing of high-performance photodetector array circuits for imaging applications in mobile devices. These devices may be used as image sensors that generate an image by detecting light, in a manner similar to a digital camera taking a picture. Our devices may incorporate additional functionality and enhanced performance to enable 3D image capture when integrated into various system architectures. This technology has the potential to greatly enhance the performance and capability of camera image sensors, Lidar, augmented reality, facial recognition, and other applications. Aeluma has acquired a key piece of manufacturing equipment and has headquarters in Goleta, CA with a manufacturing cleanroom to house this equipment.
Plan of Operations
During the next twelve months, we expect to take the following steps in connection with the further development of our business and the implementation of our plan of operations. We are currently preparing the facility for equipment installation. Soon thereafter, equipment will be installed and then brought online, meaning power will be supplied to the equipment and various connections will be made including gas supply lines, exhaust, and other connections. When fully installed, the equipment will be checked through various test operations to verify that the systems are performing to requirements and we will begin to perform development runs to realize epitaxial wafers, which is the combination of the compound semiconductor materials grown on the silicon wafer. Thereafter, we hope to finalize the purchase agreements for epitaxial wafers with the two customers with whom we currently have support letters, as mentioned elsewhere in this Report, and then we will work to deliver on such orders, which would be our first. We will also be performing internal research and development on materials and devices for our planned photodetector array products. As part of this effort, we will be engaging foundries to develop a path toward building engineering samples and future production. In parallel, we will continue to develop our manufacturing and product development strategy by further engaging customers and strategic partners.
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Limited Operating History
We cannot guarantee that the proceeds from the Offering will be sufficient to carry out all of our business plans. Our business is subject to risks inherent in growing an enterprise, including limited capital resources, risks inherent in the research and development process and possible rejection of our products in development.
If financing is not available on satisfactory terms, we may be unable to carry out all of our operations. Equity financing will result in dilution to existing stockholders.
Three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020
Our revenue, operating expenses, and net loss from operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2020, were as follows – some balances on the prior period’s combined financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
NET REVENUES | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||
General and Administrative | 1,300 | 48 | ||||||
Professional Fees | 11,663 | |||||||
Officer’s Salary | ||||||||
Rent - Related Party | ||||||||
Research and Development | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 12,963 | 48 | ||||||
Loss from operations | ||||||||
Interest expense | 1,500 | |||||||
Amortization of original issue discount | ||||||||
Gain on debt extinguishment (PPP) | ||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (14,463 | ) | $ | (48 | ) |
Net Revenues: During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we realized $0 of revenues from our business. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we realized $0 of revenues from our business. The change in revenues between the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0 or 0%.
Cost of Revenues: Costs of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $0, as compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a change of $0 or 0%.
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Gross Profit: During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we realized a gross profit of $0, as compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a change of $0 or 0%.
Research and development expenses: During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred $0 of research and development expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we incurred $0 of research and development expenses, a change of $0 or 0%.
Professional Fees: During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred $11,663 of professional expenses, as compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a change of $11,663 or 0%
Officers Salary: During the three months ended March 31, 2021, officers’ salary expenses were $0 as compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a change of $0 or 0%.
General and Administrative Expense: General and administrative expenses increased by $1,252 to $1,300 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $48 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 consisted of annual taxes and other fees related to the lease. Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 consisted of bank fees.
Rent – Related Party: During the three months ended March 31, 2021, rent- related party expense was $0 from $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Interest Expense: Interest expense increased to $1,500 for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 from $0 for the three month period ended March 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to interest on related party loans.
Amortization of original issue and debt discounts: Amortization of original issue and debt discount was $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Net Loss: Net loss increased by $14,415, to a net loss of $14,463 for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 from a net loss of $48 for the three month period ended March 31, 2020. This increase in net loss was primarily attributable to the increased activity of the company with the fundraising efforts and legal documents needed to start the business combination process.
Results of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Our revenue, operating expenses, and net loss from operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, were as follows – some balances on the prior period’s combined financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation:
Years Ended December 31, |
% Change Increase |
|||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | Change | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||
NET REVENUES | $ | - | $ | - | - | - | % | |||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||||||||||
General and Administrative | 2,182 | 249 | 1,933 | 876.3 | % | |||||||||||
Professional Fees | 10,319 | 0 | 10,320 | n/a | % | |||||||||||
Officer’s Salary | % | |||||||||||||||
Rent - Related Party | % | |||||||||||||||
Research and Development | % | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 12,502 | 249 | 13,253 | 5,314.7 | % | |||||||||||
Loss from operations | % | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | n/a | % | |||||||||||
Amortization of original issue discount | % | |||||||||||||||
Interest income | 32 | % | ||||||||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (13,469 | ) | $ | (249 | ) | (13,219 | ) | 5,301.8 | % |
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Net Revenues: During the year ended December 31, 2020, we realized $0 of revenues from our business. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we realized $0 of revenues from our business. Accordingly, there was no change in revenues between the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Research and development expenses: During year ended December 31, 2020 we incurred $0 research and development expenses. During year ended December 31, 2019 we incurred $0 of research and development expenses, the change in revenues between the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0 or 0%.
Professional Fees: During year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $10,319 professional expenses compared to $0 for year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in professional fees expense was attributable to a ramp up in legal expenses for setting up funding
Officers Salary: During year ended December 31, 2020, officers’ salary expense was $0 compared to $0 for year ended December 31, 2019.
General and Administrative Expense: General and administrative expenses increased by $1,933 or 876.3% to $2,182 for year ended December 31, 2020 from $249 for year ended December 31, 2019. Our general and administrative expenses for year ended December 31, 2020 consisted of taxes and some miscellaneous expense. Our general and administrative expenses for year ended December 31, 2019 consisted of telephone expenses and bank fees. The primary reason for the increase in comparing year ended December 31, 2020 to the corresponding period for 2019 was mainly due to a ramp up of the business.
Rent – Related Party: During the year ended December 31, 2020, rent-related party expense was $0 compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Interest Expense: Interest expense increased to $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to interest on the related party loans.
Amortization of original issue and debt discounts: Amortization of original issue and debt discount was $0 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Interest Income: Interest income increased by $32 to $32 for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $0 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was a result of a bank credit.
Net Loss: Net loss increased by $13,219, or 5,314.7%, to a net loss of $13,502 for the year ended December 31, 2020 from a net loss of $249 for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase in net loss was driven primarily by the increase in professional fees for the ramp up of the business.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Our financial statements have been presented on the basis that are a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As presented in the financial statements, we incurred a net loss of $14,463 and $48 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively, and losses are expected to continue in the near term. The accumulated deficit is $28,182 and $13,719 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. We have been funding our operations through private loans and the sale of common stock in private placement transactions. Refer to Note 5 in the financial statements for our discussion of notes payable and shares issued, respectively. Our cash resources are insufficient to meet our planned business objectives without additional financing. These and other factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and our independent auditor has included a qualification to that effect in its audit opinion relating to or financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of our company to continue as a going concern.
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Management anticipates that significant additional expenditures will be necessary to develop and expand our business before significant positive operating cash flows can be achieved. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to raise additional capital and to ultimately achieve sustainable revenues and profitable operations. At March 31, 2021, we had $158,454 of cash on hand; at December 31, 2020, we had $38,302 of cash on hand. These funds are insufficient to complete our business plan and as a consequence, we will need to seek additional funds, primarily through the issuance of debt or equity securities for cash to operate our business. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to us. Even if we are able to obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing.
Management has undertaken steps as part of a plan to improve operations with the goal of sustaining our operations for the next twelve months and beyond. These steps include (a) raising additional capital and/or obtaining financing; (b) controlling overhead and expenses; and (c) executing material sales or research contracts. There can be no assurance that the Company can successfully accomplish these steps and it is uncertain that the Company will achieve a profitable level of operations and obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available to the Company on satisfactory terms and conditions, if at all. As of the date of this Report, we have not entered into any formal agreements regarding the above.
In the event the Company is unable to continue as a going concern, the Company may elect or be required to seek protection from its creditors by filing a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or may be subject to an involuntary petition in bankruptcy. To date, management has not considered this alternative, nor does management view it as a likely occurrence.
Cash, total current assets, total assets, total current liabilities and total liabilities as of March 31, 2021 as compared to December 31, 2020, were as follows:
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
Cash | $ | 158,454 | $ | 38,302 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Total current assets | $ | 158,454 | $ | 38,302 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 358,663 | $ | 154,190 | ||||
Total current liabilities | $ | 156,643 | $ | 147,909 | ||||
Total liabilities | $ | 366,643 | $ | 147,909 |
At March 31, 2021, we had working capital of $1,811 compared to a working capital deficit of $109,607 at December 31, 2020. Current liabilities increased to $156,643 at March 31, 2021 from $147,909 at December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of a slight increase in accrued expenses.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net cash used in operations of $81,594 was the result of the net loss in operations with a change in cash deposits, offset by a change in accrued expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net cash used in operations of $48 was the result of bank charges on the business checking account.
Net cash used in our investing activities were $3,456 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively.
Our financing activities resulted in a cash inflow of $205,202 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which is represented by proceeds from SAFE notes that subsequently were converted into common stock. (See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below Our financing activities resulted in a cash inflow of $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
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At December 31, 2020, we had a working capital deficit of $109,607, compared to a working capital deficit of $250 at December 31, 2019. Current liabilities increased to $147,909 at December 31, 2020 from $456 at December 31, 2019, primarily as a result of notes payable to officers and advances from officers.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in operations of $1,377 was the result of a net loss of $13,470 offset by changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash used in operations of $249 was the result of a net loss of $249 from the income statement.
Net cash used in our investing activities were $106,228 and $0 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Our investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 is attributable to the acquisition of a fixed asset.
Our financing activities resulted in a cash inflow of $145,701 for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is represented by proceeds from common stock and notes payable. Our financing activities resulted in a cash inflow of $455 for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is represented by net proceeds from advances.
Critical Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position at December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2020 and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the calendar years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020.
The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Company’s financial statements. Such financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Company’s management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity.
Going Concern
The Company incurred a net loss of $13,470 for the year ended December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company is in the research and development stage and has not generated revenue to date. In order to support its operations, the Company will require additional infusions of cash from the sale of equity instruments or the issuance of debt instruments, or the commencement of profitable revenue generating activities. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company’s ability to fund its operations, develop or enhance its sensors in the future or respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited. Such limitations could require the Company to curtail, suspend or discontinue parts of its business plan.
These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that could result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Basic Net Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In 2019, shares had not been issued, in 2020, 1,250,000 shares were issued to each of the two founders at the end of October.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), fair values is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses the market or income approach. Based on this approach, the Company utilizes certain assumptions about the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market-corroborated or generally unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company is required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and the reliability of the information used to determine fair values. As a basis for considering these assumptions, ASC 820 defines a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value.
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active, accessible market for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
The carrying values of the Company’s cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses and advances from officers approximate their fair value due to the relatively short maturity of these items. The carrying amounts reported for debt obligations approximate fair value due to the effective interest rate of these obligations reflecting the Company’s current borrowing rate.
Concentration of Risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Property and Equipment
Property, equipment and improvements are reported at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance to these assets are charged to expense as incurred; major improvements enhancing the function and/or the asset’s useful life are capitalized. When items are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses arising from such transactions are recognized.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company has one capitalized construction in progress asset which will be used for the production of their sensors. The asset is not currently in use and will continue to receive capitalized improvements until it is ready to use. Once commissioned and properly setup, the property and equipment will be depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of 5 years.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash in banks, deposits in transit, and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company’s accounts are insured by the FDIC but at times may exceed federally insured limits.
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Income Taxes
The Company is expected to have net operating loss carryforwards that it can use to offset a certain amount of taxable income in the future. The Company is currently analyzing the amount of loss carryforwards that will be available to reduce future taxable income. The resulting deferred tax assets will be offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of its realization. The primary difference between income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying domestic federal statutory rates to income before income taxes relates to the recognition of a valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets.
The Company has adopted FASB ASC 740-10, “Income Taxes” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not as a measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In making this assessment, a Company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based solely on the technical merits of the position and must assume that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Interest and penalties totaled $0 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards are subject to IRS examination until they are fully utilized, and such tax years are closed.
The Company will file tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the state of California. The Company’s federal and state return form are subject to review by the taxing authorities. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority, nor has it been notified of an impending examination.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Changes to accounting principles are established by the FASB in the form of ASU’s to the FASB’s Codification. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASU’s on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, stockholders’ deficit, cash flows, or presentation thereof.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in “Leases (Topic 840)” and generally requires all leases to be recognized in the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021 for nonpublic entities; early adoption is permitted. The provisions of ASU 2016-02 are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is not currently a party to a lease agreement at December 31,2020, but it expects to enter into a lease in the first quarter of 2021.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends certain aspects of the Board’s new revenue standard, ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company does not currently generate revenue.
All other newly issued accounting pronouncements but not yet effective have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as “special purpose entities” (SPEs).
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MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers and Directors
At the closing of the Merger, Messrs. Klamkin, McCarthy and DenBaars were appointed to our board of directors, and Mr. Ian Jacobs and Mr. Mark Tompkins resigned from our board of directors. Our executive management team was also reconstituted immediately following the closing by the appointment of Mr. Klamkin as our Chief Executive Officer and Mr. McCarthy as our interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and the resignation of Mr. Jacobs from all positions with us.
As per our amended and restated bylaws, which will be in effect upon the closing of the Merger, our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, a class of directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the class whose terms are then expiring, to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. Upon the closing of this offering, our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:
The Class I director will be Mr. DenBaaars and his term will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders following the Merger.
The Class II director will be Mr. McCarthy and his term will expire at our second annual meeting of stockholders following the Merger.
The Class III director will be Mr. Klamkin and his term will expire at our third annual meeting of stockholders following the Merger.
The division of our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control. See the section of this prospectus captioned “Description of Capital Stock-Anti-Takeover Provisions-Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws” for a discussion of these and other anti-takeover provisions found in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective immediately the closing of the Merger.
A majority of the authorized number of directors constitutes a quorum of the Board of Directors for the transaction of business. The directors must be present at the meeting to constitute a quorum. However, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors individually or collectively consent in writing to the action.
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and directors:
Name | Age | Positions | ||
Executive Officers | ||||
Jonathan Klamkin | 41 | Chief Executive Officer & President & Director | ||
Lee McCarthy | 48 | Interim Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer & Director | ||
Non-Employee Directors | ||||
Steven P. DenBaars | 59 | Director |
Background of Officers and Directors
Jonathan Klamkin serves as President and Chief Executive Officer and is one of our directors. Mr. Klamkin has been the CEO and Director of Biond Photonics since February 28, 2019. He is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2015-present), where his group conducts pioneering research in integrated photonics and optoelectronics for communications and sensing applications. Mr. Klamkin was with BinOptics Corp. (2001-2002), a laser diode manufacturer that was acquired by Macom in 2015. Jonathan is the recipient of numerous awards including the NASA Young Faculty Award, the DARPA Young Faculty Award, and the DARPA Director’s Fellowship. He has published more than 200 papers, holds several patents, and has given more than 100 invited presentations to industry, government and the academic community. Mr. Klamkin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. in Materials from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Lee McCarthy serves as our interim Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and is one of our directors. Lee has been on Biond Photonics’ Board of Directors since October 27, 2020. He is a semiconductor industry executive with 14 years of relevant experience. His prior experience includes being the first Employee #1 (2007-2021) and becoming, Senior Director (2016-2021) of MOCVD Global Operations at Transphorm, Inc. (OTCQB, 2020, Mkt. Cap. $200M). Mr. McCarthy led a 24/7 production operation of GaN-on-Si materials and managed MOCVD operations in US and Japan for Transphorm, Inc. (2014-2021). He was responsible for global strategy for MOCVD production, epi customer agreements, cost models, ERP and MES for rapid scale of manufacturing. Mr. McCarthy was also Principal Investigator for an $18M US DoD program to establish millimeter wave MOCVD materials supply chain (2019-2021). He holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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Steven P. DenBaars serves as one of our directors. Steven has been on Biond Photonics’ Board of Directors since June 5, 2021. He is a Professor of Materials and Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California Santa Barbara (1991-pres). Prof. DenBaars has been very active in entrepreneurship, having helped co-found several start-up companies in the field of photonics and electronics. In 1996 he Co-founded Nitres Inc. along with Dr. Umesh Mishra which was acquired by Cree Inc. in May 2000. In 2013 he Co-Founded SLD Laser, and helped build the company to over 150 employees before being acquired by Kyocera Corporation in 2021. In 2014, he assisted Dr. Jeffry Shealy in the founding of Akoustis Technologies Inc. (AKTS) for commercialization of RF Filters, and he is currently on the Board of Directors. He received the IEEE Fellow award in 2005, member of the National Academy of Engineers 2012, and National Academy of Inventors in 2014. He has authored or co-authored over 980 technical publications, 350 conference presentations, and over 185 patents. Mr. DenBaars has a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgiccal Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Material Science and Electrical Engineering, respectively from the University of Southern California.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, none of the following events occurred during the past ten years that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any of our executive officers, directors, Director Nominees or promoters:
(1) A petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law was filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer was appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;
(2) Convicted in a criminal proceeding or is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
(3) Subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:
(i) Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;
(ii) Engaging in any type of business practice; or
(iii) Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of Federal or State securities laws or Federal commodities laws;
(4) Subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity described y such activity;
(5) Found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commission to have violated any Federal or State securities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;
(6) Found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;
(7) Subject of, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of:
(i) Any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; or
(ii) Any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or
(iii) Any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
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(8) Subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S. C 78c(a)(26)), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
Director Independence and Board Committees
We are not currently required under the Securities and Exchange Act to maintain any committees of our Board. We are not currently subject to listing requirements of any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system which has requirements that a majority of the board of directors be “independent” or maintain any committees of our Board and, as a result, we are not at this time required to have our Board of Directors comprised of a majority of “independent directors” or have any committees. However, we intend to appoint such independent directors and establish such committees in the near future.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
During its fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Board did not meet on any occasion, but rather transacted business by unanimous written consent.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships by between or among the members of the Board or other executive officers of the Company.
Indemnification
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws include provisions limiting the liability of directors and officers and indemnifying them under certain circumstances. See “Indemnification Agreements” for further information. We intend to secure directors’ and officers’ liability insurance following the completion of this offering.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to Delaware law, we are informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
None of the Company’s directors or officers prior to the merger or after the merger have received any compensation from the Company or Biond Photonics.
Employment and Change in Control Agreements
We do not have an employment agreement with any of our officers. However, pursuant to our advisor agreement with Mr. Denbaars, if there is a change of control, other than the Merger, while he is still employed by the Company, all of his unvested shares will vest at the closing of such change in control transaction. Additionally, as per the restricted stock purchase agreements we maintain with Mr. Klamkin and Mr. McCarthy, if either of their respective employment with the Company is terminated by the Company, other than for cause, or is terminated by the individual for Good Reason (as defined in the related agreement), within a year after the Merger, then, effective as of such termination, 100% of such terminated person’s unvested shares will vest.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table presents information regarding certain outstanding shares held by each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2020, that have a vesting schedule. These shares were converted into shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger, and the table below reflects all outstanding shares as of December 31, 2020 as if they had been granted by us. None of our named executive officers held any outstanding options, restricted stock unit or other equity awards as of that date.
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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION AWARDS | STOCK AWARDS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |
Options
Exercise Prices ($) |
Option
Expiration Date |
Number of
Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Been Issued (#) |
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Been Issued ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Klamkin | - | - | - | - | - | 1,299,136 | 10,393 (1) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lee McCarthy | - | - | - | - | - | 1,299,136 | 10,393 (2) | - | - |
(1) | These shares were purchased pursuant to Founder’s Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between Mr. Klamkin and the Company on October 27, 2020. Mr. Klamkin purchased a total of 1,623,920 shares (represented 1,250,000 shares of Biond prior to the Merger) pursuant to the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, 20% of the shares vested on the date the agreement was signed and starting on November 30, 2020 and for every month thereafter until employment termination, 1/48th of the remaining shares shall vest on the last day of each succeeding calendar month. The agreement also provides that if there is a change of control, like the Merger, and if Mr. Klamkin is terminated, other than for cause, during the period starting 90 days before the Merger and for a year thereafter, all unvested shares shall vest at the date of termination. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2020, 324,784 shares have vested. The market value of the unvested shares was based on $0.008 per share, which was purchase price of the shares. |
(2) | These shares were purchased pursuant to Founder’s Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between Mr. McCarthy and the Company on October 27, 2020. Mr. McCarthy purchased a total of 1,623,920 shares (represented 1,250,000 shares of Biond prior to the Merger) pursuant to the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, 20% of the shares vested on the date the agreement was signed and starting on November 30, 2020 and for every month thereafter until employment termination, 1/48th of the remaining shares shall vest on the last day of each succeeding calendar month. The agreement also provides that if there is a change of control, like the Merger, and if Mr. McCarthy is terminated, other than for cause, during the period starting 90 days before the Merger and for a year thereafter, all unvested shares shall vest at the date of termination. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2020, 324,784 shares have vested. The market value of the unvested shares was based on $0.08, which was the purchase price of the shares. |
Compensation Paid to Directors
At present we do not pay our Directors any compensation or cost reimbursement for their service as Directors. We have no standard arrangement pursuant to which our Directors are compensated for any services provided as a director or for committee participation or special assignments. The Company’s Directors were not paid any compensation during fiscal years 2019 or 2020.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
We describe below transactions since January 1, 2019, in which the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and any of our directors, executive officers, or beneficial holders of more than 5% of Biond Photonics’ pre-Merger capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Other than as described below, there have not been transactions to which we have been a party other than compensation arrangements, which are described under “Executive Compensation.” The following description is historical and has not been adjusted to give effect to the Merger.
On October 27, 2020, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with each of Mr. Klamkin and Mr. McCarthy, pursuant to which they each purchased 1,623,920 shares of common stock (represented 1,250,000 shares of Biond prior to the Merger) for an aggregate sum of $10,000 each. The stock purchase agreement contains a vesting schedule such that 324,784 shares were fully vested as of October 27, 2020 and the remaining 1,299,136 shares vest monthly over the next 4 years. The unvested shares may be repurchased by the Company, at the Company’s option, within 90 days after the individual is terminated from his position with the Company at the original purchase price.
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On February 5, 2021, we entered into a Simple Agreement for Future Equity Agreement (the “SAFE Agreement”) with each of Mr. Klamkin, our CEO, Mr. McCarthy, our interim CFO and COO and Mr. DenBaars, one of our directors (each of whom is referred to as a “SAFE Holder”), pursuant to which each of them loaned us $5,000, $5,000 and $50,000, respectively. Pursuant to the SAFE Agreement, the SAFE Holder’s loan will convert into shares of preferred stock if we complete a preferred stock private financing before the SAFE Agreement is terminated or the SAFE Holder shall be entitled to a certain portion of the proceeds from a Dissolution Event or Liquidity Event, as such terms are defined in the SAFE Agreement. Upon the earlier of the conversion to preferred stock or the payment to the SAFE Holder pursuant to Dissolution Event or Liquidity Event, the SAFE Agreement shall automatically terminate. On June 10, 2021, the parties agreed to convert the loans under the SAFE Agreement into shares of our common stock.
The Company is party to that certain Advisory Agreement with Mr. DenBaars, one of our directors, dated as of December 31, 2020, pursuant to which Mr. DenBaars shall serve as an advisor to the Company. Under the agreement, as partial compensation for his advisory services, the Company granted Mr. DenBaars the right to purchase 32,805 shares of common stock (represents 25,252 shares of Biond common stock prior to the Merger) at a price $0.008 per share; the shares have a four-year vesting schedule and Mr. DenBaars purchased such shares on February 4, 2021, prior to being appointed as one of our directors. The Advisory Agreement with Mr. DenBaars was amended on June 10, 2021 to reflect additional advisory services. Under this agreement, as partial compensation for his advisory service, the Company granted Mr. DenBaars the right to purchase an additional 213,198 shares of the Company’s common stock (represents 16,108 shares of Biond common stock prior to the Merger) at a price of $0.015 per share; the shares have a two-year vesting schedule. Pursuant to the terms of his advisory agreement, 3,065 of the shares have vested as of the date of this Report.
Participation in the Offering
Certain of our existing investors, including investors affiliated with certain of our directors and prior directors, have purchased an aggregate of 400,000 shares of our common stock in the Offering, for an aggregate gross purchase price of $800,000. Such purchases were made on the same terms as the shares that were sold to other investors in the Offering and not pursuant to any pre-existing contractual rights or obligations.
Indemnification Agreements
We maintain indemnification agreements with each of our current executive officers. The indemnification agreements and our restated bylaws will require us to indemnify our directors to the fullest extent not prohibited by DGCL. Subject to very limited exceptions, our restated bylaws will also require us to advance expenses incurred by our directors and officers.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of June 28, 2021, immediately following the closing of the Merger and the Offering, by:
● | each of our named executive officers; |
● | each of our directors; |
● | all of our current directors and executive officers as a group; and |
● | each person, or group of affiliated persons, who beneficially owned more than 5% of our common stock. |
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares of common stock that they beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property laws.
The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 10,535,000 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 28, 2021, after giving effect to the Merger and the Offering. Shares of common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 28, 2021 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner in the table below is c/o Aeluma, 27 Castilian Drive, Goleta, CA 93117.
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Name |
Shares of
Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of
Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers | ||||||||
Jonathan Klamkin, CEO and Director | 1,626,995 | 15.44 | % | |||||
Lee McCarthy, interim CFO, COO and Director | 1,626,995 | 15.44 | % | |||||
Steven P. DenBaars, Director | 276,755 | 2.63 | % | |||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (3 persons) | 3,530,745 | 33.51 | % | |||||
5% Stockholders | ||||||||
Mark Tompkins (1) | 2,632,500 | 24.98 | % |
* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%. |
(1) | Includes 2,275,000 shares Mr. Tompkins maintains from his ownership before the Merger and 357,500 shares he purchased in the Offering for $715,000. Mr. Tompkins served as our director since inception; he resigned on the effective date of the Merger. |
MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, an over-the-counter market or any other exchange. Therefore, there is no trading market, active or otherwise, for our common stock and our common stock may never be included for trading on any stock exchange, automated quotation system or any over-the-counter market.
As of the date of this Report, we have 10,535,000 shares of common stock outstanding held by 74 stockholders of record.
Dividend Policy
We have never paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital requirements. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the board of directors deems relevant.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale
Prior to the Merger, there has been a limited public market for our common stock. Future sales of our common stock, including shares issued upon the exercise of options or warrants that we may issue, in the public market after the Merger, or the perception that those sales may occur, could cause the prevailing price for our common stock to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future. As described below, only a limited number of shares of our common stock will be available for sale in the public market for a period of several months after consummation of the Merger due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below. Future sales of our common stock in the public market either before (to the extent permitted) or after restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing price of our common stock at such time and our ability to raise equity capital at a time and price we deem appropriate.
Upon the completion of the two closings of the Offering, we had 10,535,000 shares of common stock outstanding, of which our directors and executive officers beneficially own an aggregate of 3,530,745 shares. Of those outstanding shares, no shares of common stock are freely tradable, without restriction, as of the date of this Report. No shares issued in connection with the Merger or the Offering can be publicly sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act until 12 months after the date of filing this Report.
Sale of Restricted Shares
Of the approximately 10,535,000 shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the two closings of the Offering, all of such shares will be “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144. These restricted securities were issued and sold by us, or will be issued and sold by us, in private transactions and are eligible for public sale only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or Rule 701, which rules are summarized below.
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Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with the Merger, holders of approximately 4.1 million shares of our common stock agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of the lock-up agreement continuing through the date eighteen months after the first date on which Aeluma’s Common Stock is first traded on the OTCQB or OTCQX market maintained by OTC Markets Group, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American, except with our prior written consent.
Following the lock-up periods set forth in the agreements described above, and assuming that no parties are released from these agreements and that there is no extension of the lock-up period, shares of our common stock will be eligible for sale in the public market in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, sales of the securities of a former shell company, such as us, under that rule are not permitted (i) until at least 12 months have elapsed from the date on which this Report, reflecting our status as a non-shell company, is filed with the SEC and (ii) unless at the time of a proposed sale, we are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and have filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months, other than Current Reports on Form 8-K. We intend to register such shares for sale under the Securities Act but are currently a “voluntary filer” and are not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. As a result, unless we register such shares for sale under the Securities Act, most of our stockholders will be forced to hold their shares of our common stock for at least that 12-month period before they are eligible to sell those shares, and even after that 12-month period, sales may not be made under Rule 144 unless we and the selling stockholders are in compliance with other requirements of Rule 144.
In general, Rule 144 provides that (i) any of our non-affiliates that has held restricted common stock for at least 12 months is thereafter entitled to sell its restricted stock freely and without restriction, provided that we remain compliant and current with our SEC reporting obligations, and (ii) any of our affiliates, which includes our directors, executive officers and other person in control of us, that has held restricted common stock for at least 12 months is thereafter entitled to sell its restricted stock subject to the following restrictions: (a) we are compliant and current with our SEC reporting obligations, (b) certain manner of sale provisions are satisfied, (c) a Form 144 is filed with the SEC, and (d) certain volume limitations are satisfied, which limit the sale of shares within any three-month period to a number of shares that does not exceed 1% of the total number of outstanding shares or, if our common stock is then listed or quoted for trading on a national securities exchange, then the greater of 1% of the total number of outstanding shares and the average weekly trading volume of our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of the Form 144 with respect to the sale. A person who has ceased to be an affiliate at least three months immediately preceding the sale and who has owned such shares of common stock for at least one year is entitled to sell the shares under Rule 144 without regard to any of the limitations described above.
Regulation S
Regulation S under the Securities Act provides that shares owned by any person may be sold without registration in the U.S., provided that the sale is effected in an offshore transaction and no directed selling efforts are made in the U.S. (as these terms are defined in Regulation S), subject to certain other conditions. In general, this means that our shares of common stock may be sold in some other manner outside the United States without requiring registration in the United States.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who acquired common stock from us in connection with a written compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement, in compliance with Rule 701 under the Securities Act, before the effective date of the Merger (to the extent such common stock is not subject to a lock-up agreement) is entitled to rely on Rule 701 to resell such shares beginning 90 days after we become subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with the holding period requirements contained in Rule 144. Accordingly, subject to any applicable lock-up agreements, beginning 90 days after we become subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, under Rule 701 persons who are not our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144, may resell those shares without complying with the minimum holding period or public information requirements of Rule 144, and persons who are our “affiliates” may resell those shares without compliance with Rule 144’s minimum holding period requirements (subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements described above, if applicable).
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Registration Rights
We granted registration rights in connection with the Merger and the Offering. See, Description of Capital Stock – Registration Rights Agreement.
Stock Plans
We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock that are outstanding or reserved for issuance under the Biond Photonics Plan. Such registration statement is expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the consummation of the Merger and the registration of our shares of common stock with the SEC pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following its effective date, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations and the lock-up agreements described above, if applicable.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description summarizes the most important terms of our capital stock following the Merger and Offering. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws, which are included as exhibits hereto, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
We have authorized capital stock consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of designation of any series of preferred stock we may issue, the number of authorized shares of common stock or preferred stock may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of our capital stock.
As of the date of this Report, we had 10,535,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. Unless stated otherwise, the following discussion summarizes the term and provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws.
Common Stock
Dividend Rights
Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our board of directors, in its discretion, determines to issue dividends and then only at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine.
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our restated certificate of incorporation. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock will be able to elect all of our directors. Our restated bylaws establish a classified board of directors, to be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms.
No Preemptive or Similar Rights
Our common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights, and is not subject to redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions
Upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock and any participating redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding at that time, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights of and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock.
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Preferred Stock
Our board of directors will be authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations, or restrictions, in each case without further vote or action by our stockholders. Our board of directors can also increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of preferred stock, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in our control and might adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. We have no current plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the Merger and the Offering, we have entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which we have agreed that promptly, but no later than 60 calendar days from the final closing of the Offering, we will file a registration statement with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”), covering (i) the shares of our common stock issued in the Offering; (ii) the 50,000 shares issued to the Placement agent and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants, (iii) the shares of our common stock issued as a result of the Share Conversion; and (iv) 2,500,000 shares of our common stock held by the our stockholders prior to the Merger ((i)-(iv) collectively, the “Registrable Shares”). We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such Registration Statement is declared effective within 150 calendar days after the final closing of the Offering.
Subject to customary exceptions, if any Registration Event occurs, we will make payments to each holder of Registrable Shares as monetary penalties at a rate equal to 12% per annum of the total value of Registrable Shares held or purchased by such holder and affected during the period, based on the Offering Price; provided that the maximum amount of monetary penalties paid by us will not exceed 8% of such total value. No monetary penalties will accrue with respect to (1) any Registrable Shares removed from the Registration Statement in response to a Cutback Comment, (2) any Registrable Shares that may be resold without manner of sale restrictions, current information requirements, volume limitations or other limitations under Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (3) any Registrable Shares excluded from a Registration Statement because a holder fails to provide information concerning the holder and the manner of distribution of the holder’s Registrable Shares that is required by SEC rules to be disclosed, and (4) any circumstance in which the SEC does not declare the Registration Statement effective on or before 150 days after the final closing of the Offering, and the reason for the SEC’s determination is that (a) the offering of any of the Registrable Shares constitutes a primary offering of securities by the Company, (b) Rule 415 of the Securities Act may not be relied upon for the registration of the resale of any or all of the Registrable Shares, and/or (c) a holder of any Registrable Shares must be named as an underwriter and such holder does not consent to be so named in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the SEC does not declare the Registration Statement effective before the Registration Effectiveness Date, in certain circumstances we may still be liable for liquidated damages if we do not continue to use our commercially reasonable efforts at the first opportunity that is permitted by the SEC to register for resale all such Registrable Securities, using one or more registration statements that we are then entitled to use. Any cutback resulting from a Cutback Comment shall be allocated to the Registrable Shares pro rata based on the total number of such shares held by or issuable to each holder thereof.
We must use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement effective for three years from the date it is declared effective by the SEC or until the date on which all Registrable Shares have been transferred other than to certain enumerated permitted assignees under the Registration Rights Agreement.
We will pay all expenses in connection with the registration obligations provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, and stock exchange fees, printing expenses, all fees and expenses of complying with applicable securities laws, the fees and disbursements of our counsel and of our independent accountants, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of a single counsel to the holders of the Registrable Securities, not to exceed $35,000. Each holder will be responsible for its own sales commissions, if any, transfer taxes and the expenses of any other attorney or advisor such holder decides to employ.
All descriptions of the Registration Rights Agreement herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text thereof filed as Exhibit 10.5 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
The provisions of the DGCL, our restated certificate of incorporation, and our restated bylaws following the Offering could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or discouraging another person from acquiring control of our Company. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our Company to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire us because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms. See the section, “Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaw Provisions” below.
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Section 203 of the DGCL
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:
● | before the stockholder became interested, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
● | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of |
● | determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or |
● | at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by our board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Section 203 defines a business combination to include:
● | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
● | any sale, transfer, lease, pledge, or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation; |
● | subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance of transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
● | subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; and |
● | the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation |
In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaw Provisions
Our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws will include a number of provisions that may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers, or delaying or preventing changes in control of our management team or changes in our board of directors or our governance or policy, including the following:
● | Board Vacancies. Our restated bylaws and certificate of incorporation will authorize generally only our board of directors to fill vacant directorships resulting from any cause or created by the expansion of our board of directors. In addition, the number of directors constituting our board of directors may be set only by resolution adopted by a majority vote of our entire board of directors. These provisions prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of our board of directors and gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees. |
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● | Classified Board. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws will provide that our board of directors is classified into three classes of directors. The existence of a classified board of directors could delay a successful tender offeror from obtaining majority control of our board of directors, and the prospect of that delay might deter a potential offeror. See the section titled “Management—Executive Officers and Directors” for additional information. |
● | Directors Removed Only for Cause. Our restated certificate of incorporation will provide that stockholders may remove directors only for cause. |
● | Supermajority Requirements for Amendments of Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws. Our restated certificate of incorporation will further provide that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding common stock will be required to amend certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, including provisions relating to the classified board, the size of the board of directors, removal of directors, special meetings, actions by written consent, and designation of our preferred stock. The affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding common stock will be required to amend or repeal our restated bylaws, although our restated bylaws may be amended by a simple majority vote of our board of directors. |
● | Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws will provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors, or our chief executive officer, thus prohibiting a stockholder from calling a special meeting. These provisions might delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders to take any action, including the removal of directors. |
● | Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our restated bylaws will provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Our restated bylaws also will specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. We expect that these provisions might also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our Company. |
● | No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws will not provide for cumulative voting. |
● | Issuance of Undesignated Preferred Stock. Our board will have the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights and preferences, including voting rights, designated from time to time by our board of directors. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock enables our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, or otherwise. |
● | Choice of Forum. Our restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our restated certificate of incorporation or our restated bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Our restated bylaws will provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, which we refer to as a Federal Forum Provision. Our decision to adopt a Federal Forum Provision followed a decision by the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware holding that such provisions are facially valid under Delaware law. While there can be no assurance that federal courts or state courts will follow the holding of the Delaware Supreme Court or determine that the Federal Forum Provision should be enforced in a particular case, application of the Federal Forum Provision means that suits brought by our stockholders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act must be brought in federal court and cannot be brought in state court. While neither the exclusive forum provision nor the Federal Forum Provision applies to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all claims brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, actions by our stockholders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder also must be brought in federal court. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to our exclusive forum provisions, including the Federal Forum Provision. These provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of their choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. |
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Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be VStock Transfer, LLC. The transfer agent’s address is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598, and its telephone number is (212) 828-8436.
Exchange Listing
OUR COMMON STOCK IS CURRENTLY NOT LISTED ON A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OR ANY OTHER EXCHANGE, OR QUOTED ON AN OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET. FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, WE INTEND TO CAUSE OUR COMMON STOCK TO BE QUOTED ON THE OTC MARKETS QB TIER AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT. HOWEVER, WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO AND, EVEN IF WE DO SO, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT OUR COMMON STOCK WILL CONTINUE TO BE QUOTED ON THE OTC MARKETS OR QUOTED OR LISTED ON ANY OTHER MARKET OR EXCHANGE, OR THAT AN ACTIVE TRADING MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK WILL DEVELOP OR CONTINUE.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm business.
We are currently not aware of any pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or of which any of our property is the subject, nor are we aware of any such proceedings that are contemplated by any governmental authority.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
During the last three years, the Registrant has not issued unregistered securities to any person, except as described below. None of these transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, except as specified below, or any public offering, and, unless otherwise indicated below, the Registrant believes that each transaction was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and/or Regulation S promulgated thereunder regarding offshore offers and sales. All recipients had adequate access, though their relationships with the Registrant, to information about the Registrant.
The Offering
Between June 22, 2021 and June 25, 2021, we sold an aggregate of 3,885,000 shares of our common stock to 74 “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to a private placement offering at a purchase price of $2.00 per share. These transactions were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as not involving any public offering or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
Securities Issued in Connection with the Merger
On June 22, 2021, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, 3,155,944 shares of Biond Photonics’ common stock (see Other Sales of Unregistered Securities below for details of those share issuances) were converted into an aggregate of 4,100,000 shares of our common stock. These transactions were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as not involving any public offering or Regulation D promulgated thereunder. None of the securities were sold through an underwriter and, accordingly, there were no underwriting discounts or commissions involved.
Other Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following list sets forth information as to all securities the Company sold from January 1, 2018, through immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, which were not registered under the Securities Act. The following description is historical and has not been adjusted to give effect to the Merger.
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On August 21, 2020, the Company issued 4,750,000 shares of Common Stock to Mark Tompkins, a former director, for a purchase price of $475, representing amounts advanced by Mr. Tompkins to counsel for the Company in connection with the formation and organization of the Company. On that same date, the Company sold 250,000 shares of Common Stock to Ian Jacobs, our former director and sole executive officer, for a cash purchase price equal to $25. Each of these purchases was done pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with each buyer.
On October 27, 2020, we issued 1,250,000 (pre-Merger) shares of common stock for an aggregate sum of $10,000 each to each of Mr. Klamkin and Mr. McCarthy, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement.
On June 5, 2021, we issued 20,000 (pre-Merger) shares of common stock pursuant to an advisory agreement.
On June 10, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 536,530 (pre-Merger) shares of common stock pursuant to three individual Advisory Agreements, which includes 189,360 shares to Mr. DenBaars.
On June 10, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 99,414 (pre-Merger) shares of common stock pursuant to an Omnibus Equity Agreement, pursuant to which each of the signatories pursuant thereto agreed to convert his/her shares issuable under his/her respective Simple Agreements for Future Equity agreements into shares of the Company’s common stock at the close of the Merger.
CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
As of the Effective Time (i) Raich Ende Malter & Co. LLP (“REM”), was dismissed as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company, and (ii) our board of directors engaged Rose, Snyder & Jacobs LLP, (“RSJ”) as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the subsequent interim period through the date of REM’s dismissal, there were no disagreements with REM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of REM, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter thereof in connection with its report.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the subsequent interim period through the date of REM’s dismissal, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted RSJ regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements.
We shall provide REM with a copy of this Report on this same day and request that REM furnish to us a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether REM agrees with the statements made by us under this Item 4.01. We shall file such letter as an exhibit to an amendment to this Report.
ITEM 3.02 UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
The information contained in Item 2.01 above regarding Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities is incorporated herein by reference. All
ITEM 3.03 MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
The information contained in Item 5.03, “Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in fiscal year” is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4.01 CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
The information contained in Item 2.01 above relating to the changed in our certifying accountant is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 5.01 CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.
The information regarding our change of control in connection with the Merger set forth in Item 2.01, “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—The Merger” is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.
The information regarding departure and election of our directors and departure and appointment of our principal officers in connection with the Merger set forth in Item 2.01, “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—The Merger” is incorporated herein by reference.
For information regarding the terms of employment of our newly appointed executive officers, see “Executive Compensation-—Offer Letters” in Item 2.01 of this Report, which description is incorporated herein by reference. For certain biographical, related party and other information regarding our newly appointed executive officers, see the disclosure under the headings “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in Item 2.01 of this Report, which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
For information about compensation to our directors, see “Management” in Item 2.01 of this Report, which description is incorporated herein by reference. For information about the committees each director serves on, see “Management—Board Committees” in Item 2.01 of this Report, which description is incorporated herein by reference. There are no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which any of our current directors was appointed as a director. For certain biographical, related party and other information regarding our newly appointed directors, see the disclosure under the headings “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in Item 2.01 of this Report, which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
The Company furnished each of the prior officers and directors with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K on June 23, 2021, providing him with the opportunity to furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Company stating whether he agrees with the statements made by the Company herein and, if not, stating the respects in which he does not agree. The Company will file any letter received by it from such officer or director as an exhibit by an amendment to this Form 8-K within two business days after receipt.
ITEM 5.03 AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation
Prior to the Merger, our board of directors approved the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation on June 22, 2021, stockholders holding 100% of the then outstanding shares of our common stock approved the amendment and restatement to our certificate of incorporation on June 22, 2021. See the description of the restated certificate of incorporation in Item 2.01, “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets— Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Provisions” and “Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaw Provisions” for a summary of its terms. Our restated certificate of incorporation is filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Amendments to Bylaws
Prior to the Merger, on June 22, 2021, we amended and restated our bylaws in their entirety. See the description of the restated bylaws in Item 2.01, “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets— Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Provisions” and “Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaw Provisions”. Our restated bylaws are filed as Exhibit 3.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 5.06 CHANGE IN SHELL COMPANY STATUS.
Prior to the Merger, we were a “shell company” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act). As a result of the Merger, we have ceased to be a shell company. The information contained in this Report, together with the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and our subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC, constitute the current “Form 10 information” necessary to satisfy the conditions contained in Rule 144(i)(2) under the Securities Act.
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ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) | As a result of its acquisition of Biond Photonics, Inc., as described in Item 2.01, the registrant is filing herewith audited financial statements for Biond Photonics, Inc. as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report. |
(b) | As a result of its acquisition of Biond Photonics, Inc., as described in Item 2.01, the registrant is filing herewith unaudited financial information as of and for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021, is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Report. |
(c) | Unaudited pro forma combined financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Report. |
(d) | Shell Company Transactions. Reference is made to Items 9.01(a) and 9.01(b) and the exhibits referred to therein, which are incorporated herein by reference. |
(e) | Exhibits. |
+ | Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Aeluma, Inc. | ||
Date: June 28, 2021 | By: | /s/ Jonathan Klamkin |
Jonathan Klamkin | ||
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
among
PARC INVESTMENTS INC., a Delaware corporation
AELUMA OPERATING CO., a Delaware corporation
and
BIOND PHOTONICS, INC. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”), a California corporation
June 22, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
3.12 | Tax Matters | 22 | |
3.13 | Assets | 23 | |
3.14 | Real Property | 23 | |
3.15 | Contracts | 23 | |
3.16 | Powers of Attorney | 23 | |
3.17 | Insurance | 23 | |
3.18 | Litigation | 24 | |
3.19 | Employees | 24 | |
3.20 | Employee Benefits | 24 | |
3.21 | Environmental Matters | 24 | |
3.22 | Permits | 25 | |
3.23 | Certain Business Relationships with Affiliates | 25 | |
3.24 | Tax-Free Reorganization | 25 | |
3.25 | Brokers’ Fees | 26 | |
3.26 | Interested Party Transactions | 27 | |
3.27 | Accountants | 27 | |
3.28 | Minute Books | 27 | |
3.29 | Board Action | 27 | |
3.30 | Intellectual Property | 27 | |
3.31 | Investment Company | 28 | |
3.32 | Foreign Corrupt Practices Act | 28 | |
3.33 | No Integrated Offering | 28 | |
3.34 | No General Solicitation | 28 | |
3.35 | Application of Takeover Provisions | 28 | |
3.36 | No Other Representations | 28 | |
ARTICLE IV. | COVENANTS | 29 | |
4.1 | Conduct of the Business Prior to Closing; Closing Efforts | 29 | |
4.2 | Governmental and Third-Party Notices and Consents | 29 | |
4.3 | Super 8-K | 29 | |
4.4 | Access to Company Information | 29 | |
4.5 | Expenses | 30 | |
4.6 | Indemnification; Insurance | 31 | |
4.7 | Name | 32 | |
4.8 | Parent Board; Amendment of Charter Documents; Corporate Policies | 32 | |
4.9 | Equity Plans | 33 | |
4.10 | Information Provided to Stockholders | 33 | |
4.11 | Securities Exemptions | 33 | |
4.12 | Parent Auditor Letter | 33 | |
4.13 | Private Placement | 34 | |
4.14 | Failure to Fulfill Conditions | 34 | |
4.15 | Notification of Certain Matters | 34 | |
ARTICLE V. | CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER | 34 | |
5.1 | Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations | 34 | |
5.2 | Conditions to Obligations of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary | 35 | |
5.3 | Conditions to Obligations of the Company | 36 |
ii
ARTICLE VI. | DEFINITIONS | 38 | |
7.1 | Termination | 40 | |
7.2 | Effect of Termination | 40 | |
ARTICLE VIII. | MISCELLANEOUS | 41 | |
8.1 | Press Releases and Announcements | 41 | |
8.2 | No Third Party Beneficiaries | 41 | |
8.3 | Entire Agreement | 41 | |
8.4 | Succession and Assignment | 41 | |
8.5 | Counterparts and Facsimile Signature | 41 | |
8.6 | Headings | 41 | |
8.7 | Notices | 41 | |
8.8 | Governing Law | 42 | |
8.9 | Amendments and Waivers | 42 | |
8.10 | Severability | 43 | |
8.11 | Submission to Jurisdiction | 43 | |
8.12 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 43 | |
8.13 | Remedies; Specific Performance | 43 | |
8.14 | Survival | 44 | |
8.15 | Construction | 44 |
EXHIBITS | ||
Exhibit A | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company | |
Exhibit B | Form of Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreement | |
Exhibit C | Form of Registration Rights Agreement |
SCHEDULES | ||
Schedule 1.5(a) | Conversion Ratio | |
Schedule II | Company Knowledge Persons | |
Schedule 4.6(c) | Parent Indemnified Executives | |
Schedule 5.2(a) | Company Closing Consents | |
Schedule 5.3(b) | Parent Closing Consents | |
Schedule 5.3(m) | Debt Holder |
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
INTRODUCTION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 22, 2021, by and among PARC INVESTMENTS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), AELUMA OPERATING CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Acquisition Subsidiary”), and Biond Photonics, Inc. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”), a California corporation (the “Company”). The Parent, the Acquisition Subsidiary and the Company are each a “Party” and referred to collectively herein as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, this Agreement contemplates a merger of the Company with and into the Acquisition Subsidiary, with the Acquisition Subsidiary remaining as the surviving entity after the merger (the “Merger”), whereby: (a) the stockholders of the Company as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (“Company Stockholders”) who are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) will receive Parent Common Stock (as defined below) in exchange for their capital stock of the Company
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the Merger, the Parent will complete a private placement offering (the “Private Placement Offering”) of a minimum of 3,000,000 shares of the Parent’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Parent Common Stock”), at a purchase price of $2.00 per share (the “Purchase Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of subscription agreements in a form reasonably acceptable to the Parent and the Company;
WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Parties, certain stockholders of the Parent prior to the Merger have entered into share cancellation agreements with the Parent (the “Share Cancellation Agreements”), to be effective only upon the Effective Time (as defined below), pursuant to which an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of Parent Common Stock (the “Cancelled Shares”) will be cancelled immediately prior to the Effective Time; and
WHEREAS, the Parties intend for the Merger to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and this Agreement to constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g) (the “Intended Tax Treatment”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending legally to be bound, agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I. THE MERGER
1.1 The Merger. Upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Acquisition Subsidiary shall merge with and into the Company at the Effective Time (as defined below). From and after the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease, and the Acquisition Subsidiary shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”). The “Effective Time” shall be the time at which a certificate of merger in proper form and duly executed, reflecting the Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) pursuant to Section 251(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) is filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Merger shall have the effects set forth herein and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL and of the General Corporation Law of the State of California (the “CGCL”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, except as provided herein, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and the Acquisition Subsidiary shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Acquisition Subsidiary shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation. The Parent, the Company and the Acquisition Subsidiary, respectively, shall each use its best efforts to take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the Merger in accordance with the DGCL and the CGCL at the Effective Time. If at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all properties, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of either the Company or the Acquisition Subsidiary, the officers of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in the name of Parent, the Company and Acquisition Subsidiary or otherwise to take, and shall take, all such lawful and necessary action.
