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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):   November 12, 2021

 

East Stone Acquisition Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Virgin Islands   001-39233   N/A
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

25 Mall Road, Suite 330

Burlington, MA 01803

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 202 9128

 

Not Applicable

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

 

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

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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

 

Emerging growth company  

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one Ordinary Share, one Right and one Warrant   ESSCU   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Ordinary Shares, no par value   ESSC   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Rights, exchangeable into one-tenth of one Ordinary Share   ESSCR   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each exercisable for one-half of one Ordinary Share, each whole Ordinary Share exercisable for $11.50 per share   ESSCW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Forward Share Purchase Agreement with Glazer Capital, LLC and Meteora Capital, LLC

 

On November 12, 2021, East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (“East Stone”), entered into certain forward share purchase arrangements (the “Forward Share Purchase Agreements”) with Sea Otter Securities (“Sea Otter”), Stichting Juridisch Eigendom Mint Tower Arbitrage Fund (“Mint Tower”), Glazer Special Opportunity Fund I, LP (“Glazer”) and Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“Meteora” and, together with Sea Otter, Mint Tower, and Glazer, the “Backstop Investors”), which provide that such investors will not redeem shares that they each hold in connection with the proposal to extend the date by which East Stone has to consummate a business combination from November 24, 2021 to February 24, 2022 (the “Extension”) and the proposed transactions (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to Business Combination Agreement (as defined below), and instead would each either hold such shares for a period of time following the consummation of the Business Combination, at which time they will each have the right to sell them to East Stone at $10.41 per share, or will sell such shares on the open market during such time period at a market price of at least $10.26 per share.

 

Reference is made to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), dated February 16, 2021, with Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Navy Sail”), JHD Technologies Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“Pubco”), Yellow River MergerCo Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco, JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“JHD”), Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“Primary Seller”), and each of the holders of JHD’s capital shares that become parties to the Business Combination Agreement after the date thereof (collectively with Primary Seller, the “Sellers”), and Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company, for limited purposes thereof, and as previously disclosed in the Current Reports on Form 8-K of East Stone filed with the SEC on September 17, 2021 and on October 14, 2021, on September 13, 2021, the parties thereto entered into that certain Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement and on October 7, 2021, the parties thereto entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”).

 

On November 12, 2021, East Stone entered into a Forward Share Purchase Agreement (the “Glazer Purchase Agreement”) with Glazer and Meteora (Meteora, together with Glazer, the “Principal Investors”). Pursuant to the terms of the Glazer Purchase Agreement, the Glazer Investors agreed to (i) not request redemption of any of up to 974,658 ordinary shares of East Stone in the aggregate between the Glazer Investors (the “Glazer Shares”) in conjunction with East Stone’s shareholders’ approval of the Business Combination, or (ii) tender the Glazer Shares to East Stone in response to any redemption or tender offer that East Stone may commence for its ordinary shares (the “Restrictions”); provided that all of the Additional Investors shall be bound by a substantially similar restriction as the Restrictions in any Additional Investor Agreements. In exchange for agreeing to the Restrictions, East Stone has agreed that, upon the timely request of the Glazer Investors, it will acquire the Glazer Shares at a price of $10.41 per share on the three-month anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination (the “Business Combination Closing Date”). The Glazer Investors shall notify East Stone and the Escrow Agent (as defined in the Glazer Purchase Agreement) in writing five business days prior to the three-month anniversary of the Business Combination Closing Date) whether or not they are exercising their right to sell the Glazer Shares to East Stone pursuant to the Glazer Purchase Agreement (each, a “Glazer Shares Sale Notice”). Any Glazer Investor that fails to timely deliver a Glazer Shares Sales Notice in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to have forfeited its right to sell any Glazer Shares to East Stone pursuant to the Glazer Purchase Agreement..

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Glazer Purchase Agreement, commencing on the day after the Business Combination Closing Date, the Glazer Investors may sell the Glazer Shares in the open market as long as the sales price exceeds $10.26 per Glazer Share prior to payment of any commissions due by the Glazer Investors for such sale. If the Glazer Investors sell any Glazer Shares in the open market during the first month following the Business Combination Closing Date at a sales price per Glazer Share that is greater than $10.26 (each such share, an “Early Sale Share”), then East Stone shall pay to each selling Glazer Investor a premium of $0.05 per Early Sale Share (the “Early Sale Premium”) sold by such Glazer Investor.

 

1

 

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the Business Combination, East Stone will deposit into an escrow account with the Escrow Agent, subject to the terms of an escrow agreement to be entered into prior to the Business Combination, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $10,146,189.78 and (ii) $10.41 multiplied by the number of Glazer Shares held by the Glazer Investors as of the closing of the Business Combination. East Stone’s purchase of the Glazer Shares will be made with funds from the escrow account attributed to the Glazer Shares. In the event that any Glazer Investor sells any Glazer Shares as provided for above, it shall provide an Open Market Sale Notice to East Stone and Escrow Agent within three business days of such sale, and the Escrow Agent shall release from the escrow account for East Stone’s use without restriction an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the escrow attributed to the Glazer Shares which the Glazer Investors have sold; provided that if a Glazer Investor sold any Early Sale Shares, then the Escrow Agent shall release from the escrow account (x) for the selling Glazer Investor’s use without restriction an amount equal to the Early Sale Premium with respect to the Early Sale