1.2 The Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place remotely, via electronic exchange of documents, simultaneous with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if all of the conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby have not been satisfied or waived by such date, on such mutually agreeable later date as soon as practicable (and in any event not later than three Business Days) after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions (excluding the delivery of any documents to be delivered at the Closing by any of the Parties) set forth in ARTICLE V hereof (the “Closing Date”). As used in this Agreement, the term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in the state of New York are required or authorized by applicable Law to close.
1.3 Actions at the Closing. At the Closing:
(a) the Company shall deliver to the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary the various certificates, instruments and documents to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Sections 5.1 and 5.2;
(b) the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary shall deliver to the Company the various certificates, instruments and documents to be delivered by the Parent and/or Acquisition Subsidiary pursuant to Sections 5.1 and 5.3; and
(c) the Surviving Corporation shall file the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DGCL and the documents required by Section [1108(d)] of the CGCL with the Secretary of State of the State of California.
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1.4 Additional Actions. If at any time after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation or Parent shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances or any other acts or things are necessary, desirable or proper (a) to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation or Parent, its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of either the Company or the Acquisition Subsidiary or (b) otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the Surviving Corporation, Parent and its officers and directors or their designees shall be authorized (to the fullest extent allowed under applicable Law) to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of either the Company, Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and do, in the name and on behalf of the Company, Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, all such other acts and things necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or confirm its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of the Company, Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as applicable, and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
1.5 Conversion of Company Securities. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or the holder of any of the following securities:
(a) Subject to Section 1.6 and Section 1.8, at the Effective Time, each share of common stock of the Company (the “Company Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Dissenting Shares as defined below), shall be converted into and represent the right to receive (subject to the provisions of Section 1.6) such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as is equal to the number of Company Shares multiplied by the “Conversion Ratio” set forth on Schedule 1.5(a) hereto, rounded down to the nearest whole share. The shares of Parent Common Stock into which the Company Shares are converted pursuant to this Section shall be referred to herein as the “Merger Shares.” The Merger Shares shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Parent Common Stock or Company Shares), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to Parent Common Stock or Company Shares occurring or having a record date on or after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time.
(b) After the Effective Time, the Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered certificates (which, for all purposes in this Agreement, may be in book entry form) for the Merger Shares to each Company Stockholder entitled thereto pursuant to Section 1.5(a) and cash pursuant to Section 1.8 who shall have presented a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Company Shares to be converted into Merger Shares pursuant to this Section 1.5 or cash pursuant to Section 1.8, as applicable (the “Company Shares Certificates”). If any Company Shares Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Parent may, in its sole discretion and as a condition to the issuance of any certificates representing Merger Shares, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Shares Certificate to provide an appropriate affidavit with respect to such Company Shares Certificate (without the requirement to post a bond).
(c) Each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Acquisition Subsidiary shall be one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
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1.6 Dissenting Shares.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “Dissenting Shares” means Company Shares held as of the Effective Time by a Company Stockholder who has not voted such Company Shares in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the Merger and with respect to which appraisal shall have been duly demanded and perfected in accordance with Chapter 13 of the CGCL and the Company’s by-laws and not effectively withdrawn or forfeited prior to the Effective Time. Dissenting Shares shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock unless such Company Stockholder’s right to appraisal shall have ceased in accordance with Chapter 13 of the CGCL and the Company’s by-laws. If such Company Stockholder has so forfeited or withdrawn his, her or its right to appraisal of Dissenting Shares, then (i) as of the occurrence of such event, such holder’s Dissenting Shares shall cease to be Dissenting Shares and shall be converted into and represent the right to receive the Merger Shares issuable in respect of such Company Shares pursuant to Section 1.5(a), and (ii) promptly following the occurrence of such event and, if requested by the Parent, the proper surrender of such person’s Company Shares Certificate, the Parent shall deliver to such Company Stockholder a certificate representing the Merger Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 1.5(a).
(b) The Company shall give the Parent prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal of any Company Shares, withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments that relate to such demands received by the Company. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of the Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal of Company Shares or offer to settle or settle any such demands unless required by the court of the State of California having jurisdiction thereof.
1.7 Fractional Shares. No certificates or scrip representing fractional Merger Shares shall be issued to Company Stockholders on the surrender for exchange of Company Shares, and such Company Stockholders shall not be entitled to any voting rights, rights to receive any dividends or distributions or other rights as a stockholder of the Parent with respect to any fractional Merger Shares that would have otherwise been issued to such Company Stockholders. In lieu of any fractional Merger Shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall pay the holder cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the Purchase Price.
1.8 Intentionally Omitted.
1.9 Options and Warrants.
(a) As of the Effective Time, all outstanding Company Options (as defined below) that remain unexercised, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by the Parent and shall be converted into options to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (“Parent Options”) without further action by the holder thereof. Each Parent Option as so assumed and converted shall constitute an option to acquire such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as is equal to the number of Company Common Shares subject to the unexercised portion of the Company Option multiplied by the Conversion Ratio for Company Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share). The exercise price per share of each Parent Option as so assumed and converted shall be equal to the exercise price of the Company Option prior to the assumption divided by the Conversion Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent). Each Parent Option shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the respective Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, provided, that the Board of Directors of the Parent or a committee thereof shall succeed to the authority and responsibility of the Company’s board of directors or any committee thereof with respect to each Company Option assumed by the Parent. It is the intention of the parties that (i) each Parent Option that qualified as an incentive stock option (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to so qualify, to the maximum extent permissible, immediately following the Effective Time, and (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock and exercise price per share of Parent Common Stock under each Parent Option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
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(b) Intentionally Omitted
(c) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company shall take such actions (including adopting any necessary resolutions) as are reasonably necessary to effect the treatment of the Company Options as contemplated by this Section 1.9. At the Effective Time, the Parent shall assume all obligations of the Company under the applicable Company Equity Plan, each outstanding Company Option, and the agreements evidencing the grants thereof and shall administer and honor all such awards in accordance with the terms and conditions of such awards and the applicable Company Equity Plan (subject to the adjustments required by reason of this Agreement or such other adjustments or amendments made by the Parent in accordance with such terms and conditions). Following the Closing, the Company shall notify each holder of the conversion of Company Options into Parent Options, and any restrictions on the exercise thereof during the period prior to the registration of the shares of Parent Common Stock underlying such Parent Options on Form S-8.
(d) As of the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Warrant (as defined below) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be assumed by Parent and shall be converted into warrants to purchase Parent Common Stock (“Parent Warrants”) without further action by the holder thereof. Accordingly, from and after the Effective Time: (i) each Company Warrant assumed by the Parent may be exercised solely for shares of Parent Common Stock; (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each Company Warrant assumed by the Parent shall be determined by multiplying (A) the number of Company Common Shares that would have been issuable upon exercise of each such Company Warrant had such Company Warrant been exercised prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Conversion Ratio for Company Common Shares and rounding the resulting number down to the nearest whole number of shares of Parent Common Stock; (iii) the per share exercise price for the Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each Company Warrant assumed by the Parent shall be determined by dividing the per share exercise price of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Warrant, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, by the Conversion Ratio for the Company Common Shares and rounding the resulting exercise price up to the nearest whole cent; and (iv) any restriction on any Company Warrant assumed by the Parent shall continue in full force and effect and the term and other provisions of such Company Warrant shall otherwise remain unchanged.
(e) The Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of the Parent Options and for delivery upon exercise of the Parent Warrants to be issued for the Company Options.
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1.10 Directors and Officers.
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parent, Acquisition Subsidiary, the Company or the holders of any shares of capital stock of any of the foregoing, the directors and officers of the Company as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office until the earlier of his/her resignation or removal or until his/her respective successors are duly appointed and qualified, as the case may be, and the Surviving Corporation and the Parent shall take any necessary actions (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time) as shall be necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purpose of this Section 1.10.
(b) At or prior to the Closing, the Board of Directors of Parent shall, subject to compliance with Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, take the following action, to be effective upon the Effective Time: (i) elect to the Board of Directors of Parent the persons who were directors of the Company immediately prior to the Closing; (ii) appoint as the officers of Parent those persons who were the officers of the Company immediately prior to the Closing, or, in either case with regard to clauses (i) and (ii), such other persons designated by the Company (including any replacement for a director of the Company immediately prior to the Closing who is either unwilling or unable to serve as a director of the Parent upon the Effective Time); and (iii) appoint such persons set forth in (ii) as an “officer” within the meaning of Section 16 and Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act and as an “executive officer” within the meaning of Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act and Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act. All of the persons serving as directors of the Parent immediately prior to the Closing shall resign immediately following the election of the new directors, and all of the persons serving as officers of the Parent immediately prior to the Closing shall resign immediately following the appointment of the new officers, all subject to compliance with Rule 14f-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Subject to applicable law, the Parent, with the assistance of the Company, has taken or shall take all action reasonably requested by the Company, but consistent with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Parent, that is reasonably necessary to effect any such election or appointment of the designees of the Company to the Parent’s Board of Directors, including mailing to the Parent’s stockholders an information statement containing the information required by Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder at least 10 days prior to the Effective Time. The Company has supplied the Parent all information with respect to it and its nominees, officers, directors and Affiliates required by such Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1.
(c) The provisions of this Section 1.10 are in addition to and shall not limit any rights which the Company or any of its Affiliates may have as a holder or beneficial owner of shares of capital stock of the Parent as a matter of law with respect to the election of directors or otherwise. The newly-appointed directors and officers of the Parent shall hold office for the term specified in, and subject to the provisions contained in, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Parent and applicable law.
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1.11 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Surviving Corporation or the Parent may make any necessary filings in the State of Delaware or the State of California as shall be necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out fully the purpose of this Section 1.11:
(a) the certificate of incorporation of the Acquisition Subsidiary in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by Delaware Law and such certificate of incorporation;
(b) the bylaws of the Acquisition Subsidiary in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended or repealed;
(c) the certificate of incorporation of the Parent in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Parent until duly amended or repealed; provided that immediately following the Effective Time, Parent will file a certificate of amendment to change the name of the Parent to “Aeluma, Inc.”; and
(d) the bylaws of the Parent in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Parent until duly amended or repealed.
1.12 No Further Rights. From and after the Effective Time, no Company Shares shall be deemed to be outstanding, and holders of Company Shares, certificated or uncertificated, shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except as provided herein or by applicable Law, other than the right to receive Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger.
1.13 Closing of Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and no transfer of Company Shares shall thereafter be made. If, after the Effective Time, Company Shares Certificates are presented to the Parent or the Surviving Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for Merger Shares in accordance with Section 1.5, subject to the provisions hereof and applicable Law in the case of Dissenting Shares.
1.14 Exemption from Registration; Rule 144.
(a) The Parent and the Company intend that the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Sections 1.5 or upon exercise of Parent Warrants granted pursuant to Section 1.9 hereof, will be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, by reason of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) thereunder and that all recipients of such shares of Parent Common Stock either (i) shall be “accredited investors” as such term is defined in Regulation D or (ii) persons other than those described in the foregoing clause (i), provided that the number of such persons described in this clause (ii) shall not exceed thirty-five (35). The Parent and the Company intend that the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of Parent Options granted pursuant to Section 1.9 hereto will either be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities act by reason of Rule 701 of the Securities Act or be issued pursuant to the registration of such shares on Form S-8. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof or upon exercise of Parent Options and Parent Warrants granted pursuant to Section 1.9 hereof, will be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may not be offered, sold, pledged, assigned or otherwise transferred unless (A) a registration statement with respect thereto is effective under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or (B) an exemption from such registration exists and either the Parent receives an opinion of counsel to the holder of such securities, which counsel and opinion are satisfactory to the Parent, that such securities may be offered, sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in the manner contemplated without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws; and the certificates (or book-entry security entitlements) representing such shares of Parent Common Stock will bear an appropriate legend and restriction on the books of the Parent or its transfer agent to that effect.
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(b) The Parent is a “shell company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company acknowledges that pursuant to Rule 144(i), securities issued by a former shell company (such as the Merger Shares) that otherwise meet the holding period and other requirements of Rule 144 nevertheless cannot be sold in reliance on Rule 144 until one year after the Parent (i) is no longer a shell company; and (ii) has filed current “Form 10 information” (as defined in Rule 144(i)) with the SEC reflecting that it is no longer a shell company, and provided that at the time of a proposed sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Parent is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and has filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports. As a result, the restrictive legends on certificates for the Merger Shares cannot be removed except in connection with an actual sale meeting the foregoing requirements or pursuant to an effective registration statement.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 1.14(a) and (b) hereto, the Company has entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement, on or about the date hereof, by and between the Company, the Purchasers (as defined therein), the Brokers (as defined therein), the persons or entities holding Merger Shares (as defined therein), the persons or entities holding Registrable Pre-Merger Shares (as defined therein), and the persons or entities holding Advisory Shares (as defined therein) (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Parent will file, subject to customary exceptions and the other terms and conditions provided therein, a registration statement with the SEC, covering, inter alia, the Parent Common Stock and Parent Warrants, no later than 60 calendar days after the final closing of the Private Placement Offering.
1.15 Certain Tax Matters. Each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the transactions contemplated hereby to qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment. None of the Parties shall (and each of the Parties shall cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates not to) take any action, or fail to take any action, that could reasonably be expected to cause the Merger to fail to qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment. The Parties intend to report and, except to the extent otherwise required by a “final determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, shall report (including, without limitation, on all applicable United States, state, local or foreign government reports, returns, declarations, statements or other information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes (collectively, “Tax Returns”) and in connection with any Tax audit), for all tax purposes, transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the Intended Tax Treatment. For purposes of this Agreement, “Taxes” means all taxes or levies or other similar assessments or liabilities in the nature of a tax, including without limitation income, gross receipts, ad valorem, premium, value-added, excise, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, withholding, employment, unemployment insurance, social security, business license, business organization, environmental, workers compensation, payroll, profits, license, lease, service, service use, severance, stamp, occupation, windfall profits, customs, duties, franchise and other taxes imposed by the United States of America or any state, local or foreign government, or any agency thereof, or other political subdivision of the United States or any such government, and any interest, fines, penalties, assessments or additions to tax resulting from, attributable to or incurred in connection with any tax or any contest or dispute thereof.
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1.16 Withholding. Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold (or cause to be deducted and withheld) from any consideration payable or transferrable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as are required to be deduced and withheld under applicable Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and timely remitted to the applicable taxing authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to eliminate or reduce any such deduction or withholding (including through the request and provision of any statements, form or other documents to reduce or eliminate any such deduction or withholding).
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to the Parent that the statements contained in this ARTICLE II are true and correct, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule provided by the Company to the Parent on the date hereof (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”). The Company Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this ARTICLE II; and to the extent that it is reasonably apparent from the context thereof that such disclosure also applies to any other numbered paragraph contained in this ARTICLE II, the disclosures in any numbered paragraph of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall qualify such other corresponding numbered paragraph in this ARTICLE II. For purposes of this ARTICLE II, the phrase “to the knowledge of the Company” or any phrase of similar import shall be deemed to refer to the knowledge, after due inquiry, of any of the individuals identified on Schedule II.
2.1 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of California. The Company is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and used by it. The Company has furnished or made available to the Parent complete and accurate copies of its certificate of incorporation and by-laws, each as amended to date. The Company is not in default under or in violation of any provision of its certificate of incorporation, as amended to date, or its by-laws, as amended to date, or under any Material Contract (as defined below), except where such default or violation would not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any effect that either alone or in combination with any other effect has a material adverse effect on (i) the assets, business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that, in no event shall any effects (whether alone or in combination) resulting from or arising in connection with any of the following be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (a) conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Company participates or the U.S. or global economy or capital markets as a whole; (b) any failure by the Company or its Subsidiaries to meet internal projections, budgets, or forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions; (c) the execution, delivery, announcement or performance of the obligations under this Agreement or the announcement, pendency or anticipated consummation of the Merger; (d) any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war (whether or not declared) or other international or national calamity or any escalation or worsening thereof; (e) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, epidemics or disease outbreaks (including COVID-19 virus) or other natural disasters or Acts of God; (f) any changes (after the date of this Agreement) in GAAP, other applicable accounting rules or applicable Law, or changes or developments in political, regulatory or legislative conditions; (g) general financial, credit, capital market or regulatory conditions or any changes therein (provided, however, that such effects do not affect the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole disproportionately as compared to the Company’s competitors); (h) any matter disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule or the draft Super 8-K provided to Parent on June 18, 2021 (excluding any disclosures (whether contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section) to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) or (i) the taking of any action required by this Agreement.
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2.2 Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital of the Company consists of (a)] 3,155,944 Company Common Shares As of the date of this Agreement, and without giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documentation, 3,155,944 Company Common Shares are issued and outstanding, and no Company Shares are held in the treasury of the Company. As of the date of this Agreement and as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, there are and will be outstanding options to purchase Company Common Shares as set forth on Section 2.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (“Company Options”). As of the date of this Agreement and as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, there are and will be outstanding warrants to purchase Company Shares as set forth on Section 2.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (“Company Warrants”). As of the date of this Agreement and as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, there are and will be no Company Shares issuable upon the conversion of any promissory notes issued by the Company. Section 2.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of (a) all Company Stockholders, indicating the number and class of Company Shares held by each Company Stockholder, (b) all stock option plans and other stock or equity-related plans of the Company (“Company Equity Plans”) and the number of Company Common Shares remaining available for future awards thereunder, (c) all outstanding Company Options, indicating (i) the holder thereof, (ii) the number of Company Common Shares subject to each Company Option, (iii) the exercise price, date of grant, vesting schedule and expiration date for each Company Option, and (iv) any terms regarding the acceleration of vesting, (d) all outstanding Company Warrants, indicating (i) the holder thereof, (ii) the number of Company Common Shares subject to each Company Warrant, (iii) the exercise price, date of grant, vesting schedule and expiration date for each Company Warrant, and (iv) any terms regarding the acceleration of vesting. All of the issued and outstanding Company Shares are, and all Company Common Shares that may be issued upon exercise of Company Options and all Company Common Shares that may be issued upon exercise of Company Warrants will be (upon issuance in accordance with their terms) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and, effective as of the Effective Time, free of all preemptive rights, and have been or will be issued in accordance with applicable laws, including but not limited to, the Securities Act. Other than the Company Options and Company Warrants listed in Section 2.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or as contemplated by the Private Placement Offering, there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, phantom stock or similar rights, securities, rights, agreements or commitments to which the Company is a party or which are binding upon the Company providing for the issuance or redemption of any Company Shares or pursuant to which any outstanding Company Share is subject to vesting. Other than as listed in Section 2.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no agreements to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies), registration under the Securities Act, or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to pre-emptive rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any securities of the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, there are no agreements among other parties, to which the Company is not a party and by which it is not bound, with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies) or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to rights of first refusal, co- sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any securities of the Company. All of the issued and outstanding Company Shares were issued in compliance with applicable securities laws.
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2.3 Authorization of Transaction. The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the Transaction Documentation to which it is a party, and, subject to the adoption of this Agreement and (a) the approval of the Merger by the vote of Company Stockholders required by the CGCL and the Company’s by-laws and (b) the approvals and waivers set forth in Section 2.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the “Company Consents”), the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the board of directors of the Company (i) determined that the Merger is fair and in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders, (ii) adopted this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the CGCL, and (iii) directed that this Agreement and the Merger be submitted to the Company Stockholders for their adoption and approval and resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming it is a valid and binding obligation of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws, rules or regulations affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally and to general principles of equity, whether applied in a court of Law or a court of equity.
2.4 Non-contravention. Subject to the receipt of Company Consents and the filing of the documents required by Section 1108(d) of the CGCL, neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the Transaction Documentation to which it is a party, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws of the Company, each as amended to date, (b) require on the part of the Company any filing with, or any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any court, arbitrational tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency (a “Governmental Entity”), except for the filing of the documents required by Section 1108(d) of the CGCL with the Secretary of State of the State of California, or such permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as to which the failure to obtain or make the same would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in the acceleration of obligations under, create in any party the right to terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice, consent or waiver under, any Material Contract, except, in the case of the foregoing clause (c), for any conflict, breach, default, acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation which would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or any notice, consent or waiver the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (d) result in the imposition of any Security Interest upon any material assets of the Company or (e) violate any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational, Governmental Entity or other constitution, law, statute, ordinance, principle of common law, rule, regulation, code, governmental determination, order, writ, injunction, decree, treaty, convention, governmental certification requirement or other public limitation, U.S. or non-U.S., including Tax and U.S. antitrust laws (collectively, “Laws”) applicable to the Company, except, in the case of the foregoing clause (e), such violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, charge or other lien (whether arising by contract or by operation of law), other than (i) mechanic’s, materialmen’s and similar Security Interests, (ii) Security Interests arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar legislation, or (iii) Security Interests on goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, in each case arising in the Ordinary Course of Business (as defined below) of the Company and not material to the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary course of such person’s business, consistent with past practice (including with respect to frequency and amount).
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2.5 Subsidiaries.
(a) Section 2.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth: (i) the name of each Company Subsidiary; (ii) the number and type of outstanding equity securities of each Company Subsidiary and a list of the holders thereof; and (iii) the jurisdiction of organization of each Company Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in which a Party has, directly or indirectly, an equity interest representing 50% or more of the equity securities thereof or other equity interests therein; a “Company Subsidiary” is a Subsidiary of the Company.
(b) Each Company Subsidiary is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each Company Subsidiary is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties requires qualification to do business, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Company Subsidiary has all requisite power and authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and used by it. No Company Subsidiary is in default under or in violation of any provision of its charter, bylaws or other organizational documents. All of the issued and outstanding equity securities of each Company Subsidiary (i) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, (ii) are held of record and beneficially by either the Company or any other Company Subsidiary and (iii) are held or owned free and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities Act and state or other applicable securities laws), claims, Security Interests, options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls, commitments, equities and demands. Except as set forth in Section 2.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or which are binding on any of them providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any equity securities of any Company Subsidiary.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 2.5(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not control directly or indirectly or have any direct or indirect equity participation or similar interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business association which is not a Company Subsidiary.
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2.6 Compliance with Laws. The Company:
(a) and the conduct and operations of its business, are in compliance with each Law applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets, except for any violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) has complied with all federal and state securities laws and regulations, except for any violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(c) has not been the subject of any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, nor has it been a party to any material litigation or, within the past two years, the subject of any threat of material litigation; and
(d) is not and has not, and to the knowledge of the Company, the officers and directors of the Company are not and have not in their capacity as an officer or director of the Company, as applicable, been the subject of any civil, criminal or administrative investigation or proceeding brought by any federal or state agency having regulatory authority over such entity or person or alleging a violation of securities laws (in the case of an individual, that is described in Item 401(f)(1)-(3) of SEC Regulation S-K).
2.7 Financial Statements. The Company has provided or made available to the Parent: (a) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company at December 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (collectively, the “Company Financial Statements”) and its unaudited balance sheet (the “Company Balance Sheet”) as of March 31, 2021 (the “Company Balance Sheet Date”), and the related unaudited statements of operations and cash flows of the Company for the six-month period then ended (the “Company Interim Statements”). The Company Financial Statements and the Company Interim Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except in each case as described in the notes thereto), and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods referred to therein and comply as to form with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC for inclusion of such Company Financial Statements and Company Interim Statements in the Parent’s filings with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act.
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2.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, to the knowledge of the Company, there has occurred no event or development which, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
2.9 Undisclosed Liabilities. To the knowledge of the Company, except as set forth in Section 2.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no liability (whether absolute or contingent, whether liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due), except for (a) liabilities shown on the Company Balance Sheet, (b) liabilities not exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate that have arisen since the Company Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business, (c) contractual and other liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which are not required by GAAP to be reflected on a balance sheet, and (d) liabilities under this Agreement.
2.10 Contracts. (i) Each Material Contract (as defined below) of the Company is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company and in full force and effect, except as such enforceability may be limited under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws, rules or regulations affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally and to general principles of equity whether applied in a court of Law or a court of equity, (ii) neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any such agreement, except for any breach, violation or default that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) no event has occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, with lapse of time, or otherwise, would constitute a breach or default by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party under such Material Contract, except for any breach, violation or default that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Section 2.10, a “Material Contract” is a material contract as defined by Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.
2.11 Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation before any Governmental Entity or before any arbitrator (a “Legal Proceeding”) which is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company in writing which (a) seeks either damages in excess of $250,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate, (b) if determined adversely to the Company, would have or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or (c) in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.12 Brokers’ Fees. Other than as set forth on Section 2.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.13 Books and Records. The Company has made available to Parent its minute books and other similar records of the Company, which, to the Company’s knowledge, include records, which records are complete and accurate in all material respects, of meetings of the Company Stockholders, board of directors or any committees thereof and written consents executed in lieu of the holding of any such meetings.
2.14 No Other Representations. The representations and warranties contained in this ARTICLE II are the only representations and warranties made by the Company. The Company disclaims any and all other representations and warranties other than those contained in this ARTICLE II, whether express or implied. The Company hereby expressly disclaims any such other representation or warranty, whether by the Company, or any of its representatives or any other person, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to Parent, Acquisition Subsidiary or any other person of any documentation or other written or oral information by the Company or any of its representatives.
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ARTICLE
III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
PARENT AND THE ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY
The Parent represents and warrants to the Company that the statements contained in this ARTICLE III are true and correct, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule provided by the Parent to the Company on the date hereof (the “Parent Disclosure Schedule”). The Parent Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this ARTICLE III; and to the extent that it is reasonably apparent from the context thereof that such disclosure also applies to any other numbered paragraph contained in this ARTICLE III, the disclosures in any numbered paragraph of the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall qualify such other corresponding numbered paragraph in this ARTICLE III. For purposes of this ARTICLE III, the phrase “to the knowledge of the Parent” or any phrase of similar import shall be deemed to refer to the actual knowledge of any director or executive officer of the Parent as well as any other knowledge which such person would have possessed had such person made reasonable inquiry of directors and key employees of the Parent and the accountants and attorneys of the Parent.
3.1 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power. The Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and the Acquisition Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Parent is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). The Parent has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and used by it. The Parent has furnished or made available to the Company complete and accurate copies of its certificate or articles of incorporation and bylaws. Neither the Parent nor the Acquisition Subsidiary is in default under or in violation of any provision of its certificate or articles of incorporation, as amended to date, its bylaws, as amended to date, or any mortgage, indenture, lease, license or any other agreement or instrument referred to in Sections 3.15 or 3.16, except where such default or violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. The Parent is a “shell company,” formed as a vehicle to pursue a business combination and has no current or historical operations and only nominal assets. For purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (i) the assets, business, financial condition, or results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (ii) the ability of the Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that, in no event shall any effects (whether alone or in combination) resulting from or arising in connection with any of the following be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred, a Parent Material Adverse Effect: (a) conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Parent participates or the U.S. or global economy or capital markets as a whole; (b) any failure by the Parent to meet internal projections or forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions; (c) the execution, delivery, announcement or performance of the obligations under this Agreement or the announcement, pendency or anticipated consummation of the Merger; (d) any natural disaster or any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war or any escalation or worsening thereof; (e) any changes (after the date of this Agreement) in GAAP, other applicable accounting rules or applicable Law, or changes or developments in political, regulatory or legislative conditions, or (f) the taking of any action required by this Agreement.
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3.2 Capitalization. As of immediately prior to the Effective Time, after giving effect to the surrender and cancellation of the Cancelled Shares, but prior to giving effect to the issuance of the Merger Shares or the shares to be issued in the Private Placement Offering, the authorized capital stock of the Parent will consist of 50,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 2,500,000 shares will be issued and outstanding (the “Pre-Merger Shares”), and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which no shares will be outstanding. Section 3.2 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all stockholders of the Parent, indicating the number and class of Pre-Merger Shares held by each stockholder. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of all preemptive, anti-dilution and similar rights and have been issued in accordance with applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act. Except in connection with the Private Placement Offering, as expressly contemplated by the Transaction Documentation, there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments to which the Parent is a party or which are binding upon the Parent providing for the issuance or redemption of any of its capital stock. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Parent. Except in connection with the Private Placement Offering or as contemplated by the Transaction Documentation, there are no agreements to which the Parent is a party or by which it is bound with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies), registration under the Securities Act, or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to pre-emptive rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any securities of the Parent. There are no agreements among other parties, to which the Parent is not a party and by which it is not bound, with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies) or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to rights of first refusal, co- sale rights or “drag-along” rights) of any securities of the Parent. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock were issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. The Merger Shares to be issued at the Closing pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Certificate of Merger, shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of all preemptive rights and will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.
3.3 Authorization of Transaction. Each of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery by the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary of this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby and thereby (collectively, the “Transaction Documentation”) to which it is a party, and the consummation by the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary, respectively. Each of the documents included in the Transaction Documentation has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, and, assuming it is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws, rules or regulations affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally and to general principles of equity, whether applied in a court of Law or a court of equity.
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3.4 Noncontravention. Subject to the filing of the Certificate of Merger as required by the DGCL, neither the execution and delivery by the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, of this Agreement or the Transaction Documentation to which it is a party, nor the consummation by the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, will (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the organizational documents or bylaws of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) require on the part of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, any filing with, or permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity, other than filing of Form D with the SEC and any applicable state securities filings with respect to the offering of the Merger Shares, which will be completed by Parent following the Effective Time, (c) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in the acceleration of obligations under, create in any party any right to terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice, consent or waiver under, any contract or instrument to which the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as the case may be, is a party or by which either is bound or to which any of their assets are subject, except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (b) and (c), for (i) any conflict, breach, default, acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation which would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect and would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) any notice, consent or waiver the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect and would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (d) result in the imposition of any Security Interest upon any assets of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary or (e) violate any Laws applicable to the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, except, in the case of the foregoing clause (e), such violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
3.5 Subsidiaries.
(a) The Parent has no Subsidiaries, nor does it have any direct or indirect interest in any Subsidiary other than the Acquisition Subsidiary. The Acquisition Subsidiary is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in corporate and Tax good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. The Acquisition Subsidiary was formed solely to effectuate the Merger and has not conducted any business operations since its organization. The Parent has delivered or made available to the Company complete and accurate copies of the charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Acquisition Subsidiary. The Acquisition Subsidiary has no assets other than minimal paid-in capital, has no liabilities or other obligations, and is not in default under or in violation of any provision of its charter, bylaws or other organizational documents. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Acquisition Subsidiary are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. All shares of the Acquisition Subsidiary are owned by the Parent free and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities Act and state securities laws), claims, Security Interests, options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls, commitments, equities and demands. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments to which the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary is a party or which are binding on any of them providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any capital stock of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary (except as contemplated by this Agreement). There are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Acquisition Subsidiary. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of any capital stock of the Acquisition Subsidiary.
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(b) At all times from December 27, 2018 (inception) through the date of this Agreement, the business and operations of the Acquisition Subsidiary have been conducted exclusively through the Parent.
(c) The Parent does not control directly or indirectly or have any direct or indirect participation or similar interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business association which is not a Subsidiary.
3.6 SEC Reports and Prior Registration Statement Matters. Since the filing of the Parent’s Registration Statement on Form 10 on March 14, 2019 (the “Parent Form 10”), the Parent has timely filed (or has been deemed to have timely filed pursuant to Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act) all reports, forms and documents that it was required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act (together with the Parent Form 10, the “Parent Previous Filings”). The Parent shall notify the Company immediately and in writing of the filing of any additional forms, reports or documents with the SEC by the Parent after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, provided that Company is aware that the Parent will timely file a Form 8-K Current Report with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (together with the Parent Previous Filings, the “Parent SEC Filings”). The Parent has timely filed (or has been deemed to have timely filed pursuant to Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act) and made publicly available on the SEC’s EDGAR system, and the Company may rely upon, all certifications and statements required by (i) Rule 13a-14 or Rule 15d-14 under the Exchange Act and (ii) Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 with respect to any documents filed with the SEC. The Parent is in compliance in all material respects with all of the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which are applicable to it. The Parent SEC Filings complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder when filed. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the staff of the SEC with respect to any of the Parent SEC Filings. As of their respective dates, the Parent SEC Filings, including any financial statements, schedules or exhibits included or incorporated by reference therein, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the Subsidiaries of the Parent is required to file or furnish any forms, reports or other documents with the SEC. No order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement of the Parent under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act has been issued by the SEC and, to the Parent’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry, no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or threatened by the SEC. Since the most recent filing of such certifications and statements, there have been no significant changes in the Parent’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act), or in other factors that could significantly affect its disclosure controls and procedures. The Parent has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Exchange Act) and such controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Parent, including its Subsidiaries, is made known to the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer.
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3.7 Compliance with Laws. Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries:
(a) and the conduct and operations of their respective businesses, are in compliance in all material respects with each Law applicable to the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or any of their properties or assets;
(b) has complied with all federal and state securities laws and regulations, including being current in all of its reporting obligations under such federal and state securities laws and regulations, except for any violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, and all prior issuances of its securities have been either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration;
(c) has not been the subject of any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, nor has it been a party to any material litigation or, within the past three years, the subject of any threat of material litigation;
(d) is not and has not, and the past and present officers, directors and Affiliates of the Parent are not and have not, been the subject of, nor does any officer or director of the Parent have any reason to believe that the Parent or any of its officers, directors or Affiliates are the subject of, any civil, criminal or administrative investigation or proceeding brought by any federal or state agency having regulatory authority over such entity or person or alleging a violation of securities laws (in the case of an individual, that is described in Item 401(f)(1)-(3) of SEC Regulation S-K);
(e) except as set forth in Section 3.7(f) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, does not and will not on the Closing, have any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, including but not limited to notes payable and accounts payable, exclusive of professional fees and expenses related to the Merger and Private Placement Offering transactions, including brokers’ fees, and is not a party to any executory agreements; and
(f) is not a “blank check company” as such term is defined by Rule 419 of the Securities Act, except for Parent which is a “blank check company.”
3.8 Financial Statements. The audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements of the Parent included in the Parent SEC Filings (collectively, the “Parent Financial Statements”) (a) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and, as appropriate, the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto when filed, (b) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto, and in the case of quarterly financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act), (c) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Parent as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods referred to therein, and (d) are consistent in all material respects with the books and records of the Parent. There has been no change in Parent accounting policies except as described in the notes to the Parent Financial Statements.
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3.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date of the most recent balance sheet contained in a Parent SEC Filing, Parent has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there has not occurred or been entered into, as the case may be, any (a) event or development which, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have in the future, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (b) event that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the performance of the Parent’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement, (c) material change by the Parent in its accounting methods, principles or practices, (d) declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or distribution in respect of the shares of capital stock of the Parent or any redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any of the Parent’s securities, (e) increase in the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable to any officers or directors of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary or establishment or modification of any compensatory plan of the Parent, (f) issuance, grants or sale of any stock, options, warrants, notes, bonds or other securities, or entry into any agreement with respect thereto by the Parent, (g) amendment to the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Parent, (h) capital expenditures by the Parent, purchase, sale, assignment or transfer of any material assets by the Parent, mortgage, pledge or existence of any lien, encumbrance or charge on any material assets or properties, tangible or intangible of the Parent, except for liens for Taxes not yet due and such other liens, encumbrances, restrictions or charges, or cancellation, compromise, release or waiver by the Parent of any rights of material value or any material debts or claims, (i) incurrence by the Parent of any material liability (absolute or contingent), except for current liabilities and obligations incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business (which liabilities are not material, individually or in the aggregate), (j) damage, destruction or similar loss, whether or not covered by insurance, materially affecting the business or properties of the Parent, (k) entry by the Parent into any agreement, contract, lease or license, (l) acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation of any agreement, contract, lease or license to which the Parent is a party or by which any of them is bound, (m) entry by the Parent into any loan or other transaction with any officers, directors or employees of the Parent, (n) charitable or other capital contribution by the Parent or pledge therefore, (o) entry by the Parent into any transaction of a material nature, or (p) negotiation or agreement by the Parent to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (a) through (o), other than activities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.10 Undisclosed Liabilities. None of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has any liability (whether known or unknown, whether absolute or contingent, whether liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due), except for (a) liabilities shown on the most recent balance sheet contained a Parent SEC Filing, (b) liabilities which have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet contained a Parent SEC Filing in the Ordinary Course of Business which do not exceed $25,000 in the aggregate and (c) contractual and other liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which are not required by GAAP to be reflected on a balance sheet.
3.11 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off balance sheet partnership or any similar contract or arrangement (including any contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand, or any “off balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act)), where the result, purpose or intended effect of such contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the Parent’s or such Subsidiary’s published financial statements or other Parent SEC Filings.
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3.12 Tax Matters.
(a) Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns that it was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were complete and accurate in all material respects. The officers of the Parent and its Subsidiaries after the Effective Time shall be responsible for preparing and filing all Tax Returns required to be filed after the Effective Time. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has ever been a member of a group of corporations with which it has filed (or been required to file) consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns, other than a group of which the Parent was the common parent. Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has paid on a timely basis all Taxes that were due and payable. The unpaid Taxes of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for tax periods through the date of the balance sheet contained in the most recent Parent SEC Filing do not exceed the accruals and reserves for Taxes (excluding accruals and reserves for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on such balance sheet. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any actual or potential liability for any Tax obligation of any taxpayer (including without limitation any affiliated group of corporations or other entities that included the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries during a prior period) other than the Parent and its Subsidiaries. All Taxes that the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is or was required by law to withhold or collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Entity. There are no liens for Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any of the assets of the Parent or its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Parent has delivered or made available to the Company complete and accurate copies of all federal and state income Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries since March 20, 2018 (the Parent’s inception). No examination or audit of any Tax Return of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries by any Governmental Entity is currently in progress or, to the knowledge of the Parent, threatened or contemplated. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been informed by any jurisdiction that the jurisdiction believes that the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries was required to file any Tax Return that was not filed. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to an extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(c) Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, including any adjustment pursuant to Code Sections 481 or 263A (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law); (ii) use of an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (v) prepaid amount or any other income eligible for deferral under the Code or Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 455 or 456 of the Code, Treasury Regulations Section 1.451-5 and Revenue Procedure 2004-34, 2004-33 I.R.B. 991) received on or prior to the Closing Date; (vi) intercompany transactions or any excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law); (vii) election made under Section 108(i) of the Code prior to the Closing or (viii) any similar election, action, or agreement that would have the effect of deferring any liability for Taxes of the Company from any period ending on or before the Closing Date to any period ending after such date.
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(d) Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in any “listed transaction,” as defined in Section 6706A(c)(2) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.6011- 4(b)(2).
(e) Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action not contemplated by this Agreement that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger, together with the Private Placement Offering, from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment. To the knowledge of Parent, no facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger, together with the Private Placement Offering, from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
3.13 Assets. Each of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary owns or leases all tangible assets necessary for the conduct of its businesses as presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Each such tangible asset is free from material defects, has been maintained in accordance with normal industry practice, is in good operating condition and repair (subject to normal wear and tear) and is suitable for the purposes for which it presently is used. No asset of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary (tangible or intangible) is subject to any Security Interest.
3.14 Real Property. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, leases or uses any real property, nor have they ever owned, leased or used any real property.
3.15 Contracts. Except for this Agreement, the agreements to be executed by the Parent that are included as exhibits to this Agreement or such agreements that comprise the Transaction Documentation, the agreements filed as exhibits to the Parent SEC Filings, and the agreements set forth on Section 3.15 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, the Parent is not a party to any contract, agreement, arrangement or other understanding, whether written or oral, which is currently in effect. All agreements or commitments set forth on Section 3.15 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall either be cancelled or satisfied at the Effective Time except for outstanding liabilities set forth in Section 3.7(f) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
3.16 Powers of Attorney. There are no outstanding powers of attorney executed on behalf of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.17 Insurance. The Parent does not own or maintain any insurance policies, nor is any insurance necessary for the operation of its business.
3.18 Litigation. There is no Legal Proceeding which is pending or, to the Parent’s knowledge, threatened against the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent and there is no reasonable basis for any proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation directly or indirectly involving the Parent, Acquisition Subsidiary, or the Parent’s officers, directors or employees, in their capacities as such, individually or in the aggregate. Neither the Parent nor Acquisition Subsidiary are party to any order, judgment or decree issued by any federal, state or other governmental department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.
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3.19 Employees.
(a) Other than the sole officer of the Parent, the Parent and the Subsidiaries of the Parent have no employees.
(b) Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or ever has been a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, nor have any of them experienced any strikes, grievances, claims of unfair labor practices or other collective bargaining disputes. There has been no organizational effort made or, to the knowledge of the Parent, threatened, either currently or since the date of organization of the Parent, by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to the service providers of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. Each individual providing services to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has been properly classified as an employee or a non- employee service provider with respect to each such entity for all purposes under applicable law. No current or former employee, consultant or director of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary owes any indebtedness to the Parent, the Acquisition Subsidiary or their Affiliates, nor does the Parent, the Acquisition Subsidiary or their Affiliates owe any indebtedness to any current or former employee, consultant or director of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, other than in connection with the Parent’s obligations under that certain Promissory Note, by and between the Parent and Mark Tompkins, dated as of December 27, 2018.
3.20 Employee Benefits. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates maintains, sponsors or contributes to or in the past has maintained, sponsored or contributed to any Employee Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not ERISA applies to the arrangement) or multiemployer plan (each capitalized term in this sentence as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA). Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall, individually or in the aggregate, (a) result in any payment becoming due to any officer, employee, consultant or director of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, (b) increase or modify any benefits otherwise payable by the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary to any employee, consultant or director of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, or (c) result in the acceleration of time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.
3.21 Environmental Matters.
(a) Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws, except for violations of Environmental Laws that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Parent, threatened civil or criminal litigation, written notice of violation, formal administrative proceeding, or investigation, inquiry or information request by any Governmental Entity, relating to any Environmental Law involving the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, except for litigation, notices of violations, formal administrative proceedings or investigations, inquiries or information requests that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) The Parent has no environmental reports, investigations or audits relating to premises currently or previously owned or operated by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (whether conducted by or on behalf of the Parent or its Subsidiaries or a third party, and whether done at the initiative of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or directed by a Governmental Entity or other third party) which were issued or conducted during the past five years and which the Parent has possession of or access to.
(c) To the knowledge of the Parent, there is no material environmental liability of any solid or hazardous waste transporter or treatment, storage or disposal facility that has been used by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, “Environmental Law” means any Law relating to the environment, including without limitation any Law pertaining to (i) treatment, storage, disposal, generation and transportation of industrial, toxic or hazardous materials or substances or solid or hazardous waste; (ii) air, water and noise pollution; (iii) groundwater and soil contamination; (iv) the release or threatened release into the environment of industrial, toxic or hazardous materials or substances, or solid or hazardous waste, including without limitation emissions, discharges, injections, spills, escapes or dumping of pollutants, contaminants or chemicals; (v) the protection of wild life, marine life and wetlands, including without limitation all endangered and threatened species; (vi) storage tanks, vessels, containers, abandoned or discarded barrels, and other closed receptacles; (vii) the reclamation of mines; (viii) health and safety of employees and other persons; and (ix) manufacturing, processing, using, distributing, treating, storing, disposing, transporting or handling of materials regulated under any Law as pollutants, contaminants, toxic or hazardous materials or substances or oil or petroleum products or solid or hazardous waste. As used above, the terms “release” and “environment” shall have the meaning set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.
3.22 Permits. Parent has no licenses, permits and certificates from federal, state, local and foreign authorities (including, without limitation, federal and state agencies regulating occupational health and safety), and none are necessary to its operations and business.
3.23 Certain Business Relationships with Affiliates. No Affiliate of the Parent or of any of its Subsidiaries (a) owns any property or right, tangible or intangible, which is used in the business of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) has any claim or cause of action against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or (c) owes any money to, or is owed any money by, the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Filings.
3.24 Tax-Free Reorganization.
(a) The Parent (i) is not an “investment company” as defined in Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code; (ii) has no present plan or intention to liquidate the Surviving Corporation or to merge the Surviving Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity, or to sell or otherwise dispose of the stock of the Surviving Corporation which the Parent will acquire in the Merger, or to cause the Surviving Corporation to sell or otherwise dispose of its assets, all except in the Ordinary Course of Business or if such liquidation, merger or disposition is described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) or Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(d)(4) or Section 1.368-2(k); and (iii) has no present plan or intention, following the Merger, to issue any additional shares of stock of the Surviving Corporation or to create any new class of stock of the Surviving Corporation.
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(b) The Acquisition Subsidiary is a direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent, formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Merger, and will carry on no business prior to the Merger.
(c) Immediately prior to the Merger, the Parent will be in control of Acquisition Subsidiary within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code.
(d) Neither the Parent, nor, to the knowledge of the Parent, any person related to the Parent (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(e)(3)) or any person acting as an intermediary for the Parent, has any present plan or intention to reacquire any of the Merger Shares.
(e) The Acquisition Subsidiary will have no liabilities assumed by the Surviving Corporation and will not transfer to the Surviving Corporation any assets subject to liabilities in the Merger.
(f) Parent conducts no activities other than activities related to maintaining its legal and/or corporate existence, its status as a “shell company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act and holding the capital stock of Acquisition Subsidiary and any related accounting, legal, financial, administrative, tax and other similar activities related to such matters.
(g) Acquisition Subsidiary does not hold any property and does not have any tax attributes immediately prior to the Merger, other than a de minimis amount of assets to facilitate its organization or maintain its legal existence and tax attributes related to holding those assets.
(h) The Parent has not made purchases of its own stock described in Code Section 1202(c)(3)(B) during the one (1) year period preceding the Closing Date, except for purchases that are disregarded for such purposes under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1202-2.
3.25 Brokers’ Fees. Except as listed on Section 3.25 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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3.26 Interested Party Transactions. To the knowledge of the Parent, no officer, director or stockholder of the Parent or any “affiliate” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) (each, an “Affiliate”) or “associate” (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of any such person currently has or has had, either directly or indirectly, (a) an interest in any person that (i) furnishes or sells services or products that are furnished or sold or are proposed to be furnished or sold by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) purchases from or sells or furnishes to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries any goods or services, or (b) other than as disclosed in the Parent SEC Filings, a beneficial interest in any contract or agreement to which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it may be bound or affected. Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Filings, Parent is not indebted to any officer, director or stockholder of the Parent or any “affiliate” or “associate” of any such person (each such person, a “Parent Insider”) (except for reimbursement of ordinary business expenses) and no Parent Insider is indebted to the Parent (except for cash advances for ordinary business expenses), all of which shall be paid or cancelled immediately at or prior to the Effective Time by Parent’s stockholders. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.27 Accountants. Except for the preparation and filing of the Parent’s corporate Tax Returns, there are have been no non-audit services performed by Rose, Snyder & Jacobs LLP (the “Parent Auditor”) for the Parent and/or any of its Subsidiaries, and the Parent has not taken any action or failed to take any action that would reasonably be expected to impair the independence of the Parent Auditor. The report of the Parent Auditor on the financial statements of the Parent for the past fiscal year did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, or was qualified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, although it did express uncertainty as to the Parent’s ability to continue as a going concern. During the Parent’s most recent fiscal year and the subsequent interim periods, there were no disagreements with the Parent Auditor on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures. None of the reportable events listed in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) or (v) of Regulation S-K occurred with respect to the Parent Auditor.
3.28 Minute Books. The minute books and other similar records of the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries contain, in all material respects, complete and accurate records of all actions taken at any meetings of directors (or committees thereof) and stockholders or actions by written consent in lieu of the holding of any such meetings since the time of organization of each such corporation through the date of this Agreement. The Parent has provided true and complete copies of all such minute books and other similar records to the Company’s representatives.
3.29 Board Action. The Parent’s Board of Directors (a) has unanimously determined that the Merger is advisable and in the best interests of the Parent’s stockholders and is on terms that are fair to such Parent stockholders, (b) has caused the Parent, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of the Acquisition Subsidiary, and the Board of Directors of the Acquisition Subsidiary, to approve the Merger and this Agreement by unanimous written consent, and (c) adopted this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL.
3.30 Intellectual Property. The Parent does not own or license the right to use any patents, copyrights, trademarks, know-how or software, and none are or ever have been necessary for the operation of its business. To the Parent’s knowledge, the Parent is not infringing, and has never infringed, upon the intellectual property or proprietary rights of any person. There are no claims pending or, to the Parent’s knowledge, threatened alleging that the Parent is currently infringing upon or using in an unauthorized manner or violating the intellectual or proprietary rights of any person, and the Parent is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim. The Parent is not, nor will it be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, in breach of any license, sublicense or other agreement or contract relating to intellectual property.
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3.31 Investment Company. None of the Parent or Acquisition Subsidiary is as of the date of this Agreement, nor upon the Closing will be, an “investment company,” a company controlled by an “investment company,” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
3.32 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Parent nor its Subsidiaries, nor to the Parent’s knowledge, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Parent or its Subsidiaries, has: (a) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (b) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (c) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Parent is aware) which is in violation of Law or (d) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
3.33 No Integrated Offering. Neither Parent nor any Affiliates of Parent, nor any person acting on the behalf of any of the foregoing, has, directly or indirectly, (a) made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to purchase any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement under the Securities Act or cause this offering of such shares of Parent Common Stock to be integrated with prior offerings by Parent for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable shareholder approval requirements of any authority, or (b) made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the shares to be issued in the Private Placement Offering under the Securities Act or cause Private Placement Offering to be integrated with prior offerings by the Parent for purposes of the Securities Act.
3.34 No General Solicitation. Neither the Parent, nor any of its Affiliates, nor, to the knowledge of the Parent, any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the shares to be issued in the Private Placement Offering.
3.35 Application of Takeover Provisions. The Parent and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, or other similar takeover, anti-takeover, moratorium, fair price, interested shareholder or similar provision under the certificate of incorporation of the Parent or the Laws of the State of Delaware to the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and the Parent’s issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock to the Company Stockholders. The Parent has never adopted any shareholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of beneficial ownership of Parent Common Stock or a change in control of the Parent.
3.36 No Other Representations. The representations and warranties contained in this ARTICLE III are the only representations and warranties made by the Parent and Acquisition Subsidiary. The Parent disclaims any and all other representations and warranties other than those contained in this ARTICLE III, whether express or implied. The Parent hereby expressly disclaims any such other representation or warranty, whether by the Parent, Acquisition Subsidiary, or any of its representatives or any other person, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the Company or any other person of any documentation or other written or oral information by the Parent, Acquisition Subsidiary or any of their respective representatives.
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ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS
4.1 Conduct of the Business Prior to Closing; Closing Efforts.
(a) From the date hereof to the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement, the Parent shall not take any of the actions specified in Section 3.9 except (i) as consented to by the Company, (ii) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) as required by applicable Law.
(b) Each of the Parties shall use its best efforts, to the extent commercially reasonable in light of the circumstances (“Reasonable Best Efforts”), to take all actions and to do all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation using its Reasonable Best Efforts to ensure that (a) its representations and warranties remain true and correct in all material respects through the Closing Date and (b) the conditions to the obligations of the other Parties to consummate the Merger are satisfied.
4.2 Governmental and Third-Party Notices and Consents.
(a) Each Party shall use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain, at its expense, all waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations from Governmental Entities, and to effect all registrations, filings and notices with or to Governmental Entities, as may be required for such Party to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to otherwise comply with all applicable Laws in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company acknowledges it will cause the Parent, following the Effective Time, to timely complete all filings with the SEC and individual states required by Regulation D under the Securities Act with respect to the issuance of the Merger Shares and in connection with the Private Placement Offering.
(b) The Company shall use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain, at its expense, all such waivers, consents or approvals from third parties, and to give all such notices to third parties, if any, as are required to be listed in Section 2.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
4.3 Super 8-K. Promptly after the execution of this Agreement, the Parties shall complete a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the “Form 10 information” required by Items 2.01(f) and 5.01(a)(8) of Form 8-K and the financial statements required thereby) (the “Super 8-K”). Each of the Company and the Parent shall use its Reasonable Best Efforts to cause the Super 8-K to be filed with the SEC within four Business Days after the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to otherwise comply with all requirements of applicable federal and state securities laws.
4.4 Access to Company Information.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall permit representatives of the Parent to have reasonable access (at all reasonable times, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business operations of the Company) to all premises, properties, financial and accounting records, contracts, other records and documents, and personnel, of or pertaining to the Company.
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(b) The Parent and each of its Subsidiaries (i) shall treat and hold as confidential any Company Confidential Information (as defined below), (ii) shall not use any of the Company Confidential Information except in connection with this Agreement, and (iii) if this Agreement is terminated for any reason whatsoever, shall return to the Company all tangible embodiments (and all copies) thereof which are in its possession. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Confidential Information” means any information of the Company that is furnished to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries by the Company in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that it shall not include any information (A) which, at the time of disclosure, is available publicly other than as a result of non-permitted disclosure by the Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective directors, officers, or employees, (B) which, after disclosure, becomes available publicly through no fault of the Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective directors, officers, or employees, (C) which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries knew or to which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries had access prior to disclosure, as demonstrated by competent evidence, provided that the source of such information is not known by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to be bound by a confidentiality obligation to the Company, or (D) which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries rightfully obtains from a source other than the Company, provided that the source of such information is not known by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to be bound by a confidentiality obligation to the Company.
(c) The Company (i) shall treat and hold as confidential any Parent Confidential Information (as defined below), (ii) shall not use any of the Parent Confidential Information except in connection with this Agreement, and (iii) if this Agreement is terminated for any reason whatsoever, shall return to the Parent all tangible embodiments (and all copies) thereof which are in its possession. For purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Confidential Information” means any information of the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent that is furnished to the Company by the Parent or its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that it shall not include any information (A) which, at the time of disclosure, is available publicly other than as a result of non-permitted disclosure by the Company or their respective directors, officers, or employees, (B) which, after disclosure, becomes available publicly through no fault of the Company or their respective directors, officers, or employees, (C) which the Company knew or to which the Company had access prior to disclosure, as demonstrated by competent evidence, provided that the source of such information is not known by the Company or any Company Subsidiary to be bound by a confidentiality obligation to the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent or (D) which the Company rightfully obtains from a source other than the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent, provided that the source of such information is not known by the Company or any Company Subsidiary to be bound by a confidentiality obligation to the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent.
4.5 Expenses. The costs and expenses of each Party (including legal fees and expenses of such Party) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party that incurred such costs and expenses, unless otherwise agreed to by such Parties. The Parties agree that $150,000 of the fees of Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP plus, subject to the Company’s consent, its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid from the gross proceeds of the Private Placement Offering at the closing thereof.
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4.6 Indemnification; Insurance.
(a) The Parent shall not, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation not to, after the Effective Time, take any action to alter or impair any exculpatory or indemnification provisions now existing in the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws of the Company for the benefit of any individual who served as a director or officer of the Company at any time prior to the Effective Time, except for any changes which may be required to conform with changes in applicable Law and any changes which do not affect the application of such provisions to acts or omissions of such individuals prior to the Effective Time.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, the Parent agrees that it will, and will cause the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold harmless each current and former director and officer of the Company (the “Indemnified Executives”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities or amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware Law (and the Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware Law, provided the Indemnified Executive to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such Indemnified Executive is not entitled to indemnification).
(c) From and after the Effective Time, the Parent and the Company agree that it will, and will cause the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify each former director and officer of the Parent listed on Schedule 4.6(c) attached hereto (the “Parent Indemnified Executives”) for actions arising out of or pertaining to actions relating to the approval of and entering into the this Agreement, the Transaction Documentation, the Merger and each of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to an agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (collectively, the “Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreements”).
(d) The Company shall obtain and purchase, to be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the Closing Date director and officer liability insurance (“D&O Insurance”) covering the directors and officers of the Parent immediately after the Effective Time, and such Company D&O Insurance shall include coverage for any acts or omissions that take place on or after the Effective Time, including, without limitation, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall be maintained in effect for a period of at least six years following the Effective Time. The Company shall also obtain and purchase, to be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the Closing Date (i) directors’ and officers’ liability insurance “tail policy” with a claims period of six (6) years following the Effective Time, and on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Parent Indemnified Executives than those in effect under the D&O Insurance for the benefit of the Parent Indemnified Executives with respect to their acts and omissions as directors and officers of the Parent or its Subsidiaries occurring prior to the Effective Time, including, without limitation, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) directors’ and officers’ liability insurance “tail policy” with a claims period of six (6) years following the Effective Time, and on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Indemnified Executives than those in effect under the D&O Insurance for the benefit of the Indemnified Executives with respect to their acts and omissions as directors and officers of the Company occurring prior to the Effective Time, including, without limitation, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (such policy, the “D&O Tail Policies”).
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.6, from and after the Effective Time, each of the Parent and the Company agrees that any indemnification available to any Indemnified Executive who on or prior to the Closing Date was a director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by virtue of such Indemnified Executive’s service as a partner or employee of any investment fund affiliated with or managed by any Company Stockholder or any of such Company Stockholder’s Affiliates on or prior to the Closing Date (any such Indemnified Executive, a “Stockholder Nominated Director”) shall be secondary to the indemnification to be provided by the Parent, the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Section 4.6 and that the Parent, the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries (i) shall be the primary indemnitors of first resort for the Stockholder Nominated Directors pursuant to this Section 4.6, (ii) shall be fully responsible for the indemnification and exculpation from liabilities with respect to the Stockholder Nominated Directors which are addressed by this Section 4.6 and (iii) shall not make any claim for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of any other indemnification or insurance available to any Stockholder Nominated Director with respect to any matter addressed by this Section 4.6.
(f) The provisions of this Section 4.6 shall survive the Closing and are intended to be for the benefit of, and enforceable by, each Indemnified Executive, Parent Indemnified Executive and Stockholder Nominated Director, as applicable, and nothing in this Agreement shall affect any indemnification rights that any such person may have under the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws of the Company or the Parent or any contract or instrument or applicable Law, including any contract, agreement or arrangement between the Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries (on the one hand) and any such Indemnified Executive, any investor or third party (on the other hand). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the obligations under this Section 4.6 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any Indemnified Executive, Parent Indemnified Executive or Stockholder Nominated Director without the written consent of such person.
4.7 Name. Promptly after the Effective Time, the Parent shall amend its Certificate of Incorporation to change its corporate name to Aeluma, Inc., or such other name as specified by the Company.
4.8 Parent Board; Amendment of Charter Documents; Corporate Policies. The Parent shall take such actions as are necessary (including the solicitation of approvals by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Parent), if the Parent has not already done so prior to the Effective Time, (a) to authorize the Parent’s Board of Directors to consist of five (5) members, (b) to amend and restate its bylaws in a manner satisfactory to the Company, (c) to amend and restate its certificate of incorporation in a manner satisfactory to the Company; and (d) to adopt various corporate policies and charters in a manner satisfactory to the Company.
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4.9 Equity Plans. As of the Effective Time, (i) the Board of Directors of Parent shall (a) adopt the equity incentive plan provided to Parent by the Company (the “2021 Plan”) and (b) take whatever steps are necessary to cause the Parent to assume the Company Options and (ii) the stockholders of the Parent shall adopt the 2021 Plan, subject to effectiveness in accordance with Regulation 14C of the Exchange Act, if applicable. The 2021 Plan will provide that the shares of Parent Common Stock reserved for issuance will be subject to increase annually on the first day of each calendar year beginning with the 2022 calendar year and ending on (and including) calendar year 2031, at the discretion of the Administrator (as such term is defined in the 2021 Plan), in an amount equal to the least of (a) five percent (5%) of the shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (b) such number of shares as determined by the Administrator no later than the last day of the immediately preceding calendar year.
4.10 Information Provided to Stockholders. The Company shall prepare, with the cooperation of the Parent, information to be sent to the holders of Company Shares in connection with receiving their approval of the Merger, this Agreement and the related transactions (including, without limitation, a substantially complete draft of the Super 8-K), and the Parent shall prepare, with the cooperation of the Company, information to be sent to the holders of shares of Parent Common Stock in connection with receiving their approval of the Merger, this Agreement and related transactions. The Parent and the Company shall each use Reasonable Best Efforts to cause information provided to such party’s stockholders to comply with applicable federal and state securities laws requirements. Each of the Parent and the Company agrees to provide promptly to the other such information concerning its business and financial statements and affairs as, in the reasonable judgment of the providing party or its counsel, may be required or appropriate for inclusion in the information sent, or in any amendments or supplements thereto, and to cause its counsel and auditors to cooperate with the other’s counsel and auditors in the preparation of the information to be sent to the stockholders of each Party. The Company will promptly advise the Parent, and the Parent will promptly advise the Company, in writing if at any time prior to the Effective Time either the Company or the Parent shall obtain knowledge of any facts that might make it necessary or appropriate to amend or supplement the information sent in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference therein not misleading or to comply with applicable Law. The information sent by the Company shall contain the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company that the holders of Company Shares approve the Merger and this Agreement and the conclusion of the Board of Directors of the Company that the terms and conditions of the Merger are advisable and fair and in the best interests of the Company and such holders. The information sent by the Parent shall contain the conclusion of the Board of Directors of the Parent that the terms and conditions of the Merger are advisable and fair and in the best interests of the Parent. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, the Company shall not include in the information sent to its Company Stockholders any information with respect to the Parent or its Affiliates or associates, the form and content of which information shall not have been approved by such party in its reasonable discretion prior to such inclusion.
4.11 Securities Exemptions. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from each Company Stockholder a certification noting whether such Company Stockholder is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act.
4.12 Parent Auditor Letter. The Parent shall provide the Parent Auditor with a copy of the Super 8-K and shall request that the Parent Auditor furnish a letter (the “Auditor Letter”) addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether the Parent Auditor agrees with the statements made about it by the Parent in the Super 8-K.
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4.13 Private Placement. Each of the Company and the Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the issuance of the Merger Shares to Company Stockholders is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
4.14 Failure to Fulfill Conditions. In the event that any of the Parties hereto determines that a condition to its respective obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby cannot be fulfilled on or prior to the termination of this Agreement, it will promptly notify the other party.
4.15 Notification of Certain Matters. At or prior to the Effective Time, each party shall give prompt notice to the other party of (a) the occurrence or failure to occur of any event or the discovery of any information, which occurrence, failure or discovery would be likely to cause any representation or warranty on its part contained in this Agreement to be untrue, inaccurate or incomplete after the date hereof in any material respect or, in the case of any representation or warranty given as of a specific date, would be likely to cause any such representation or warranty on its part contained in this Agreement to be untrue, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect as of such specific date, and (b) any material failure of such party to comply with or satisfy any covenant or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder.
ARTICLE V. CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER
5.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The respective obligations of each Party to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(a) the Company shall have obtained (and shall have provided copies thereof to the Parent) the written consents of (i) all of the members of its Board of Directors, (ii) Company Stockholders holding Company Shares representing at least a majority of the votes represented by the outstanding Company Shares entitled to vote on this Agreement and the Merger, in each case to approve the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documentation to which the Company is a party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parent;
(b) prior to the Closing, the Company and the Parent shall have at least $6 million in escrow in connection with the Private Placement Offering, and the conditions to the closing of such Private Placement Offering shall have been satisfied (other than the consummation of the Merger and those other conditions that, by their nature, will be satisfied at the Closing of the Private Placement Offering) and such amount of gross proceeds shall be unencumbered cash available to the Parent and the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time (other than as expressly contemplated by this Agreement); and
(c) the Parent and the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated May 2, 2018, by and among the Company, each of the investors listed on Schedule A thereto and each of the stockholders listed on Schedule B thereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”)) then outstanding shall have executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, and the Investors’ Rights Agreement shall have been terminated.
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5.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary. The obligation of each of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Parent) of the following additional conditions:
(a) the Company shall have obtained (and shall have provided copies thereof to the Parent) all waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, and effected all of the registrations, filings and notices set forth on Schedule 5.2(a), except such waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations the failure of which to obtain or effect does not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (when read without regard to any qualification as to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect contained therein) shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Effective Time as though made as of the Effective Time (provided, however, that to the extent such representation and warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any untrue or incorrect representations and warranties that, individually or in the aggregate, do not have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the Company shall have performed or complied with its agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with under this Agreement as of or prior to the Effective Time, except for such non-performance or non-compliance as does not have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(d) no Legal Proceeding shall be pending wherein an unfavorable judgment, order, decree, stipulation or injunction would (i) prevent consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following consummation, and no such judgment, order, decree, stipulation or injunction shall be in effect;
(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary a copy of each written consent received from a Company Stockholder consenting to the Merger, together with each certification received from a Company Stockholder that such person is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act;
(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary a certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “Company Certificate”) to the effect that each of the conditions specified in clause (a) of Section 5.1 and clauses (a) through (d) (insofar as clause (d) relates to Legal Proceedings involving the Company) of this Section 5.2 has been satisfied in all respects;
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary a certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company, certifying as to (i) true, correct and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws of the Company; (ii) the valid adoption of resolutions of the board of directors and Company Stockholders (whereby this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereunder were unanimously approved by the board of directors and the requisite vote of the Company Stockholders); and (iii) a good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of California dated within five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; and (iv) incumbency of the officers of the Company executing this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement
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(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Parent audited and interim unaudited financial statements of the Company pro forma in respect of the Merger, compliant with applicable SEC regulations for inclusion under Item 2.01(f) and/or 5.01(a)(8) of Form 8-K in substantially final form;
(i) Intentionally Omitted; and
(j) the Company shall have delivered the Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreements to the Parent, duly executed by the Company.
5.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company) of the following additional conditions:
(a) the Parent shall have obtained (and shall have provided copies thereof to the Company) the written consents of (i) all of the members of its Board of Directors of Parent, (ii) the requisite stockholders of Parent, (iii) all of the members of the Board of Directors of Acquisition Subsidiary, and (iv) the sole stockholder of Acquisition Subsidiary, in each case to the execution, delivery and performance by each such entity of this Agreement and/or the other Transaction Documentation to which each such entity is a party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company;
(b) the Parent shall have obtained (and shall have provided copies thereof to the Company) all of the other waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, and effected all of the registrations, filings and notices set forth on Schedule 5.3(b), except for waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations the failure of which to obtain or effect does not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) the representations and warranties of the Parent set forth in this Agreement (when read without regard to any qualification as to materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect contained therein) shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Effective Time as though made as of the Effective Time (provided, however, that to the extent such representation and warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any untrue or incorrect representations and warranties that, individually or in the aggregate, do not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect;
(d) each of the Parent and the Acquisition Subsidiary shall have performed or complied with its agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with under this Agreement as of or prior to the Effective Time, except for such non-performance or non-compliance as does not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
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(e) no Legal Proceeding shall be pending wherein an unfavorable judgment, order, decree, stipulation or injunction would (i) prevent consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following consummation, and no such judgment, order, decree, stipulation or injunction shall be in effect;
(f) the Board of Directors of the Parent and the stockholders of the Parent shall each have adopted the 2021 Plan (such stockholder approval subject to effectiveness in accordance with Regulation 14C of the Exchange Act, if applicable), and the Board of Directors of the Parent shall have approved the assumption of the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and the Company Options;
(g) the Parent shall have delivered to the Company a certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Parent (the “Parent Certificate”) to the effect that each of the conditions specified in clause (b) of Section 5.1 and clauses (a) through (e) (insofar as clause (e) relates to Legal Proceedings involving the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary) of this Section 5.3 has been satisfied in all respects;
(h) Each of the Parent and Acquisition Subsidiary shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, validly executed by the Secretary of the Parent and the Secretary of the Acquisition Subsidiary, as applicable, certifying as to (i) true, correct and complete copies of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws; (ii) the valid adoption of resolutions of the board of directors and stockholders of the Parent or Acquisition Subsidiary, as applicable (whereby this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereunder were unanimously approved by the board of directors and, if requested, the requisite vote of the stockholders of Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as applicable); (iii) a good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware dated within five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; (iv) incumbency of the officers of the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary, as applicable, executing this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) a true, correct and complete list of all stockholders of Parent as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and the shares of Parent Common Stock held by each such stockholder that are then-outstanding, which shares shall equal, in the aggregate, 2,166,667 shares of Parent Common Stock;
(i) the Share Cancellation Agreements executed by certain stockholders of the Parent concurrently with this Agreement shall be in full force and effect and shall not have been revoked, rescinded or otherwise repudiated by such stockholders of the Parent;
(j) the Parent shall have delivered to the Company (i) evidence that the Parent’s Board of Directors is, as of the Effective Time, authorized to consist of five (5) individuals, (ii) evidence of the resignations of all individuals who served as directors and/or officers of the Parent as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, which resignations shall be effective as of the Effective Time, (iii) evidence of the appointment of the following three persons to serve as directors immediately following the Effective Time: Jonathan Klamkin, Lee McCarthy, and Steven DenBaars, and (iv) evidence of the appointment of such executive officers of the Parent to serve immediately following the Effective Time as shall have been designated by the Company, including Jonathan Klamkin: President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary & Director; Lee McCarthy: Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officer;
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(k) the Auditor Letter shall have been furnished to the Parent and the Parent shall have delivered a copy of such Auditor Letter to the Company, and the Parent Auditor shall have consented to the filing of the Auditor Letter in the Super 8-K;
(l) the Parent shall be in compliance in all material respects with all requirements of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, the filing of reports required by the Exchange Act, and shall have taken all actions with respect thereto as shall be required or reasonably requested by the Company in connection therewith;
(m) the Parent shall have delivered to the Company a payoff letter executed by the individual listed on Schedule 5.3(m) (the “Debt Holder”) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Debt Holder (the “Payoff Letter”) setting forth (x) the amount required to pay off the indebtedness owing to the Debt Holder, (y) upon payment of such amount, the termination of the contract with respect to such indebtedness and release of the Parent therefrom, and (z) Debt Holder’s commitment to release all liens that the Debt Holder may hold on the Parent prior to the Closing Date or an authorization for the Parent to do so; and
(n) the Parent shall have delivered the Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreements to the Company, duly executed by the Parent and the Parent Indemnified Executives.
ARTICLE VI. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, each of the following defined terms is defined in the Section of this Agreement indicated below.
Definition | Section | |
2021 Plan | 4.9 | |
Acquisition Subsidiary | INTRODUCTION | |
Agreement | INTRODUCTION | |
Auditor Letter | 4.12 | |
Business Day | 1.2 | |
Certificate of Merger | 1.1 | |
CGCL | 1.1 | |
Closing | 1.2 | |
Closing Date | 1.2 | |
Code | RECITALS | |
Company | INTRODUCTION | |
Company Balance Sheet | 2.7 | |
Company Balance Sheet Date | 2.7 | |
Company Certificate | 5.2(f) | |
Company Common Stock | 1.5(a) | |
Company Confidential Information | 4.4(a) | |
Company Consents | 2.3 | |
Company Disclosure Schedule | Article II | |
Company Equity Plan(s) | 2.2 | |
Company Financial Statements | 2.7 |
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Company Material Adverse Effect | 2.1 | |
Company Options | 2.2 | |
Company Preferred Stock | 1.5(a) | |
Company Restricted Share | 2.2 | |
Company Stock | 1.5(a) | |
Company Warrants | 2.2 | |
Conversion Ratio | 1.5(a) | |
D&O Insurance | 4.6(d) | |
D&O Tail Policies | 4.6(d) | |
Defaulting Party | 8.13 | |
DGCL | 1.1 | |
Effective Time | 1.1 | |
Environmental Law | 3.21(d) | |
Exchange Act | 1.14(b) | |
GAAP | 2.7 | |
Governmental Entity | 2.4 | |
Indemnified Executives | 4.6(b) | |
Laws | 2.4 | |
Legal Proceeding | 2.10 | |
Merger | RECITALS | |
Merger Shares | 1.5(a) | |
Minimum Amount | RECITALS | |
Non-Defaulting Party | 8.13 | |
Parent | INTRODUCTION | |
Parent Auditor | 3.27 | |
Parent Certificate | 5.3(g) | |
Parent Common Stock | RECITALS | |
Parent Confidential Information | 4.4(c) | |
Parent Disclosure Schedule | Article III | |
Parent Financial Statements | 3.8 | |
Parent Form 10 | 3.6 | |
Parent Material Adverse Effect | 3.1 | |
Parent Options | 1.9(a) | |
Parent Previous Filings | 3.6 | |
Parent SEC Filings | 3.6 | |
Party | INTRODUCTION | |
Payoff Letter | 5.3(m) | |
Private Placement Offering | RECITALS | |
Purchase Price | RECITALS | |
Registration Rights Agreement | 5.1(c) | |
Reasonable Best Efforts | 4.1 | |
SEC | 1.14(a)1.14(a) | |
Securities Act | 1.14(a) | |
Subsidiary | 3.5 | |
Super 8-K | 4.3 | |
Surviving Corporation | 1.1 | |
Tax Returns | 1.15 | |
Taxes | 1.15 | |
Transaction Documentation | 3.3 |
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ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION
7.1 Termination. Except as provided in Section 7.2, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time prior to the Closing only:
(a) by the mutual agreement of the Company and the Parent:
(b) by the Company or the Parent if the Closing Date shall not have occurred by the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days after the date hereof or (ii) July 31, 2021 (the “End Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section (b) shall not be available to any party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement;
(c) by the Company if (i) any Law shall be in effect which has the effect of making the Merger illegal or otherwise prohibits or prevents the consummation of the Merger or (ii) if the consummation of the Merger would violate any final and non-appealable order;
(d) by the Company if it is not in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement and there has been a breach of or inaccuracy in any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Parent contained in this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Sections 5.3(c) and 5.3(d) would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or inaccuracy and such breach or inaccuracy has not been cured within ten (10) calendar days after written notice thereof to the Parent; provided, however, that no cure period shall be required (i) for a breach or inaccuracy which by its nature cannot be cured or (ii) if any of the conditions to Closing in Section 5.3 for the benefit of the Company are incapable of being satisfied on or before the End Date; or
(e) by the Parent if it is not in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement and there has been a breach of or inaccuracy in any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Sections 5.2(b) and 5.2(c) would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or inaccuracy and such breach or inaccuracy has not been cured within ten (10) calendar days after written notice thereof to the Company; provided, however, that no cure period shall be required (i) for a breach or inaccuracy which by its nature cannot be cured or (ii) if any of the conditions to Closing in Section 5.2 for the benefit of the Parent are incapable of being satisfied on or before the End Date;.
7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be no liability or obligation hereunder on the part of the Parent, the Acquisition Subsidiary or the Company, or their respective representatives, as applicable; provided, however, that each party hereto shall remain liable for any willful breaches of this Agreement, or any certificate or other instruments delivered pursuant to this Agreement prior to its termination; and provided further, however, that, the provisions of ARTICLE VIII (Miscellaneous) and this Section 7.2 shall remain in full force and effect and survive any termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of this ARTICLE VII.
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ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Press Releases and Announcements. No Party shall issue any press release or public announcement relating to the subject matter of this Agreement without the prior written approval of the other Parties; provided, however, that any Party may make any public disclosure it believes in good faith is required by applicable Law or stock market rules (in which case the disclosing Party shall use reasonable efforts to advise the other Parties and provide them with a copy of the proposed disclosure prior to making the disclosure).
8.2 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that (a) the provisions in ARTICLE I concerning issuance of the Merger Shares is intended for the benefit of the Company Stockholders and (b) the provisions in Section 4.8 concerning indemnification are intended for the benefit of the Indemnified Executives and the Parent Indemnified Executives, respectively, and their respective successors and assigns.
8.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and supersedes any prior or (other than as set forth in the Transaction Documentation) contemporaneous understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
8.4 Succession and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties.
8.5 Counterparts and Facsimile Signature. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures delivered by fax and/or e-mail/.pdf transmission shall be sufficient and binding as if they were originals and such delivery shall constitute valid delivery of this Agreement.
8.6 Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
8.7 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly delivered four Business Days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one Business Day after it is sent for next Business Day delivery via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:
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If to the Company or the Company Stockholders: |
Biond Photonics, Inc. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”) 27 Castilian Drive Goleta, CA 93117 Attention: Jonathan Klamkin, CEO Email: klamkin@biondphotonics.com |
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Copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice hereunder): |
Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC 800 Third Avenue, Suite 2800 New York, NY 10022 Attention: Lou Taubman Email: ltaubman@htflawyers.com |
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If to the Parent or the Acquisition Subsidiary (prior to the Closing): |
Parc Investments, Inc. 2255 Glades Road, Suite 324A Boca Raton, Florida 33431 Attention: Ian Jacobs, CEO Email: ian@montrosecapital.com |
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Copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice hereunder): |
Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP 1185 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Attention: Barrett S. DiPaolo Facsimile: 212-930-9725 E-mail: bdipaolo@srf.law |
Any Party may give any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by the Party for whom it is intended. Any Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
8.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of Law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of Laws of any jurisdictions other than those of the State of Delaware.
8.9 Amendments and Waivers. The Parties may mutually amend any provision of this Agreement at any time prior to the Effective Time, provided that no such amendment shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by all of the Parties. No waiver of any right or remedy hereunder shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such waiver. No waiver by any Party with respect to any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.
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8.10 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, the Parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to limit the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.
8.11 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware) in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the matters contemplated herein, agrees that process may be served upon them in any manner authorized by the Laws of the State of Delaware for such persons and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, and covenants not to assert or plead any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Any Party may make service on another Party by sending or delivering a copy of the process to the Party to be served at the address and in the manner provided for the giving of notices in Section 8.7. Nothing in this Section 8.11, however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law.
8.12 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
8.13 Remedies; Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof, and agree that in the event that any Party shall fail or refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or if any default under or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or condition of this Agreement on the part of any Party (the “Defaulting Party”) shall have occurred that results in the failure to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, then in addition to the other remedies provided herein, the other Party or Parties (the “Non-Defaulting Party”) shall be entitled to seek and obtain money damages from the Defaulting Party, and shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to an order of specific performance thereof against the Defaulting Party from a court of competent jurisdiction, in each case without the requirement of posting any other bond or other type of security. In addition, the Non-Defaulting Party shall be entitled to obtain from the Defaulting Party court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with or in pursuit of enforcing the rights and remedies provided hereunder. Each of the Parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief on the basis that any other party has an adequate remedy at Law or that any award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or in equity.
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8.14 Survival. The representations or warranties in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.
8.15 Construction.
(a) The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Party.
(b) Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute or Law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date first above written.
PARENT: | |||
PARC INVESTMENTS, INC. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Ian Jacobs | ||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY: | |||
AELUMA OPERATING CO. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Ian Jacobs | ||
Title: | President |
COMPANY: | |||
BIOND PHOTONICS, INC. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”) | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Jonathan Klamkin, | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]
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Exhibits
Exhibit A
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
A-1
Exhibit B
Form of Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreement
B-1
Exhibit C
Form of Registration Rights Agreement
C-1
Exhibit 3.1
Delaware | ||
The First State | Page 1 | |
I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, WHICH MERGES:
“BIOND PHOTONICS, INC.”, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, WITH AND INTO “AELUMA OPERATING CO.” UNDER THE NAME OF “AELUMA OPERATING CO.”, A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2021, AT 3:52 O`CLOCK P.M.
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6010222 8100M | Authentication: 203505628 | |
SR# 20212518884 | Date: 06-22-21 |
You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml
State of Delaware
Secretary of State Division of Corporations Delivered 03:52 PM 06/22/2021 FILED 03:52 PM 06/22/2021 SR 20212518884 - File Number 6010222 |
STATE
OF DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
BIOND
PHOTONICS, INC. WITH AND INTO
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June 22, 2021
Pursuant to Section 252(c) of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Aeluma Operating Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Biond Photonics, Inc., a California corporation (“Biond”), with and into the Corporation, with the Corporation remaining as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”):
FIRST: | The name of each constituent corporation is Aeluma Operating Co., a Delaware corporation, and Biond Photonics, Inc., a California corporation. |
SECOND: |
An Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Parc Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Biond and the Corporation has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by the Corporation and Biond and the requisite stockholders of the Corporation and of Biond, the constituent corporations. |
THIRD: | In accordance with the Merger Agreement and upon the effectiveness of this filing, Biond will merge with and into the Corporation. The name of the Surviving Corporation of the Merger shall be “Aeluma Operating Co.” |
FOURTH: | Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation. |
FIFTH: | The Merger shall become effective upon filing of this Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the provisions of Sections 103 and 252(c) of the DGCL. |
SIXTH: | The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 27 Castilian Drive, Goleta, CA 93117. |
SEVENTH: | A copy of the executed Merger Agreement will be furnished by the Surviving Corporation on request and without cost, to any stockholder of any constituent corporation of the Merger. |
EIGHTH: | The authorized stock and par value of Biond, the non-Delaware corporation is 10,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate Merger to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.
Aeluma Operating CO. | ||
By: | /s/ Ian Jacobs | |
Name: | Ian Jacobs | |
Title: | President |
Signature Page to Cert of Merger
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
AELUMA, INC.
Aeluma, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), does hereby certify as follows:
A. The name of the Company is Aeluma, Inc. The Company was originally incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) on August 21, 2020 under the name Parc Investments, Inc. The name of the Company was changed on June [ ], 2021 to Aeluma, Inc.
B. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, and has been duly approved by the written consent of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.
C. The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE I.
The name of the Company is Aeluma, Inc.
ARTICLE II.
The address of the Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1013 Centre Road, Suite 403-B, Wilmington, DE 19805 in the County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Vcorp Services, LLC.
ARTICLE III
The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1. The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is: sixty million (60,000,000). These shares shall be divided into two classes with fifty million (50,000,000) shares designated as common stock at $0.0001 par value (the “Common Stock”) and ten million (10,000,000) shares designated as preferred stock at $0.0001 par value (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 2. Each share of Common Stock outstanding as of the applicable record date shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on any matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.
Section 3. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to a resolution or resolutions providing for such issue duly adopted by the Board of Directors (authority to do so being hereby expressly vested in the Board of Directors). The Board of Directors is further authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of any series of Preferred Stock, including, without limitation, authority to fix by resolution or resolutions the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of any such series, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or any of the foregoing. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series, subject to the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof stated in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the resolution of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares of such series. Except as may be otherwise specified by the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, if the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock is so decreased, then the Company shall take all such steps as are necessary to cause the shares constituting such decrease to resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.
Section 4. Except as otherwise required by law or provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this 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 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).
Section 5. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the class or classes the number of authorized shares of which are being increased or decreased, unless a vote of any holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.
ARTICLE V
Section 1. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, the number of directors that constitutes the entire Board of Directors of the Company shall be fixed only by resolution of the Board of Directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the Company shall be elected to hold office until the expiration of the term for which they are elected and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; except that if any such meeting shall not be so held, such election shall take place at a stockholders’ meeting called and held in accordance with the DGCL.
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Section 2. From and after the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the directors of the Company (other than any who may be elected by holders of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances) shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors already in office shall be assigned to each class at the time such classification becomes effective in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, 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 date hereof, 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 date hereof, 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. If the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned hereafter among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as is practicable, provided that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
ARTICLE VI
Section 1. From and after the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, only for so long as the Board of Directors is classified and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors.
Section 2. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof in relation to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances or except as otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, created in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company, and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. A person so elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
ARTICLE VII
Section 1. The Company is to have perpetual existence.
Section 2. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Company.
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Section 3. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Board of Directors then in office shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Company’s Bylaws. The Company’s Bylaws may also be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Company; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of all classes of capital stock entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision of the Bylaws of the Company. No Bylaw hereafter legally adopted, amended, altered or repealed shall invalidate any prior act of the directors or officers of the Company that would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been adopted, amended, altered or repealed.
Section 4. The election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Company shall so provide.
Section 5. No stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.
ARTICLE VIII
Section 1. Subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company 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 be signed by the holders of the then-outstanding shares of stock 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 and shall be delivered to the Company in the manner provided by applicable law.
Section 2. Subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders of the Company may be called only by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors, and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. Only such business shall be considered at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been stated in the notice for such meeting.
Section 3. 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 Company shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the Bylaws of the Company.
ARTICLE IX
Section 1. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended from time to time, a director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
Section 2. Subject to any provisions in the Bylaws of the Company related to indemnification of directors of the Company, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any director of the Company who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding. The Company shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. The Company shall have the power to indemnify, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any officer, employee or agent of the Company who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding.
Section 4. Neither any amendment nor repeal of any Section of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any matter occurring, or any Proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
ARTICLE X
Meetings of stockholders may be held within or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Company may be kept (subject to any provision of applicable law) outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places or in such manner or manners as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of the Company.
ARTICLE XI
Section 1. In recognition and anticipation that (i) members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article XI are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Company with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Company and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.
Section 2. None of the Non-Employee Directors (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Company in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) identified above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, each individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Company or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage in or (2) otherwise competing with the Company or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Company or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Company for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law and in accordance with Section 122(17) of the DGCL, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Company or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article XI. Subject to said Section 3 of this Article XI, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Company or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Company for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty (contractual or otherwise) as a stockholder, director or officer of the Company solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, or offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person, or does not present such corporate opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates.
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Section 3. The Company does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of this Company) if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company, and the provisions of Section 2 of this Article XI shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.
Section 4. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XI, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Company if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Company is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Company’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Company, or (iii) is one in which the Company has no interest or reasonable expectancy.
Section 5. For purposes of this Article XI and Article VIII above, (i) “Affiliate” shall mean any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company) and (c) in respect of the Company, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Company; and (ii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.
Section 6. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article XI.
ARTICLE XII
Section 1. The Company hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
Section 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three (3) years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
1. prior to such time, the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or
2. upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Company outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or
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3. at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding voting stock of the Company which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section 3. For purposes of this Article XII, references to:
1. “affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
2. “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.
3. “business combination,” when used in reference to the Company and any interested stockholder of the Company, means:
i. any merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company (a) with the interested stockholder, or (b) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 2 of this Article XII is not applicable to the surviving entity;
ii. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Company, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Company or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Company determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Company;
iii. any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Company or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company of any stock of the Company or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (a) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Company or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (b) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (c) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Company or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Company subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (d) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Company to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (e) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Company; provided, however, that in no case under items (c)-(e) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Company or of the voting stock of the Company (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);
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iv. any transaction involving the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Company or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or
v. any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Company), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (i)-(iv) above) provided by or through the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
4. “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Section, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.
5. “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Company and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Company and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company at any time within the 3-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder, and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the Company; provided that such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Company, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Company deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of paragraph (8) of this subsection but shall not include any other unissued stock of such Company which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
8. “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:
i. beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or
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ii. has (a) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (b) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten (10) or more persons; or
iii. has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (b) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.
9. “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
10. “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.
11. “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
ARTICLE XIII
The Company reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote, the Board of Directors acting pursuant to (i) a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors and (ii) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of all classes of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the amendment, repeal or modification of the provisions of Section 3 of Article IV (relating to preferred stock rights and preferences), Section 2 of Article V (relating to the classified board), Article VI (relating to the removal of directors and filling of board vacancies), Section 5 of Article VII (relating to the inability to cumulate votes), Article VIII (relating to stockholders written consent and special shareholder meetings), Article XI (relating to conflicts of interest), Article XII (relating to interested party transactions) or Article XIII (relating to amendments) of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Aeluma, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Jonathan Klamkin, a duly authorized officer of the Company, on this __ day of June, 2021.
/s/ Jonathan Klamkin | |
Jonathan Klamkin | |
Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 3.3
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
AELUMA, INC.
(effective as of June 22, 2021)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||
ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES | 1 | ||
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE | 1 | ||
1.2 OTHER OFFICES | 1 | ||
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS | 1 | ||
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS | 1 | ||
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING | 1 | ||
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING | 1 | ||
2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES | 2 | ||
2.5 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 6 | ||
2.6 QUORUM | 6 | ||
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE | 7 | ||
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS | 7 | ||
2.9 VOTING | 7 | ||
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 8 | ||
2.11 RECORD DATES | 8 | ||
2.12 PROXIES | 9 | ||
2.13 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE | 9 | ||
2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION | 9 | ||
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS | 10 | ||
3.1 POWERS | 10 |
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3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS | 10 | ||
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS | 10 | ||
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES | 11 | ||
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE | 11 | ||
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS | 11 | ||
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE | 11 | ||
3.8 QUORUM; VOTING | 12 | ||
3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 13 | ||
3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS | 13 | ||
3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS | 13 | ||
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES | 13 | ||
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS | 13 | ||
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES | 13 | ||
4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES | 14 | ||
4.4 SUBCOMMITTEES | 14 | ||
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS | 14 | ||
5.1 OFFICERS | 14 |
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5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS | 15 | ||
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS | 15 | ||
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS | 15 | ||
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES | 15 | ||
5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ENTITIES | 15 | ||
5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS | 16 | ||
ARTICLE VI - STOCK | 16 | ||
6.1 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES | 16 | ||
6.2 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES | 16 | ||
6.3 LOST CERTIFICATES | 17 | ||
6.4 DIVIDENDS | 17 | ||
6.5 TRANSFER OF STOCK | 17 | ||
6.6 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS | 17 | ||
6.7 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS | 18 | ||
ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER | 18 | ||
7.1 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 18 | ||
7.2 NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS | 18 | ||
7.3 NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL | 18 | ||
7.4 WAIVER OF NOTICE | 19 |
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ARTICLE VIII – INDEMNIFICATION | 19 | ||
8.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS | 19 | ||
8.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTION BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY | 19 | ||
8.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE | 20 | ||
8.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS | 20 | ||
8.5 ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES | 20 | ||
8.6 LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION | 21 | ||
8.7 DETERMINATION; CLAIM | 21 | ||
8.8 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS | 22 | ||
8.9 INSURANCE | 22 | ||
8.10 SURVIVAL | 22 | ||
8.11 EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION | 22 | ||
8.12 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS | 23 | ||
ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS | 23 | ||
9.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS | 23 | ||
9.2 FISCAL YEAR | 23 | ||
9.3 SEAL | 23 | ||
9.4 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS | 23 | ||
9.5 FORUM SELECTION | 24 | ||
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS | 24 |
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BYLAWS OF AELUMA, INC.
ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of Aeluma, Inc. (the “Company”) shall be fixed in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The Company’s board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any place or places where the Company is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at a place, if any, within or outside the State of Delaware, determined by the board of directors. The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Company’s principal executive office.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year. The board of directors shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business, brought in accordance with Section 2.4 of these bylaws, may be transacted. The board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled annual meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
(i) A special meeting of the stockholders, other than those required by statute, may be called at any time by (A) the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, (B) the chairperson of the board of directors, (C) the chief executive officer, or (D) the president (in the absence of a chief executive officer), but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. The board of directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.
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(ii) The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, chairperson of the board of directors, chief executive officer, or president (in the absence of a chief executive officer). Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(ii) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES
(i) Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought (A) pursuant to the Company’s proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of a majority of the Whole Board, or (C) by a stockholder of the Company who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(i) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(i). In addition, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these bylaws and applicable law. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations), and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the board of directors, for the avoidance of doubt, clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(a) To comply with clause (C) of Section 2.4(i) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(i) and must be timely received by the secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the 45th day nor earlier than the 75th day before the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials or a notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such annual meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.4(i)(a). “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
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(b) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting: (1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class and number of shares of the Company that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Company, (5) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (6), a “Business Solicitation Statement”). In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be supplemented not later than ten days following the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in clauses (3) and (4) above as of the record date for notice of the meeting. For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Company owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).
(c) Without exception, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(i) and, if applicable, Section 2.4(ii). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before the annual meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4(i), and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting that any such business not properly brought before the annual meeting shall not be conducted.
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(ii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Annual Meetings. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii) shall be eligible for election or re-election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the Company shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (B) by a stockholder of the Company who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(ii), on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the Company.
(a) To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.4(ii) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(ii) and must be received by the secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company at the time set forth in, and in accordance with, the final three sentences of Section 2.4(i)(a) above.
(b) To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:
(1) as to each person (a “nominee”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the Company that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (F) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging that as a director of the Company, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the Company and its stockholders, and (G) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and
(2) as to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (2) through (5) of Section 2.4(i)(b) above, and the supplement referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.4(i)(b) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether either such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a number of the Company’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) and (B) above, a “Nominee Solicitation Statement”).
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(c) At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director must furnish to the secretary of the Company (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given and (2) such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Company or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; in the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.4(ii).
(d) Without exception, no person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the Company at an annual meeting of stockholders unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(iii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations for Special Meetings.
(a) For a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to Section 2.3, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors shall be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) by any stockholder of the Company who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(iii), on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the special meeting and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, and (B) delivers a timely written notice of the nomination to the secretary of the Company that includes the information set forth in Sections 2.4(ii)(b) and (ii)(c) above. To be timely, such notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting. A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at a special meeting unless the person is nominated (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (ii) by a stockholder in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(iii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
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(b) The chairperson of the special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination or business was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination or business shall be disregarded.
(iv) Other Requirements and Rights. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4, including, with respect to business such stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting that involves a proposal that such stockholder requests to be included in the Company’s proxy statement, the requirements of Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any right of the Company to omit a proposal from the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act.
2.5 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, 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, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.
2.6 QUORUM
The holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
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If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, 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 Company may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a 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 of directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 2.11 of these bylaws, 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.
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at such meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business and discussion as seem to the chairperson in order. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the board of directors; in the absence of such designation, the chairperson of the board of directors, if any, the chief executive officer (in the absence of the chairperson) or the president (in the absence of the chairperson of the board of directors and the chief executive officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the Company, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time, whether or not a quorum is present.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
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Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange.
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock 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 and shall be delivered to the corporation in the manner required by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws.
2.11 RECORD DATES
In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors 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 of directors and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the board of directors 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 of directors 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 of directors, 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 day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the 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 of directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at 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 provisions of Section 213 of the DGCL and this Section 2.11 at the adjourned meeting.
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In order that the Company 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 of directors 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 of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
2.12 PROXIES
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by a document or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL.
2.13 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The Company shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, 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 tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Company shall not be required 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 Company’s principal place of business. In the event that the Company determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Company may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Company. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION
Before any meeting of stockholders, the Company shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The Company may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.
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Such 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;
(ii) 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.
The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are multiple inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.
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If so provided in the certificate of incorporation, the directors of the Company shall be divided into three classes.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Company. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the board of directors, 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.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or permitted in the specific case by resolution of the board of directors, and subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders. If the directors are divided into classes, a person so chosen to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The board of directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board of directors.
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary, or a majority of the Whole Board.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:
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(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;
(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;
(ii) sent by facsimile;
(iv) sent by electronic mail; or
(v) otherwise given by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 232 of the DGCL), directed to each director at such director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address or other contact for notice by electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Company’s records.
If such notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile, (iii) sent by electronic mail, or (iv) otherwise given by electronic transmission, it shall be delivered, sent or otherwise directed to each director, as applicable, at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If such notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Company’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting, unless required by statute.
3.8 QUORUM; VOTING
At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If the certificate of incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein or therein and denoted with the phrase “notwithstanding the final paragraph of Section 3.8 of the bylaws” or language to similar effect, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.
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3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A 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 of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given for purposes of this Section 3.9 at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.
3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office by stockholders of the Company in the manner specified in the certificate of incorporation and applicable law. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Whole Board, designate one or more committees (each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Company). The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and may authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Company.
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.
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4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:
(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);
(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);
(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);
(iv) Section 3.8 (quorum; voting);
(v) Section 3.9 (action without a meeting); and
(vi) Section 7.4 (waiver of notice).
with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members. However:
(i) the time and place of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee;
(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors or the committee; and
(iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors, or, in the absence of any such action by the board of directors, the committee, may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
Any provision in the certificate of incorporation providing that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter shall apply to voting in any committee, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
4.4 SUBCOMMITTEES
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the board of directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the Company shall be a president and a secretary. The Company may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairperson of the board of directors, a vice chairperson of the board of directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
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5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
The board of directors shall appoint the officers of the Company, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Company may require. Each of such officers shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine.
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors, or, for the avoidance of doubt, any duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof, or by any officer who has been conferred such power of removal.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Company. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall be filled by the board of directors or as provided in Section 5.3.
5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ENTITIES
The chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this Company, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the chief executive officer, the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this Company all rights incident to any and all shares or other securities of any other entity or entities, and all rights incident to any management authority conferred on the Company in accordance with the governing documents of any entity or entities, standing in the name of this Company, including the right to act by written consent. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
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5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
All officers of the Company shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Company as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the board of directors.
ARTICLE VI - STOCK
6.1 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
The shares of the Company shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Company. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the board of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Company by any two authorized officers of the Company representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of 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 has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
The Company may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Company in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Company shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
6.2 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the Company is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the 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 shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Company shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Company shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Company 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 and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 156, 202(a), 218(a) or 364 of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 6.2 a statement that the Company 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 and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
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6.3 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Company and cancelled at the same time. The Company may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Company may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Company a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
6.4 DIVIDENDS
The board of directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Company’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Company’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
The board of directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Company available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Company, and meeting contingencies.
6.5 TRANSFER OF STOCK
Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Company shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.
6.6 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
The Company shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Company to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Company of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
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6.7 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
The Company:
(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and notices and to vote as such owner; and
(ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER
7.1 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner set forth in the DGCL.
7.2 NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Company under the provisions 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. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Company. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Company, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Company of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice. This Section 7.2 shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.
7.3 NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL
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 which 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 Company is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, 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.
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7.4 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting 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. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDSINGS
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was a director or officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
8.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
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8.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Company has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
8.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Company shall have power to indemnify its employees and agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The board of directors shall have the power to delegate to any person or persons identified in subsections (1) through (4) of Section 145(d) of the DGCL the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified.
8.5 ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by an officer or director of the Company in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the Company or by persons serving at the request of the Company as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Company deems appropriate. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these bylaws, but shall apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) referenced in Section 8.6(ii) or 8.6(iii) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to Section 8.8, no advance shall be made by the Company to an officer of the Company (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the Company, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any Proceeding if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (a) by a vote of the directors who are not parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (b) by a committee of such directors designated by the vote of the majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (c) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company
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8.6 LIMITATION OF INDEMNIFICATION
Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):
(i) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;
(ii) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(iii) for any reimbursement of the Company by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(iv) initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by such person against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (a) the board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (b) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, (c) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7, or (d) otherwise required by applicable law; or
(v) if prohibited by applicable law.
8.7 DETERMINATION; CLAIM
If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Company shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the Company under this Article VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.
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8.8 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Company is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.
8.9 INSURANCE
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
8.10 SURVIVAL
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article VIII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
8.11 EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION
A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.
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8.12 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and 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 interests of the Company” as referred to in this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS
9.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Company; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Company by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
9.2 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.
9.3 SEAL
The Company may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the board of directors. The Company may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
9.4 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes a company (including, but not limited to, a limited liability company), corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and a natural person. Any reference in these bylaws to a section of the DGCL shall be deemed to refer to such section as amended from time to time and any successor provisions thereto.
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9.5 FORUM SELECTION
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:
(A) Unless the Company 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 does not have jurisdiction, another State court in Delaware or the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, stockholder, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Company’s certificate of incorporation or these bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim as to which such court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such court within ten (10) days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than such court, or for which such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 9.5(A) shall not apply to any action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or the 1934 Act.
(B) Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the 1933 Act.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 9.5.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by the board of directors or by the stockholders as expressly provided in the Company’s certificate of incorporation.
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Exhibit 4.1
LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
This LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of June [●], 2021, by and between the undersigned person or entity (the “Restricted Holder”) and Aeluma, Inc. (formerly known as Parc Investments, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
WHEREAS, pursuant to the transactions contemplated under that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 22, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Parent, Aeluma Operating, Co., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent (the “Merger Sub”), and Biond Photonics, Inc. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”), a California corporation (“Biond”), Biond will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent, and all of the outstanding stock of Biond will be exchanged for shares of common stock of the Parent, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Parent Common Stock”) on the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”); and
WHEREAS, immediately following the closing of the Merger, the Parent will complete a private placement offering (the “Private Placement Offering”) of a minimum of 3,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, at a purchase price of $2.00 per share.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
(b) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in the state of New York are required or authorized by applicable law to close.
(c) “Change of Control” means the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of Affiliated persons, of the Parent’s voting securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of Affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent (or the surviving entity).
(d) “First Trading Date” mean the first date on which the Parent Common Stock is first traded on the OTCQB or OTCQX market maintained by OTC Markets Group, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American.
(e) “Immediate Family” means any relationship by blood, domestic partnership, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.
(f) “Restricted Period” means the period of time commencing on the Closing Date and ending eighteen (18) months after the First Trading Date.
(g) “Restricted Securities” means all shares of Parent Common Stock held by the Restricted Holder and all securities held by the Restricted Holder that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Parent Common Stock, in each case held immediately following the closing of the Private Placement Offering or thereafter acquired by any means (including, for the avoidance of doubt, through the receipt of equity incentive awards from the Parent), and whether held beneficially or of record, but excluding any shares of Parent Common Stock purchased by the Restricted Holder in the Private Placement Offering.
2. Restrictions.
(a) During the Restricted Period, the Restricted Holder will not, directly or indirectly: (i) offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, contract to sell, grant an option to purchase or otherwise dispose of, or announce the intention to so dispose of, any Restricted Securities or (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any Restricted Securities (the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) above being hereinafter referred to as a “Disposition”). The foregoing restrictions are expressly agreed to preclude the Restricted Holder from engaging in any hedging or other transaction which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale or disposition of any of the Restricted Securities of the Restricted Holder during the Restricted Period, even if such securities would be disposed of by someone other than the Restricted Holder.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the restrictions set forth in Section 2(a) shall not apply to:
(i) if the Restricted Holder is a natural person, any transfers made by the Restricted Holder (A) to any member of the Immediate Family of the Restricted Holder or to a trust the direct or indirect beneficiaries of which are exclusively the Restricted Holder or members of the Restricted Holder’s Immediate Family, or (B) by bona fide gift, will or intestacy;
(ii) if the Restricted Holder is a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers to a charitable organization, or to any stockholder, partner, manager, director, officer, Affiliate, employee, trustee or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the Restricted Holder or its Affiliates, or any trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing or any Affiliate of the foregoing, or any limited partnership in which the Restricted Holder or its Affiliates holds a limited partnership interest, as the case may be;
(iii) if the Restricted Holder is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfer made by the Restricted Holder:
(A) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the Restricted Holder’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the Restricted Holder’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Agreement,
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(B) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an Affiliate of the Restricted Holder, or
(C) to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the Restricted Holder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a fund managed by the same manager or managing member or general partner or management company or by an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such manager or managing member or general partner or management company as the Restricted Holder) if such transfer is not for value (for purposes of this paragraph the term control (including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act);
(iv) if the Restricted Holder is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust if such transfer is not for value;
(v) any transfers of the Restricted Securities to the Parent upon a vesting event or upon the exercise of options or warrants to purchase the Parent’s securities, in each case on a “cashless” or “net exercise” basis, including to cover tax withholding obligations of the Restricted Holder in connection with such vesting or exercise (and for the avoidance of doubt, any securities issued to the Restricted Holder upon such exercise shall be Restricted Securities subject to the restrictions set forth herein);
(vi) any transfers of the Restricted Securities pursuant to a court order or by operation of law, including pursuant to a domestic order or a negotiated divorce settlement;
(vii) any transfers of the Restricted Securities to the Parent pursuant to agreements under which the Parent has the option to repurchase such Restricted Securities or the Parent has a right of first refusal with respect to transfers of such Restricted Securities; or
(viii) any transfers of the Restricted Securities pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of Restricted Securities involving a Change of Control of the Parent (it being further understood that this Agreement shall not restrict the undersigned from entering into any agreement or arrangement in connection therewith, including an agreement to vote in favor of, or tender Restricted Securities or other securities of the Parent in, any such transaction or taking any other action in connection with any such transaction), provided that the restrictions set forth herein shall continue to apply should the completion of such transaction not occur, and provided, further, that such transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Parent.
provided, however, that
(A) in the case of any transfer described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (vi) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that the transferee execute and deliver to the Parent, not later than one Business Day prior to such transfer, a written agreement in substantially the form of this Agreement covering the transferred Restricted Securities for the balance of the Restricted Period (it being understood that any references to “Immediate Family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the Immediate Family of the Restricted Holder and not to the Immediate Family of the transferee) and otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Parent;
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(B) in the case of any transfer described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, such transfers are not required to be reported under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the Restricted Holder does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers during the Restricted Period (other than a filing on Form 5);
(C) in the case of any transfer described in clause (v) or (vi) above, if the transfer is required to be reported under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any filing under Section 16 of the Exchange Act related to such transfer shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that (a) the filing relates to the circumstances described in clause (v) or (vi) above, as applicable, (b) no shares were sold by the reporting person and (c) with respect to a transfer described in clause (v) above, any remaining shares received upon exercise of an option or a warrant (net of any shares transferred in connection with such “cashless” or “net exercise” to cover tax withholding obligations) or the remaining vested shares are subject to a written agreement with the Parent in substantially the form of this Agreement for the balance of the Restricted Period; and
(D) in the case of any transfer described in clause (viii) above, in the event that the tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Restricted Securities owned by the Restricted Holder shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this Agreement.
(c) Furthermore, during the Restricted Period, the Restricted Holder may exercise any rights to purchase, exchange or convert any stock options granted to the Restricted Holder pursuant to the Parent’s equity incentive plans or awards existing after the Closing Date or warrants or any other securities held by the Restricted Holder after the Closing Date, which securities are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Parent Common Stock, and the Restricted Holder agrees that the shares of Parent Common Stock received upon such exercise, purchase, exchange or conversion shall be and remain Restricted Securities subject to the terms of this Agreement.
(d) In addition, the restrictions set forth in Section 2(a) shall not apply to the repurchase of Restricted Securities by the Parent in connection with the termination of the Restricted Holder’s employment or other service with the Parent or any of its subsidiaries.
(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing herein shall prevent the Restricted Holder from establishing a 10b5-1 trading plan that complies with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (“10b5-1 Trading Plan”) or from amending an existing 10b5-1 Trading Plan so long as there are no sales or other Dispositions of Restricted Securities under such plans during the Restricted Period; and provided that no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the Restricted Holder or the Parent during the Restricted Period regarding the establishment of a 10b5-1 Trading Plan or the amendment of a 10b5-1 Trading Plan.
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(f) In the event that, during the Restricted Period, the Parent waives any of the restrictions on the transfer of any Restricted Securities held by any executive officer or director of Parent or any holder of more than one percent (1.0%) of the outstanding Parent Common Stock of the Parent (on a fully-diluted basis) that is subject to a lock-up agreement similar in terms or form to this Agreement, then Parent shall be deemed to have also waived, on the same terms, the restrictions set forth in this Agreement that would otherwise have applied to the undersigned on a pro-rata basis with respect to the same proportion of the undersigned’s Restricted Securities subject to this Agreement as (x) the aggregate Restricted Securities held by such party receiving the waiver that is subject to the waiver bears to (y) the aggregate Restricted Securities held by such party that is subject to a lock-up agreement similar in terms or form to this Agreement. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply: (i) unless and until the Parent has first waived more than one percent (1.0%) of the total outstanding Parent Common Stock (determined as of immediately following the Private Placement Offering and giving effect thereto) from such prohibitions, (ii) (a) if the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not involving a disposition for value and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer, or (iii) if the release or waiver is granted to a holder of Restricted Securities who participates in an underwritten public offering during the Restricted Period, whether or not such offering is wholly or partially a secondary offering, of securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided that the undersigned Restricted Holder is offered the opportunity to participate in the offering on a pro rata basis. In the event that any percentage of such Restricted Securities released from the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are subject to any restrictions of the type set forth in this Agreement, the same restrictions shall be applicable to the release of the same percentage of the undersigned’s Restricted Securities. In the event that, as a result of this paragraph, any Restricted Securities held by the undersigned are released from the restrictions imposed by this Agreement, Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify the undersigned within two Business Days thereafter that the same percentage of aggregate Restricted Securities held by the undersigned has been released from the restrictions set forth in this Agreement; provided that the failure to give such notice to the undersigned shall not give rise to any claim or liability against the Parent.
3. Legends; Stop Transfer Instructions.
(a) In addition to any legends to reflect applicable transfer restrictions under federal or state securities laws, each certificate or book entry representing Restricted Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with the following legend:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF [●], 2021, BETWEEN THE HOLDER HEREOF AND THE ISSUER, AND MAY ONLY BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS THEREOF.”
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(b) The Restricted Holder hereby agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Parent’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Restricted Securities except in compliance with this Agreement.
4. Miscellaneous.
(a) Material Inducement and Consideration. The Restricted Holder acknowledges and agrees that its entering into this Agreement with the Parent and its covenants and agreements herein are a material inducement to the Parent’s entering into the Share Exchange Agreement and proceeding with the Share Exchange and the Private Placement Offering, and Parent’s so doing constitute valuable consideration to the Restricted Holder.
(b) Specific Performance. The Restricted Holder agrees that in the event of any breach or threatened breach by the Restricted Holder of any covenant, obligation or other provision contained in this Agreement, then the Parent shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Parent) to: (i) a decree or order of specific performance or mandamus to enforce the observance and performance of such covenant, obligation or other provision; and (ii) an injunction restraining such breach or threatened breach. The Restricted Holder further agrees that neither the Parent nor any other person or entity shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section, and the Restricted Holder irrevocably waives any right that he, she, or it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.
(c) Other Agreements. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Parent or Restricted Holder under the Share Exchange Agreement, or any of the rights, remedies or obligations of the Parent or the Restricted Holder under any other agreement between the Restricted Holder and the Parent or any certificate or instrument executed by the Restricted Holder in favor of the Parent; and nothing in the Share Exchange Agreement or in any other agreement, certificate or instrument shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Parent or any of the obligations of the Restricted Holder under this Agreement.
(d) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications which are required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be deemed given to a party (i) on the date of delivery, if delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid); (ii) the date of transmission if sent by facsimile or e-mail with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment if such notice or communication is delivered prior to 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on a Business Day, or the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on a Business Day; (iii) the date received or rejected by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) seven days after the placement of the notice into the mails (first class postage prepaid), to the party at the address, facsimile number, or e-mail address furnished by the such party,
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If to the Parent:
Aeluma, Inc. 27 Castilian Drive Goleta, CA 93117 Attention: Jonathan Klamkin, CEO Email: |
With a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice hereunder) to:
Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC 800 Third Avenue, Suite 2800 New York, NY 10022 Attention: Lou Taubman Email: |
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If to the Restricted Holder:
To the address set forth on the signature page hereto. |
Any party may give any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended. Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other party notice in the manner herein set forth.
(e) Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to limit the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term.
(f) Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE UNDER, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED SOLELY THEREIN, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(g) Waiver; Termination. No failure on the part of the Parent to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of the Parent in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy. The Parent shall not be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Parent; and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. If the Share Exchange Agreement is terminated prior to Closing, this Agreement shall thereupon terminate.
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(h) Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(i) Further Assurances. The Restricted Holder hereby represents and warrants that the Restricted Holder has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and that this Agreement has been duly authorized (if the Restricted Holder is not a natural person), executed and delivered by the Restricted Holder and is a valid and binding agreement of the Restricted Holder.
(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the Parent and the Restricted Holder relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the Parent and the Restricted Holder relating to the subject matter hereof.
(k) Non-Exclusivity. The rights and remedies of the Parent hereunder are not exclusive of or limited by any other rights or remedies which the Parent may have, whether at law, in equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which shall be cumulative (and not alternative).
(l) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or supplemented other than by means of a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Parent and the Restricted Holder.
(m) Binding Nature. This Agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the Restricted Holder (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the Restricted Holder.
(n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
RESTRICTED HOLDER (individual) | RESTRICTED HOLDER (entity) | ||
Signature | Name of Entity | ||
By: | |||
Print Name | Signature |
Print Name: | |||
Signature (if Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common) | Title: | ||
Address of Principal Residence: | Address of Executive Offices: | ||
E-mail Address: | E-mail Address: | ||
Acknowledged and Agreed:
AELUMA, INC.
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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Exhibit 4.2
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THE EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SUCH ACT OR UNLESS SOLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT.
WARRANT NO. [●] | NUMBER OF SHARES: [●] |
DATE OF ISSUANCE: _______, 2021
EXPIRATION DATE: _______, 2026
FORM OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK OF
AELUMA, INC.
This Warrant is issued to [●], or its registered assigns (including any successors or assigns, the “Warrantholder”), by Aeluma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to that certain agreement dated April 28, 2021 by and between the Company and GP Nurmenkari Inc.
1. EXERCISE OF WARRANT.
(a) Number and Exercise Price of Warrant Shares; Expiration Date. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein at any time beginning on or after the date hereof (the “Date of Issuance”) and ending on or before 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the fifth anniversary of the Date of Issuance (the “Expiration Date”), the Warrantholder is entitled to purchase from the Company up to [●] shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant) (the “Warrant Shares”), at a purchase price of $2.00 per share (the “Exercise Price”) (subject to earlier termination of this Warrant as set forth herein).
(b) Method of Exercise. While this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable in accordance with Section 1(a) above, the Warrantholder may exercise this Warrant in accordance with Section 5 herein, by either:
(1) wire transfer to the Company or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank made payable to the order of the Company, or
(2) exercising of the right to credit the Exercise Price against the Fair Market Value of the Warrant Shares (as defined below) at the time of exercise (the “Net Exercise”) pursuant to Section 1(c).
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Warrantholder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Warrantholder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Warrantholder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) trading days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Warrantholder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases.
(c) Net Exercise. If the Company shall receive written notice from the Warrantholder at the time of exercise of this Warrant that the holder elects to Net Exercise the Warrant, the Company shall deliver to such Warrantholder (without payment by the Warrantholder of any exercise price in cash) that number of Warrant Shares computed using the following formula:
X = Y (A - B) |
A |
Where
X = | The number of Warrant Shares to be issued to the Warrantholder. |
Y = | The number of Warrant Shares purchasable under this Warrant or, if only a portion of this Warrant is being exercised, the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is being exercised. |
A = | The Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the trading date immediately preceding the date on which Warrantholder elects to exercise this Warrant. |
B = | The Exercise Price (as adjusted hereunder). |
The “Fair Market Value” of one share of Common Stock shall mean (x) the last reported sale price and, if there are no sales, the last reported bid price, of the Common Stock on the business day prior to the date of exercise on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets (or a comparable reporting service of national reputation selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holder if Bloomberg Financial Markets is not then reporting sales prices of the Common Stock) (collectively, “Bloomberg”), (y) if the foregoing does not apply, the last sales price of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the pink sheets or bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, and, if there are no sales, the last reported bid price of the Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg or, (z) if fair market value cannot be calculated as of such date on either of the foregoing bases, the price determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors.
“OTC Markets” shall mean either OTC QX or OTC QB of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.
“Trading Market” shall mean any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the OTC Markets (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
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(d) Deemed Exercise. In the event that immediately prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock (as determined in accordance with Section 1(c) above) is greater than the then applicable Exercise Price, this Warrant shall be deemed to be automatically exercised on a net exercise issue basis pursuant to Section 1(c) above, and the Company shall deliver the applicable number of Warrant Shares to the Warrantholder pursuant to the provisions of Section 1(c) above and this Section 1(d).
2. CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS.
(a) Adjustment of Number of Warrant Shares and Exercise Price. The number and kind of Warrant Shares purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:
(1) Subdivisions, Combinations and Other Issuances. If the Company shall at any time after the Date of Issuance but prior to the Expiration Date subdivide its shares of capital stock of the same class as the Warrant Shares, by split-up or otherwise, or combine such shares of capital stock, or issue additional shares of capital stock as a dividend with respect to any shares of such capital stock, or effect any forward stock split or reverse stock split of its capital stock of the same class as the Warrant Shares, the number of Warrant Shares issuable on the exercise of this Warrant shall forthwith be proportionately increased in the case of a subdivision, stock dividend or forward stock split, or proportionately decreased in the case of a reverse stock split or other combination. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise Price payable per share, but the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the total number of Warrant Shares purchasable under this Warrant (as adjusted) shall remain the same. Any adjustment under this Section 2(a)(1) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective, or as of the record date of such dividend, or in the event that no record date is fixed, upon the making of such dividend.
(2) Reclassification, Reorganizations and Consolidation. In case of any reclassification, capital reorganization or change in the capital stock of the Company (other than as a result of a subdivision, combination or stock dividend provided for in Section 2(a)(1) above) that occurs after the Date of Issuance, then, as a condition of such reclassification, reorganization or change, lawful provision shall be made, and duly executed documents evidencing the same from the Company or its successor shall be delivered to the Warrantholder, so that the Warrantholder shall thereafter have the right at any time prior to the Expiration Date to purchase, at a total price equal to that payable upon the exercise of this Warrant, the kind and amount of shares of stock and/or other securities or property (including, if applicable, cash) receivable in connection with such reclassification, reorganization or change by a holder of the same number and type of securities as were purchasable as Warrant Shares by the Warrantholders immediately prior to such reclassification, reorganization or change. In any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights and interest of the Warrantholder so that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable with respect to any shares of stock or other securities or property deliverable upon exercise hereof, and appropriate adjustments shall be made to the Exercise Price payable hereunder, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same (and, for the avoidance of doubt, this Warrant shall be exclusively exercisable for such shares of stock and/or other securities or property from and after the consummation of such reclassification or other change in the capital stock of the Company).
(b) Notice to Warrantholder. If, while this Warrant is outstanding, the Company (i) declares a dividend or any other distribution of cash, securities or other property in respect of its Common Stock, including, without limitation, any granting of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any capital stock of the Company or any subsidiary, (ii) authorizes or approves, enters into any agreement contemplating or solicits stockholder approval for any Fundamental Transaction or (iii) authorizes the voluntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then the Company shall deliver to the Warrantholder a notice of such transaction at least ten (10) business days prior to the applicable record or effective date on which a person would need to hold Common Stock in order to participate in or vote with respect to such transaction; provided, however, that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be described in such notice.
(c) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 2 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest whole share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 2, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
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(d) Treatment of Warrant upon a Fundamental Transaction.
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another person or group of persons whereby such other person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other person or other persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Warrantholder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Warrantholder, the number, class, and series of shares of stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Warrantholder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other transaction documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2(d)(1) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Warrantholder and approved by the Warrantholder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Warrantholder, deliver to the Warrantholder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Warrantholder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other transaction documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other transaction documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
3. NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Warrant Shares or scrip representing fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of this Warrant. In lieu of any fractional shares which would otherwise be issuable, the Company shall pay cash equal to the product of such fraction multiplied by the Fair Market Value of one Warrant Share.
4. NO STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. Until the exercise of this Warrant or any portion of this Warrant, the Warrantholder shall not have, nor exercise, any rights as a stockholder of the Company (including without limitation the right to notification of stockholder meetings or the right to receive any notice or other communication concerning the business and affairs of the Company) except as provided in Section 8 below.
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5. MECHANICS OF EXERCISE.
(a) Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. This Warrant may be exercised by the holder hereof, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Warrantholder at the address of the Warrantholder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly completed and executed copy of the Notice of Exercise in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A by facsimile or e-mail attachment and paying the Exercise Price (unless the Warrantholder has elected to Net Exercise) then in effect with respect to the number of Warrant Shares as to which the Warrant is being exercised. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise as provided above, and the person entitled to receive the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of such shares of record as of the close of business on such date. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Company’s transfer agent to the holder by crediting the account of the holder’s prime broker with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement covering the resale of the Warrant Shares by the holder and the Warrantholder has certified to the Company that it will sell or otherwise dispose of the Warrant Shares in accordance with the plan of distribution set forth in such registration statement, (B) the shares are eligible for resale by the holder pursuant to Rule 144 and the Warrantholder has certified to the Company that it has sold the Warrant Shares in accordance with the requirements of such Rule, or (C) the shares have been exercised on a cashless basis and are eligible for resale by the holder pursuant to Rule 144 without volume, or manner of sale limitations, and otherwise in book entry form or by physical delivery to the address specified by the holder in the Notice of Exercise by the end of the day (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”) on the date that is not more than two (2) trading days from the date of delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (unless exercised by means of a cashless exercise pursuant to Section 1(c)). The Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and the holder or any other person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Warrant has been exercised, with payment to the Company of the Exercise Price (or by Net Exercise) and all taxes required to be paid by the holder, if any, prior to the issuance of such shares, having been paid.
(b) Rescission Rights. Notwithsatnding Section 5(a) above, if the Company fails to cause the transfer agent to transmit to the Warrantholder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 5(a) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Warrantholder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
6. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTMENT. Whenever the Exercise Price or number or type of securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant is adjusted, as herein provided, the Company shall, at its expense, promptly deliver to the Warrantholder a certificate of an officer of the Company setting forth the nature of such adjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based.
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7. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS.
(a) The Warrantholder understands that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations this Warrant and the Warrant Shares may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. In this connection, the Warrantholder represents that it is familiar with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act. The Warrantholder represents, covenants and agrees that as of the date hereof, it is, and on each date on which it exercises the Warrants it will be, an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.
(b) Prior and as a condition to the sale or transfer of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant, the Warrantholder shall furnish to the Company such certificates, representations, agreements and other information, including an opinion of counsel, as the Company or the Company’s transfer agent reasonably may require to confirm that such sale or transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, unless such Warrant Shares are being sold or transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement.
(c) The Warrantholder acknowledges that the Company may place a restrictive legend on the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in order to comply with applicable securities laws, in substantially the following form and substance, unless such Warrant Shares are freely tradeable under Rule 144 under the Securities Act,without restriction, or the Warrant Shares may be resold pursuant to an effective registration statement and the Warrantholder has executed a legend removal certificate in the form of Exhibit A to the Registration Rights Agreement.:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS BOOK-ENTRY POSITION HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND NEITHER SUCH SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (1) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (2) AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION EXISTS AND THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED IN THE MANNER CONTEMPLATED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.”
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8. REPLACEMENT OF WARRANTS. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction of this Warrant, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and amount to the Company or, in the case of any such mutilation, on surrender and cancellation of such Warrant, the Company at its expense will execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Warrant of like tenor.
9. NO IMPAIRMENT. Except to the extent as may be waived by the holder of this Warrant, the Company will not, by amendment of its charter or through a Fundamental Transaction, dissolution, sale of assets or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Warrantholder against impairment.
10. TRADING DAYS. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall be other than a day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Trading Market, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day on which the Common Stock is so traded.
11. TRANSFERS; EXCHANGES.
(a) Subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and Section 7 hereof, this Warrant may be transferred by the Warrantholder to any Affiliate (as defined below)at any time and may be transferred to any person upon the listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange with respect to any or all of the Warrant Shares purchaseable (each, a “Permitted Transfer”). For a transfer of this Warrant as an entirety by the Warrantholder, upon surrender of this Warrant to the Company, together with the Notice of Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly completed and executed on behalf of the Warrantholder, the Company shall issue a new Warrant of the same denomination to the assignee. For a transfer of this Warrant with respect to a portion of the Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder, upon surrender of this Warrant to the Company, together with the Notice of Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly completed and executed on behalf of the Warrantholder, the Company shall issue a new Warrant to the assignee, in such denomination as shall be requested by the Warrantholder, and shall issue to the Warrantholder a new Warrant covering the number of shares in respect of which this Warrant shall not have been transferred. The term “Affiliate” as used herein means, with respect to any person, any other person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person, and any officers, employees or partners of the Warrantholder.
(b) Upon any Permitted Transfer, the Warrantholder may exchange this Warrant for new Warrants, in substantially the form of this Warrant, evidencing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares which may then be purchased hereunder, each of such new Warrants to represent the right to purchase such number of Warrant Shares as shall be designated by the Warrantholder. The Warrantholder shall surrender this Warrant with duly executed instructions regarding such re-certification of this Warrant to the Secretary of the Company at its principal offices or at such other office or agency as the Company may specify in writing to the Warrantholder.The term “Warrants” as used herein includes any warrants into which this Warrant may be divided or exchanged.
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12. VALID ISSUANCE; AUTHORIZED SHARES. The Company hereby represents, covenants and agrees that: (i) this Warrant is, and any Warrant issued in substitution for or replacement of this Warrant shall be, upon issuance, a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms; (ii) the issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to the Company’s officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant; (iii) all Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith shall be, upon issuance, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, issued without violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any stockholder of the Company and free and clear of all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue); and (iv) during the period the Warrant is outstanding, the Company shall reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.
13. REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The Warrantholder is a party to the Registration Rights Agreement dated ____________,2021 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) among the Company, the Warrantholder, other Warrantholders and persons who purchased Common Stock in the Company’s private offering of up to $8,000,000 of Common Stock (inclusive of a $1,000,000 over-subscription option) under which the resale of the Warrant Shares is to be registered and has all of the rights and oblgations provided for therein.
14. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to New York conflicts of law principles. Any judicial proceeding brought under this Agreement or any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any matter related hereto shall be brought in the courts of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
(b) All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be sent by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, or mailed by first-class registered or certified airmail, or nationally recognized overnight express courier, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so sent in the case of facsimile or electronic mail transmission, or when so received in the case of mail or courier, and addressed as follows: (a) if to the Company, to, Aeluma, Inc.,27 Castillian Drive, Goleta, CA 93117, Attention: Jonathan Klamkin, CEO,, E-mail:klamkin@biondphotonics.com, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice) Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC,800 Third Avenue,Suite 2800, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Lou Taubman,E-mail:ltaubman&htflawyers.com; and (b) if to the Warrantholder, at such address or addresses (including copies to counsel) as set forth below.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Common Stock Purchase Warrant is issued effective as of the date first set forth above.
AELUMA, INC. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
(To be signed only upon exercise of Warrant)
To: | Aeluma, Inc. |
The undersigned, the Warrantholder of the attached Warrant, hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the purchase right represented by such Warrant for, and to purchase thereunder, _______________ (__________) shares of Common Stock of Aeluma, Inc. and (choose one)
__________ herewith makes payment of __________ dollars ($__________) thereof
or
__________ elects to Net Exercise the Warrant pursuant to Section 1(b)(2) thereof.
The undersigned requests that the certificates or book entry position evidencing the shares to be acquired pursuant to such exercise be issued in the name of, and delivered to _____________________________________________________________, whose address is ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
By its signature below the undersigned hereby represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the attached Warrant as of the date hereof, including Section 7 thereof.
DATED:
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of the Warrantholder as specified on the face of the Warrant) | ||
[_____________] | ||
Address: | ||
A-1
EXHIBIT B
NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT FORM
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [__________] (the “Assignor”) hereby sells, assigns and transfers all of the rights of the undersigned Assignor under the attached Warrant with respect to the number of shares of common stock of Aeluma, Inc. (the “Company”) covered thereby set forth below, to the following “Assignee” and, in connection with such transfer, represents and warrants to the Company that the transfer is in compliance with Section 7 of the Warrant and applicable federal and state securities laws:
NAME OF ASSIGNEE |
ADDRESS/FAX NUMBER |
Number of shares: |
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Dated: |
Signature: |
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Witness: |
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B-1
ASSIGNEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The undersigned Assignee acknowledges that it has reviewed the attached Warrant and by its signature below it hereby represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Warrant as of the date hereof, including Section 7 thereof.
Signature: | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
Address:
E-Mail Address:
B-2
Exhibit 10.2
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
This Indemnity Agreement dated as of May __, 2021 is made by and between Aeluma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [NAME], a director and officer of the Company (“Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
A. The Company is aware that competent and experienced persons are increasingly reluctant to serve as representatives of corporations unless they are protected by comprehensive liability insurance and indemnification, due to increased exposure to litigation costs and risks resulting from their service to such corporations, and due to the fact that the exposure frequently bears no relationship to the compensation of such representatives;
B. The members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) have concluded that to retain and attract talented and experienced individuals to serve as representatives of the Company and to encourage such individuals to take the business risks necessary for the success of the Company, it is necessary for the Company to contractually indemnify certain of its representatives, and to assume for itself maximum liability for Expenses and Other Liabilities in connection with claims against such representatives in connection with their service to the Company;
C. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (said section being referred to as “Section 145” and such DCGL being referred to as the “DCGL”), empowers the Company to indemnify by agreement its officers, directors, employees and agents, and persons who serve, at the request of the Company, as directors, officers, employees or agents of other corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts or other enterprises, and expressly provides that the indemnification provided thereby is not exclusive;
D. The Company’s Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”) authorize indemnification of agents of the Company; and
E. The Company desires and has requested Indemnitee to continue to serve as a representative of the Company free from undue concern about inappropriate claims for damages arising out of or related to such services to the Company.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) Affiliate. For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate” of the Company means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in respect of which Indemnitee is or was or will be serving as a director, officer, trustee, manager, member, partner, employee, agent, attorney, consultant, member of the entity’s governing body (whether constituted as a board of directors, board of managers, general partner or otherwise), fiduciary, or in any other similar capacity at the request, election or direction of the Company.
(a) Expenses. For purposes of this Agreement, “Expenses” means all reasonable and documented direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, and other out-of-pocket costs), paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with either the investigation, defense or appeal of, or being a witness or otherwise involved in, a Proceeding (as defined below), or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement, Section 145 or otherwise; provided, however, that Expenses shall not include any judgments, fines, taxes (including ERISA or other benefit plan excise taxes or penalties) or amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) Expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors and officers liability insurance policies maintained by the Company.
(b) Indemnifiable Event. For purposes of this Agreement, “Indemnifiable Event” means any event or occurrence related to Indemnitee’s service for the Company as an Indemnifiable Person (as defined below), or by reason of anything done or not done, or any act or omission, by Indemnitee in any such capacity.
(c) Indemnifiable Person. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indemnifiable Person” means any person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, manager, member, partner, employee, attorney, consultant, member of an entity’s governing body (whether constituted as a board of directors, board of managers, general partner or otherwise) or other agent or fiduciary of the Company.
(d) Independent Counsel. For purposes of this Agreement, “Independent Counsel” means legal counsel that has not performed services for the Company or Indemnitee in the five years preceding the time in question and that would not, under applicable standards of professional conduct, have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee.
(e) Other Liabilities. For purposes of this Agreement, “Other Liabilities” means any and all liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, penalties, ERISA (or other benefit plan related) excise taxes or penalties, and amounts actually paid in settlement and all interest, taxes, assessments and other charges actually paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any such judgments, fines, ERISA (or other benefit plan related) excise taxes or penalties, or amounts actually paid in settlement.
(f) Proceeding. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, legislative or any other type whatsoever, preliminary, informal or formal, including any arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution and including any appeal of any of the foregoing.
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(g) Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, “Subsidiary” means any entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
2. Agreement to Serve. Indemnitee agrees to serve and/or continue to serve as an Indemnifiable Person in the capacity or capacities in which Indemnitee currently serves the Company as an Indemnifiable Person, and any additional capacity in which Indemnitee may agree to serve, until such time as Indemnitee’s service in a particular capacity shall end according to the terms of an agreement, the Articles or Bylaws (“Bylaws”), governing law, or otherwise. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create any right to continued employment or other form of service for the Company by Indemnitee.
3. Mandatory Indemnification.
(a) The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent authorized or permitted by the provisions of Section 145, as such may be amended from time to time, the Articles and the Bylaws, as such may be amended. (but only to the extent that any such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than authorized or permitted prior to the adoption of such amendment). In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(i) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. In the event Indemnitee is a person who was or is a party to or witness in or is threatened to be made a party to or witness in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company, by reason of an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses and Other Liabilities incurred by Indemnitee in connection with (including in preparation for) such Proceeding, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
(ii) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company.
(A) In the event Indemnitee is a person who was or is a party to or witness in or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or otherwise involved in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company, by reason of an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with (including in preparation for) such Proceeding, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be permitted under this Section 3(a)(ii) for any of the following:
(1) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company in the performance of Indemnitee’s duty to the Company and its shareholders, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for Expenses and then only to the extent that the court shall determine;
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(2) Amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a pending action without court approval; or
(3) Expenses incurred in defending a pending action to which Indemnitee is a party or is threatened to be made a party which is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval.
(b) Exception for Amounts Covered by Insurance and Other Sources. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses or Other Liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to judgments, fines, penalties, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) to the extent such have been paid directly to Indemnitee (or paid directly to a third party on Indemnitee’s behalf) by any directors and officers liability insurance, or other type, of insurance maintained by the Company.
4. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any Expenses or Other Liabilities but not entitled, however, to indemnification for the total amount of such Expenses or Other Liabilities, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for such total amount except as to the portion thereof for which indemnification is prohibited by the provisions of the Company’s Bylaws or the DCGL. In any review or Proceeding to determine the extent of indemnification, the Company shall bear the burden to establish, by clear and convincing evidence, the lack of a successful resolution of a particular claim, issue or matter and which amounts sought in indemnity are allocable to claims, issues or matters which were not successfully resolved.
5. Liability Insurance. So long as Indemnitee shall continue to serve the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company as an Indemnifiable Person and thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible claim or threatened, pending or completed Proceeding as a result of an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect for the benefit of Indemnitee as an insured (i) directors and officers liability insurance issued by one or more reputable insurers and having the policy amount and deductible deemed appropriate by the Board and providing in all respects coverage at least comparable to and in the same amount as that provided to the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and (ii) any replacement or substitute directors and officers liability insurance policies issued by one or more reputable insurers providing in all respects coverage at least comparable to and in the same amount as that being provided to the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance or other arrangements shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such insurance or other arrangement.
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6. Mandatory Advancement of Expenses. If requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with (including in preparation for) a Proceeding related to an Indemnifiable Event. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced if, and only if and to the extent that, it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Bylaws or the DCGL. The advances to be made hereunder shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee or directly to a third party designated by Indemnitee within thirty (30) days following delivery of a written request therefor by Indemnitee to the Company. Indemnitee’s undertaking to repay any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee hereunder shall be unsecured and shall not be subject to the accrual or payment of any interest thereon.
7. Notice and Other Indemnification Procedures.
(a) Notification. Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of or the threat of commencement of any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if Indemnitee believes that indemnification or advancement of Expenses with respect thereto may be sought from the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement or threat of commencement thereof. However, a failure so to notify the Company promptly following Indemnitee’s receipt of such notice shall not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee except to the extent that the Company is materially prejudiced in its defense of such Proceeding as a result of such failure.
(b) Insurance and Other Matters. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of the commencement of a Proceeding pursuant to Section 7(a) above, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the issuers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all reasonable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such insurance policies.
(c) Assumption of Defense. In the event the Company shall be obligated to advance the Expenses for any Proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company, if deemed appropriate by the Company, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding as provided herein. Such defense by the Company may include the representation of two or more parties by one attorney or law firm as permitted under the ethical rules and legal requirements related to joint representations. Following delivery of written notice to Indemnitee of the Company’s election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the approval by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of counsel designated by the Company and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding. If (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) there is, in the reasonable written opinion of counsel to Indemnitee a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (C) the Company fails to employ counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be subject to indemnification and/or advancement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent Indemnitee from employing counsel for any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense.
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(d) Settlement. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company’s written consent. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or Affiliate shall enter into a settlement of any Proceeding that might result in the imposition of any Expense, Other Liability, penalty, limitation or detriment on Indemnitee, whether indemnifiable under this Agreement or otherwise, without Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold consent from any settlement of any Proceeding.
8. Determination of Right to Indemnification.
(a) Success on the Merits or Otherwise. To the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding relating in whole or in part to an Indemnifiable Event or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter described therein, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses incurred in connection therewith.
(b) Indemnification in Other Situations. In the event that Section 8(a) is inapplicable, the Company shall also indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee has not failed to meet the applicable standard of conduct for indemnification, with such determination made by any of the following as selected by Indemnitee:
(1) The majority vote of a quorum of the members of the Board, provided such quorum consists only of directors who are not parties to the Proceeding in respect of which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification hereunder;
(2) If such a quorum is not obtainable, by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, in a written opinion;
(3) Approval of the shareholders of the Company (in accordance with the DCGL), with the shares of the Indemnitee not being entitled to vote thereon; or
(4) The court in which the proceeding is or was pending upon application made by the Company or Indemnitee or the attorney or other person rendering services in connection with the defense, whether or not the application by Indemnitee, attorney or other person is opposed by the Company.
If the forum selected to make the determination contemplated by this Section 8 is a forum provided in any of subsections (1), (2) or (3), such forum shall be referred to herein as the “Reviewing Party”.
(c) As soon as practicable, and in no event later than 30 days after receipt by the Company of written notice of Indemnitee’s choice of the forum provided in either of subsection (1), (2) or (3) of Section 8(b) above, the Company and Indemnitee shall each submit to the Reviewing Party such information as they believe is appropriate for the Reviewing Party to consider. The Reviewing Party shall arrive at its decision within a reasonable period of time following the receipt of all such information from the Company and Indemnitee, but in no event later than thirty (30) days following the receipt of all such information, provided that the time by which the Reviewing Party must reach a decision may be extended by mutual agreement of the Company and Indemnitee. If the forum selected is the court provided in subsection (4) above, the Company and Indemnitee and/or the attorney rendering services in connection with the defense shall submit promptly such information is directed or requested by the court and undertake to complete the court’s determination promptly. All Expenses associated with the process set forth in this Section 8(c), including but not limited to the Expenses of the Reviewing Party or court, shall be paid by the Company.
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(d) Appeal to Delaware Court. Notwithstanding a final determination by any Reviewing Party that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification with respect to a specific Proceeding, Indemnitee shall have the right to apply to the Delaware Chancery Court for the purpose of enforcing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement.
(e) Expenses. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any hearing or Proceeding under this Section 8 involving Indemnitee and against all Expenses and Other Liabilities incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any other Proceeding between the Company and Indemnitee involving the interpretation or enforcement of the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement unless a court of competent jurisdiction finds that each of the material claims of Indemnitee in any such Proceeding was frivolous or made in bad faith.
(f) Determination of “Good Faith”. For purposes of any determination of whether Indemnitee acted in “good faith” and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company or acted in “bad faith,” Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company or not acted in bad faith if in taking or failing to take the action in question Indemnitee relied on the records or books of account of the Company or an Affiliate, including financial statements, or on information, opinions, reports or statements provided to Indemnitee by the officers or other employees of the Company or Affiliate of the Company in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or Affiliate, or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or Affiliate by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Company or Affiliate, or by any other person (including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors) as to matters Indemnitee reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company or Affiliate. In connection with any determination as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, or to advancement of Expenses, the Reviewing Party or court shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct and is entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that Indemnitee is not so entitled. The provisions of this Section 8(f) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failures to act, of any other person serving the Company or Affiliate as an Indemnifiable Person shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification hereunder.
9. Exceptions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
(a) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. The Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except (1) with respect to Proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement, any other statute or law, as permitted under Section 145, or otherwise, (2) where the Board has consented to the initiation of such Proceeding, or (3) with respect to Proceedings brought to discharge Indemnitee’s fiduciary responsibilities, whether under ERISA or otherwise, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board finds it to be appropriate; or
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(b) Actions Based on Federal Statutes Regarding Profit Recovery and Return of Bonus Payments. The Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee on account of (i) any suit in which judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); or
(c) Unlawful Indemnification. The Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee for Other Liabilities if such indemnification is prohibited by law.
(d) Other Limitations. No indemnification or advance shall be made under this Agreement, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise or unless required pursuant to Section 145(d) of the DCGL, in the following circumstances:
(1) If such indemnification would be inconsistent with a provision of the Articles, the Bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders, or an agreement in effect at the time of the accrual of the alleged cause of action asserted in the Proceeding which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or
(2) If such indemnification would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement.
(e) Indemnification for actions by or in the right of the Company in excess of Section 145. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, in the case of an act brought by or in the right of the Company for breach of a director’s duty to the Company and its shareholders, the rights to indemnification in this Agreement in excess of those provided by Section 145 shall be subject to the limitations on indemnification set forth in Section 145. However, the rights to indemnification in this Agreement shall not be subject to the limitations set forth in such Section 145 in the case of, (i) an act brought by or in the right of the Company for a breach of the director’s duty to the Company and its shareholders for indemnification not in excess of the rights for indemnification provided by Section 145 or (ii) an act other than an act by or in the right of the Company for breach of a director’s duty to the Company and its shareholders.
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10. Non-exclusivity. The provisions for indemnification and advancement of Expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which Indemnitee may have under any provision of law, the Articles or Bylaws, the vote of the Company’s shareholders or disinterested directors, other agreements, or otherwise, both as to acts or omissions in his or her official capacity and to acts or omissions in another capacity while serving the Company or Affiliate as an Indemnifiable Person and Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall continue after Indemnitee has ceased serving the Company or Affiliate as an Indemnifiable Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee.
11. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves 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 Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
12. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) and except as expressly provided herein, no such waiver shall constitute a continuing waiver.
13. [Intentionally Omitted].
14. Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if delivered by hand and a receipt is provided by the party to whom such communication is delivered, (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the signing by the recipient of an acknowledgement of receipt form accompanying delivery through the U.S. mail, (iii) personal service by a process server, (iv) when sent by confirmed electronic mail if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, or (v) delivery to the recipient’s address by overnight delivery (e.g., FedEx, UPS or DHL) or other commercial delivery service. Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or as subsequently modified by written notice complying with the provisions of this Section 14. Delivery of communications to the Company with respect to this Agreement shall be sent to the attention of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
15. No Presumptions. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law or otherwise. In addition, neither the failure of the Company or a Reviewing Party have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the Company or a Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of Proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination by exercising Indemnitee’s rights under 8(d) of this Agreement shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has failed to meet any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief or is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law or otherwise.
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16. Survival of Rights; Successors. The rights conferred on Indemnitee by this Agreement shall continue during the period Indemnitee is serving the Company or an Affiliate of the Company as an Indemnifiable Person and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his or her status as an Indemnifiable Person, whether or not he or she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the partiers hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all of substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.
17. Subrogation and Contribution.
(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
18. Specific Performance, Etc. The parties recognize that if any provision of this Agreement is violated by the Company, Indemnitee may be without an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, in the event of any such violation, Indemnitee shall be entitled, if Indemnitee so elects, to institute Proceedings, either in law or at equity, to obtain damages, to enforce specific performance, to enjoin such violation, or to obtain any relief or any combination of the foregoing as Indemnitee may elect to pursue.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
20. Headings. The headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction or interpretation thereof.
21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by and construed according to the laws of the State of California, as applied to contracts between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely with California.
22. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California for all purposes in connection with any Proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement.
[Signature page follows.]
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The parties hereto have entered into this Indemnity Agreement effective as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: AELMUMA, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Its: | ||
INDEMNITEE: | ||
[Name] | ||
Address: | ||
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Exhibit 10.3
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
This Indemnity Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of _____________, 2021, is entered into by and among Parc Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), Aeluma Operating Co., a Delaware corporation (“Acquisition Subsidiary” and together with the Parent, the “Companies”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnitee”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director on the board of directors of the Parent (the “Board of Directors”) and/or an officer of the Parent, as well as a director and/or an officer of Acquisition Subsidiary, and in such capacity(ies) is performing valuable services for the Parent; and
WHEREAS, the Parent, Biond Photonics, Inc. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”), a California corporation, and Acquisition Subsidiary plan to enter into a Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the shareholders Acquisition Subsidiary will receive common stock of the Parent in exchange for their capital stock of Acquisition Subsidiary, (the “Merger ”); and
WHEREAS, it is intended that Indemnitee shall be paid promptly by the Companies all amounts necessary to effectuate in full the indemnity provided herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants in this Agreement, and of Indemnitee and the Companies intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Reserved
2. Indemnification. Subject to the limitations set forth herein and in Section 6 hereof, the Companies hereby agree to indemnify Indemnitee as follows:
The Companies shall, from and after the Effective Time, with respect to any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined), indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by (in the case of the Parent) Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Parent or Acquisition Subsidiary in effect on the date hereof or as such law or constitutive document may from time to time be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the relevant Company to provide broader indemnification rights than applicable law or constitutive document permitted the applicable Company to provide before such amendment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companies shall not be required to indemnify Indemnitee for acts or omissions of Indemnitee constituting fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The right to indemnification conferred herein and in the constitutive documents of the Companies shall be presumed to have been relied upon by Indemnitee in serving the Parent and shall be enforceable as a contract right. Without in any way diminishing the scope of the indemnification provided by this Section 2, the Companies will, from and after the Effective Time, indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses (as hereinafter defined) and Liabilities (as hereinafter defined) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on their behalves in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such Proceeding. In addition to, and not as a limitation of, the foregoing, the rights of indemnification of Indemnitee provided under this Agreement shall include those rights set forth in Section 8 below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Effective Time, the Companies shall be required to indemnify Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee (other than a Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement) only if the commencement of such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors following the Effective Time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Parent shall have no obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee to the extent such indemnification would not be permitted under Section 145 of the DGCL or the Parent’s certificate of incorporation in effect on the date hereof.
3. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings. Upon making a request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Companies shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching any contrary determination. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, arbitration award or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not affect this presumption or, except as determined by a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to Indemnitee, establish a presumption with regard to any factual matter relevant to determining Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification hereunder.
4. Advancement of Expenses. To the extent not prohibited by law, from and after the Effective Time, the Companies shall advance the Expenses or Liabilities incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) calendar days after the receipt by the Companies of a statement or statements requesting such advances (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses or Liabilities but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditures made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice) and upon request of the Companies, an undertaking to repay the advancement of Expenses or Liabilities if and to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Companies. Advances shall be unsecured, interest free and without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the expenses. Advances shall include any and all Expenses and/or Liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee pursuing an action to enforce Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement, or otherwise and this right of advancement, including Expenses and/or Liabilities incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. Indemnitee acknowledges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent required by law, repay the advance if and to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The right to advances under this Section shall continue until final disposition of any proceeding, including any appeal therein. This Section 4 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 15(d)(ii).
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5. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
(a) Whenever Indemnitee believes that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit a written request for indemnification or advancement of expenses to the Companies. Any request for indemnification or advancement of expenses shall include sufficient documentation or information reasonably available to Indemnitee for the determination of entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses. In any event, Indemnitee shall submit Indemnitee’s claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses within a reasonable time, not to exceed sixty calendar (60) days after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or final termination, whichever is the later date for which Indemnitee requests indemnification.
(b) Independent Legal Counsel (as hereinafter defined) shall determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses. Determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made not later than ninety calendar (90) days after the Companies’ receipt of Indemnitee’s written request for such indemnification or advancement of expenses, provided that any request for indemnification or advancement of expenses for Liabilities, other than amounts paid in settlement, shall have been made after a determination thereof in a Proceeding.
6. Specific Limitations on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Companies shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity or payment to Indemnitee in connection with any claim against Indemnitee:
(a) to the extent that payment is actually made to Indemnitee under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise or is made to Indemnitee by either of the Companies or affiliates otherwise than pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the availability of such insurance, Indemnitee also may claim indemnification from the Companies pursuant to this Agreement by assigning to the Companies any claims under such insurance to the extent Indemnitee is paid by the Companies;
(b) for Liabilities in connection with Proceedings settled without the Companies’ consent, which consent, however, shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(c) in no event shall the Companies be liable to pay the fees and disbursements of more than one counsel in any single Proceeding except to the extent that, in the opinion of counsel of the Indemnitee, the Indemnitee has conflicting interests in the outcome of such Proceeding;
(d) to the extent it would be otherwise prohibited by law, if so established by a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to Indemnitee;
(e) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Companies within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law;
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(f) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Companies or their directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the commencement of such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation and following the Effective Time, or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law; or
(g) for any reimbursement of the Companies by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Companies, as required in each case under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Companies of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if Indemnitee is held liable therefor.
7. Fees and Expenses of Independent Legal Counsel. The Companies agree to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Legal Counsel and to fully indemnify such Independent Legal Counsel against any and all reasonable expenses and losses incurred by any of them arising out of or relating to this Agreement or their engagement pursuant hereto.
8. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination pursuant to Section 5 hereof is made that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, (ii) payment has not been timely made following a determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) the person or persons empowered to make a determination pursuant to Section 5 hereof shall have failed to make the requested determination within ninety calendar (90) days after the Companies’ receipt of Indemnitee’s written request for such indemnification or advancement of expenses, or (iv) Indemnitee otherwise seeks enforcement of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to a final adjudication in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware of the remedy sought.
(b) If a determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification has been made pursuant to Section 5 hereof, or is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 5 hereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Companies shall be bound by such determination in the absence of a misrepresentation or omission of a material fact by Indemnitee in connection with such determination.
(c) The Companies shall be precluded from asserting that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable. The Companies shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Companies are bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and are precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.
(d) Expenses reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s request for indemnification under, seeking enforcement of or to recover damages for breach of this Agreement shall be borne by the Companies when and as incurred by Indemnitee, to the extent it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder.
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9. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, in the event the Companies are obligated to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement and the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Companies, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Companies and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Companies (and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
10. Modification, Waiver, Termination and Cancellation. No supplement, modification, termination, cancellation or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
11. Subrogation. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Companies shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Companies effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
12. Notice by Indemnitee and Defense of Claim. Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Companies in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any matter, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or an advancement of expenses hereunder, but the omission so to notify the Companies will not relieve it from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee if such omission does not prejudice the Companies’ rights. If such omission does prejudice the Companies’ rights, the Companies will be relieved from liability only to the extent of such prejudice. No such omission shall relieve the Companies of any liability they may otherwise have to Indemnitee outside of this Agreement under applicable law, the Companies’ constitutive documents or any agreements.
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13. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder (a) one business day after being sent for next business day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable international overnight courier service, (b) upon delivery in the case of delivery by hand, or (c) on the date delivered in the place of delivery if sent by email (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery from the recipient, excluding any automated response) prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, otherwise on the next succeeding business day, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:
or any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
14. Non-Exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under applicable law, the Companies’ constitutive documents, or any agreements, vote of stockholders, resolution of the Boards of Directors or otherwise with respect to any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) associated with Indemnitee acting in his official capacity as an officer and director of the Parent arising out of or pertaining to actions relating to the approval of and entering into the Merger Agreement, the Transaction Documentation (as defined in the Merger Agreement), the Merger and each of the transactions contemplated thereby, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time.
15. Certain Definitions.
(a) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcripts, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, all other disbursements or out-of-pocket expenses) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with either the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of a Proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement, applicable law or otherwise; provided, however, that “Expenses” shall not include any Liabilities.
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(b) “Independent Legal Counsel” means a law firm or a member of a firm selected by the Companies and approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Legal Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Companies or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement.
(c) “Liabilities” means liabilities of any type whatsoever including, but not limited to, any judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement) of any Proceeding.
(d) “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, claim, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that (i) is asserted or claimed or otherwise arises after the Effective Time, (ii) is associated with Indemnitee’s actions as an officer and/or director of the Parent arising out of or pertaining to actions relating to the approval of and entering into the Merger Agreement, the Transaction Documentation (as defined in the Merger Agreement), the Merger and each of the transactions contemplated thereby, including any action brought by or in the right of the Parent or Acquisition Subsidiary , and (iii) is not initiated or brought by one or more Indemnitee(s).
16. Binding Effect; Duration and Scope of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Companies), spouses, heirs and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect for six (6) years subsequent to the date of this Agreement, regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as director or an officer of the Parent.
17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement (or any portion thereof) 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 Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and
(b) to the fullest extent legally possible, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of any provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as applied to contracts between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of laws rules.
19. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Companies and Indemnitee each irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or Proceeding that arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of the State of Delaware.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and there are no other agreements, contracts or understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement and any documents relating to it may be executed and transmitted to any other party by email of a PDF, which PDF shall be deemed to be, and utilized in all respects as, an original, wet-inked document.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
PARC INVESTMENTS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Its: | ||
AELUMA OPERATING CO. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Its: | ||
INDEMNITEE | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Address: | ||
[Signature Page to Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.4
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This Subscription Agreement (this “Agreement”) has been entered into by and between the purchaser set forth on the Omnibus Signature Page hereof (the “Purchaser”) and Parc Investments, Inc. (to be renamed “Aeluma, Inc.” upon consummation of the Merger (as defined below)), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) in connection with the private placement offering (the “Offering”) by the Company.
R E C I T A L S
A. The Company is offering a minimum of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), at a purchase price of $2.00 per share (the “Per Share Purchase Price”), for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000,000 (the “Minimum Offering Amount”), and a maximum of 3,500,000 shares of Common Stock at the Per Share Purchase Price for an aggregate purchase price of $7,000,000 (the “Maximum Offering Amount”). The Company may also sell an additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock at the Per Share Purchase Price for an aggregate Purchase Price of $1,000,000 to cover over-subscriptions (the “Over-Subscription Option”), in the event the Offering is oversubscribed. (References herein to “dollar” or “$” are to United States Dollars.)
B. The Initial Closing (as defined below) of no less than the Minimum Offering Amount, including the Minimum Insider Investment (as defined below) is contingent upon, and shall be consummated simultaneously with, the closing of a reverse triangular merger in accordance with the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the Initial Closing Date (as defined below) (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Aeluma Operating Co., a Delaware corporation (“Merger-Sub”) and wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, and Biond Photonics, Inc. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”), a California corporation (“Aeluma”), pursuant to which Merger-Sub will merge with and into Aeluma, with Aeluma surviving the merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”), and pursuant to which all of the outstanding capital stock of Aeluma will be cancelled in exchange for shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and all outstanding Aeluma options, stock appreciation rights, warrants and convertible debt will be either cancelled or assumed by, or exchanged for new securities to acquire Common Stock of, the Company, at the same ratio at which outstanding shares of capital stock of Aeluma are exchanged, with appropriate adjustments to the per share exercise or conversion price thereof, and otherwise on their original terms and conditions. The total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that will be issued to pre-Merger stockholders of Aeluma or reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants and any other convertible securities of Aeluma (other than incentive stock options) is expected to be 4,100,000 shares. In addition, as of the Closing, the Company will have an Equity Incentive Plan (the “EIP”) reserving 980,000 shares of Common Stock, covering pre-Merger Aeluma incentive options to be assumed by, or exchanged for options of, the Company, as well as for the future issuance, at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), of options and other incentive awards to officers, key employees, consultants and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The number of shares initially reserved for issuance under the EIP will be increased annually on the first day of each year beginning in 2022, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, in an amount up to five percent (5%) of the shares of stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding year. Holders of Common Stock of the Company prior to the Merger will retain in the aggregate 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock after the Merger. On or before the consummation of the Merger, the Company will change its name to “Aeluma, Inc.”
C. Current officers, directors, and stockholders of Aeluma and their respective friends and family (“Insider Investors”) will purchase a minimum aggregate amount of $800,000 of shares of Common Stock in the Offering (the “Minimum Insider Investment”). The amount purchased by the Inside Investors shall count towards the achievement of the Minimum Offering Amount and Maximum Offering Amount.. The Placement Agent, together with its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and other affiliates may also purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering (the “Placement Agent Purchases”) and to the extent they do so, such purchases will also be counted towards the achievement of the Minimum Offering Amount and Maximum Offering Amount.
D. The Shares (as defined below) subscribed for pursuant to this Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Securities Act”) or any state or foreign securities Law. The Offering is being made on a reasonable best efforts basis to “accredited investors,” as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D. For purposes of this Agreement, “Law” or “Laws” means any federal, state, local or foreign or provincial statute, law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any statutory, common, or civil law), ordinance, rule, regulation, order, injunction, decree or agency requirement having the force of law or any undertaking to or agreement with any Governmental Authority (as defined below).
E. The parties intend to treat the Merger, together with the Initial Closing and the Subsequent Closing, if relevant, as part of a transaction that is described in Section 351(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) to the extent property is exchanged for stock as described therein.
AGREEMENT
The Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
1. Subscription.
(a) Purchase and Sale of the Shares.
(i) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser agrees to purchase, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to the Purchaser, that number of Shares set forth on the Purchaser’s Omnibus Signature Page attached hereto at the Per Share Purchase Price, for a total aggregate purchase price for the Shares as set forth on such Omnibus Signature Page (the “Purchase Price”). The minimum subscription amount for each purchaser in the Offering is $25,000 (or 12,500 Shares). The Company may accept subscriptions for less than $25,000 from any purchaser in the Offering in its sole discretion. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued and sold to the Purchaser hereunder in the Offering at the Initial Closing (as defined below) and at any Subsequent Closing (as defined below).
(ii) In connection with the Offering, the Company has entered or will enter into other subscription agreements in the same form and containing the same terms and conditions as this Agreement for shares of Common Stock (“Other Shares”) (each, an “Other Subscription Agreement”) with purchasers in the Offering other than the Purchaser (collectively, “Other Purchasers”).
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(b) Subscription Procedure; Closing.
(i) Initial Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the initial closing of the Offering shall take place upon the satisfaction (or waiver as provided herein) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature will be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction (or waiver as provided herein) of such conditions) or at such other time and place as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the Placement Agent (as defined below) contingent upon and simultaneously with the closing of the Merger (the “Initial Closing” and the date that the Initial Closing occurs, the “Initial Closing Date”).
(ii) Subsequent Closings. If the Maximum Offering Amount is not sold at the Initial Closing, at any time prior to June 25, 2021, or at such later date as the Company and Placement Agent may mutually agree, without notice to or consent from the Purchaser or any Other Purchaser, subject to the satisfaction (or waiver as provided herein) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature will be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction (or waiver as provided herein) of such conditions) (each a “Subsequent Closing” and collectively the “Subsequent Closings” and the date that a Subsequent Closing occurs, a “Subsequent Closing Date”), the Company may sell additional shares of Common Stock up to the Maximum Offering Amount, and if there are over-subscriptions, additional shares of Common Stock may be sold at the Per Share Purchase Price in connection with the Over-Subscription Option (collectively, the “Subsequent Closing Shares”) to such persons as may be approved by the Company and who are reasonably acceptable to the Placement Agent, including the Purchaser. Any Subsequent Closing Shares issued and sold to the Purchaser pursuant to this Section 1(b)(ii) shall be deemed to be “Shares” for all purposes under this Agreement.
The Initial Closing and the Subsequent Closings, if any, shall be known collectively herein as the “Closings” or individually as a “Closing.” The Initial Closing Date and the Subsequent Closing Dates are each referred to herein as a “Closing Date”. Closings may take place remotely via the exchange by electronic transmission of documents and signatures.
(iii) Subscription Procedure. To complete a subscription for the Shares, the Purchaser must fully comply with the subscription procedure provided in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of this paragraph (iii) on or before the applicable Closing Date:
(A) Subscription Documents. At or before the applicable Closing, the Purchaser shall review, complete and execute the Omnibus Signature Page to this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), the Selling Securityholder Questionnaire (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the Purchaser Profile, Anti-Money Laundering Form and Accredited Investor Certification, attached hereto following the Omnibus Signature Page (collectively, the “Subscription Documents”), and deliver the Subscription Documents to the party indicated thereon at the address set forth under the caption “How to subscribe for Shares in the private offering of Parc Investments, Inc. (to be renamed Aeluma Inc.)” below. Executed documents may be delivered to such party by facsimile or .pdf sent by electronic mail (e-mail).
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(B) Purchase Price. At or before the applicable Closing, the Purchaser shall deliver to Delaware Trust Company, in its capacity as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), under an escrow agreement among the Company, Aeluma, the Placement Agent and the Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agreement”) the full Purchase Price set forth on the Purchaser’s Omnibus Signature Page attached hereto, by certified or other bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, pursuant to the instructions set forth under the caption “How to subscribe for Shares in the private offering of Parc Investments, Inc. (to be renamed Aeluma, Inc.)” below. Such funds will be held for the Purchaser’s benefit in the escrow account established for the Offering (the “Escrow Account”), without interest or offset.
(C) Termination. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and be of no further force and effect, and any amounts deposited into the Escrow Account by or on behalf of the Purchaser shall be returned to the Purchaser or its designee promptly, without interest or offset, if (i) the Purchaser and the Company agree in writing to terminate this Agreement prior to the applicable Closing, (ii) the subscription has been revoked in full by the Purchaser in accordance with Section 8, (iii) prior to the applicable closing, in the Purchaser’s sole and absolute discretion, upon written notice to the Company, if any representation or warranty of the Company set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be or shall have become inaccurate or the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its covenants or other agreements set forth in this Agreement, which inaccuracy, breach or failure to perform would give rise to the failure to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) of this Agreement and which inaccuracy, breach or failure to perform cannot be cured by the Company or, if capable of being cured, is not cured within two (2) Business Days of the Purchaser’s notice to the Company thereof; or (iv) the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms. (For the purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks in New York City are open for the general transaction of business.) The Company shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) provide the Purchaser with written notice of the termination of the Merger Agreement.
(D) Company Discretion. The Purchaser understands and agrees that, prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the Company in its sole discretion reserves the right to accept or reject this subscription for Shares, in whole or in part. The Company and the Purchaser shall have no obligation hereunder until the Company shall execute and deliver to the Purchaser an executed copy of this Agreement.
2. Placement Agent. GP Nurmenkari Inc. (the “Placement Agent”), a U.S.-registered broker-dealer, has been engaged by the Company as the Company’s exclusive placement agent, on a commercially reasonable “best efforts” basis, for the Offering. The Placement Agent will be paid at each Closing from the Offering proceeds a total cash commission of ten percent (10.0%) of the gross Purchase Price paid by the Purchaser and the aggregate gross purchase price paid by all Other Purchasers in the Offering at that Closing (or three percent (3.0%) of the first $800,000 invested in the Offering by Insider Investors) (the “Cash Fee”) and will receive warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to ten percent (10.0%) of the number of shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering at that Closing (or none (0%) of the first $800,000 worth of shares sold to Insider Investors), with a term of five years from the Initial Closing Date and an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). On closing of the Minimum Offering, the Placement Agent will also receive from the Issuer 50,000 shares of Common Stock. The Placement Agent will also be entitled to receive from the proceeds of the Offering a non-accountable expense allowance of $10,000, and the Issuer has agreed to pay certain other expenses of the Placement Agent in connection with the Offering. Any sub-agent of the Placement Agent that introduces investors to the Offering will be entitled to share in the Cash Fee and Placement Agent Warrants attributable to those investors pursuant to the terms of an executed sub-agent agreement with the Placement Agent.
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3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except (i) as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule delivered to the Purchaser prior to or concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “Disclosure Schedule”), or (ii) as qualified in the Delivered Super 8-K (as defined below) delivered to the Purchaser in accordance with Section 6(j) of this Agreement (but excluding any disclosures (whether contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section) to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of each applicable Closing Date, the following (provided that, as used in this Section 3, the term “Subsidiaries” shall be construed to include Aeluma as of each applicable Closing Date and, provided, further, that representations and warranties referencing the “Delivered Super 8-K” prior to the filing of the Super 8-K with the SEC shall be deemed to be based on the assumption that the Merger has been consummated in accordance with the terms described in the Draft Super 8-K (as defined below) ,) and provided further that any qualification as to “Knowledge” shall refer to the actual knowledge of management of the Company in place following the consummation of the Merger and what any such person should have known after reasonable investigation:
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, and has the requisite corporate or limited liability company power to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, development, condition, occurrence, state of facts, change or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with any other event, circumstance, development, condition, occurrence, state of facts, change or effect, has or would reasonably be expected to (x) prevent or materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company or its Subsidiaries to carry out its obligations under this Agreement or (y) have any material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations or condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or future prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that for purposes of clause (y), none of the following shall be deemed in themselves, either alone or in combination, to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would reasonably be expected to have a “Material Adverse Effect”: (i) general financial, credit, capital market or regulatory conditions or any changes therein (provided, however, that such effects do not affect the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole disproportionately as compared to the Company’s competitors), (ii) any effects alone or in combination that arise out of, or result from, directly or indirectly from the announcement, pendency, execution or performance of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or any action contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) acts of God, war (whether or not declared), disease, including the COVID 19 pandemic, the commencement, continuation or escalation of a war, acts of armed hostility, sabotage or terrorism or other international or national calamity or any material worsening of such conditions (provided, however, that such changes do not affect the Company or its Subsidiaries disproportionately as compared to the Company’s competitors), (iv) any matter disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule or the Delivered Super 8-K (excluding any disclosures (whether contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” in any “forward looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section) to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature); (v) any failure by the Company or its Subsidiaries to meet any projections, budgets or estimates of revenue or earnings (it being understood that the facts giving rise to such failure may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect (except to the extent such facts are otherwise excluded from being taken into account by this proviso)), (vi) changes affecting the industry generally in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operates (provided, however, that such changes do not affect the Company or its Subsidiaries disproportionately as compared to the Company’s competitors), or (vii) changes in Law or U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) (provided, however, that such changes do not affect the Company or its Subsidiaries disproportionately as compared to the Company’s competitors). For purposes of this Agreement, “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other legal entity of any kind of which (i) 50% or more of the capital stock or other equity interests or voting power are, directly or indirectly, controlled, owned or held by, or (ii) that is, at the time any determination is made, controlled (whether by voting power, Contract (as defined below) or otherwise) by, in each case, the Company (either alone or through or together with one or more of its other Subsidiaries); provided, that for all purposes of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement, whether made as of the date hereof or as of the applicable Closing Date, Aeluma and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be Subsidiaries of the Company regardless of whether the Merger has been consummated.
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(b) Authorization, Enforcement, Compliance with Other Instruments. (i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto has the requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Merger Agreement (collectively with all other documents, certificates or instruments executed and delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the “Transaction Documents”) and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, including to issue the Shares, in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; (ii) the execution and delivery by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto of each of the Transaction Documents and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the issuance of the Shares, have been, or will be at the time of execution of such Transaction Document, duly authorized by the Board of Directors or other applicable governing body of the Company or such Subsidiary, and no further action, proceeding, consent, waiver or authorization is, or will be at the time of execution of each such Transaction Document, required by or from the Company or any such Subsidiary, its respective board of directors or other governing body or its respective stockholders or equity holders; (iii) this Agreement has been, and at the Closing each of the other Transaction Documents will be when delivered at the Closing, duly executed and delivered by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto; and (iv) this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, when delivered at the Closing or at the closing of the Merger, as applicable, will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries party thereto enforceable against the Company and its Subsidiaries party thereto in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies and, with respect to any rights to indemnity or contribution contained in the Transaction Documents, as such rights may be limited by state or federal laws or public policy underlying such laws.
(c) Capitalization. As of the date hereof and without giving effect to the Merger, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) and there are 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. Immediately following the effective time of the Merger, but immediately before the Initial Closing, the authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, and the Company is expected to have 4,100,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and will have no shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and of the capital stock of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive or similar rights and other Liens. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary of the Company are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, free and clear of any Liens. Immediately after giving effect to the Merger and the Closing of the Minimum Offering Amount or the Maximum Offering Amount (in each case, assuming no sales pursuant to the Over-Subscription Option), the pro forma outstanding capitalization of the Company will be as set forth under “Pro Forma Capitalization” in Schedule 3c. Immediately after giving effect to the Merger and the Closing: (i) no shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any Liens suffered or permitted by the Company; (ii) except as set forth on Schedule 3c(ii), there will be no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Contracts by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound or pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise obligated to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) there will be no outstanding debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than indebtedness as set forth in Schedule 3c(iii); (iv) other than pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 3c(iv), there will be no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the Securities Act; (v) there will be no outstanding registration statements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement; (vi) except as set forth in Schedule 3c(vi), there will be no securities or instruments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries containing anti-dilution or similar provisions, including the right to adjust the exercise, exchange or reset price under such securities, that will be triggered by the issuance of the Shares as described in this Agreement; (vii) no co-sale right, right of first refusal or other similar right will exist with respect to the Shares or the issuance and sale thereof and (viii) no shares of Common Stock shall be reserved for issuance, other than (A) 980,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the EIP and (B) shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise or conversion of the securities listed in Schedule 3c(ii), if any. The Company has made available to the Purchaser true and correct copies of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as in effect as of the Initial Closing, and the Company’s Bylaws, as in effect as of the Initial Closing, and the terms of all securities exercisable for Common Stock and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto other than stock options issued to officers, directors, employees and consultants. Except for the interests in the Company’s Subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any equity interest or other interest of any nature in, or any interest convertible, exchangeable, or exercisable for, equity interests or other interests of any nature in any other person.
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(d) Issuance of Shares. The Shares that are being issued to the Purchaser hereunder, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and upon payment the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of preemptive or similar rights, Taxes and other Liens with respect to the issuance thereof, and restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Documents, applicable state and federal securities Laws and Liens created by or imposed by the Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of each of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser herein, the offer, issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares to the Purchaser is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
(e) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of each of the Transaction Documents by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including issuance and sale of the Shares in accordance with this Agreement, have not and will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (or equivalent constitutive document) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) violate or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any Contract to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, except for those which would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) result in a violation of any Law applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, except for those which would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of or in default under, any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or any other constitutive documents. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any term of or in default under any Contract, judgment, decree or order or any Law applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary, which violation or breach has been or would reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities Laws, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to obtain any Authorization of, or provide any notice to or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, other than (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 9(i), (ii) the filing of the registration statement contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) the filing of a Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities on Form D with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under Regulation D. Except as set forth on Schedule 3e, neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, will require any notice, consent or waiver under any Contract to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or to which any of their assets or businesses is subject, except for any notice, consent or waiver the absence of which would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. All notices, consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required to deliver or obtain pursuant to the preceding two sentences have been or will be delivered or obtained or effected, and shall remain in full force and effect, on or prior to the Closing.
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(f) Absence of Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3f, there is no, and to the Company’s Knowledge since January 1, 2018 (the “Lookback Date”) there has not been any, action, suit, claim, inquiry, notice of violation, arbitration, petition, charge, citation, summons, subpoena, proceeding (including any partial proceeding such as a deposition) or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or otherwise, whether at law or in equity, before or by any Governmental Authority (an “Action”) pending or threatened in writing or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened orally, against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers or directors or any of their respective assets or businesses, which has or would be reasonably likely to (i) adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under, this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or (ii) be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. For the purpose of this Agreement, the knowledge of the Company means the knowledge of the officers of the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to the Merger) and Aeluma, in each case, both actual or knowledge that they would have had upon reasonable inquiry of the personnel of the Company or Aeluma, as applicable responsible for the applicable subject matter. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, and since the Lookback Date has not been, subject to any judgment, decree, or order which has been, or would reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(g) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Purchase of the Shares. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Purchaser are not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by the Purchaser or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchaser’s purchase of the Shares.
(h) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor to its Knowledge any of its Affiliates (as defined below), or any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares. “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”). With respect to the Purchaser, any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a discretionary basis by the same investment manager as the Purchaser will be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Purchaser.
(i) No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would eliminate the availability of the exemption from registration under Rule 506(b) of Regulation D or afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act in connection with the Offering of the Shares contemplated hereby or cause this Offering of the Shares to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act.
(j) Employee Relations. Since the Lookback Date, there has been no actual or threatened in writing, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened orally, labor dispute, work stoppage, request for representation, union organizing activity, or unfair labor practice charges involving the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither Company nor any Subsidiary is party to any collective bargaining agreement. The Company’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ employees are not members of any union, and the Company believes that its and its Subsidiaries’ relationship with their respective employees is good.
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(k) Intellectual Property Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 3k, to the Company’s Knowledge, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries exclusively owns, possesses, or has valid and enforceable rights to use, license, and exploit all Intellectual Property used in, necessary for the conduct of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K, except for a failure to own, possess or have such rights that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There are no unreleased liens or security interests which have been filed, or which the Company has received notice of, against any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company. All Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries, and all Contracts pursuant to which the Company or its Subsidiaries license Intellectual Property, are valid and enforceable, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are in full compliance with all such Contracts except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Furthermore, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, since the Lookback Date: (A) to the Company’s knowledge, there has been no infringement, misappropriation or violation by third parties of any such Intellectual Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (B) there has been no Action pending or threatened in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally) by others challenging the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ ownership of or any rights in or to any such Intellectual Property; (C) the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the Intellectual Property licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries, has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and there has been no Action pending or threatened in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally) by others challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of any such Intellectual Property; (D) there has been no Action pending or threatened in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally) by others that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property or other proprietary rights of others, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of such Action; and (E) to the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has violated any term of any employment Contract, patent disclosure agreement, invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such employee’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or actions undertaken by the employee while employed with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with 37 C.F.R. §1.56 (Duty to disclose information material to patentability). The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Transaction Documents will not result in the loss or impairment of or payment of any additional amounts with respect to, nor require the consent of any other person in respect of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries’ right to own, use or hold for use any Intellectual Property as owned, used or held for use in the conduct of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The rights of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in their Intellectual Property are valid, subsisting and enforceable, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has taken reasonable steps to maintain their Intellectual Property and to protect and preserve the confidentiality of all of their Trade Secrets. To the Company’s knowledge, there has not been any disclosure or access to any Trade Secrets of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries by any unauthorized person. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have taken and continue to take commercially reasonable measures, at least consistent with prevailing industry practice, to ensure that all personal information in their possession, custody or control is protected against loss and against unauthorized, access, use, modification, disclosure or other misuse. “Intellectual Property” shall mean any and all rights title and interest in, arising out of, or associated with any intellectual or intangible property, whether protected, created or arising in any jurisdiction throughout the world, including the following: (a) issued patents and patent applications (whether provisional or non-provisional), including divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, substitutions, reissues, reexaminations, extensions, or restorations of any of the foregoing, and other Governmental Authority issued indicia of invention ownership (including certificates of invention, petty patents, and patent utility models) (“Patents”); (b) trademarks, service marks, brands, certification marks, logos, trade dress, slogans, trade names, and other similar indicia of source or origin, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals of, any of the foregoing (“Trademarks”); (c) copyrights and works of authorship, whether or not copyrightable, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals of any of the foregoing (“Copyrights”); (d) internet domain names and social media account or user names (including “handles”), whether or not Trademarks, all associated web addresses, URLs, websites and web pages, social media sites and pages, and all content and data thereon or relating thereto, whether or not Copyrights; (e) mask works, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals thereof; (f) industrial designs, and all Patents, registrations, applications for registration, and renewals thereof; (g) trade secrets, know-how, inventions (whether or not patentable), discoveries, improvements, technology, business and technical information, databases, data compilations and collections, tools, methods, processes, techniques, and other confidential and proprietary information and all rights therein (“Trade Secrets”); (h) computer programs, operating systems, applications, firmware and other code, including all source code, object code, application programming interfaces, data files, databases, protocols, specifications, and other documentation thereof; (i) rights of publicity; and (j) all other intellectual or industrial property and proprietary rights.
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(l) Environmental Laws.
(i) Except as set forth on Schedule 3l, and except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole: (x) the Company and each Subsidiary is in compliance and has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined below); (y) the Company or its applicable Subsidiary is in possession of all Authorizations required pursuant to Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K and (z) the Company or its applicable Subsidiary is in material compliance with all terms and conditions of such Authorizations. There is no Action pending or threatened in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally) relating to any violation or noncompliance with any Environmental Law involving the Company or any Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, “Environmental Law” means any national, state, provincial or local Law, statute, rule or regulation or the common law relating to the environment or occupational health and safety, including without limitation any statute, regulation, administrative decision or order pertaining to (A) treatment, storage, disposal, generation and transportation of Hazardous Substances; (B) air, water and noise pollution; (C) groundwater and soil contamination; (D) the release or threatened release into the environment of industrial, toxic or hazardous materials or substances, or solid or hazardous waste, including without limitation emissions, discharges, injections, spills, escapes or dumping of pollutants, contaminants or chemicals; (E) the protection of wild life, marine life and wetlands, including without limitation all endangered and threatened species; (F) storage tanks, vessels, containers, abandoned or discarded barrels, and other closed receptacles; (G) health and safety of employees and other persons; and (H) manufacturing, processing, using, distributing, treating, storing, disposing, transporting or handling of Hazardous Substances. As used above, the terms “release” and “environment” shall have the meaning set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.
(ii) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation under any Environmental Law with respect to any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, leaching, escaping, dumping, injection, deposit, discharge or disposing of any Hazardous Substance in, onto or through the environment, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. “Hazardous Substances” means all materials, wastes, or substances defined by, or regulated under, any Environmental Laws, including as a hazardous waste, hazardous material, hazardous substance, extremely hazardous waste, restricted hazardous waste, contaminant, pollutant, toxic waste, or toxic substance, and specifically including petroleum and petroleum products, asbestos, radon, lead, toxic mold, radioactive materials, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
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(m) Authorizations; Regulatory Compliance. Except as set forth on Schedule 3m, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries holds, and is operating in compliance with, all authorizations, licenses, permits, approvals, clearances, registrations, exemptions, consents, certificates, waivers, filings, qualifications and orders of each applicable entity or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to United States federal, state or local government or foreign, or other governmental, including any department, commission, board, agency, bureau, official or other regulatory, administrative or judicial or arbitral authority thereto (each a “Governmental Authority”) and supplements and amendments thereto (collectively, “Authorizations”) required for the conduct of its business as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K, or that are otherwise material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in all applicable jurisdictions, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. All Authorizations held by the Company or its Subsidiaries are valid and in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in material violation of any terms of any such Authorizations; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice from any Governmental Authority of any revocation or modification of any such Authorization, or written notice (or to the Company’s knowledge, oral notice) that such revocation or modification is being considered, except to the extent that any such revocation or modification would not be reasonably expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance, and has since the Lookback Date been in compliance, with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign Laws, including such Laws applicable to the manufacture, distribution, import and export of regulated products and component parts, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice (or to the Company’s knowledge, oral notice) of any ongoing claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Governmental Authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in material violation of any Laws or any Authorizations. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments thereto as required by any Laws or any Authorizations and all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments, to the Company’s knowledge, were complete, correct and not misleading on the date filed in all material respects (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any corporate integrity agreement, deferred prosecution agreement, monitoring agreement, consent decree, settlement order, or similar agreements, or has any reporting obligations pursuant to any such agreement, plan or correction or other remedial measure entered into with any Governmental Authority.
(n) Title. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any real property. Except as set forth on Schedule 3n, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of its personal property and other tangible assets (i) purportedly owned or used by them as reflected in the Delivered Super 8-K, or (ii) necessary for the conduct of their business as currently conducted and as described in the Delivered Super 8-K, free and clear of any legal or equitable, specific or floating, lien (statutory or otherwise), restriction, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, restrictive covenant, or other adverse right, charge, claim or encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, “Liens”), except for Liens which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3n, with respect to properties and assets it leases, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with such leases and holds a valid leasehold interest free of any Liens, except for such Liens which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(o) Tax Status. The Company and each Subsidiary has filed (taking into account any valid extensions) all federal, state, local and foreign income and all other material returns, declarations, reports, elections, designations, or information returns or statements made to a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes, including any schedules or attachments thereto and any amendments thereof (collectively, “Tax Returns”) required to be made or filed by it or with respect to it by any jurisdiction to which it is subject. Such Tax Returns accurately reflect, in all material respects, the Tax liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Taxes not yet due and payable). The Company and each Subsidiary has timely paid all income Taxes and all other material Taxes and other material governmental assessments and material charges, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and for which the Company and its Subsidiaries have adequately reserved and accrued for in accordance with GAAP. The Company has reserved and accrued on its books provisions in accordance with GAAP amounts that are reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid Taxes in any material amount claimed to be due from the Company or any Subsidiary by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction. There are no, and since the Lookback Date there have been no, pending or threatened in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally) Actions by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or otherwise bound by, any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement (but not including any agreement whose primary subject matter is not Taxes) (a “Tax Agreement”). The Company is not a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, “Tax” or “Taxes” means (i) any and all U.S. federal, state, local, or non-U.S. taxes, assessment, levy or other charges, including net or gross income, gross receipts, net proceeds, estimated, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, franchise, license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, property (including both real and personal), unclaimed property remittance/escheat, deed, stamp, alternative or add-on minimum, occupation, severance, unemployment, social security, workers’ compensation, capital, premium, windfall profit, environmental, custom duties, fees, transfer and registration taxes, and any governmental charges in the nature of a tax imposed by a Governmental Authority, (ii) any liability for the payment of any amounts of any of the foregoing types as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or being a party to any agreement or arrangement whereby liability for payment of such amounts was determined or taken into account with reference to the liability of any other person and (iii) any liability for the payment of any amounts as a result of being a party to any Tax Agreement.
(p) Certain Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3p, to the Company’s Knowledge, none of the direct or indirect equity holders, stockholders, controlling persons, partners, managers, members, officers, directors, employees, general or limited partners or assignees (each, a “Related Party”) of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently, or has since the Lookback Date been, a party to any Contract or transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any Contract providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner. All transactions that would be required to be disclosed by the Company pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act are disclosed in the SEC Reports or the Delivered Super 8-K in accordance with Item 404 of Regulation S-K.
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(q) Rights of First Refusal. Except as set forth on Schedule 3q, the Company is not obligated to offer the securities offered hereunder on a right of first refusal basis or otherwise to any third parties including, but not limited to, current or former stockholders of the Company, underwriters, brokers, agents or other third parties.
(r) Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries have insurance policies of the type and in amounts customarily carried by organizations conducting businesses or owning assets similar to those of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and in any event maintain insurance policies in amounts as required by applicable Law or any Contract to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its assets or businesses is subject. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect and binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all premiums due and payable thereon have been timely paid in full. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default with respect to its obligations under any such insurance policy, nor has there been any failure to give any notice or present any claim under any such insurance policy in due and timely fashion except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. There is no material claim pending under any such policy as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriter of such policy and there has been no notice of cancellation of nonrenewal of any such insurance policy received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Since the Lookback Date, no limits on any insurance policy of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been exhausted, materially eroded or materially reduced.
(s) SEC Reports. The Company has timely filed or furnished , as applicable, all reports, proxy statements, schedules, forms, statements, certifications and other documents (including exhibits and all other information incorporated by reference therein) required to be filed or furnished by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”) (together with the Super 8-K, the “SEC Reports”) since the Lookback Date (or such shorter period since the Company was first required by Law or regulation to file such material). The Super 8-K when filed will comply, and the other SEC Reports at the time they were filed complied, in all material respects with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable. There are no Contracts, or any material changes or amendments thereto, or any waivers of any material right thereunder, that are required to be described in the SEC Reports or the Delivered Super 8-K that were not described, in all material respects, as required in the SEC Reports or the Delivered Super 8-K. There are no Contracts, or any material changes or amendments thereto, or any waivers of any material right thereunder, that are required to be filed as exhibits to the Super 8-K will not have been filed as required therein. There are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC staff with respect to the SEC Reports. None of the SEC Reports is the subject of an ongoing SEC review. There are no SEC inquiries or investigations, other governmental inquiries or investigations or internal investigations pending or threatened in writing (or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally), in each case regarding any accounting practice of the Company.
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(t) Financial Statements.
(i) The audited consolidated financial statements of Aeluma and its Subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Aeluma for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (in each case consisting of the balance sheets related statements of income and retained earnings, owners’ equity and cash flow), and the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of the Company (after taking into effect the Merger) (including, in each case, the notes thereto) included in the Delivered Super 8-K comply in all material respects with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing (the foregoing financial statements, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved and include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition of the entities or business to which they relate as of the date thereof, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of Aeluma and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as applicable, as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments that will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material. The pro forma financial information and the related notes, if any, included in the Delivered Super 8-K have been properly compiled and prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and fairly present in all material respects the information shown therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.
(ii) Except as disclosed in the Delivered Super 8-K, the Company (A) maintains a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP and (B) has established and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the financial reporting and the preparation of the Financial Statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. There (x) are no significant deficiencies or weaknesses in any system of internal accounting controls used by each of the Company’s Subsidiaries, except as disclosed in the Delivered Super 8-K, (y) has not since the Lookback Date been any fraud or other unlawful act on the part of any of management or other employees of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries who have a role in the preparation of Financial Statements or the internal accounting controls used by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries related to such preparation or controls and (z) has not since the Lookback Date been any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.
(iii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) other than (A) liabilities disclosed on the audited balance sheet (including the notes thereto) or the interim balance sheet (including the notes thereto) and (B) liabilities that have been incurred since the date of the latest balance sheet of the Company and the latest balance sheet of Aeluma included in the Financial Statements in the ordinary course of business, which liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole).
(iv) To the knowledge of the Company, Rose, Snyder & Jacobs LLP (the “Auditor”), whose report will be filed with the SEC and included in the Super 8-K, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company as required by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Auditor has not, during the periods covered by the Financial Statements provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
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(u) Material Changes. Except for the transactions contemplated hereby or in the Merger Agreement, since the date of the latest balance sheet of the Company and the latest balance sheet of Aeluma included in the financial statements contained in the Delivered Super 8-K, except as set forth on Schedule 3(u), (i) there have been no events, occurrences or developments that have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company or Aeluma, (ii) there have not been any changes in the assets, financial condition, business or operations of the Company or Aeluma from that reflected in the financial statements contained in the Delivered Super 8-K except changes in the ordinary course of business which have not been, either individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to the business, properties, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of the Company or Aeluma, (iii) none of the Company or Aeluma or any of their respective Subsidiaries has altered its method of accounting or the manner in which it keeps its accounting books and records, and (iv) none of the Company or Aeluma or any of their respective Subsidiaries has declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or equity holders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock (other than in connection with repurchases of unvested stock issued to employees of the Company). The Company and its Subsidiaries, individually and on a consolidated basis, are not as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur at the Initial Closing, will not be Insolvent (as defined below). “Insolvent” means, with respect to the Company, on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries, (i) the present fair saleable value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets is less than the amount required to pay the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total indebtedness, (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries are unable to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries intend to incur or believe that they will incur debts that would be beyond their ability to pay as such debts mature.
(v) Disclosure Controls. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) and except as disclosed in the Delivered Super 8-K, such controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company, including its Subsidiaries, is made known to the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer.
(w) Sarbanes-Oxley. The Company is, and has been since the Lookback Date, to the extent applicable, in compliance in all material respects with all of the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which are applicable to it.
(x) Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. There is no transaction, arrangement, or other relationship between the Company or any Subsidiary and an unconsolidated or other off-balance sheet entity that is required to be disclosed by the Company in the Delivered Super 8-K and is not so disclosed.
(y) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company and its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, managers, officers, agents or employees or other person acting on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries, has: (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment or offered anything of value to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the Company’s knowledge, made by any person acting on their behalf) which is in violation of Law or (iv) violated any applicable anti-terrorism Law or regulation, nor have any of them otherwise taken any action which would reasonably cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable Law of similar effect.
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(z) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, manager, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is, or is acting under the direction of, on behalf of or for the benefit of a person that is, or is owned or controlled by a person that is, currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
(aa) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, and other applicable money laundering Laws and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action by or before any Governmental Authority involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or threatened in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally).
(bb) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Company’s placement agent in connection with the placement of the Securities.
(cc) Privacy and Data Security.
(i) “Business Privacy and Data Security Policies” means all of the Company’s or one of its Subsidiaries’ present, internal or public-facing policies, notices, and statements concerning the privacy, security, or Processing of Personal Information in the conduct of the Business. “Personal Information” means any information that identifies or, alone or in combination with any other information, could reasonably be used to identify, locate, or contact a natural person, including name, street address, telephone number, email address, identification number issued by a Governmental Authority, credit card number, bank information, customer or account number, online identifier, device identifier, IP address, browsing history, search history, or other website, application, or online activity or usage data, location data, biometric data, medical or health information, or any other information that is considered “personally identifiable information,” “personal information,” or “personal data” under applicable Law, and all data associated with any of the foregoing that are or could reasonably be used to develop a profile or record of the activities of a natural person across multiple websites or online services, to predict or infer the preferences, interests, or other characteristics of a natural person, or to target advertisements or other content to a natural person. “Privacy Laws” means all applicable Laws, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees, stipulations, determinations or awards entered by or with any Governmental Authority, and binding guidance issued by any Governmental Authority concerning the privacy, security, or Processing of Personal Information (including Laws of jurisdictions where Personal Information was collected), including, as applicable, data breach notification Laws, consumer protection Laws, Laws concerning requirements for website and mobile application privacy policies and practices, Social Security number protection Laws, data security Laws, and Laws concerning email, text message, or telephone communications. Without limiting the foregoing, Privacy Laws include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended and supplemented by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and all other similar international, federal, state, provincial, and local Laws. “Processing” means any operation performed on Personal Information, including the collection, creation, receipt, access, use, handling, compilation, analysis, monitoring, maintenance, storage, transmission, transfer, protection, disclosure, destruction, or disposal of Personal Information.
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(ii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and, to the Company’s knowledge, all vendors, processors, or other third parties acting for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Processing of Personal Information or that otherwise have been authorized to have access to Personal Information in the possession or control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, comply and at all times since the Lookback Date have complied, with all of the following in the conduct of its business as currently conducted and as disclosed in the Delivered Super 8-K: (A) Privacy Laws; (B) rules of self-regulatory organizations; (C) industry standards, guidelines, and best practices; (D) the Business Privacy and Data Security Policies; and (E) all obligations or restrictions concerning the privacy, security, or Processing of Personal Information under any Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise bound as of the date hereof, in each case, except for violations that, individually or in the aggregate, have not been and would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(iii) Neither the consummation of the Merger nor the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, does or will: (A) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any Privacy Laws or Business Privacy and Data Security Policies (as currently existing or as existing at any time during which any Personal Information was collected or Processed by or for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the conduct of its business as now being conducted); or (B) require the consent of or notice to any person concerning such person’s Personal Information, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iv) Since the Lookback Date, (A) no Personal Information in the possession or control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the Company’s knowledge, held or Processed by any vendor, processor, or other third party for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in the conduct of its business has been subject to any data or security breach or unauthorized access, disclosure, use, loss, denial or loss of use, alteration, destruction, compromise, or Processing (a “Security Incident”), and (B) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has notified and, to the Company’s knowledge, there have been no facts or circumstances that would require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to notify, any Governmental Authority or other person of any Security Incident in the conduct of its business, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(v) Since the Lookback Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice, request, claim, complaint, correspondence, or other communication in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, orally) from any Governmental Authority or other person, and to the Company’s knowledge there has not been any audit, investigation, enforcement action (including any fines or other sanctions), or other Action relating to, any actual, alleged, or suspected Security Incident or violation of any Privacy Law involving Personal Information in the possession or control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or held or Processed by any vendor, processor, or other third party for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in the conduct of its business, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(vi) In the conduct of its business, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has at all times since the Lookback Date implemented and maintained, and required all vendors, processors, and other third parties that Process any Personal Information for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to implement and maintain, all security measures, plans, procedures, controls, and programs, including written information security programs, to (A) identify and address internal and external risks to the privacy and security of Personal Information in their possession or control; (B) implement, monitor, and improve adequate and effective administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect such Personal Information and the operation, integrity, and security of its software, systems, applications, and websites involved in the Processing of Personal Information; and (C) provide notification in compliance with applicable Privacy Laws in the case of any Security Incident, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(dd) Brokers’ Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(dd), neither of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the payment of fees to the Placement Agent as described in Section 2 above.
(ee) Disclosure Materials. The SEC Reports and the Disclosure Materials, at the time filed or furnished, were (or in the case of the Super 8-K, will be) true and correct in all material respects and did not or will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Disclosure Materials” means the Confidential and Non-Binding Summary Term Sheet of the Company previously provided to the Purchaser, and any roadshow presentation delivered to the Purchaser in connection with the contemplated purchase of the Shares, each as amended from time to time, relating to the Offering and any supplement or amendment thereto, and any disclosure schedule or other information document, including the Disclosure Schedule, delivered to the Purchaser prior to its execution of this Agreement, and any such document delivered to the Purchaser after its execution of this Agreement and prior to the closing of the Purchaser’s subscription hereunder, including the Delivered Super 8-K.
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(ff) Investment Company. The Company is not required to be registered as, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately following the Closing will not be required to register as, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(gg) Reliance. The Company acknowledges that the Purchaser is relying on the representations and warranties (as modified by the disclosures on the Disclosure Schedule or the Delivered Super 8- K (excluding any disclosures (whether contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section) to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) made by the Company hereunder and that such representations and warranties (as modified by the Disclosure Schedule or the Delivered Super 8-K (excluding any disclosures (whether contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section) to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) are a material inducement to the Purchaser purchasing the Shares. The Company further acknowledges that without such representations and warranties of the Company made hereunder, the Purchaser would not enter into this Agreement with the Company.
(hh) Bad Actor Disqualification. No “bad actor” disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i)-(viii) of the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”) is applicable to the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Company Covered Person, except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii–iv) or (d)(3), is applicable. “Company Covered Person” means, with respect to the Company as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 promulgated under the Securities Act, any person listed in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1). The Company represents that it has exercised reasonable care to determine the accuracy of the representation made by the Company in this paragraph.
(ii) Anti-Dilution. There are no securities or instruments issued by or to which the Company is a party as of the date hereof or as of the Closing containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of shares of Common Stock in connection with the Offering or pursuant to any other Subscription Agreement entered into in connection with the Offering.
(jj) Other Purchasers. The Company has not entered into any side letter or similar agreement with any Other Purchaser in connection with such Other Purchaser’s direct or indirect investment in the Company other than the applicable Other Subscription Agreement. Each Other Purchaser will enter into the applicable Other Subscription Agreement and no other side letters or similar agreements with respect to its investment in the shares of Common Stock in connection with the Offering. Each Other Subscription Agreement is in the same form and contains the same terms and provisions as this Agreement.
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(kk) Leased Real Property. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, any threatened condemnation proceedings, lawsuits or other Actions relating to any real property leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the buildings, structures and facilities located thereon (the “Leased Real Property”) or other matters affecting adversely the current use, occupancy or value thereof. The Company and its applicable Subsidiaries enjoy quiet possession under all leases for each parcel of Leased Real Property (each, a “Lease”) and no Leased Real Property under any such Lease is subject to any Lien, easement, right-of-way, building or use restriction, exception, variance, reservation or limitation, as might, in any material respect, interfere with or impair the present and continued use thereof by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the usual and normal conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(ll) Material Contracts.
(i) “Material Contracts” means any written or oral agreement, contract, commitment, arrangement, subcontract, license, sublicense, lease, sublease, sales order, purchase order, indenture, mortgage, note, bond, letter of credit, warrant, instrument, obligation, or understanding (collectively, including all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, “Contracts”) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets or businesses are bound :
(ii) that is a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act);
(A) that is a joint venture, alliance, partnership or similar agreement that is material to the operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(B) that provides for payments to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or includes future payment obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business, in each case, in excess of $100,000 annually;
(C) that creates a Lien on any material asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(D) that evidences indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(E) that contains an exclusivity clause that restricts the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a covenant not to compete in any line of business with any person in any geographical area that restricts the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that otherwise restricts the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from freely providing products or services to any customer or potential customer, or that restricts the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to sell to or purchase from any other person;
(F) that relates to the acquisition or disposition of any business (whether by merger, sale of stock or assets or otherwise) at any time since the Lookback Date other than those related to the Company’s efforts to seek the acquisition of an operating company prior to the acquisition of Aeluma;
(G) that is with any Related Party of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(H) that grants to the counterparty a right of first refusal, first offer or first negotiation outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company, except for any such preemptive or similar rights in favor of the equity holders of Aeluma that will be terminated or extinguished in connection with the Share Exchange;
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(I) that grants the other party or any third party “most favored nation” status or any similar rights;
(J) that is a Lease;
(K) other than in the ordinary course of business, (i) that grants any person a right to use Intellectual Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) that grants the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to use the Intellectual Property of another person;
(L) that provides for indemnification to or from any person with respect to liabilities relating to the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any former businesses of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any predecessor thereof; or
(M) that is otherwise material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(iii) Each Material Contract is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that is a party thereto, and is enforceable against the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and, to the knowledge of the Company, the counterparties, in accordance with its terms, other than, in all cases, Material Contracts that have expired, been terminated or superseded in accordance with their terms following the date hereof. Neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any counterparty, is in violation, breach or default under any such Contract or has improperly terminated, revoked or accelerated any Material Contract and no event or condition exists or has occurred which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would, under any Material Contract, (A) constitute a breach or default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of the Company, a counterparty, (B) give to the counterparty any rights of termination, acceleration or cancellation of, (C) result in any obligation imposed on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder or a loss of a benefit in favor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder, (D) allow the imposition of any fees or penalties on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder, require the offering or making of any payment or redemption by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder or (E) give rise to any increased, guaranteed, accelerated or additional rights or entitlements to the counterparty thereunder, in each case, except for (i) such breaches, defaults and events which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) any Material Contracts that will expire or terminate in accordance with their terms in connection with or as contemplated by or directly related to the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including to the extent applicable, Contracts with the stockholders or investors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, indemnification agreements with each of their respective directors or officers, employment, consulting agreements or equity award agreements with each of their employees or other service providers. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of the intention of any person to terminate, fail to renew or materially and adversely modify any Material Contract.
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(mm) Employee Benefits.
(i) “Benefit Plan” means any plan, program, arrangement or agreement that is a pension, profit-sharing, savings, retirement, employment, consulting, severance pay, termination, executive compensation, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, bonus, stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock or other equity-based compensation, change-in-control, retention, salary continuation, vacation, sick leave, disability, death benefit, group insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, life (including all individual life insurance policies as to which the Company is the owner, the beneficiary, or both), Code Section 125 “cafeteria” or “flexible” benefit, employee loan, educational assistance or fringe benefit plan, program, arrangement or agreement, whether written or oral, including, without limitation, any (A) “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (“ERISA”) or (B) other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies, arrangements or payroll practices, whether or not subject to ERISA (including any funding mechanism therefor now in effect or required in the future as a result of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise), which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries sponsors or maintains for the benefit of its current or former officer, director, employee, leased employee, consultant or agent (or their respective beneficiaries), or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, or could reasonably be expected to have, any direct or indirect present or future liability.
(ii) Each Benefit Plan has been established, maintained and operated in all respects in accordance with its terms and in compliance with all applicable provisions of applicable Laws, including Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. There are no investigations by any Governmental Authority, termination proceedings or other claims (except routine claims for benefits payable under the Benefit Plans) or Actions pending in writing (or to the Company’s knowledge, orally) against any Benefit Plan or asserting any rights to or claims for benefits under any Benefit Plan that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material liability. No non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Benefit Plan. No Benefit Plan is (A) subject to Section 412 of the Code, Title IV of ERISA or Section 302 of ERISA (including a “multiemployer” plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), (B) a “multiple employer plan” as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code, or (C) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA. No Benefit Plan is subject to the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States.
(iii) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall, in connection with any other event(s), (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries or under any Benefit Plan, (ii) increase any amount of compensation or benefits otherwise payable to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries or under any Benefit Plan, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any benefits to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries or under any Benefit Plan, (iv) limit the right to merge, amend or terminate any Benefit Plan (except any limitations imposed by applicable Law, if any), or (v) give rise to any “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(l) of the Code, any excise tax owing under Section 4999 of the Code or any other amount that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.
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4. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Purchaser. The Purchaser represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the applicable Closing Date, the following:
(a) The Purchaser has the knowledge and experience in financial and business matters necessary to evaluate the merits and risks of its prospective investment in the Company, and has carefully reviewed and understands the risks of, and other considerations relating to, the purchase of Shares and the tax consequences of the investment. The Purchaser has adequate means of providing for its current and anticipated financial needs and contingencies and is able to bear the economic risks of the investment for an indefinite period of time and has no need for liquidity of the investment in the Shares. The Purchaser can afford the loss of his, her or its entire investment.
(b) The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares for investment for his, her or its own account and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the Offering and sale of the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities Laws, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws, which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent as expressed herein. The Purchaser further represents that he, she or it does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation to any third person with respect to any of the Shares, other than with respect to an Affiliate of the Purchaser. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the Offering of the Shares will not be registered under the Securities Act nor under the state securities laws on the ground that the sale of the Shares to the Purchaser as provided for in this Agreement and the issuance of securities hereunder is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act for the reason(s) specified on the Accredited Investor Certification attached hereto as completed by the Purchaser. The Purchaser resides in the jurisdiction set forth on the Purchaser’s Omnibus Signature Page affixed hereto. If the Purchaser is, with respect to the Company, (i) a predecessor of the Company; (ii) an affiliated issuer; (iii) a director, executive officer, other officer participating in the offering, general partner or managing member of the Company; (iii) any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power; (iv) any promoter connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of such sale; (v) any investment manager of the Company if the Company is a pooled investment fund; (vi) any person that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of purchasers in connection with the Offering; (vii) any general partner or managing member of any such investment manager or solicitor; or (viii) any director, executive officer or other officer participating in the offering of any such investment manager or solicitor or general partner or managing member of such investment manager or solicitor (each such category, a “Covered Person”), the Purchaser has not taken any of the actions set forth in, and is not subject to, the disqualification provisions of Rule 506(d)(1) of the Securities Act.
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(c) The Purchaser (i) if a natural person, represents that he or she is the greater of (A) 21 years of age or (B) the age of legal majority in his or her jurisdiction of residence, and has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other related agreements or certificates and to carry out the provisions hereof and thereof; (ii) if a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, represents that such entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state or jurisdiction of its organization, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is authorized by, and will not result in a violation of applicable Law or its charter or other organizational documents, such entity has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other related agreements or certificates and to carry out the provisions hereof and thereof and to purchase and hold the Shares, the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such entity and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such entity; or (iii) if executing this Agreement in a representative or fiduciary capacity, represents that he, she or it has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement in such capacity and on behalf of the subscribing individual, ward, partnership, trust, estate, corporation, or limited liability company or partnership, or other entity for whom the Purchaser is executing this Agreement, and such individual, partnership, ward, trust, estate, corporation, or limited liability company or partnership, or other entity has full right and power to perform pursuant to this Agreement and make an investment in the Company, and represents that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such entity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement will not violate or be in conflict with any order, judgment, injunction, agreement or controlling document to which the Purchaser is a party or by which it is bound, except for any violation or conflict that, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or to consummate any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(d) The Purchaser understands that the Shares are being offered and sold to him, her or it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities Laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire such securities. The Purchaser further acknowledges and understands that the Company is relying on the representations and warranties made by the Purchaser hereunder and that such representations and warranties are a material inducement to the Company to sell the Shares to the Purchaser. The Purchaser further acknowledges that without such representations and warranties of the Purchaser made hereunder, the Company would not enter into this Agreement with the Purchaser.
(e) The Purchaser understands that, other than as expressly provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company does not currently intend to register the Shares under the Securities Act at any time in the future; and the undersigned will not immediately be entitled to the benefits of Rule 144 with respect to the Shares. The Purchaser understands that no public market exists for the Company’s Common Stock and that there can be no assurance that any public market for the Common Stock will exist or continue to exist. The Company’s Common Stock is not approved for quotation on OTC Markets or any other quotation system or listed on any exchange.
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(f) The Purchaser has received, reviewed and understood the information about the Company, including all Disclosure Materials provided to it by the Company and/or the Placement Agent (at the Company’s direction), and has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management and financial affairs with the Company’s management. The Purchaser understands that such discussions, as well as any Disclosure Materials provided by the Company and/or the Placement Agent (at the Company’s direction), were intended to describe the aspects of the Company’s business and prospects and the Offering which the Company believes to be material, but were not necessarily a thorough or exhaustive description and except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (as modified by the disclosures on the Disclosure Schedule or the Delivered Super 8-K (excluding any disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” any disclosures of risks included in any “forward looking statements” or disclosures that are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature)), the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to the completeness of such information and makes no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to any information provided by any entity other than the Company. Some of such information may include projections as to the future performance of the Company, which projections may not be realized, may be based on assumptions which may not be correct and may be subject to numerous factors beyond the Company’s control. The Purchaser acknowledges that he, she or it is not relying upon any person or entity, other than the Company and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company.
(g) The Purchaser acknowledges that neither the Company nor the Placement Agent is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Purchaser (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and no investment advice has been given by the Company, the Placement Agent or any of their respective representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(h) As of the applicable Closing, all actions on the part of the Purchaser, and its officers, directors and partners, if applicable, necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the performance of all obligations of the Purchaser hereunder and thereunder shall have been taken, and this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, assuming due execution by the parties hereto and thereto, constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar Laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies.
(i) The Purchaser represents that neither it nor, to its knowledge, any person or entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with it, nor any person having a beneficial interest in the Purchaser, nor any person on whose behalf the Purchaser is acting: (i) is a person listed in the Annex to Executive Order No. 13224 (2001) issued by the President of the United States (Executive Order Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism); (ii) is named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control; (iii) is a non-U.S. shell bank or is providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank; (iv) is a senior non-U.S. political figure or an immediate family member or close associate of such figure; or (v) is otherwise prohibited from investing in the Company pursuant to applicable U.S. anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist and asset control Laws, regulations, rules or orders (categories (i) through (v), each a “Prohibited Purchaser”). The Purchaser (A) agrees to provide the Company, promptly upon request, all information that the Company reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable U.S. anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist and asset control Laws, regulations, rules and orders and (B) consents to the disclosure to U.S. regulators and law enforcement authorities by the Company and its Affiliates and agents of such information about the Purchaser as the Company reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable U.S. anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist and asset control Laws, regulations, rules and orders. If the Purchaser is a financial institution that is subject to the USA Patriot Act, the Purchaser represents that it has met all of its obligations under the USA Patriot Act. The Purchaser acknowledges that if, following its investment in the Company, the Company reasonably believes that the Purchaser is a Prohibited Purchaser or is otherwise engaged in suspicious activity or refuses to promptly provide information that the Company requests, the Company has the right or may be obligated to prohibit additional investments, segregate the assets constituting the investment in accordance with applicable regulations or immediately require the Purchaser to transfer the Shares. The Purchaser further acknowledges that neither the Purchaser nor any of the Purchaser’s Affiliates or agents will have any claim against the Company or Aeluma for any form of damages as a result of any of the foregoing actions.
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(j) If the Purchaser is an Affiliate of a non-U.S. banking institution (a “Foreign Bank”), or if the Purchaser receives deposits from, makes payments on behalf of, or handles other financial transactions related to a Foreign Bank, the Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that: (1) the Foreign Bank has a fixed address, other than solely an electronic address, in a country in which the Foreign Bank is authorized to conduct banking activities; (2) the Foreign Bank maintains operating records related to its banking activities; (3) the Foreign Bank is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed the Foreign Bank to conduct banking activities; and (4) the Foreign Bank does not provide banking services to any other Foreign Bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not a regulated Affiliate.
(k) The Purchaser or its duly authorized representative realizes that because of the inherently speculative nature of businesses of the kind conducted and contemplated by the Company, the Company’s financial results may be expected to fluctuate from month to month and from period to period and will, generally, involve a high degree of financial and market risk that could result in substantial or, at times, even total losses for investors in securities of the Company. The Purchaser has considered the risk factors in the Delivered Super 8-K before deciding to invest in the Shares.
(l) The Purchaser is not subscribing for Shares as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication, published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television, radio, or the internet, or presented at any seminar or meeting, or any solicitation of a subscription by a person not previously known to the Purchaser in connection with investments in securities generally.
(m) The Purchaser acknowledges that no U.S. federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed upon the Shares or made any finding or determination as to the fairness, suitability or wisdom of any investments therein.
(n) Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, the Purchaser has not directly or indirectly, nor has any individual or entity acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with the Purchaser, executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales (as defined below), of the securities of the Company during the period commencing at the time the Purchaser was first contacted by the Company or any other individual or entity representing the Company (including the Placement Agent) regarding the transactions contemplated hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the Purchaser being a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of the Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers do not communicate or share information with, and have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by, the portfolio managers managing other portions of the Purchaser’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Shares covered by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to the identification of the availability of, or securing of, available shares to borrow in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future. For purposes of this Agreement, “Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock).
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(o) The Purchaser is aware that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of the Shares and other activities with respect to the Shares by the Purchaser, and will comply with such anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M.
(p) All of the information concerning the Purchaser set forth herein, and any other information furnished by the Purchaser in writing to the Company or a Placement Agent for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, is true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement, and, if there should be any material change in such information prior to the Purchaser’s purchase of the Shares, the Purchaser will promptly furnish revised or corrected information to the Company.
(q) The Purchaser has reviewed with its own tax advisors the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. With respect to such matters, the Purchaser relies solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral. The Purchaser understands that it (and not the Company) shall be responsible for its own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(r) If the Purchaser is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), the Purchaser hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the observance in all material respects of the Laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Shares or any use of this Agreement, including (a) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Shares; (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase; (c) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained; and (d) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale or transfer of the Shares. The Purchaser’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Shares will not violate any applicable securities or other Laws of the Purchaser’s jurisdiction.
(s) The Purchaser represents that it is not a “foreign person” for purposes of Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (as amended) or the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder (including 31 C.F.R. Part 800 and 31 C.F.R. part 801); provided, however, that if the Purchaser is a “foreign person” for such purposes, it agrees that it will not (i) obtain any control rights over the Company, including the ability to determine, direct, or decide important matters affecting the Company; (ii) have access to any material nonpublic technical information in the possession of the company; (iii) obtain membership or observer rights on the Board of Directors or the right to nominate an individual to a position on the Board of Directors; or (iv) have any involvement, other than through voting of shares, in substantive decision making of the Company regarding the use, development, acquisition or release of the Company’s technology.
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(t) (For ERISA plans only) The fiduciary of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) plan (the “Plan”) represents that such fiduciary has been informed of and understands the Company’s investment objectives, policies and strategies, and that the decision to invest “plan assets” (as such term is defined in ERISA) in the Company is consistent with the provisions of ERISA that require diversification of plan assets and impose other fiduciary responsibilities. The Purchaser fiduciary or Plan (a) is responsible for the decision to invest in the Company; (b) is independent of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (c) is qualified to make such investment decision; and (d) in making such decision, the Purchaser fiduciary or Plan has not relied primarily on any advice or recommendation of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
(u) If the Purchaser is a Covered Person, neither the Purchaser nor, to the Purchaser’s knowledge, any of its directors, executive officers, other officers that may serve as a director or officer of any company in which it invests, general partners or managing members is subject to any Disqualification Events, except for Disqualification Events covered by Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) under the Securities Act, and disclosed reasonably in advance of the applicable Closing in writing in reasonable detail to the Company.
(v) The Purchaser understands that there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of the Shares and that the certificates or book-entry positions representing the Shares shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such certificates or other instruments):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [CERTIFICATE] [BOOK-ENTRY POSITION] HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND NEITHER SUCH SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (1) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (2) AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION EXISTS AND THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED IN THE MANNER CONTEMPLATED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR (3) SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
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In addition, if the Purchaser is an Affiliate of the Company, certificates or book-entry positions evidencing the Shares issued to the Purchaser may bear a customary “Affiliates” legend.
Any fees (with respect to the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) or counsel to the Company) associated with the removal of such legend(s) shall be borne by the Company.
The Company shall be obligated to promptly reissue unlegended certificates or book entry positions upon the request of any holder thereof at such time as the securities evidenced by such certificates or book entry positions (x) are sold pursuant to Rule 144 or another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act has been satisfied, provided that the Company and its transfer agent have received a legal opinion in such form as the Company’s counsel reasonably requests, or (y) are covered by an effective resale registration statement, in which case the Company shall cause legal counsel to the Company, at the Company’s expense, to issue to the transfer agent for the Common Stock, within one (1) Trading Day after the effective date thereof (subject to prior receipt by such counsel of a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit A to the Registration Rights Agreement) from each Holder to be included therein), a “blanket” legal opinion in customary form to the effect that the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement have been registered for resale under the Securities Act and may be reissued without any legend or restriction relating to their status as “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144. Under the foregoing circumstances, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to issue unlegended shares, within one (1) Trading Day after the transfer agent’s receipt of such opinion in the case of clause (x) above or within three (3) Trading Days after the transfer agent’s receipt of such legal opinion in the case of clause (y) above, in either case via DWAC or as otherwise requested by the holder.
(w) If the Purchaser is an individual, then the Purchaser resides in the state or province identified in the address of the Purchaser set forth on such Purchaser’s Omnibus Signature Page to this Agreement; if the Purchaser is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the office or offices of the Purchaser in which its principal place of business is identified in the address or addresses of the Purchaser set forth on such Purchaser’s Omnibus Signature Page to this Agreement.
(x) The Purchaser understands that the Company prior to the Merger has been a “shell company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, and that upon filing with the SEC of the Super 8-K reporting the consummation of the Merger and related transactions and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and otherwise containing “Form 10 information” discussed below, the Company will reflect therein that it is no longer a shell company. Pursuant to Rule 144(i), securities issued by a current or former shell company (that is, the Shares) that otherwise meet the holding period and other requirements of Rule 144 nevertheless cannot be sold in reliance on Rule 144 until one year after the Company (a) is no longer a shell company; and (b) has filed current “Form 10 information” (as defined in Rule 144(i)) with the SEC reflecting that it is no longer a shell company, and provided that at the time of a proposed sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and has filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports. As a result, the restrictive legends on certificates or book-entry positions for the Shares cannot be removed except in connection with (i) an actual sale meeting the foregoing requirements or (ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement.
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(y) The Purchaser, if and to the extent that it purchases Shares in any Subsequent Closing, represents that it (i)(A) has a substantive, pre-existing relationship with the Company or (B) had direct contact by the Company or a Placement Agent outside of the Offering, and (ii) did not contact the Company or a Placement Agent or become interested in the Offering as a result of reading or otherwise being aware of the Super 8-K or any press release or any other public disclosure disclosing the terms of the Offering.
(z) To effectuate the terms and provisions hereof, the Purchaser hereby appoints GP Nurmenkari Inc. as its attorney-in-fact for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Escrow Agreement, including, without limitation, taking any action on behalf of, or at the instruction of, the Purchaser and executing any release notices required under the Escrow Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that GP Nurmenkari Inc. may deem necessary or advisable (and lawful) to accomplish the purposes hereof, in each case, subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. All lawful acts done under the foregoing authorization are hereby ratified and approved, and neither GP Nurmenkari Inc. nor any designee nor agent thereof shall be liable for any acts of commission or omission, for any error of judgment, for any mistake of fact or law except for acts of fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. This power of attorney, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable while the Escrow Agreement remains in effect.
5. Conditions to Company’s Obligations at Closing. The Company’s obligation to complete the sale and issuance of the Shares and deliver the Shares to the Purchaser and to consummate the other transactions contemplated hereby at the Initial Closing and, if applicable, a Subsequent Closing, shall be subject to the satisfaction by the Purchaser or written waiver by the Company (in whole or in part) of the following conditions, to the extent such condition can be waived, in its sole discretion, on or prior to the Initial Closing Date and each Subsequent Closing Date, as applicable (provided, that any waiver by the Company of the condition set forth in Section 5(f) shall require the prior written consent of the Purchaser):
(a) Receipt of Payment. The Company shall have received payment, by certified or other bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the full amount of the Purchase Price for the number of Shares being purchased by the Purchaser at the Initial Closing and, if applicable, a Subsequent Closing.
(b) Receipt of Executed Transaction Documents. The Purchaser shall have executed and delivered to the Company the Omnibus Signature Page, Accredited Investor Certification, the Purchaser Profile and the Anti-Money Laundering Information Form and the Selling Securityholder Questionnaire (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).
(c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Purchaser in Section 4 hereof shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of such Closing Date with the same force and effect as if they had been made on and as of such Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date), except for the failure of any such representation or warranty to be so true and correct as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(d) Performance. The Purchaser shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all obligations and covenants herein required to be performed by the Purchaser on or prior to the applicable Closing.
(e) Effectiveness of the Merger Transactions. The Merger and each of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have been effected and consummated.
(f) Minimum Offering. In connection with the Initial Closing only, the Company shall have received proceeds from the Offering equal to or greater than the Minimum Offering Amount (inclusive of the Minimum Insider Investment, any additional purchases by the Insider Investors and any Placement Agent Purchases).
(g) Qualifications. All Authorizations of, or notices to, any Governmental Authority that are required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the lawful issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement at each Closing except for Blue Sky law permits and qualifications that may be properly obtained after such Closing and filing of a Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities on Form D with the SEC under Regulation D which may be filed no later than 15 calendar days after the “date of first sale” in the Offering.
6. Conditions to Purchaser’s Obligations at the applicable Closing. The Purchaser’s obligation to accept delivery of the Shares and to pay for the Shares to be issued to the Purchaser hereunder at the Initial Closing and, if applicable, a Subsequent Closing, and to consummate the other transactions contemplated hereby, shall be subject to the satisfaction by the Company or written waiver by the Purchaser (in whole or in part) of the following conditions, to the extent such condition can be waived, in its sole discretion, on or prior to the Initial Closing Date and each Subsequent Closing Date, as applicable:
(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties made by the Company (as modified by the disclosures on the Disclosure Schedule or in the Delivered Super 8-K (excluding any disclosures (whether contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section) to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) set forth in Sections 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(h), 3(i), and 3(dd) hereof (collectively, the “Company Fundamental Representations”) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of such Closing Date with the same force and effect as if they had been made on and as of such Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date) and (ii) the other representations and warranties made by the Company in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all material respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifier) as of the date of this Agreement and as of such Closing Date with the same force and effect as if they had been made on and as of such Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
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(b) Performance. The Company shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all obligations and covenants herein required to be performed by it on or prior to the applicable Closing.
(c) Receipt of Executed Transaction Documents. The Company shall have duly executed and delivered to the Placement Agent on behalf of the Purchaser the Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.
(d) Effectiveness of the Merger Transactions. The Merger and each of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have been effected and consummated.
(e) Minimum Offering. In connection with the Initial Closing only, the Company shall have received proceeds from the Offering equal to or greater than the Minimum Offering Amount (inclusive of the Minimum Insider Investment, any additional purchases by the Insider Investors and any Placement Agent Purchases).
(f) Equity Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Company shall have duly adopted the EIP as described in Recital B above.
(g) Certificate. At each applicable Closing, an executive officer of the Company shall have duly executed and delivered or caused to be delivered to the Placement Agent a certificate addressed to the Purchaser and the Placement Agent certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6(a) and Section 6(b) as of the applicable Closing Date
(h) Good Standing. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation or other business entity duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its formation.
(i) Judgments. No judgment, writ, order, injunction, award or decree of or by any court, or judge, justice or magistrate, including any bankruptcy court or judge, or any order of or by any Governmental Authority, shall have been issued, and no action or proceeding shall have been instituted by any Governmental Authority, enjoining or preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(j) Delivery of Super 8-K and Merger Agreement. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser, at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing, (A) (1) in the case of Purchasers participating in the Initial Closing, a substantially complete draft of the Current Report on Form 8-K describing the Merger, the Offering and the related transactions, including “Form 10 information” (as defined in Rule 144(i)(3) under the Securities Act) (the “Draft Super 8-K”), or (2) in the case of Purchasers participating in any subsequent Closing, the Current Report on Form 8-K describing the Merger, the Offering and the related transactions, including “Form 10 information” as filed by the Company with the SEC within four (4) Business Days after the closing of the Merger and the Initial Closing of the Offering (which shall not materially deviate from the Draft Super 8-K) (the “Super 8-K”), including any audited and interim unaudited financial statements of Aeluma and pro forma financial information reflecting the Merger, as required by Item 9.01 of SEC Form 8-K (the Draft Super 8-K or Super 8-K, as the case may be, so delivered to the Purchaser, the “Delivered Super 8-K”), (B) upon request of the Purchaser a copy of any exhibit to the Draft 8-K or the Super 8-K, as applicable (in the form filed or intended to be filed with the SEC) , and (C) a substantially complete draft of the Merger Agreement and each other material transaction document contemplated by or related to the Merger Agreement, including the disclosure schedules thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, such delivery shall be deemed to have been effected to the extent such document has been filed with the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System.
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(k) Legal Opinion. Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC, legal counsel for the Company, shall deliver an opinion addressed to the Purchaser and the Placement Agent, dated as of the applicable Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Placement Agent.
(l) Lock-Up Agreements. All holders of shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for all of the equity securities of Aeluma in the Merger (each a “Restricted Holder”) shall have entered into lock-up agreements with the Company and the Placement Agent, with customary terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Placement Agent, for a term ending eighteen (18) months after the first trade of the Common Stock on the OTCQB or OTCQX market maintained by OTC Markets Group, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American, whereby they will agree to certain restrictions on the sale or disposition (including pledge) of all of the Common Stock held by (or issuable to or acquired by) them (other than any Shares purchased by a Restricted Holder in the Offering), with customary exceptions.
(m) Compliance with Laws. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including the sale and issuance of the Shares, shall be legally permitted by all Laws and regulations to which the Company is subject or which are otherwise applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(n) Qualifications. All Authorizations of, or notices to, any Governmental Authority that are required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the lawful issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement at each Closing, shall have been delivered or obtained and effective as of such Closing except for Blue Sky law permits and qualifications that may be properly obtained after such Closing and filing of a Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities on Form D with the SEC under Regulation D which may be filed no later than 15 calendar days after the “date of first sale” in the Offering.
(o) No Material Adverse Effect. There shall have been no Material Adverse Effect.
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7. | Indemnification. |
(a) In addition to the indemnity provided to the Purchaser in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser and its Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, stockholders, equity holders, members, managers, partners, employees, attorneys, consultants, representatives and agents (and any other persons with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each person who controls the Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, stockholders, equity holders, members, managers, partners, employees, attorneys, consultants, representatives and agents (and any other persons with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling person (collectively, the “Purchaser Indemnitees”), from and against all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, costs, fees, charges, Taxes, judgements, fines, penalties and expenses whatsoever (including, but not limited to, amounts paid in settlement and any and all out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation commenced or threatened) (collectively, “Indemnified Liabilities”) arising out of or relating to: (i) the inaccuracy, violation or breach of any of the Company’s representations or warranties made in Section 3 of this Agreement; (ii) any breach or failure to perform by the Company of any of its covenants and obligations contained herein or (iii) any Action brought or made against such Purchaser Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) and arising out of, relating to or resulting from (A) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Transaction Documents or the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including the issuance of the Shares and the Merger or (B) the status of the Purchaser as an investor in the Company pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Transaction Documents. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities that is permissible under applicable Law. The liability of the Company under this paragraph shall not exceed the total Purchase Price paid by the Purchaser hereunder, except in the case of fraud.
(b) The Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, stockholders, equity holders, members, managers, partners, employees, attorneys, consultants, representatives and agents (and any other persons with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each person who controls the Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, stockholders, equity holders, members, managers, partners, employees, attorneys, consultants, representatives and agents (and any other persons with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling person (collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”), from and against all Indemnified Liabilities arising out of or relating to the inaccuracy, violation or breach of any of the Purchaser’s representations or warranties made in Section 4 of this Agreement. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Purchaser may be unenforceable for any reason, the Purchaser shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities that is permissible under applicable Law. The liability of the Purchaser under this paragraph shall not exceed the total Purchase Price paid by the Purchaser hereunder, except in the case of fraud.
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(c) The indemnifying party shall have the right to control the investigation and defense of any Action for which a Purchaser Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, as applicable (an “Indmnitee”) may be entitled to indemnification hereunder with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee, at the sole cost and expense of the indemnifying party, upon written notice to the applicable Indemnitee; provided, that (i) such notice contains confirmation that the indemnifying party has agreed to indemnify the Indemnitee (subject to the limitations on indemnification set forth herein) for the Indemnified Liabilities arising out of, relating to or resulting from such Action and (ii) the indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume or control the investigation and defense, if (A) such claim seeks non-monetary, equitable or injunctive relief or alleges any violation of criminal Law or (B) the indemnifying party is also a party and the Indemnitee determines in good faith after consultation with counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnitee that are different or additional to those available to the Indemnitor. If the indemnifying party assumes the investigation and defense of such Action in accordance herewith, the Indemnitee may retain separate co-counsel at its sole cost and expense and participate in the investigation and defense of such Action.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, the indemnifying party shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries or its or their respective Related Parties to, negotiate, consent to or enter into any settlement, or consent to the entry of any judgment, with respect to any Action for which such Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such proceeding, (ii) does not require any admission of wrongdoing by any Indemnitee, and (iii) does not obligate or require any Indemnitee to take, or refrain from taking, any action.
(e) The Purchaser acknowledges on behalf of itself and each Purchaser Indemnitee that, other than (i) for Actions seeking specific performance of the obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) in the case of a breach or violation of this Agreement by the Company which has resulted from either (A) intentional fraud or (B) a deliberate act or failure to act with actual knowledge that the act or failure to act constituted or would result in a breach or violation, in each case, the sole and exclusive remedy of the Purchaser and the Purchaser Indemnitees with respect to any and all claims relating to this Agreement shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions (including the limitations thereof) set forth in this Section 7. The Company acknowledges on behalf of itself and each Company Indemnitee that, other than (i) for Actions seeking specific performance of the obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) in the case of a breach or violation of this Agreement by the Purchaser which has resulted from either (A) intentional fraud or (B) a deliberate act or failure to act with actual knowledge that the act or failure to act constituted or would result in a breach or violation, in each case, the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company and the Company Indemnitees with respect to any and all claims relating to this Agreement shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions (including the limitations thereof) set forth in this Section 7.
8. Revocability; Binding Effect. The subscription hereunder may be revoked, in whole or in part, prior to the Initial Closing or any Subsequent Closing, as applicable, in the sole discretion of the Purchaser, for any reason or no reason, provided that written notice of revocation is sent and is received by the Company or a Placement Agent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Initial Closing Date or the applicable Subsequent Closing Date. The Purchaser hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement shall survive the death or disability of the Purchaser and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. If the Purchaser is more than one person, the obligations of the Purchaser hereunder shall be joint and several and the agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgments herein shall be deemed to be made by and be binding upon each such person and such person’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
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9. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) Modification. This Agreement shall not be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the holders of at least a majority of the Shares and Other Shares; provided that this Agreement may not be amended and the observance of any term hereof may not be waived with respect to any Purchaser without the written consent of such Purchaser if such amendment or waiver on its face materially and adversely affects the rights of such Purchaser under this Agreement in a manner that is different than the other Purchasers. Any amendment, modification or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 9(a) shall be binding upon the Purchaser and each transferee of the Shares, each future holder of all such Shares, and the Company, its successors and assigns.
(b) Third-Party Beneficiary. The Placement Agent shall be an express third party beneficiary of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Purchaser included in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 7 and this Section 9(b).
(c) Notices. Any notice, consents, waivers or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when personally delivered; (ii) upon receipt when sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; (iii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party; (iv) when sent, if by e-mail (provided that such sent e-mail is kept on file (whether electronically or otherwise) by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s e- mail server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient); or (v) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, in each case, properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses, facsimile numbers and email addresses for such communications shall be:
(i) | if to the Company, at |
Parc Investments, Inc.
2255 Glades Road, Suite 324A
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: Ian Jacobs, CEO
Email:
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Barrett S. DiPaolo
Facsimile: 212-930-9725
E-mail:
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and
Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC
800 Third Avenue, Suite 2800
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Lou Taubman
Email:
or
(ii) | if to the Purchasers, at the address set forth on each such Omnibus Signature Page hereof |
(or, in either case, to such other address as the party shall have furnished in writing in accordance with the provisions of this Section).
(d) Assignability. This Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations hereunder are not transferable or assignable by the Purchaser other than an assignment of the rights, interests and obligations hereunder in connection with any transfer of the Shares by a Purchaser to a Permitted Assignee (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 9(d) is intended to, or shall have the effect of, restricting or otherwise impairing any transfer of the Shares by the Purchaser.
(e) Applicable Law. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without reference to the principles thereof relating to the conflict of Laws. Any litigation based hereon, or arising out of, under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be brought and maintained exclusively in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the Supreme Court of the State of New York for New York County, New York. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of process of any of the aforementioned courts in any such suit, action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to such party’s address set forth in Section 9(i)(c), such service to become effective ten (10) days after such mailing.
(f) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF SUCH PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
(g) Form D; Blue Sky Qualification. The Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Shares and to provide a copy thereof, promptly upon request of the Purchaser. The Company shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to qualify the Shares for, sale to the Purchaser at such Closing under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, and shall provide evidence of such actions promptly upon request of the Purchaser.
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(h) Use of Pronouns. All pronouns and any variations thereof used herein shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the person or persons referred to may require.
(i) Securities Law Disclosure; Publicity. By 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the trading day immediately following the Initial Closing, the Company shall issue a press release (the “Press Release”) disclosing all material terms of the Offering. The Company will also file the Super 8-K (and including as exhibits to such Super 8-K, the material Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement)) as soon as practicable following the closing date of the Merger but in no event more than four (4) Business Days following the closing date of the Merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of the Purchaser or an Affiliate of the Purchaser, or include the name of the Purchaser or an Affiliate of the Purchaser in any press release or filing with the SEC (other than the Registration Statement) or any regulatory agency or principal trading market, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, except (i) as required by federal securities Law in connection with (A) any registration statement contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement and (B) the filing of final Transaction Documents with the SEC, (ii) in connection with a request by FINRA relating to the Form 211 to be filed by a market maker on the Company’s behalf, or (iii) to the extent such disclosure is required by applicable Law, request of the staff of the SEC or of any regulatory agency or principal trading market regulations, in which case the Company shall to the extent legally permissible provide the Purchaser with prior written notice of such disclosure permitted under this sub-clause (ii). From and after the filing of the Super 8-K, no Purchaser shall be in possession of any material, non-public information received from the Company or any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents or any other person acting on its behalf in connection with the Offering that is not disclosed in the Super 8-K unless the Purchaser shall have executed a written agreement with the Company regarding the confidentiality and use of such information or is otherwise subject to confidentiality restrictions. The Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the Other Purchasers, covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company as described in this Section 9(i), the Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with such transactions (including the existence and terms of such transactions), except to the extent such disclosure is required by applicable Law and then only after providing the Company with advance notice of such disclosure to the extent legally permissible so that the Company may seek a protective order to prevent such disclosure. In addition, the Purchaser acknowledges that it is aware that United States securities laws may restrict persons who have material, non-public information about a company from purchasing or selling any securities of such company while in possession of such information. The provisions of this Section 9(i) are in addition to and not in replacement of any other confidentiality agreement, if any, between the Company and the Purchaser.
(j) Non-Public Information. Except for information (including the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) that will be disclosed in the Super 8-K and filed with the SEC, the Company shall not and shall cause each of its officers, directors, employees, agents and other representatives, not to, provide the Purchaser with any material, non-public information regarding the Company without the express prior written consent of the Purchaser.
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(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Registration Rights Agreement and each other Transaction Document, and all exhibits, schedules and attachments hereto and thereto, including the Disclosure Schedule and any confidentiality agreement between the Purchaser and the Company, constitute the entire agreement between the Purchaser and the Company with respect to the Offering and supersede all prior oral or written agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof.
(l) Share Certificates. If the Shares are certificated and any certificate or instrument evidencing any Shares is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Company’s transfer agent of such loss, theft or destruction and the execution by the holder thereof of a customary lost certificate affidavit of that fact and an agreement to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its transfer agent for any losses in connection therewith or, if required by such transfer agent, a bond in such form and amount as is required by the transfer agent. The applicants for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs associated with the issuance of such replacement Shares. If a replacement certificate or instrument evidencing any Shares is requested due to a mutilation thereof, the Company may require delivery of such mutilated certificate or instrument as a condition precedent to any issuance of a replacement.
(m) Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall pay its own fees and expenses (including the fees of any attorneys, accountants, appraisers or others engaged by such party) in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees, stamp taxes and other Taxes and duties levied in connection with the sale and issuance of the Offering, and the Company shall file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to such fees, Taxes and duties, and the Company shall pay all fees and expenses of its counsel in connection with the issuance of any opinion required by Section 6(k) above and of any opinion to the Transfer Agent for the removal of any legend on the Shares.
(n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages that contain copies of an executed signature page such as in .pdf format shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile or by e-mail of a document in .pdf format shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
(o) Severability. Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and, if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid or contrary to applicable Law, such invalid or contrary provision shall be replaced with a valid provision that as closely as possible reflects the parties’ intent with respect thereto, and invalidity or illegality shall not impair the operation of or affect the remaining portions of this Agreement.
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(p) Headings. Paragraph titles are for descriptive purposes only and shall not control or alter the meaning of this Agreement as set forth in the text.
(q) Multiple Closings. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that there may be multiple Closings for the Offering.
(r) Additional Information; Further Assurances. The Purchaser hereby agrees to furnish the Company such other information as the Company may reasonably request prior to the applicable Closing with respect to its subscription hereunder. Each party hereto shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party hereto may reasonably request in order to effect the transactions contemplated hereby and to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(s) Survival. The parties, agree that, if the Closing occurs, (i) the Company Fundamental Representations shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the Initial Closing Date and (ii) the other representations and warranties of the Company and the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year from the Initial Closing Date and in each case, shall in no way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Purchaser or the Company. The covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement (including the covenants and agreements set forth in Section 7 hereof) shall survive the Closing and delivery of the Shares in accordance with their terms or, if no term is specified, such covenants and agreements shall survive indefinitely. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Purchaser have any liability to the Company or to any other person in connection with the Offering other than pursuant to this Agreement.
(t) Omnibus Signature Page. This Agreement is intended to be read and construed in conjunction with the Registration Rights Agreement. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, it is hereby agreed that the execution by the Purchaser of this Agreement, in the place set forth on the Omnibus Signature Page below, shall constitute agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof and the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement, with the same effect as if each of such separate but related agreement were separately signed.
(u) Public Disclosure. Neither the Purchaser nor any officer, manager, director, member, partner, stockholder, employee, Affiliate, Affiliated person or entity of the Purchaser shall make or issue any press releases or otherwise make any public statements or make any disclosures to any third person or entity with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and will not make or issue any press releases or otherwise make any public statements of any nature whatsoever with respect to the Company without the Company’s express prior approval (which may be withheld in the Company’s sole discretion), except to the extent such disclosure is required by Law, request of the staff of the SEC or of any regulatory agency or principal trading market regulations.
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(v) Potential Conflicts. The Placement Agent, its sub-agents, legal counsel to the Company, the Placement Agent or Aeluma and/or their respective Affiliates, principals, representatives or employees may now or hereafter own shares of the Company.
(w) Independent Nature of the Purchaser’s Obligations and Rights. For avoidance of doubt, the obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and any other agreements delivered in connection herewith are several and not joint with the obligations of any Other Purchaser in connection with the Offering, and the Purchaser shall not be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any Other Purchaser in connection with the Offering. Nothing contained herein and no action taken by the Purchaser shall be deemed to constitute the Purchaser as a partnership, an association, a joint venture, or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchaser is in any way acting in concert or as a group with any Other Purchaser in connection with the Offering with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any Other Subscription Agreement. Except as specifically set forth herein, the Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other party to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
(x) Waiver of Conflicts. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that each of Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, counsel to the Company, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC, counsel to Aeluma, and Lucosky Brookman LLP, counsel to the Placement Agent, may have in the past performed and may continue to or in the future perform legal services for certain of the Purchasers in matters unrelated to the transactions described in this Agreement, including financings and other matters. Accordingly, each party to this Agreement hereby (a) acknowledges that they have had an opportunity to ask for information relevant to this disclosure; (b) acknowledges that Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC and Lucosky Brookman LLP represented the Company, Aeluma and the Placement Agent, respectively, in the transaction contemplated by this Agreement and has not represented any individual Purchaser in connection with such transaction; and (c) gives its informed consent to Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP’s, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC’s and Lucosky Brookman LLP’s representation of certain of the Purchasers in such unrelated matters and to Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP’s, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC’s and Lucosky Brookman LLP’s representation of the Company, Aeluma and the Placement Agent, respectively, in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(y) Adjustments. In the event of any stock split, subdivision, dividend or distribution payable in shares of Common Stock (or other securities or rights convertible into, or entitling the holder thereof to receive directly or indirectly shares of Common Stock), combination or other similar recapitalization or event occurring after the date hereof, each reference in any Transaction Document to a number of Shares or the Per Share Purchase Price shall be deemed to be amended to appropriately account for such event.
(z) Remedies. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by them in accordance with the terms hereof and that each party hereto may be entitled to seek protective orders, injunctive relief and other remedies available at Law or in equity (including, without limitation, seeking specific performance or rescission of purchases, sales and other transfers). The parties hereto agree not to raise any objections to the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance to prevent or restrain breaches of this Agreement by the Purchaser or the Company, as applicable, and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of, or to enforce compliance with, the respective covenants and obligations of the Purchaser and the Company, as applicable, under this Agreement all in accordance with the terms of this Section 9(z). Neither the Purchaser nor the Company, as applicable, shall be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, all in accordance with the terms of this Section 9(z).
41
(aa) Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document, and notwithstanding the fact that the Purchaser may be partnerships or limited liability companies, the Company hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any Transaction Document shall be had against any the Purchaser’s future, present or former Affiliates, or the Purchaser’s or its Affiliates’ respective future, present or former officers, directors, managers, employees, partners, equity holders, controlling persons, members, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors or permitted assigns (the “Purchaser Parties”) (other than the Purchaser and its successors and Permitted Assignees under this Agreement), whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any of the Purchaser Parties, as such, for any obligation or liability of any party under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or liabilities or their creation; provided, however, nothing in this Section 9(aa) shall relieve or otherwise limit the liability of the Purchaser or any of its successors or Permitted Assignees, for any breach or violation of its obligations under such agreements, documents or instruments. The liability limitation provision in this Section 9(aa) shall survive termination of this Agreement.
(bb) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the net proceeds from the Offering for employee salaries and benefits, procurement of solid-state sensor materials, R&D experimentation and product prototypes, facilities including outfit and equipment installation, procurement of capital equipment, patent and trade secret filing expenses, and general working capital.
[Signature page follows.]
42
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this Agreement as of the day of , 2021.
Parc Investments, Inc. (to be renamed “Aeluma, Inc.”) | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE FOR SHARES IN THE PRIVATE OFFERING OF
PARC INVESTMENTS, INC. (TO BE RENAMED Aeluma, INC.)
1. | Date and Fill in the number of Shares being purchased and complete and sign the Omnibus Signature Page. |
2. | Unless otherwise instructed by your broker representative or advisor: |
● | Initial the Accredited Investor Certification in the appropriate place or places. |
● | Complete and sign the Purchaser Profile. |
● | Complete and sign the Anti-Money Laundering Information Form. |
3. | Complete and sign the Selling Securityholder Questionnaire |
4. | Fax or email all forms and then send all signed original documents to: |
GP Nurmenkari Inc.
Attn: Lori Tullman
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1616
New York, NY 10168
Facsimile Number: 212.661.8786
Telephone Number: 212.612.3221
E-mail address:
5. | If you are paying the Purchase Price by check, a certified or other bank check for the exact dollar amount of the Purchase Price for the number of Shares you are purchasing should be made payable to the order of “Delaware Trust Company, as Escrow Agent for Parc Investments, Inc., and Biond Photonics, Inc., Acct. # [ ]” and should be sent directly to Delaware Trust Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, Wilmington, DE 19808, Attn: Trust Administration. |
Checks take up to 5 business days to clear. A check must be received by the Escrow Agent at least 6 business days before the closing date.
6. | If you are paying the Purchase Price by wire transfer, you should send a wire transfer for the exact dollar amount of the Purchase Price for the number of Shares you are purchasing according to the following instructions: |
Bank: |
US Bank 5065 Wooster Road Cincinnati, OH 45226 |
|
ABA Routing #: | 042000013 | |
SWIFT CODE: | ||
Account Name: | ||
Account #: | ||
Reference: | ||
Delaware Trust Contact: | James Grier |
Thank you for your interest.
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Parc Investments, Inc. (to be renamed Aeluma, Inc.)
OMNIBUS SIGNATURE PAGE TO
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The undersigned, desiring to: (i) enter into the Subscription Agreement, dated as of 1, 2021 (the “Subscription Agreement”), between the undersigned, Parc Investments, Inc. (to be renamed “Aeluma, Inc.”), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other parties thereto, in the form furnished to the undersigned, (ii) enter into the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the undersigned, the Company and the other parties thereto, in the form furnished to the undersigned, and (iii) purchase the Shares of the Company’s securities as set forth in the Subscription Agreement and below, hereby agrees to purchase such Shares from the Company and further agrees to join the Subscription Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement as a party thereto, with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, and to be bound in all respects by the terms and conditions thereof. The undersigned specifically acknowledges having read the representations section in the Subscription Agreement entitled “Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser” and hereby represents that the statements contained therein are complete and accurate with respect to the undersigned as a Purchaser.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser hereby executes the Subscription Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
Dated: ____________________, 2021
× | $2.00 | = | $ | ||||||
Number of Shares | Purchase Price per Share | Total Purchase Price |
PURCHASER (individual) | PURCHASER (entity) | ||
Signature | Name of Entity | ||
By: | |||
Print Name | Signature |
Print Name: | |||
Signature (if Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common) | Title: | ||
Address of Principal Residence: | Address of Executive Offices: | ||
Social Security Number(s): | IRS Tax Identification Number: | ||
Telephone Number: | Telephone Number: | ||
Facsimile Number: | Facsimile Number: | ||
E-mail Address: | E-mail Address: | ||
1 | Will reflect the Closing Date. Not to be completed by Subscriber. |
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PARC INVESTMENTS, INC. (TO BE RENAMED AELUMA, INC.)
ACCREDITED INVESTOR CERTIFICATION
(all Purchasers must INITIAL where appropriate)
By initialing you certify that:
PART I: For Individual Purchasers Only
Initial _______________ | I have a net worth, or joint net worth with my spouse or spousal equivalent, of more than US$1,000,000. (“Net worth” means the excess of total assets at fair market value (including personal and real property, but excluding the estimated fair market value of your primary home) over total liabilities. “Total liabilities” excludes any mortgage on the primary home in an amount of up to the home’s estimated fair market value as long as the mortgage was incurred more than 60 days before the Shares are purchased, but includes (i) any mortgage amount in excess of the home’s fair market value and (ii) any mortgage amount that was borrowed during the 60-day period before the closing date for the sale of the Shares for the purpose of investing in the Shares. “Spousal equivalent” means a cohabitant occupying a relationship generally equivalent to that of a spouse. “Joint net worth” is the aggregate net worth of a person and spouse or spousal equivalent; assets do not need to be held jointly to be included in the calculation.) | |
Initial_______________ | I have had an individual income in excess of US$200,000 in each of the two most recent calendar years, or joint income with my spouse or spousal equivalent in excess of US$300,000 in each of those years, and have a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current calendar year. (“Income” means annual adjusted gross income, as reported for federal income tax purposes, plus (i) the amount of any tax-exempt interest income received; (ii) the amount of losses claimed as a limited partner in a limited partnership; (iii) any deduction claimed for depletion; (iv) amounts contributed to an IRA or Keogh retirement plan; (v) alimony paid; and (vi) any gains excluded from the calculation of adjusted gross income pursuant to the provisions of Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.) | |
Initial_______________ | I hold in good standing one of the following professional licenses: the General Securities Representative license (Series 7), the Private Securities Offerings Representative license (Series 82), or the Investment Adviser Representative license (Series 65). | |
Initial_______________ | I am a director or executive officer of Biond Photonics, Inc., or Parc Investments, Inc. |
PART II: For Non-Individual Purchasers (Entities)
The Purchaser is: | ||
Initial _______________ | A bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in an individual or a fiduciary capacity. | |
Initial _______________ | A broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. | |
Initial _______________ | An investment adviser registered pursuant to Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or registered pursuant to the laws of a state. | |
Initial _______________ | An investment adviser relying on the exemption from registering with the SEC under Section 203(l) or (m) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. | |
Initial _______________ | An insurance company, as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act. | |
Initial _______________ | An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company, as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of that act. | |
Initial _______________ | A Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. | |
Initial _______________ | A Rural Business Investment Company as defined in Section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Act. | |
Initial _______________ | A plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if the plan has total assets in excess of US$5 million. | |
Initial _______________ | An employee benefit plan within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if the investment decision is being made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of such act, and the plan fiduciary is either a bank, a savings and loan association, an insurance company, or a registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of US$5 million, or if the employee benefit plan is a self-directed plan in which investment decisions are made solely by persons that are accredited investors. | |
Initial _______________ | A private business development company, as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. |
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Initial _______________ | A corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, partnership, or limited liability company or an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities, and that has total assets in excess of US$5 million. | |
Initial _______________ | A trust with total assets in excess of US$5 million not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) under the Securities Act. | |
Initial _______________ | An entity of a type not listed above, that is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities and owns investments in excess of US$5 million. For purposes of this clause, “investments” means investments as defined in Rule 2a51-1(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. | |
Initial _______________ | A family office, as defined in Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, that (i) has assets under management in excess of US$5 million; (ii) is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities and (iii) has a person directing the prospective investment who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so that the family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment. | |
Initial _______________ | A family client, as defined in Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, of a family office meeting the requirements of the immediately preceding clause and whose prospective investment in the Issuer is directed by that family office pursuant to subclause (iii) of the immediately preceding item. | |
Initial _______________ | An entity in which all of the equity owners (whether entities themselves or natural persons) are accredited investors in one or more of the categories described above. Please also see “Additional Questions for Certain Accredited Investors” below. |
Additional Questions for Certain Accredited Investors:
If the undersigned entity has checked the last item above, please complete the following:
(1) | What type of entity is the Purchaser? |
(2) | List all equity owners of the Purchaser (whether entities themselves or natural persons): |
(3) | Have each equity owner that is a natural person respond individually to Part I of this Certification. Have each equity owner that is an entity respond separately to Part II of this Certification. Please attach these responses as additional pages to the back of this Certification. |
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PARC INVESTMENTS, INC. (TO BE RENAMED Aeluma, INC.)
Purchaser Profile
(Must be completed by Purchaser)
Section A - Personal Purchaser Information
Purchaser Name(s): | |
Individual executing Profile or Trustee: | |
Social Security Numbers / Federal I.D. Number: |
Date of Birth: | Marital Status: | |||
Joint Party Date of Birth: | Investment Experience (Years): | |||
Annual Income: | Liquid Net Worth: | |||
Net Worth*: |
Tax Bracket: | _____ 15% or below | _____ 25% - 27.5% | _____ Over 27.5% |
Home Street Address: | |
Home City, State & Zip Code: |
Home Phone: ____________________ | Home Fax:____________________ | Home Email:____________________ |
Employer: | |
Employer Street Address: | |
Employer City, State & Zip Code: |
Bus. Phone: ____________________ | Bus. Fax: ____________________ | Bus. Email: ____________________ |
Nature of Business (type of sector or industry):___________________________ | Title/Position:___________________________ |
Outside Broker/Dealer: |
Section B –Form of Payment – Check or Wire Transfer
☐ | Check payable to Delaware Trust Company, as Escrow Agent for Parc Investments, Inc. and Biond Photonics, Inc., Acct. # |
☐ | Wire funds from my outside account according to instructions of the Subscription Agreement. |
☐ | The funds for this investment are rolled over, tax deferred from __________ within the allowed 60 day window. |
Please check if you are a FINRA member or affiliate of a FINRA member firm: ____
Purchaser Signature | Date |
* | “Net worth” means the excess of total assets at fair market value (including personal and real property, but excluding the estimated fair market value of your primary home) over total liabilities. “Total liabilities” excludes any mortgage on the primary home in an amount of up to the home’s estimated fair market value as long as the mortgage was incurred more than 60 days before the Shares are purchased, but includes (i) any mortgage amount in excess of the home’s fair market value and (ii) any mortgage amount that was borrowed during the 60-day period before the closing date for the sale of the Shares for the purpose of investing in the Shares. “Spousal equivalent” means a cohabitant occupying a relationship generally equivalent to that of a spouse. “Joint net worth” is the aggregate net worth of a person and spouse or spousal equivalent; assets do not need to be held jointly to be included in the calculation. |
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ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
The USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act is designed to detect, deter, and punish terrorists in the United States and abroad. The Act imposes new anti-money laundering requirements on brokerage firms and financial institutions. Since April 24, 2002 all brokerage firms have been required to have new, comprehensive anti-money laundering programs.
To help you understand these efforts, we want to provide you with some information about money laundering and our steps to implement the USA PATRIOT Act.
What is money laundering?
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegally obtained money so that the funds appear to come from legitimate sources or activities. Money laundering occurs in connection with a wide variety of crimes, including illegal arms sales, drug trafficking, robbery, fraud, racketeering, and terrorism.
How big is the problem and why is it important?
The use of the U.S. financial system by criminals to facilitate terrorism or other crimes could well taint our financial markets. According to the U.S. State Department, one recent estimate puts the amount of worldwide money laundering activity at $1 trillion a year.
What are we required to do to eliminate money laundering?
Under rules required by the USA PATRIOT Act, our anti-money laundering program must designate a special compliance officer, set up employee training, conduct independent audits, and establish policies and procedures to detect and report suspicious transaction and ensure compliance with such laws. As part of our required program, we may ask you to provide various identification documents or other information. Until you provide the information or documents we need, we may not be able to effect any transactions for you.
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ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING INFORMATION FORM
The following is required in accordance with the AML provision of the USA PATRIOT ACT.
(Please fill out and return with requested documentation.)
PURCHASER NAME: | ||
LEGAL ADDRESS: | ||
SSN or TAX ID# OF PURCHASER: | ||
YEARLY INCOME: | ||
NET WORTH: | * |
* “Net worth” means the excess of total assets at fair market value (including personal and real property, but excluding the estimated fair market value of your primary home) over total liabilities. “Total liabilities” excludes any mortgage on the primary home in an amount of up to the home’s estimated fair market value as long as the mortgage was incurred more than 60 days before the Shares are purchased, but includes (i) any mortgage amount in excess of the home’s fair market value and (ii) any mortgage amount that was borrowed during the 60-day period before the closing date for the sale of the Shares for the purpose of investing in the Shares. “Spousal equivalent” means a cohabitant occupying a relationship generally equivalent to that of a spouse. “Joint net worth” is the aggregate net worth of a person and spouse or spousal equivalent; assets do not need to be held jointly to be included in the calculation.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE(S) FOR ALL PURCHASERS: | |||
ADDRESS OF BUSINESS OR OF EMPLOYER: | |||
FOR PURCHASERS WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS: AGE: | |||
FOR PURCHASERS WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS: OCCUPATION: | |||
FOR PURCHASERS WHO ARE ENTITIES: Business Sector/Industry): |
BANK SECRECY ACT (BSA) REQUIREMENT
Identify and complete for each of the 25% or more beneficial owner(s) of the entity as defined below:1
Name: ______________________________________ Percent of Ownership: ________
Home Address (No PO Box):__________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _________________ Email Address: ________________________________
Title (if applicable): ___________________________________________________________
Social Security Number: ___________________ Date of Birth: ________________
Please provide documents to verify the identity of the beneficial owner(s), including a current valid issued government id for each beneficial owner identified above.
1 |
Beneficial
Owner: each individual, if any, who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement,
understanding, relationship or otherwise owns 25% or more of the equity interests of a legal
entity investor: (A) a single individual with significant responsibility to control, manage
or direct a legal entity investor, including, (i) an executive officer or senior manager
(e.g. Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing
Member, General Partner, President, Vice President or Treasurer) or (ii) any other individual
who regularly performs similar functions or (B) if a trust owns directly or indirectly, through
any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, 25% or more of the equity
interests of a legal entity investor, the beneficial owner shall mean the trustee. It is
the ultimate beneficial owner(s) that must be identified and not nominees.
|
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IDENTIFICATION & DOCUMENTATION AND SOURCE OF FUNDS:
1. | Please submit a copy of non-expired identification for the authorized signatory(ies) on the investment documents, showing name, date of birth, address and signature. The address shown on the identification document MUST match the Purchaser’s address shown on the Purchaser Signature Page. |
Current Driver’s License | or | Valid Passport | or | Identity Card |
(Circle one or more) |
2. | If the Purchaser is a corporation, limited liability company, trust or other type of entity, please submit the following requisite documents: (i) Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Certificate of Formation, Operating Agreement, Trust or other similar documents for the type of entity; and (ii) Corporate Resolution or power of attorney or other similar document granting authority to signatory(ies) and designating that they are permitted to make the proposed investment. |
3. | Please advise where the funds were derived from to make the proposed investment: |
Investments | Savings | Proceeds of Sale | Other ____________ |
(Circle one or more) |
Signature: | ||
Print Name: | ||
Title (if applicable): | ||
Date: |
51
EXHIBIT A
Form of Registration Rights Agreement
A-1
Exhibit 10.5
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of , 2021 among Aeluma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f.k.a. Parc Investments, Inc.) (the “Company”), the persons who have purchased the Offering Shares (as defined below) and have executed omnibus or counterpart signature page(s) hereto (each, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”), the persons or entities identified on Schedule 1 hereto holding Placement Agent Warrants (collectively, the “Brokers”), the persons or entities identified on Schedule 2 hereto holding Merger Shares (as defined below), the persons or entities identified on Schedule 3 hereto holding Registrable Pre-Merger Shares (as defined below), and the persons or entities identified on Schedule 4 hereto holding Advisory Shares (as defined below). Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 1 below or in the Subscription Agreement (as defined below).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Company has offered and sold in compliance with Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder to accredited investors in a private placement offering (the “Offering”) shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, pursuant to certain Subscription Agreements entered into by and between the Company and each of the Purchasers of the Offering Shares set forth on the signature pages affixed thereto (the “Subscription Agreements”); and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to enter into a registration rights agreement with each of the Purchasers in the Offering who purchased the Offering Shares, with the Brokers, or their designees, who hold Placement Agent Warrants, and with the holders of Merger Shares, Registrable Pre-Merger Shares or Advisory Shares, as applicable; and
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the initial closing of the Offering, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization by and among the Company, Biond Photonics, Inc. (d.b.a. “Aeluma”), a California corporation (“Aeluma”), and the Acquisition Subsidiary (as defined therein), all of the outstanding capital stock of Aeluma was exchanged for shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Aeluma became a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises, representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth herein, the parties mutually agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
“Advisory Shares” means the 50,000 shares of Common Stock held by the persons or entities identified on Schedule 4 hereto.
“Approved Market” means the OTCQB, OTCQX, the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American.
“Blackout Period” means, with respect to a distribution or registration, a period during which the Company, in the good faith judgment of its board of directors, determines (because of the existence of, or in anticipation of, any acquisition, financing activity, or other material corporate development or other material transaction involving the Company, or the unavailability for reasons beyond the Company’s control of any required financial statements, disclosure of material information which is in its best interest not to publicly disclose, or any other event or condition of similar material significance to the Company) that the registration and/or distribution of the Registrable Securities to be covered by such registration statement, if any, or the circumstances described in Section 4(h) below, would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its stockholders, in each case commencing on the day the Company notifies the Holders that they are required, because of the determination described above, to suspend offers and sales of Registrable Securities and ending on the earlier of (1) the date upon which the material non-public information resulting in the Blackout Period is disclosed to the public or ceases to be material and (2) such time as the Company notifies the selling Holders that sales pursuant to such Registration Statement or a new or amended Registration Statement or prospectus may resume; provided, however, that the aggregate of all Blackout Periods shall not exceed thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days or more than sixty (60) Trading Days in any twelve (12) month period (except for suspension of the use of the Registration Statement in connection with the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to update the prospectus therein in connection with the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Periodic Reports on Form 8-K, which Blackout Period may extend for the amount of time reasonably required to respond to comments of the staff of the Commission (the “Staff”) on such amendment).
“Business Day” means any day of the year, other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which banks in the State of New York are required or authorized to close.
“Commission” means the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company and any and all shares of capital stock or other equity securities of: (i) the Company which are added to or exchanged or substituted for the Common Stock by reason of the declaration of any stock dividend or stock split, the issuance of any distribution or the reclassification, readjustment, recapitalization or other such modification of the capital structure of the Company; and (ii) any other corporation, now or hereafter organized under the laws of any state or other governmental authority, with which the Company is merged, which results from any consolidation or reorganization to which the Company is a party, or to which is sold all or substantially all of the shares or assets of the Company, if immediately after such merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale, the Company or the stockholders of the Company own equity securities of such other corporation.
“Effective Date” means the date of the final closing of the Offering.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
2
“Excluded Registrable Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e)(i) of this Agreement.
“Family Member” means (a) with respect to any individual, such individual’s spouse, any descendants (whether natural or adopted), any trust all of the beneficial interests of which are owned by any of such individuals or by any of such individuals together with any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the estate of any such individual, and any corporation, association, partnership or limited liability company all of the equity interests of which are owned by those above described individuals, trusts or organizations and (b) with respect to any trust, the owners of the beneficial interests of such trust.
“Holder” means (i) each Purchaser or any of such Purchaser’s respective successors and Permitted Assignees who acquire rights in accordance with this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from a Purchaser or from any Permitted Assignee; (ii) each Broker or any of such Broker’s respective successors and Permitted Assignees who acquire rights in accordance with this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from a Broker or from any Permitted Assignee; (iii) each holder of Registrable Pre-Merger Shares or its respective successors and Permitted Assignees who acquire rights in accordance with this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from such holder or from any Permitted Assignee thereof; (iv) each holder of the Merger Shares or its respective successors and Permitted Assignees who acquire rights in accordance with this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from such holder or from any Permitted Assignee thereof; and (v) each holder of Advisory Shares or its respective successors and Permitted Assignees who acquire rights in accordance with this Agreement with respect to any Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from such holder or from any Permitted Assignee thereof.
“Majority Holders” means, at any time, Holders of both (i) a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding, and (ii) a majority of the Offering Shares then outstanding that constitute Registrable Securities.
“Merger Shares” means the _____________shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in exchange for all of the capital stock of Aeluma that were outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger ((x) inclusive of the shares of Common Stock issuable or issued upon exercise of the warrants of Aeluma that are being assumed by, or exchanged for warrants of, the Company in connection with the Merger, and (y) exclusive of shares of Common Stock issuable upon (i) exercise of the options to purchase stock of Aeluma that are being assumed by, or exchanged for options of, the Company in connection with the Merger and (ii) conversion of convertible debt of Aeluma that is being assumed by, or exchanged for convertible debt of, the Company in connection with the Merger), and any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to such shares upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing.
“Offering Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued to the Purchasers pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, and any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to such shares upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing.
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“Permitted Assignee” means (a) with respect to a partnership, its partners or former partners in accordance with their partnership interests, (b) with respect to a corporation, its stockholders in accordance with their interest in the corporation, (c) with respect to a limited liability company, its members or former members in accordance with their interest in the limited liability company, (d) with respect to an individual party, any Family Member of such party and any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of an individual or a Family Member of such individual, (e) with respect to a trust, to the trustor or beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (f) an entity or trust that is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with a transferor, (g) any affiliate of a transferor in any transaction in which the transferor distributes Restricted Securities to such affiliate for no consideration, (h) a party to this Agreement, or (i) any other person approved by the Company in writing in advance.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(d)(i) of this Agreement.
“Placement Agent Warrants” shall have the meaning set forth in the Subscription Agreement.
The terms “register,” “registered,” and “registration” 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.
“Registrable Pre-Merger Shares” means 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock held by stockholders of the Company prior to the Merger and remaining outstanding immediately following the effective time of the Merger, and any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to such shares upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing.
“Registrable Pre-Merger Stockholder” means a person holding Registrable Pre-Merger Shares immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger.
“Registrable Securities” means the following held by a Holder: (a) the Offering Shares, (b) the Warrant Shares, (c) the Merger Shares, (d) the Registrable Pre-Merger Shares, (e) the Advisory Shares and (f) other shares of Restricted Common Stock held by the Holders, hereinafter acquired or issuable in respect of the foregoing shares of Common Stock by way of conversion, dividend, stock-split, distribution or exchange, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reclassification or similar transaction. Such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities hereunder when they are (i) sold or otherwise transferred pursuant to a Registration Statement or (ii) sold under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
“Registration Default Period” means the period beginning on the date of which any Registration Event occurs and ending on the date on which such Registration Event is cured, inclusive.
“Registration Effectiveness Date” means the date that is one hundred and fifty (150) calendar days after the Effective Date, which one hundred and fifty-day period shall be extended for each day of a U.S. government shut down that results in the Commission temporarily discontinuing review of, or acceleration of the effectiveness of, registration statements, if any.
“Registration Event” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
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(a) the Company fails to file with the Commission the Registration Statement on or before the Registration Filing Date;
(b) the Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or before the Registration Effectiveness Date;
(c) after the SEC Effective Date, the Registration Statement ceases for any reason to remain effective or the Holders of Registrable Securities covered thereby are otherwise not permitted to utilize the prospectus therein to resell the Registrable Securities covered thereby, except for Blackout Periods permitted herein; or
(d) following the listing or inclusion for quotation on an Approved Market, the Registrable Securities, if issued and outstanding, are not listed or included for quotation on an Approved Market, or trading of the Common Stock is suspended or halted on the Approved Market, which at the time constitutes the principal markets for the Common Stock, for more than three (3) full, consecutive Trading Days (other than as a result of (A) actions or inactions of parties other than the Company or its affiliates or of the Approved Market not reasonably in the control of the Company, or (B) suspension or halt of substantially all trading in equity securities (including the Common Stock) on the Approved Market).
“Registration Filing Date” means the date that is sixty (60) calendar days after the Effective Date.
“Registration Statement” means any registration statement that the Company is required to file or files pursuant to Section 3(a) or 3(d) of this Agreement to register the Registrable Securities and any successor registration statement.
“Restricted Common Stock” means any shares of Common Stock that are subject to resale restrictions pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including, but not limited to, securities: (1) acquired directly or indirectly from the issuer or an affiliate of the issuer in unregistered offerings such as private placements; (2) acquired through an employee stock benefit plan or as compensation for professional services; or (3) considered “restricted securities” under Rule 144. For purposes of clarity Restricted Common Stock does not include Common Stock that is restricted solely as a result of contractual restrictions, including but not limited to lock-up or similar contractual agreements.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.
“Rule 145” means Rule 145 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.
“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.
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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal statute promulgated in replacement thereof, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
“SEC Effective Date” means the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.
“Trading Day” means any day on which the Approved Market that at the time constitutes the principal securities market for the Common Stock, is open for general trading of securities (or if there is no Approved Market that at the time constitutes the principal securities market for the Common Stock, then any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for general trading of securities).
“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants.
2. Term. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to each Holder on the earlier of: (i) the date that is five (5) years from the SEC Effective Date, and (ii) the date on which no Registrable Securities are outstanding (the “Term”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 3(b), Section 6, Section 8, Section 9 and Section 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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3. Registration.
(a) Registration on Form S-1. The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-1, or any other form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the resale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities on a delayed or continuous basis (including in stock exchange transactions and underwritten offerings), and the Company shall (i) make the initial filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission no later than the Registration Filing Date, (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective no later than the Registration Effectiveness Date and (iii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective (including by filing a new Registration Statement if the initial Registration Statement expires) for a period of five (5) years after the SEC Effective Date or for such shorter period as such securities no longer constitute Registrable Securities hereunder (the “Effectiveness Period”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Section 3(a), or keep such registration effective pursuant to the terms hereunder, in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities under the securities laws of such jurisdiction or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance, in each case where it has not already done so. Upon the Company becoming eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders on Form S-3, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to amend the Registration Statement to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 in substitution of the Registration Statement as initially filed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The Company shall be entitled to suspend sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and the use of any related prospectus during a Blackout Period for the reasons and time periods set forth in the definition thereof. In the event that the Staff should limit the number of Registrable Securities that may be sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Company may remove from the Registration Statement such number of Registrable Securities as specified by the Commission on behalf of all of the holders of Registrable Securities from the Registrable Securities (i) first from the Merger Shares, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof; (b) second from the Warrant Shares and the Advisory Shares, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof; (c) third from the Registrable Pre-Merger Shares, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof; and (d) fourth from the Offering Shares, on a pro rata basis among the holders thereof (such Registrable Securities, the “Reduction Securities”). In such event, the Company shall give the Holders prompt notice of the number of Registrable Securities excluded from the Registration Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts within sixty (60) calendar days after the SEC Effective Date, or at the first opportunity that is permitted by the Commission to, register for resale as many of the Reduction Securities as the Commission will permit (pro rata among the Holders of such Reduction Securities) using one or more Registration Statements that it is then entitled to use, and to cause such registration statement(s) to become effective as soon as practicable, until all of the Reduction Securities have been so registered; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to register such Reduction Securities during a Blackout Period. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act, as soon as possible, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective (including by filing a new Registration Statement if the initial Registration Statement expires) under the Securities Act during the Effectiveness Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to suspend the effectiveness of such Registration Statement at any time prior to the expiration of the Effectiveness Period for the reasons and time periods permitted during a Blackout Period. No liquidated damages shall accrue or be payable to any Holder pursuant to Section 3(b) below with respect to any Registrable Securities that are excluded by reason of (i) the Staff limiting the number of Registrable Securities that may be sold pursuant to a registration statement (provided that the Company continues to use commercially reasonable efforts to register such Reduction Securities for resale by other available means as set forth herein) or (ii) such Holder failing to provide to the Company information concerning the Holder and the manner of distribution of the Holder’s Registrable Securities that is required by the SEC or in response to SEC comments to be disclosed in a registration statement utilized in connection with the registration of registrable securities. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Commission limits the Company’s ability to file, or prohibits or delays the filing of a new registration statement, the Company’s compliance with such limitation, prohibition or delay solely to the extent of such limitation, prohibition or delay shall not be deemed a failure by the Company to use commercially reasonable efforts as set forth above or elsewhere in this Agreement and shall not require the payment of any liquidated damages by the Company under this Agreement.
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(b) Liquidated Damages. If a Registration Event occurs, then the Company will make payments to each Holder of Registrable Securities, as liquidated damages to such Holder by reason of the Registration Event, a cash sum calculated at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum of the total of the following, to the extent applicable to such Holder: (i) if the Holder purchased Registrable Securities pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement for the Registrable Securities held by such Holder as of the date of such Registration Event, or (ii) if the Holder is a Holder of a Placement Agent Warrant, Merger Shares, Registrable Pre-Merger Shares or Advisory Shares, the product of $2.00 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events) multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares, Merger Shares, Registrable Pre-Merger Shares or Advisory Shares held by or issuable to such Holder as of the date of such Registration Event, but in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, only with respect to such Holder’s Registrable Securities that are affected by such Registration Event and only for the applicable Registration Default Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the maximum amount of liquidated damages that may be paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 3(b) shall be an amount equal to eight percent (8%) of the applicable foregoing amounts described in clauses (i) and (ii) in the preceding sentence with respect to such Holder’s Registrable Securities that are affected by all Registration Events in the aggregate, and (ii) no penalties shall accrue with respect to any Registrable Securities removed from the Registration Statement in response to a comment from the Staff limiting the number of shares of Registrable Securities which may be included in the Registration Statement, or after the shares may be resold without volume or other limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act. For clarity, and by way of example, if the sum of clauses (i) and (ii) for a specified Holder in the first sentence of this Section 3(b) is $10,000,000, liquidated damages payable by the Company to such Holder by reason of one or more Registration Events affecting all Registrable Securities of such Holder would accrue at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum until such time that all liquidated damages payable to such Holder reached a cap of $800,000 in the aggregate for all Registration Events. Each payment of liquidated damages pursuant to this Section 3(b) shall be due and payable in cash in arrears within five (5) days after the end of each full 30-day period of the Registration Default Period until the termination of the Registration Default Period and within five (5) days after such termination. Until the maximum amount of liquidated damages is paid, such payments shall constitute the Holder’s sole and exclusive remedy for any Registration Event. The Registration Default Period shall terminate upon the earlier of such time as the Registrable Securities that are affected by the Registration Event cease to be Registrable Securities or (i) the filing of the Registration Statement in the case of clause (a) of the definition of Registration Event, (ii) the SEC Effective Date in the case of clause (b) of the definition of Registration Event, (iii) the ability of the Holders to effect sales pursuant to the Registration Statement in the case of clause (c) of the definition of Registration Event, and (iv) the listing or inclusion and/or trading of the Common Stock on an Approved Market, as the case may be, in the case of clause (d) of the definition of Registration Event; provided, that in the event of a cure of one or more of the Registration Events described in clauses (i)-(iv) above when a separate Registration Event shall be continuing, the Registration Default Period shall continue until all such Registration Events have ceased. The amounts payable as liquidated damages pursuant to this Section 3(b) shall be payable in lawful money of the United States.
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(c) Other Limitations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3(b) above, if the Commission does not declare the Registration Statement effective on or before the Registration Effectiveness Date, and the reason for the Commission’s determination is that (i) the offering of any of the Registrable Securities constitutes a primary offering of securities by the Company, (ii) Rule 415 may not be relied upon for the registration of the resale of any or all of the Registrable Securities, and/or (iii) a Holder of any Registrable Securities must be named as an underwriter and such Holder does not consent to be so named in the Registration Statement, the Holders shall not be entitled to liquidated damages with respect to the Registrable Securities not registered; provided that the Company continues to use its commercially reasonable efforts at the first opportunity that is permitted by the Commission to register for resale all such Registrable Securities, using one or more registration statements that it is then entitled to use. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as possible, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such registration statement continuously effective under the Securities Act during the Effectiveness Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to suspend the effectiveness of such Registration Statement at any time prior to the expiration of the Effectiveness Period for the reasons and time periods during a Blackout Period. No liquidated damages shall accrue or be payable to any Holder with respect to any Registrable Securities that are excluded by reason of the Staff limiting the number of Registrable Securities that may be sold pursuant to a registration statement; provided that the Company continues to use commercially reasonable efforts to register such Registrable Securities for resale by other available means. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Commission limits the Company’s ability to file, or prohibits or delays the filing of a new registration statement, the Company’s compliance with such limitation, prohibition or delay solely to the extent of such limitation, prohibition or delay shall not be deemed a failure by the Company to use commercially reasonable efforts as set forth above or elsewhere in this Agreement and shall not require the payment of any liquidated damages by the Company under this Agreement.
(d) Intentionally Omitted.
(d) Piggyback Registrations.
(i) With respect to any Registrable Securities not otherwise included in a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3(a) as a result of any limitation imposed by the Staff, or otherwise (the “Excluded Registrable Securities”), whenever the Company proposes to register (including, for this purpose, a registration effected by the Company for other shareholders) any of its securities under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to (i) a Registration pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof or (ii) registration pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor forms thereto), and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable Securities, the Company will give written notice to each holder of Excluded Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and will, subject to the provisions of Subsection 3(d)(ii) hereof, and to the extent permitted by the Staff, include in such registration all Excluded Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received a written request for inclusion therein within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the Company’s notice (a “Piggyback Registration”).
(ii) If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company’s securities, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include in such registration a pro rata share of Excluded Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement as calculated by dividing the number of Excluded Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by the number of the Company’s securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by all selling security holders. In such event, the holder of Excluded Registrable Securities shall continue to have registration rights under this Agreement with respect to any Excluded Registrable Securities not so included in such Registration Statement.
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(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, at any time after giving a notice of Piggyback Registration and prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each record holder of Excluded Registrable Securities and, following such notice, (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Excluded Registrable Securities in connection with such registration, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay registering any Excluded Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in registering such other securities.
4. Registration Procedures. The Company will keep each Holder reasonably advised as to the filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement. At its expense with respect to the Registration Statement, the Company will:
(a) subject to compliance with Section 5(b), prepare and file with the Commission with respect to the Registrable Securities, the Registration Statement in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and to remain effective for the Effectiveness Period;
(b) not name any Holder in the Registration Statement as an underwriter without that Holder’s prior written consent;
(c) if the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto is subject to review by the Commission, promptly respond to all comments, diligently pursue resolution of any comments to the satisfaction of the Commission and file all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement as may be required to respond to comments from the Commission and otherwise to enable such Registration Statement to be declared effective;
(d) during the Effectiveness Period, prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective, current and up-to-date for the applicable time period required hereunder and, if applicable, file any Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act; cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act;
(e) not less than four (4) Trading Days prior to filing the Registration Statement or any related prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, the Company shall furnish to the Holders (or, if so specified by any Holder, legal counsel to such Holder) copies of or a link to all such documents proposed to be filed (other than those incorporated by reference) and duly consider in good faith any comments received from the Holders (or from legal counsel to such Holders, as applicable); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to respond to comments from more than one legal counsel appointed by a Majority of the Holders;
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(f) furnish, without charge, to each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (i) a reasonable number of copies of such Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto other than exhibits incorporated by reference), each amendment and supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request, (ii) such number of copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 of the Securities Act) as such Holders may reasonably request, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and (iii) such other documents as such Holder may reasonably require to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder, but only during the Effectiveness Period; provided that the Company shall have no obligation to furnish any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system;
(g) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other applicable securities laws of such jurisdictions within the United States, including Blue Sky laws, as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement reasonably requests and as may be reasonably necessary for the marketability of the Registrable Securities (such request to be made by the time the applicable Registration Statement is deemed effective by the Commission) and do any and all other acts and things reasonably necessary to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph or (ii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it has not already done so;
(h) as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of any event, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event that will, after the occurrence of such event, cause the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, if not amended or supplemented, to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and the Company shall promptly thereafter prepare and furnish to such Holder a supplement or amendment to such prospectus (or prepare and file appropriate reports under the Exchange Act) so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not contain an 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, unless suspension of the use of such prospectus otherwise is authorized herein or in the event of a Blackout Period, in which case no supplement or amendment need be furnished (or Exchange Act filing made) until the termination of such suspension or Blackout Period; provided that any and all information provided to the Holder pursuant to such notification shall remain confidential to each Holder until such information otherwise becomes public, unless disclosure by a Holder is required by law;
(i) comply, and continue to comply during the Effectiveness Period, in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement;
(j) as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities being offered or sold pursuant to the Registration Statement of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;
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(k) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all other approvals, consents, exemptions or authorizations from such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Holders and underwriters to consummate the disposition of Registrable Securities;
(l) enter into customary agreements (including any underwriting agreements in customary form, including any representations and warranties and lock-up provisions therein), and take such other actions as may be reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities;
(m) use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish, or cause to be furnished, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the managing underwriter, addressed to the underwriters and (ii) a “comfort” letter dated as of such date, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the managing underwriter, addressed to the underwriters;
(n) use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make available to its shareholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than sixteen (16) months after the effective date of any Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 168(c) under the Securities Act), an earnings statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
(o) provide officers’ certificates and other customary closing documents;
(p) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shares of Common Stock to be quoted or listed on an Approved Market;
(q) cooperate with each Holder and each underwriter participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and underwriters’ counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and
(r) use its commercially reasonable efforts to:
(i) cause a FINRA-registered broker-dealer (the “Market Maker”) to (A) sponsor the Common Stock, (B) file with FINRA, no later than fifteen (15) days after the Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission, a Form 211 together with the required documentation and information in connection therewith, (C) respond promptly to any requests from FINRA for additional information in connection therewith (and the Company will provide reasonable cooperation to the Market-Maker in fulfillment thereof), and (D) clear the Market Maker by FINRA to initiate quotation of the Common Stock on an Approved Market at the earliest practicable date after the filing of the Form 211; and
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(ii) cause the Common Stock to be DTC-, DWAC- and DRS-eligible no later than the initiation of quotation of the Common Stock on an Approved Market.
(s) cause appropriate officers as are reasonably requested by a managing underwriter or investment bank to participate in a “road show” or similar marketing effort being conducted by such underwriter with respect to an underwritten public offering;
(t) provide a transfer agent and registrar that is/are registered with the Commission, which may be a single entity, for the shares of Common Stock at all times, and cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of the Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a resale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement (whether electronically or in certificated form) which Registrable Securities shall be free, to the extent permitted by the applicable Subscription Agreement, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders may request;
(u) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities being offered pursuant to the Registration Statement to issue and deliver, or cause its transfer agent to issue and deliver, certificates or evidence of book-entry positions representing Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement within a reasonable time after the delivery of certificates or evidence of book-entry positions representing the Registrable Securities to the transfer agent or the Company, as applicable, and enable such certificates or positions to be in such denominations or amounts as the Holders may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Holders may request;
(v) notify the Holders, the Placement Agents and their counsel as promptly as reasonably possible and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one (1) Trading Day following the day: (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed; (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “no review,” “review” or a “completion of a review” of such Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement (in which case the Company shall provide true and complete copies thereof and all written responses thereto to each of the Holders that pertain to the Holders as a selling stockholder, but not information which the Company believes would constitute material and non-public information); and (C) with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared effective, provided, however, that such notice under this clause (C) shall be delivered to each Holder; (ii) during the Effectiveness Period, of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or prospectus or for additional information that pertains to the Holders as selling stockholders; or (iii) during the Effectiveness Period, of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;
(w) during the Effectiveness Period, refrain from bidding for or purchasing any Common Stock or any right to purchase Common Stock or attempting to induce any person to purchase any such security or right if such bid, purchase or attempt would in any way limit the right of the Holders to sell Registrable Securities by reason of the limitations set forth in Regulation M of the Exchange Act;
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(x) use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order stopping or suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment;
(y) use commercially reasonable efforts to assist a Holder in facilitating any sales (including but not limited to private sales) or other transfers of Registrable Securities by, among other things, providing officers’ certificates and other customary closing documents reasonably requested by a Holder without charge to the Holder (but the Holder shall be responsible for any third-party expenses); and
(z) (i) cause legal counsel to the Company, at the Company’s expense, to issue to the transfer agent for the Common Stock, within one (1) Trading Day after the SEC Effective Date (subject to prior receipt by such counsel of a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto from each Holder to be included therein), a “blanket” legal opinion in customary form to the effect that the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement have been registered for resale under the Securities Act and may be reissued without any legend or restriction relating to their status as “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144, and (ii) cause the transfer agent for the Common Stock to issue such Registrable Securities without any such legend within three (3) Trading Days after the transfer agent’s receipt of such legal opinion.
(aa) take all other commercially reasonable actions necessary to enable, expedite or facilitate the Holders to dispose of the Registrable Securities by means of the Registration Statement contemplated hereby during the Term.
5. Obligations of the Holders.
(a) At any time, and from time to time, after the Registration Effectiveness Date, the Company may notify one or more of the Holders (in each case, the “Specified Holders”) in writing (each, a “Suspension Notice”) of the happening of: (i) any event of the kind described in Section 4(h) or (j); (ii) any Blackout Period; or (iii) only with respect to a Holder who is an “insider” covered by such program, any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material non-public information (each, a “Suspension Event”). Upon receipt of any Suspension Notice, each Specified Holder shall as promptly as practicable discontinue disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement until such Specified Holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 4(h), such blackout period shall have terminated or the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by the Company, each such Specified Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Specified Holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Specified Holder’s Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such Suspension Notice. The foregoing right to delay or suspend may be exercised by the Company for no longer than sixty (60) Trading Days in any consecutive 12-month period (and for the avoidance of doubt, if the delay or suspension relates to a Blackout Period, the period of delay or suspension shall also count against the maximum number of days for Blackout Periods in the definition of such term).
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(b) The Holders of the Registrable Securities shall provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 3(a) of this Agreement and in connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws, including a completed questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex A (a “Selling Securityholder Questionnaire”).
(c) Each Holder, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Holder has notified the Company in writing of its election to exclude all of its Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
6. Registration Expenses. The Company shall pay all expenses arising from or incident to the performance of, or compliance with, this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) the Commission, stock exchange, OTC Markets Group, FINRA and other registration and filing fees, (ii) rating agencies fees to the extent necessary to provide for blue sky qualification as required by Section 4(g) herein, (iii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with any securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (iv) all printing (including financial printer), messenger and delivery expenses, (v) the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Company and of its independent public accountants and any other accounting and legal fees, charges and expenses incurred by the Company (including any expenses arising from any special audits or “comfort letters” required in connection with or incident to any registration), (vi) the fees, charges and disbursements of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any registration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (vii) all internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (viii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange, (ix) Securities Act liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), regardless of whether a Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration is declared effective and (x) reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of a single counsel to the Holders selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities, in an amount not to exceed $10,000; provided, that, in any underwritten registration, the Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts, selling commissions or transfer taxes attributable to the Registrable Securities being sold by the Holders thereof, which underwriting discounts, selling commissions and transfer taxes shall be borne by such Holders. Except as provided in this Section 6 and Section 8 of this Agreement, the Company shall not be responsible for the expenses of any attorney or other advisor employed by a Holder or for any other fees, disbursements and expenses incurred by Holders not specifically agreed to in this Agreement.
7. Assignment of Rights. No Holder may assign its rights under this Agreement to any party without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that any Holder may assign its rights under this Agreement without such consent (a) to a Permitted Assignee with respect to the Registrable Securities transferred to such Permitted Assignee (which Registrable Securities continue to constitute Restricted Common Stock following such assignment) as long as (i) such transfer or assignment is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become bound by and subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) such Holder notifies the Company in writing of such transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned; or (b) as otherwise permitted under the applicable Subscription Agreement. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders (other than by merger or consolidation or to an entity which acquires the Company including by way of acquiring all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, which shall not require such consent).
8. Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall, and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder, its affiliates, directors, officers, stockholders, members, managers, partners, employees and agents and each other person, if any, who controls or is under common control with such Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (collectively, the “Holder Indemnified Parties”), against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) (collectively, “Losses”) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement prepared and filed by the Company under which Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, free writing prospectus as defined under Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act (“Free Writing Prospectus”), any “testing-the-water” communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act (“Testing the Water Communication”), any road show communication as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (“Road Show Communication”), final prospectus or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances in which they were made not misleading, and the Company shall reimburse the Holder Indemnified Parties for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating, defending or settling any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action or proceeding; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon (x) an untrue statement in or omission from such registration statement, any such preliminary prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, Testing the Water Communication, Road Show Communication, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information included in the Selling Securityholder Questionnaire, attached hereto as Annex A, furnished by a Holder or its representative (acting on such Holder’s behalf) to the Company expressly for use in the preparation thereof or (y) the failure of a Holder to comply with the covenants and agreements contained in Section 5 hereof respecting the sale of Registrable Securities. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Holder Indemnified Parties and shall survive the transfer of such shares by the Holder; provided, however, that no future transferee, other than a Permitted Assignee, shall be considered as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement or the indemnification provided for herein.
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(b) As a condition to including Registrable Securities in the registration statement filed pursuant to this Agreement, each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to be bound by the terms of this Section 8 and to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, each of its directors, officers, partners, and each underwriter, if any, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any Losses, insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, any preliminary prospectus, Free Writing prospectus, Testing the Water Communication, Road Show Communication, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is included or omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information included in the Selling Securityholder Questionnaire, attached hereto as Annex A, furnished by the Holder or its representative (acting on such Holder’s behalf) to the Company expressly for use in the preparation thereof, and such Holder shall reimburse the Company, and its directors, officers, partners, and any such controlling persons for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating, defending, or settling any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action, or proceeding; provided, however, that the indemnity obligation contained in this Section 8(b) shall in no event exceed the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder as a result of the sale of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person and shall survive the transfer by any Holder of such shares.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding involving a claim referred to in this Section 8 (including any governmental action), such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of such action; provided, however, that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 8, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice in any material respect. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party, unless in the reasonable judgment of counsel to such indemnified party a conflict of interest between such indemnified party and indemnifying parties may exist or the indemnified party may have defenses not available to the indemnifying party in respect of such claim, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof, unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties arises in respect of such claim or the indemnified party may have defenses not available to the indemnifying party in respect of such claim after the assumption of the defenses thereof or the indemnifying party fails to defend such claim in a diligent manner, other than reasonable costs of investigation. Neither an indemnified party nor an indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action or proceeding effected without its consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement, which 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 of such claim or litigation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, and without limiting any of the rights set forth above, in any event any party shall have the right to retain, at its own expense, counsel with respect to the defense of a claim. 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.
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(d) If an indemnifying party does not or is not permitted to assume the defense of an action pursuant to Section 8(c) or in the case of the expense reimbursement obligation set forth in Sections 8(a) and 8(b), the indemnification required by Sections 8(a) and 8(b) shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Losses are incurred.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in Section s 8(a) and 8(b) 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, 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 (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the proportionate relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other (determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission), or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law or provides a lesser sum to the indemnified party than the amount hereinafter calculated, then in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the proportionate relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, but also the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8(e), no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement exceeds the amount of damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct. No indemnified party guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any indemnifying party who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 8 are in addition to any liability that the indemnifying parties may have to the indemnified parties and are not in diminution or limitation of the indemnification provisions under the applicable Subscription Agreement.
9. (a) Rule 144. The Company shall file with the Commission “Form 10 information” (as defined in Rule 144(i)(3) under the Securities Act) reflecting its status as an entity that is no longer an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) as promptly as practicable, but in no event more than four (4) Business Days, following the closing of the Merger. Following the Merger, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to timely file all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder, and if the Company is not required to file reports pursuant to such sections, it will prepare and furnish to the Holders and make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c) such information as is required for the Holders to sell shares of Common Stock under Rule 144.
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(b) Stock Exchange Listing. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange as soon as practicable after the Company meets all of the applicable listing criteria for any tier of such stock exchanges. Except as otherwise provided herein, all expenses in connection with the matters contemplated by this Section 9(b) shall be borne by the Company.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States of America and the State of New York, both substantive and remedial, without regard to New York conflicts of law principles. Any judicial proceeding brought against either of the parties to this Agreement or any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any matter related hereto shall be brought in the state or federal courts of the State of New York, New York County, and, by its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party to this Agreement accepts the jurisdiction of such courts. The foregoing consent to jurisdiction shall not be deemed to confer rights on any person other than the parties to this Agreement.
(b) Remedies. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein with respect to a Registration Event, in the event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder of any of their respective obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to seek specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein with respect to a Registration Event, the Company and each Holder agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall not assert or shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, Permitted Assignees, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
(d) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered, as of the date hereof, and shall not enter, on or after the date of this Agreement, into any agreement with respect to its securities that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents, instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto (including the Subscription Agreements) constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof.
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(f) Notices, etc. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications which are required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing will be deemed given to a party (a) upon receipt, when personally delivered; (b) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, costs prepaid on the date of delivery, if delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid); (c) the time of transmission if sent by facsimile or e-mail with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment if such notice or communication is delivered prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on a Trading Day, or the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on any Trading Day, provided confirmation of facsimile is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party and confirmation of email is kept on file, whether electronically or otherwise, by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipients email server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient; (d) the date received or rejected by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (e) seven (7) days after the placement of the notice into the mails (first class postage prepaid), to the party at the address, facsimile number, or e-mail address furnished by the such party,
If to the Company, to:
Aeluma, Inc.
27 Castilian Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Attention: Jonathan Klamkin, CEO
Email: [______________________]
with copy to:
[______________________]
[______________________]
[______________________]
Attention: [___________________]
Email: [______________________]
if to a Holder, to:
such Holder at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or in the Company’s records;
or at such other address as any party shall have furnished to the other parties in writing in accordance with this Section 10(h).
(g) Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any Holder, upon any breach or default of the Company under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such Holder nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach or default thereunder 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 Holder of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any Holder 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 holder, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
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(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and with respect to any Purchaser, by execution of an Omnibus Signature Page to this Agreement and the applicable Subscription Agreement, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail, which contains a copy of an executed signature page such as a portable document format (.pdf) file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or e-mail of an executed signature page such as a .pdf signature page were an original thereof.
(i) Severability. In the case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be replaced with a valid, legal and enforceable provision that as closely as possible reflects the parties’ intent with respect thereto, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(j) Amendments. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time, and particular provisions of this Agreement may be waived, with and only with an agreement or consent in writing signed by the Company and the Majority Holders; provided that this Agreement may not be amended and the observance of any term hereof may not be waived with respect to any Holder without the written consent of such Holder if such amendment or waiver on its face materially and adversely affects the rights of such Holder under this Agreement in a manner that is different than the other Holders. The Purchasers and the Brokers acknowledge that by the operation of this Section 10(j), the Majority Holders may have the right and power to diminish or eliminate all rights of the Purchasers and the Brokers under this Agreement.
(k) Independent Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other matters and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or transactions. Except as expressly provided herein, each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement with respect to the obligations of the Company contained herein was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Holder, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Holder. Except as expressly provided herein, it is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement is between the Company and a Holder, solely, and not between the Company and the Holders collectively and not between and among Holders.
(l) Subsequent Registration Rights. Until all of the Registrable Shares have been registered for resale under an effective Registration Statement, the Company shall not enter into any agreement granting registration rights more favorable than the registration rights set forth in this Agreement without the written consent of the Majority Holders.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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This Registration Rights Agreement is hereby executed as of the date first above written.
THE COMPANY: AELUMA, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
PURCHASERS | ||
See Omnibus Signature Pages to Subscription Agreement |
REGISTRABLE PRE-MERGER STOCKHOLDER (INDIVIDUAL): | REGISTRABLE PRE-MERGER STOCKHOLDER (ENTITY): | ||
Print Name | Print Name of Entity | ||
By: | |||
Signature | Name: | ||
Title: | |||
HOLDER OF MERGER SHARES (INDIVIDUAL): | HOLDER OF MERGER SHARES (ENTITY): | ||
Print Name | Print Name of Entity | ||
By: | |||
Signature | Name: | ||
Title: | |||
BROKER (INDIVIDUAL): | BROKER (ENTITY): | ||
Print Name | Print Name of Entity | ||
By: | |||
Signature | Name: | ||
Title: | |||
HOLDER OF ADVISORY SHARES (INDIVIDUAL): | HOLDER OF ADVISORY SHARES (ENTITY): | ||
Print Name | Print Name of Entity | ||
By: | |||
Signature | Name: | ||
Title: | |||
All Holders: Address | |||
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Schedule 1
Holders of Placement Agent Warrants
Name | Number of Shares | |
Sch. 1
Schedule 2
Holders of Merger Shares
Name | Number of Shares | |
Sch. 2
Schedule 2
Registrable Pre-Merger Stockholders
Name | Number of Shares | |
Sch. 3
Schedule 4
Holders of Advisory Shares
Name | Number of Shares | |
Sch. 4
Annex A
Aeluma, INC.
Selling Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire
The undersigned beneficial owner of Registrable Securities of Aeluma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) to which this document is annexed. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling security holder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling security holder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling Securityholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned by it in the Registration Statement.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Name:
(a) | Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder | |
(b) | Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (holder of record) (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities are held: | |
Annex A-1
(c) | If you are not a natural person, full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered by this Questionnaire): | |
2. Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
Telephone: | Fax: |
Email: | ||||
Contact Person |
3. Broker-Dealer Status:
(a) | Are you a broker-dealer? | |
Yes ☐ No ☐ |
(b) | If “yes” to Section 3(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as compensation for investment banking services to the Company? | |
Yes ☐ No ☐ |
Note: | If “no” to Section 3(b), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement. |
(c) | Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer? | |
Yes ☐ No ☐ |
(d) | If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you purchased the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities? | |
Yes ☐ No ☐ |
Note: | If “no” to Section 3(d), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement. |
Annex A-2
4. Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Securityholder:
Except as set forth below in this Item 4, the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company.
(a) | Please list the type (common stock, warrants, etc.) and amount of all securities of the Company (including any Registrable Securities) beneficially owned1 by the Selling Securityholder: | |
5. Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither you nor (if you are a natural person) any member of your immediate family, nor (if you are not a natural person) any of your affiliates2, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
1 | Beneficially Owned: A “beneficial owner” of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares (i) voting power, including the power to direct the voting of such security, or (ii) investment power, including the power to dispose of, or direct the disposition of, such security. In addition, a person is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of a security of which such person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days, including, but not limited to, any right to acquire such security: (i) through the exercise of any option, warrant or right, (ii) through the conversion of any security or (iii) pursuant to the power to revoke, or the automatic termination of, a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. |
Annex A-3
It is possible that a security may have more than one “beneficial owner,” such as a trust, with two co-trustees sharing voting power, and the settlor or another third party having investment power, in which case each of the three would be the “beneficial owner” of the securities in the trust. The power to vote or direct the voting, or to invest or dispose of, or direct the investment or disposition of, a security may be indirect and arise from legal, economic, contractual or other rights, and the determination of beneficial ownership depends upon who ultimately possesses or shares the power to direct the voting or the disposition of the security.
The final determination of the existence of beneficial ownership depends upon the facts of each case. You may, if you believe the facts warrant it, disclaim beneficial ownership of securities that might otherwise be considered “beneficially owned” by you.
2 | Affiliate: An “affiliate” is a company or person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls you, or is controlled by you, or is under common control with you. |
The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any material inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective; provided, that the undersigned shall not be required to notify the Company of any changes to the number of securities held or owned by the undersigned or its affiliates.
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 5 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.
Annex A-4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Selling Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.
BENEFICIAL OWNER (individual) | BENEFICIAL OWNER (entity) | ||
Signature | Name of Entity | ||
Print Name | Signature | ||
Print Name: |
Signature (if Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common) | |||
Title: |
PLEASE E-MAIL A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED SELLING SECURITYHOLDER NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE TO:
[______________________]
[______________________]
[______________________]
Attention: [______________________]
Email: [______________________]
Annex A-5
EXHIBIT A
Form of Legend Removal Certificate
AELUMA, INC.
LEGEND REMOVAL CERTIFICATE
(Resale Registration Statement)
The undersigned securityholder (the “Securityholder”) of Aeluma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is delivering this certificate to the Company in connection with the Securityholder’s request to remove the transfer restriction legends under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), from certificates or book-entry notations issued in the Securityholder’s name with respect to the number of shares of common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, of the Company set forth under the Securityholder’s name on the signature page hereof (the “Shares”).
A. | The Securityholder hereby represents and warrants to the Company that the Securityholder is sophisticated in financial matters and is familiar with the registration requirements under the Securities Act. If the Securityholder is an investment fund, the Securityholder’s chief compliance officer (or the chief compliance officer of the general partner, manager or other entity which manages the Securityholder) has reviewed this certificate and is aware that the Securityholder will be executing and delivering this certificate to the Company and undertaking the obligations set forth herein. |
B. | The Securityholder hereby covenants to the Company that: |
1. | The Securityholder will transfer the Shares only: |
(a) | pursuant to an effective resale registration statement covering the Securityholder’s resale of the Shares, which includes a prospectus that is current, and in the manner contemplated by such registration statement, including the “Plan of Distribution” contained therein, provided that the Securityholder has not received oral or written notice from the Company that use of the prospectus is suspended or that the prospectus otherwise may not be used for transfers of the Shares; or |
(b) | otherwise in accordance with the Securities Act, provided that the Securityholder provides the Company with advance notice of such transfer and an opinion of counsel that the proposed transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. |
2. | The Securityholder will provide the Company with any update to the Securityholder’s contact information set forth on the signature page hereof for purposes of any notification to be delivered to me relating hereto. |
A-1
The Securityholder acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s inside and outside legal counsel are each authorized to rely on this certificate for purposes of preparing and delivering any legal opinion(s) required in connection with the removal of the transfer restriction legends from the Shares and the Company’s transfer agent is authorized to rely on this certificate in connection with the removal of the transfer restriction legends from the Shares.
Very truly yours, | |||
Name of Securityholder: |
|||
Signature: | |||
Name of Signatory: | |||
Title of Signatory: | |||
Date: | |||
Address: | |||
E-mail address: | |||
Number of Shares for Legend Removal: | ||||
Share Certificate or Book Entry Information: |
A-2
Exhibit 10.6
AELUMA, INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
The purposes of this Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) are to encourage selected employees, officers, directors and consultants of Aeluma, Inc. (together with any successor thereto, the “Company”) and its Affiliates (as defined below) to acquire a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company, to generate an increased incentive to contribute to the Company’s future success and prosperity, thus enhancing the value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders, and to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain exceptionally qualified individuals upon whom, in large measure, the sustained progress, growth and profitability of the Company depend.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the Committee.
(b) “Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) “Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.
(d) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(e) “Consultant” shall mean a consultant or adviser who provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate as an independent contractor. Service as a consultant shall be considered employment for all purposes of the Plan, except for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Incentive Stock Options.
(f) “Committee” shall mean a committee of not fewer than two members, each of whom is a member of the Board and all of whom are disinterested persons, as contemplated by Rule 16b-3 (“Rule 16b-3”) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) and each of whom is an outside director for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, acting in accordance with the provisions of Section 3, designated by the Board to administer the Plan.
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(g) “Director” shall mean any director of the Company or of any Affiliate.
(h) “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.
(i) “Employee” shall mean any employee of the Company or of any Affiliate.
(j) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any property (including, without limitation, any Shares or other Securities), the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Board or the Committee.
(k) “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.
(l) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(m) “Officer” shall mean any officer of the Company or of any Affiliate who performs a policy and decision making functions, or any other person who performs similar policy and decision making functions for the Company.
(n) “Option” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(o) “Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(f) of the Plan.
(p) “Participant” shall mean any person that renders bona fide services to the Company (including, without limitation, the following: a person employed by the Company or an Affiliate in a key capacity; an officer or director of the Company; a person engaged by the Company as a consultant; or a lawyer, law firm, accountant or accounting firm) who receives an Award under the Plan.
(q) “Performance Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.
(r) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or government or political subdivision thereof.
(s) “Released Securities” shall mean shares of Restricted Stock as to which all restrictions imposed by the Board or the Committee have expired, lapsed, or been waived.
(t) “Restricted Stock” shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan.
(u) “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan that is denominated in Shares.
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(v) “Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value, and such other securities or property as may become the subject of Awards, or become subject to Awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(b) of the Plan.
(w) “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Board; provided, however, that the Board may delegate such administration to the Committee.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board and/or the Committee shall have authority to (a) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (b) determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) Awards; (c) determine the terms and conditions of any award; (d) determine the time or times when each Award shall become exercisable and the duration of the exercise period; (e) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in or exercised for cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended, and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (f) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Board or the Committee; (g) construe and interpret the Plan; (h) promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to its administration, and correct defects, omissions and inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award; (i) consistent with the Plan and with the consent of the Participant, as appropriate, amend any outstanding Award or amend the exercise date or dates; (j) determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to Participants without constituting termination of their employment for the purpose of the Plan; and (k) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the Plan’s administration. The Board and the Committee’s interpretation and construction of any provisions of the Plan or of any Award shall be conclusive and final. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award.
In the case of any Award that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, once the Award is made, neither the Board nor Committee shall have discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable under the Award that would otherwise be due upon attainment of the performance goal.
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SECTION 4. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS
(a) SHARES AVAILABLE. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b):
(i) CALCULATION OF NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE. The maximum number of Shares reserved and available for granting Awards under the Plan shall be an aggregate of (i) 980,000 shares of Common Stock, and (ii) on each January 1, starting with January 1, 2022, an additional number of shares equal to the lesser of(A) 5% of the outstanding number of Shares (on a fully-diluted basis) on the immediately preceding December 31, and (B) such lower number of Shares as may be determined by the Committee, subject in all cases to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b) below. Further, if, after the effective date of the Plan, any Shares covered by an Award granted under the Plan or to which such an Award relates, are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without the delivery of Shares or of other consideration, then the Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, or the number of Shares otherwise counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination, shall again be, or shall become, available for granting Awards under the Plan.
In the event of any forward or reverse stock splits, recapitalizations, or combination of the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of common stock, the aforesaid maximum 980,000 shares of common stock, as adjusted as per section 4(a)(i) above, and the exercise prices of Awards and Shares granted under the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, as per Section 4(b) below.
(ii) ACCOUNTING FOR AWARDS. For purposes of this Section 4,
(A) if an Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent) is denominated in Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan; and
(B) Dividend Equivalents and Awards not denominated in Shares shall not be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan.
(iii) SOURCES OF SHARES DELIVERABLE UNDER AWARDS. Any shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of Treasury Shares.
(b) ADJUSTMENTS. In the event that the Board or the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, purchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Board or the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Board or the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, (iii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) specified as the annual per-participant limitation under Section 6(g)(vi), and (iv) the grant, purchase, or exercise price with respect to any Award, or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided, however, in each case, that with respect to Awards of Incentive Stock Options no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code or any successor provision thereto; and provided, further, however, that the number of Shares subject to any award denominated in Shares shall always be a whole number.
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SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY
Any Employee, Officer, Director or Consultant of the Company shall be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. The Board shall approve any Awards granted to members of the Committee.
SECTION 6. AWARDS
(a) OPTIONS. The Board and the Committee are hereby authorized to grant Options which are consistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Board or the Committee shall determine:
(i) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per Share of each Option shall be determined by the Board or the Committee; provided, however, that such exercise price per Share under any Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (110% in the case of a “10-percent stockholder” as such term is used in Section 422(c)(5) of the Code) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
(ii) OPTION TERM. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Board or the Committee, provided that no Incentive Stock Option shall have a term greater than 10 years (5 years in the case of a “10-percent stockholder”) as such term is used in Section 422(c)(5) of the Code).
(iii) TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Board or the Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, and the method or methods by which, property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price, in which, payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.
(iv) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
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(b) STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Board and the Committee are hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (1) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise or, if the Board or the Committee shall so determine in the case of any such right other than one related to any Incentive Stock Option, at any time during a specified period before or after the date of exercise over (2) the grant price of the right as specified by the Board or the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, methods of settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Board or the Committee. The Board and the Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate.
(c) RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
(i) ISSUANCE. The Board and the Committee are hereby authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.
(ii) RESTRICTIONS. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Board or the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to receive any dividend or other right or property), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Board or the Committee may deem appropriate.
(iii) REGISTRATION. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Board or the Committee may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. In the event any stock certificate is issued in respect of Shares of restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such certificate shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.
(iv) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Board or the Committee, upon termination of employment (as determined under criteria established by the Board or the Committee) for any reason during the applicable restriction period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units still, in either case, subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided, however, that the Board or the Committee may, when it finds that a waiver would be in the best interests of the Company, waive in whole or in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. Unrestricted Shares, evidenced in such manner as the Board or the Committee shall deem appropriate, shall be delivered to the Participant promptly after such Restricted Stock shall become Released Securities.
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(d) PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Board and the Committee are hereby authorized to grant Performance Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan, a Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation, Restricted Stock), other securities, other Awards, or other property and (ii) shall confer on the holder thereof rights valued as determined by the Board or the Committee and payable to, or exercisable by, the holder of the Performance Award, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during such performance periods as the Board or the Committee shall establish. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award granted, and the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award shall be determined by the Board or the Committee. The goals established by the Board or the Committee shall be based on any one, or combination of, earnings per share, return on equity, return on assets, total stockholder return, net operating income, cash flow, revenue, economic value added, increase in Share price or cash flow return on investment, or any other measure the Board or the Committee deems appropriate. Partial achievement of the goal(s) may result in a payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement.
(e) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Board and the Committee are hereby authorized to grant Awards under which the holders thereof shall be entitled to receive payments equivalent to dividends or interest with respect to a number of Shares determined by the Board or the Committee, and the Board and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested. Subject to the terms of the Plan, such Awards may have such terms and conditions as the Board or the Committee shall determine.
(f) OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Board and the Committee are hereby authorized to grant such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are deemed by the Board or the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, provided, however, that such grants must comply with applicable law. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Board or the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards.
(g) GENERAL.
(i) NO CASH CONSIDERATION FOR AWARDS. Awards shall be granted for no cash consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be required by applicable law.
(ii) AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. Awards may, in the discretion of the Board or the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other awards, or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate, may be granted either at the same time or at a different time from the grant of such other awards.
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(iii) FORMS OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise, or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Board or the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, shares, other securities, other awards, or other property, or any combination thereof, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Board or the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents in respect of installment or deferred payments.
(iv) LIMITS ON TRANSFER OF AWARDS. No Award (other than Released Securities), and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Board or the Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Board or the Committee, (a) designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the Participant, and to receive any property distributable, with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant or (b) transfer any Award other than an Incentive Stock Option for bona fide estate planning purposes. Each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant, a permitted transferee or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. No Award (other than Released Securities), and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.
(v) TERM OF AWARDS. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Board or the Committee; provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any Incentive Stock Option exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant.
(vi) SHARE CERTIFICATES. All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board or the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Board or the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
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SECTION 7. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan:
(a) AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan, including, without limitation, any amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination that would impair the rights of any Participant, or any other holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted, without the consent of any share owner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person.
(b) AMENDMENTS TO AWARDS. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing between the Company and a Participant, the Board and the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate, any Awards theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, without the consent of any Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award.
(c) ADJUSTMENTS OF AWARDS UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN UNUSUAL OR NONRECURRING EVENTS. Except as provided in the following sentence, the Board and the Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4(b) hereof) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Board or the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits to be made available under the Plan. In the case of any Award that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, neither the Board nor the Committee shall have authority to adjust the Award in any manner that would cause the Award to fail to meet the requirements of Section 162(m).
(d) CORRECTION OF DEFECTS, OMISSIONS, AND INCONSISTENCIES. The Board and the Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.
SECTION 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Employee, Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Directors, Consultants, other holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
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(b) DELEGATION. The Board and the Committee may delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company or any Affiliate, or a committee of such officers or managers, the authority, subject to such terms and limitations as the Board or Committee shall determine, to grant Awards to, or to cancel, modify, waive rights with respect to, alter, discontinue, suspend, or terminate Awards held by Employees, Consultants, or other holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan who are not officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and who also are not “covered employees” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(c) WITHHOLDING. The Company or any Affiliate shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, or other property) of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under such Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or Affiliate to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.
(d) NO LIMIT ON OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(e) NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to remain an employee, director or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time terminate the service of any employee, director or consultant, free from any liability, or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
(f) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law.
(g) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Board or the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board or the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
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(h) NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
(i) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Board and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Share, or whether such fractional Shares of any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
(j) HEADINGS. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN
Subject to the approval of the Board of the Company, the Plan shall be effective June [ ], 2021 (the “Effective Date”); provided, however, that to the extent that Awards are granted under the Plan before its approval by the Board, the Awards will be contingent on approval of the Plan by the Board of the Company at a Board meeting or by written consent.
SECTION 10. TERM OF THE PLAN
No Award shall be granted under the Plan more than 10 years after the Effective Date. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond such date, and the authority of the Board and the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award, or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award, and the authority of the Board to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond such date.
The foregoing Equity Incentive Plan was duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors on [ ], 2021.
Aeluma, Inc.
By: | ||
Jonathan Klamkin | ||
Corporate Secretary |
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Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Aeluma Operating Co., a corporation formed in the State of Delaware
Exhibit 99.1
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Biond Photonics, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the period from February 28, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the period from February 28, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company is in the research and development stage and has not generated revenue to date. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding those matters also are described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our opinion is not modified with respect to that matter.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
Rose, Snyder & Jacobs LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Encino, California
June 1, 2021
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Balance Sheets
December 31 | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 38,302 | $ | 206 | ||||
Total Current Assets | 38,302 | 206 | ||||||
Property and Equipment | 115,888 | - | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 154,190 | $ | 206 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | 2,886 | $ | - | ||||
Accrued expenses | 8,407 | - | ||||||
Advances from officers | 16,616 | 456 | ||||||
Notes Payable to officers | 120,000 | - | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 147,909 | 456 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
Common Stock no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 2,500,000 shares issued and outstanding | 20,000 | - | ||||||
Accumulated Deficit | (13,719 | ) | (249 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Equity | 6,281 | (249 | ) | |||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 154,190 | $ | 206 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
2
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and
for the period from February 28, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Operating Expenses | 11,670 | 249 | ||||||
Other Income (Expenses) | ||||||||
Interest Expense | (1,000 | ) | - | |||||
Total Other Expenses | (1,000 | ) | - | |||||
Loss before provision for Income Taxes | (12,670 | ) | (249 | ) | ||||
Provision for income tax | (800 | ) | - | |||||
Net Loss | $ | (13,470 | ) | $ | (249 | ) | ||
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 431,507 | 0 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
3
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
For the period from February 28, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2020
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||
Balance, February 28, 2019 | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||
Net Loss | (249 | ) | (249 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2019 | - | $ | - | $ | (249 | ) | $ | (249 | ) | |||||||
Issuance of shares of common stock for Cash | 2,500,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 | |||||||||||||
Net Loss | (13,470 | ) | (13,470 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2020 | 2,500,000 | $ | 20,000 | $ | (13,719 | ) | $ | 6,281 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
4
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and
for the period from February 28, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (13,470 | ) | $ | (249 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Change in accounts payable | 2,886 | - | ||||||
Change in accrued expenses | 9,207 | - | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (1,377 | ) | (249 | ) | ||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Payments for Property and Equipment | (106,228 | ) | - | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (106,228 | ) | - | |||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Proceeds from Advances | 5,701 | 1,250 | ||||||
Repayment of Advances to officers | - | (795 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from Common Stock | 20,000 | - | ||||||
Proceeds from Notes Payable | 120,000 | |||||||
Net cash provided by Financing activities | 145,701 | 455 | ||||||
Net change in cash | 38,096 | 206 | ||||||
Cash, beginning of period | 206 | - | ||||||
Cash, end of period | $ | 38,302 | $ | 206 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures | ||||||||
Expenses paid by officers | $ | 800 | - | |||||
Equipment paid by officers | $ | 9,600 | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
5
NOTE 1 – THE COMPANY
Biond Photonics, Inc. (“Biond” or the “Company”), is a California C Corporation, incorporated on February 28th, 2019. The Company filed the articles of incorporation of a General Stock Corporation with the secretary of state under the laws of the State of California.
Biond is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. The Company is engaged in the research and development of infrared (IR) optical sensors to disrupt the market for IR sensors and using its proprietary technology aims to produce a much higher performance alternative to today’s low-cost sensors at much lower prices than would otherwise be possible. The focus of the Company will be the image sensor markets which is currently a 30Bn market with initial efforts to penetrate the 3D imaging and sensing (mobile & consumer, defense & aerospace, industrial, medical, auto) and lidar (robotic vehicles, ADAS vehicles, topography, wind, industrial) markets.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position at December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2020 and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020.
The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Company’s financial statements. Such financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Company’s management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity.
Going Concern
The Company incurred a net loss of $13,470 for the year ended December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company is in the research and development stage and has not generated revenue to date. In order to support its operations, the Company will require additional infusions of cash from the sale of equity instruments or the issuance of debt instruments, or the commencement of profitable revenue generating activities. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company’s ability to fund its operations, develop or enhance its sensors in the future or respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited. Such limitations could require the Company to curtail, suspend or discontinue parts of its business plan.
These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that could result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Basic Net Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In 2019, shares had not been issued, in 2020, 1,250,000 shares were issued to each of the two founders at the end of October.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.
6
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), fair values is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses the market or income approach. Based on this approach, the Company utilizes certain assumptions about the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market-corroborated or generally unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company is required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and the reliability of the information used to determine fair values. As a basis for considering these assumptions, ASC 820 defines a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value.
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active, accessible market for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
The carrying values of the Company’s cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses and advances from officers approximate their fair value due to the relatively short maturity of these items. The carrying amounts reported for debt obligations approximate fair value due to the effective interest rate of these obligations reflecting the Company’s current borrowing rate.
Concentration of Risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Property and Equipment
Property, equipment and improvements are reported at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance to these assets are charged to expense as incurred; major improvements enhancing the function and/or the asset’s useful life are capitalized. When items are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses arising from such transactions are recognized.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company has one capitalized construction in progress asset which will be used for the production of their sensors. The asset is not currently in use and will continue to receive capitalized improvements until it is ready to use. Once commissioned and properly setup, the property and equipment will be depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of 5 years.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash in banks, deposits in transit, and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company’s accounts are insured by the FDIC but at times may exceed federally insured limits.
Income Taxes
The Company is expected to have net operating loss carryforwards that it can use to offset a certain amount of taxable income in the future. The Company is currently analyzing the amount of loss carryforwards that will be available to reduce future taxable income. The resulting deferred tax assets will be offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of its realization. The primary difference between income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying domestic federal statutory rates to income before income taxes relates to the recognition of a valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets.
7
The Company has adopted FASB ASC 740-10, “Income Taxes” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not as a measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In making this assessment, a Company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based solely on the technical merits of the position and must assume that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Interest and penalties totaled $0 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards are subject to IRS examination until they are fully utilized, and such tax years are closed.
The Company will file tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the state of California. The Company’s federal and state return form are subject to review by the taxing authorities. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority, nor has it been notified of an impending examination.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in “Leases (Topic 840)” and generally requires all leases to be recognized in the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021 for nonpublic entities; early adoption is permitted. The provisions of ASU 2016-02 are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is not currently a party to a lease agreement at December 31,2020, but it expects to enter into a lease in the first quarter of 2021.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends certain aspects of the Board’s new revenue standard, ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company does not currently generate revenue.
NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, equipment and improvements as of December 31, 2020 consisted of the following:
Equipment | $ | 115,888 | ||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (0 | ) | ||
Equipment, net | $ | 115,888 |
NOTE 4 – ADVANCES FROM OFFICERS
During the year ended December 31, 2020, in an effort to carry the Company forward with limited cash flow, two officers provided advances to pay for miscellaneous Company expenses. The amounts recorded for December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $16,616 and $456, respectively.
NOTE 5 – NOTES PAYABLE
The Company entered into two $60,000 promissory notes on October 27, 2020 from Jonathan Klamkin, Cofounder, Director and CEO; and Lee McCarthy, Cofounder, Director, interim CFO and COO. The notes bear simple interest at an annual rate of 5% and mature December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, the notes have incurred $1,000 in interest. The purpose of the notes was to provide working capital for the business to bridge the Company through the upcoming transaction.
NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Authorized Shares
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of only one class of shares of stock. The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000 shares of no par value common stock.
8
Issued and Vested Shares
On October 27th, 2020, the board held a meeting and entered into a Stock Purchase agreement to issue 1,250,000 shares of common stock to the Director and CEO Jonathan Klamkin and 1,250,000 shares of common stock to Director, interim CFO and COO Lee McCarthy for an aggregate sum of $10,000 each. The stock purchase agreement contains a repurchase option for the Company where 250,000 shares were fully vested at as of October 27th, 2020 and the remaining 1,000,000 shares vest monthly over the next 4 years. The unvested shares may be repurchased by the Company, at the Company’s option, within 90 days after termination.
NOTE 7 – RELATED PARTIES
The Company’s advances and notes payable are from the officers/cofounders. At the time when the Company needed funds for working capital, the business decided it would be easier to look internally for these funds rather than through banks. See Note 4 and Note 5.
NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated subsequent events through June 01, 2021 the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
As of January 7th, 2021 the Company issued shares of stock pursuant to a stock purchase agreement which includes a vesting schedule and repurchase option to Mr. Steven P. DenBaars who will be serving as an advisor to the Corporation, such issuance to be made pursuant to the exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the exemption from qualification under California Law §25102(f) and available exemptions from the registration or qualification requirements of any other applicable state “blue sky” securities laws. The 25,252 shares were issued for the consideration amount of $202.02.
On February 5, 2021, the Company issued Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) Notes to Investors for a total of $210,000 (including the $5,000 of advances from an officer).
Beginning April 01, 2021, the Company began leasing a new office space in Goleta, California. The lease calls for a base monthly rent of $13,013.75 with a CPI escalation over the initial base rent over the term of the lease. The lease matures on March 31,2026 with the option to renew the lease with reasonable notice.
Beginning April 01, 2021, the Company began subleasing a portion of their new office space in Santa Barbara, California with Calient Technologies for 27 Castilian, Goleta, CA. The lease provides for base monthly rent of approximately $13,013 through May 31, 2021 and $8,400 starting June 1, 2021 on a month-to-month basis.
On April 13th, 2021 the Company engaged with Montrose Capital for an Alternative Public Offering (“APO”) process to complete a reverse merger as early as June 21, 2021, which was the target date set by the board of directors.
9
Exhibit 99.2
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Balance Sheets
March 31,
2021 |
December 31,
2020 |
|||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 158,454 | $ | 38,302 | ||||
Total Current Assets | 158,454 | 38,302 | ||||||
Property and Equipment | 119,344 | 115,888 | ||||||
Deposits | 80,865 | - | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 358,663 | $ | 154,190 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | 3,456 | $ | 2,886 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 21,571 | 8,407 | ||||||
Advances from officers | 11,616 | 16,616 | ||||||
Notes Payable to officers | 120,000 | 120,000 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 156,643 | 147,909 | ||||||
Long-Term Liabilities | ||||||||
SAFE Notes | 210,000 | - | ||||||
Total Long-Term Liabilities | 210,000 | - | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 366,643 | 147,909 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||
Common Stock no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 2,525,252 shares issued and outstanding | 20,202 | 20,000 | ||||||
Accumulated Deficit | (28,182 | ) | (13,719 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | (7,980 | ) | 6,281 | |||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity (Deficit) | $ | 358,663 | $ | 154,190 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Statements of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31,
2021 |
March 31,
2020 |
|||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Operating Expenses | 12,163 | (48 | ) | |||||
Other Income (Expenses) | ||||||||
Interest Expense | (1,500 | ) | - | |||||
Total Other Expenses | (1,500 | ) | - | |||||
Loss before provision for Income Taxes | (13,663 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||
Provision for income tax | (800 | ) | - | |||||
Net Loss | $ | (14,463 | ) | $ | (48 | ) | ||
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 2,515,432 | 0 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
2
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
For the three months ended March 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
Common Stock | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Deficit | Equity (Deficit) | |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2020 | 2,500,000 | $ | 20,000 | $ | (13,719 | ) | $ | 6,281 | ||||||||
Issuance of shares of common stock for Cash | 25,252 | 202 | 202 | |||||||||||||
Net Loss | (14,463 | ) | (14,463 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2021 | 2,525,252 | $ | 20,202 | $ | (28,182 | ) | $ | (7,980 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
3
Biond Photonics, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31,
2021 |
March 31,
2020 |
|||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (14,463 | ) | $ | (48 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Change in accounts payable | 570 | |||||||
Change in accrued expenses | 13,164 | |||||||
Change in Deposits | (80,865 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (81,594 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Property and Equipment | (3,456 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (3,456 | ) | - | |||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Proceeds from Common Stock | 202 | |||||||
Proceeds from SAFE Notes | 205,000 | |||||||
Net cash provided by Financing activities | 205,202 | - | ||||||
Net change in cash | 120,152 | (48 | ) | |||||
Cash, beginning of period | 38,302 | 206 | ||||||
Cash, end of period | $ | 158,454 | $ | 158 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures | ||||||||
Advances from officer converted into | - | |||||||
SAFE notes | $ | 5,000 | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financials
4
NOTE 1 – THE COMPANY
Biond Photonics, Inc. (“Biond” or the “Company”), is a California C Corporation, incorporated on February 28th, 2019. The Company filed the articles of incorporation of a General Stock Corporation with the secretary of state under the laws of the State of California.
Biond is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. The Company is engaged in the research and development of infrared (IR) optical sensors to disrupt the market for IR sensors and using its proprietary technology aims to produce a much higher performance alternative to today’s low-cost sensors at much lower prices than would otherwise be possible. The focus of the Company will be the image sensor markets which is currently a 30Bn market with initial efforts to penetrate the 3D imaging and sensing (mobile & consumer, defense & aerospace, industrial, medical, auto) and lidar (robotic vehicles, ADAS vehicles, topography, wind, industrial) markets.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are considered necessary to present fairly the financial position at March 31, 2021 and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020. The accompanying financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 presented elsewhere in this document, from which the December 31, 2020 balance sheet has been derived. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021.
The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Company’s financial statements. Such financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Company’s management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity.
Going Concern
The Company incurred a net loss of $14,463 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. In addition, the Company is in the research and development stage and has not generated revenue to date. In order to support its operations, the Company will require additional infusions of cash from the sale of equity instruments or the issuance of debt instruments, or the commencement of profitable revenue generating activities. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company’s ability to fund its operations, develop or enhance its sensors in the future or respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited. Such limitations could require the Company to curtail, suspend or discontinue parts of its business plan.
These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that could result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Basic Net Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In October 2020, 1,250,000 shares were issued to each of the two founders. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, 25,252 shares were issued to Steven Denbaars, an advisor with the company.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.
5
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), fair values is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses the market or income approach. Based on this approach, the Company utilizes certain assumptions about the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market-corroborated or generally unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company is required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and the reliability of the information used to determine fair values. As a basis for considering these assumptions, ASC 820 defines a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value.
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active, accessible market for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
The carrying values of the Company’s cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses and advances from officers approximate their fair value due to the relatively short maturity of these items. The carrying amounts reported for debt obligations approximate fair value due to the effective interest rate of these obligations reflecting the Company’s current borrowing rate.
Concentration of Risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Property and Equipment
Property, equipment and improvements are reported at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance to these assets are charged to expense as incurred; major improvements enhancing the function and/or the asset’s useful life are capitalized. When items are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses arising from such transactions are recognized.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company has one capitalized construction in progress asset which will be used for the production of their sensors. The asset is not currently in use and will continue to receive capitalized improvements until it is ready to use. Once commissioned and properly setup, the property and equipment will be depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of 5 years.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash in banks, deposits in transit, and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company’s accounts are insured by the FDIC but at times may exceed federally insured limits.
Income Taxes
The Company is expected to have net operating loss carryforwards that it can use to offset a certain amount of taxable income in the future. The Company is currently analyzing the amount of loss carryforwards that will be available to reduce future taxable income. The resulting deferred tax assets will be offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of its realization. The primary difference between income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying domestic federal statutory rates to income before income taxes relates to the recognition of a valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets.
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The Company has adopted FASB ASC 740-10, “Income Taxes” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not as a measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In making this assessment, a Company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based solely on the technical merits of the position and must assume that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Interest and penalties totaled $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards are subject to IRS examination until they are fully utilized, and such tax years are closed.
The Company will file tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the state of California. The Company’s federal and state return form are subject to review by the taxing authorities. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority, nor has it been notified of an impending examination.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in “Leases (Topic 840)” and generally requires all leases to be recognized in the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2021; early adoption is permitted. The provisions of ASU 2016-02 are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company has entered into a lease as of the end of the quarter which will be effective as of April 1, 2021.
In April 2016, the FASB issued AS 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends certain aspects of the Board’s new revenue standard, ASU 201-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company does not currently generate revenue.
NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, equipment and improvements as of March 31, 2021 consisted of the following:
Equipment | $ | 119,344 | ||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (0 | ) | ||
Equipment, net | $ | 119,344 |
NOTE 4 – ADVANCES FROM OFFICERS
During the year ended December 31, 2020, in an effort to carry the Company forward with limited cash flow, two officers provided advances to pay for miscellaneous Company expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, $5,000 of these advances was converted into SAFE notes (see note 5). The balance of advances was $11,616 and $16,616 on March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
NOTE 5 – NOTES PAYABLE AND SAFE NOTES
The Company entered into two $60,000 promissory notes on October 27, 2020 from Jonathan Klamkin, Cofounder, Director and CEO; and Lee McCarthy, Cofounder, Director, interim CFO and COO. The notes bear simple interest at an annual rate of 5% and mature December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, the notes have incurred $2,500 in interest. The purpose of the notes was to provide working capital for the business to bridge the Company through the upcoming transaction and to cover the costs of the acquisition of the equipment.
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On February 5, 2021, the Company issued Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) Notes to Investors for a total of $210,000 (including the $5,000 of advances from an officer).
NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Authorized Shares
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of only one class of shares of stock. The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000 shares of no par value common stock.
Issued and Vested Shares
On October 27th, 2020, the board through unanimous written consent issued 1,250,000 shares of common stock to the Director and CEO Jonathan Klamkin and 1,250,000 shares of common stock to Director, interim CFO and COO Lee McCarthy. The shares follow a restricted repurchase option schedule where 250,000 shares were fully vested at as of October 27th, 2020 and the remaining 1,000,000 shares vest monthly over the following 4 years. The unvested shares may be repurchased by the Company, at the Company’s option, within 90 days after termination.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2021 the Company issued 25,252 shares of common stock to Mr. Steven P. DenBaars who will be serving as an advisor to the Corporation, for a cash consideration of $202. These shares vest over a four-year period. Unvested shares are subject to a repurchase by the company at its option.
NOTE 7 – RELATED PARTIES
The Company’s advances and notes payable are from the officers/cofounders. At the time when the Company needed funds for working capital, the business decided it would be easier to look internally for these funds rather than through banks. See Note 4 and Note 5.
NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Beginning April 01, 2021, the Company began leasing a new office space in Goleta, California. The lease calls for a base monthly rent of $13,013.75 with a CPI escalation over the initial base rent over the term of the lease. The lease matures on March 31,2026 with the option to renew the lease with reasonable notice.
Beginning April 01, 2021, the Company began subleasing a portion of their new office space on a month-to-month basis.
On April 13th, 2021 the Company engaged with Montrose Capital for an Alternative Public Offering (“APO”) to complete a reverse merger as early as June 25, 2021, which was the target date set by the board of directors.
On June 5, 2021, we issued 20,000 shares of common stock pursuant to an advisory agreement.
On June 10, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 511,278 shares of common stock pursuant to three individual Advisory Agreements, which includes an additional 164,108 shares to Mr. DenBaars.
On June 10, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 99,414 shares of common stock pursuant to an Omnibus Equity Agreement, pursuant to which each of the signatories pursuant thereto agreed to convert his/her shares issuable under his/her respective Simple Agreements for Future Equity agreements into shares of the Company’s common stock at the close of the Merger.
On June 10, 2021, the Company entered into an amended advisor agreement with Mr. Steven P. DenBaars to issue an additional 164,108 for the consideration amount of $2,461.62 to take on additional advisor duties. Mr. DenBaars was also appointed to the Board of Directors.
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Exhibit 99.3
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit 99.3 shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 28, 2021, of which this Exhibit 99.3 forms a part and, if not defined in the Form 8-K.
Introduction
The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 gives pro forma effect to the merger, as summarized below, as if it had been consummated as of that date. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021 give pro forma effect to the merger as if it had occurred as of January 1, 2020. This information should be read together with Parc Investments, Inc.’s (“Parc”) and Biond Photonics’ respective financial statements and related notes.
The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 has been prepared using the following:
● | Biond Photonics’ unaudited historical balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, as included elsewhere in this form 8-K; and |
● | Parc’s unaudited historical balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, as included in Parc’s Quarterly Report filed on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 17, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. |
The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 has been prepared using the following:
● | Biond Photonics’ audited historical statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, as included elsewhere in this Form 8-K; and |
● | Parc’s audited historical statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, as included in Parc’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. |
The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 has been prepared using the following:
● | Biond Photonics’ unaudited historical statement of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as included elsewhere in this Form 8-K; and |
● | Parc’s unaudited historical statement of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as included in Parc’s Quarterly Report filed on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 17, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. |
Description of the Transactions
The merger, the Investment and accompanying transactions may be summarized as follows:
● | The merger of Biond Photonics into the merger sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parc, with Biond Photonics surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parc, then Parc renamed to Aeluma; |
● | the retirement of 2,500,000 shares of Parc’s common stock immediately prior to the closing of the merger; and |
● | the issuance of 4,100,000 shares of Parc common stock to the stockholders of Biond Photonics in exchange of 100% of the shares of Biond Photonics (including any shares of Biond Photonic common stock resulting from the conversion of the SAFE notes). |
Accounting for the Merger
The merger is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Parc Investments, who is the legal acquirer in the merger, is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Biond Photonic is treated as the accounting acquirer. Biond Photonics has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:
● | Biond Photonics’ existing stockholders expecting to have the greatest voting interest of the post-combination company with at least 30.86% of the voting interest; |
● | Biond Photonics’ senior management comprising all of the senior management of the post-combination company; |
● | The directors nominated by Biond Photonics will represent the majority of the post-combination company Board; and, |
● | Biond Photonics’ operations comprising the ongoing operations of the post-combination company. |
Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the merger will be treated as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which Biond Photonics is issuing stock for the net assets of Parc. The net assets of Parc will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to merger will be those of Biond Photonics.
Basis of Pro Forma Presentation
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of SEC Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” Release No. 33-10786 replaces the existing pro forma adjustment criteria with simplified requirements to depict the accounting for the transaction (“Transaction Accounting Adjustments”) and present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur (“Management’s Adjustments”). Biond Photonics has elected not to present Management’s Adjustments and will only be presenting Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the unaudited pro forma combined financial information. The adjustments presented on the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary to assist in understanding the post-combination company upon consummation of the merger.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma combined financial information as being indicative of the historical financial position and results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future financial position and results that the post-combination company will experience. Biond Photonics and Parc have not had any historical relationship prior to the merger. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.
As a result of the merger and immediately following the closing of the merger and before any capital raises, current stockholders of Biond Photonics will own approximately 64% of the outstanding shares of Aeluma common stock. Parc investors will own approximately 36% of the outstanding shares of Aeluma common stock. As a result, current stockholders of Biond Photonics, as a group, will collectively own more shares of Aeluma common stock than any single stockholder following consummation of the merger with two stockholders of Aeluma owning more than 10% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Aeluma.
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Biond Photonics, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2021
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Biond Photonics, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2020
Biond Photonics | Parc Investments |
Pro-Forma
Adjustments |
Pro-Forma
P&L |
||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||
Operating Expenses | 11,670 | 32,175 | - | 43,845 | |||||||||||||
Other Income (Expenses) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense | (1,000 | ) | - | - | (1,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Total Other Expenses | (1,000 | ) | - | - | (1,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss before provision for Income Taxes | (12,670 | ) | (32,175 | ) | - | (44,845 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision for income tax | (800 | ) | - | - | (800 | ) | |||||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (13,470 | ) | $ | (32,175 | ) | $ | - | $ | (45,645 | ) | ||||||
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | - | $ | (0.02 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 431,507 | 5,000,000 | (2,500,000 | ) | 2 | 2,931,507 |
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Biond Photonics, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2021
Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||
Biond Photonics | Parc Investments |
Pro-Forma
Adjustments |
Income Statement | ||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||
Operating Expenses | 12,163 | 10,859 | - | 23,022 | |||||||||||||
Other Income (Expenses) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense | (1,500 | ) | - | - | (1,500 | ) | |||||||||||
Total Other Expenses | (1,500 | ) | - | - | (1,500 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss before provision for Income Taxes | (13,663 | ) | (10,859 | ) | - | (24,522 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision for income tax | (800 | ) | - | - | (800 | ) | |||||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (14,463 | ) | $ | (10,859 | ) | $ | - | $ | (25,322 | ) | ||||||
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | - | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 2,515,432 | 5,000,000 | (2,500,000 | ) | 2 | 5,015,432 |
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Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
(A) | Derived from the unaudited balance sheet of Biond Photonics as of March 31, 2021. See Biond Photonics’s financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in the form 8k and incorporated herein by reference. |
(B) | Derived from the unaudited balance sheet of Parc as of March 31, 2021. See Parc’s financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in Parc’s Quarterly Report filed on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 17, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(1) | Reflects the conversion of SAFE Notes into equity. |
(2) | Reflects the retirement of 2,500,000 shares of Parc common stock immediately prior to the merger transaction. |
(3) | Reflects the elimination of the historical accumulated deficit of Parc, the legal acquirer, in the amount of $43,034. |
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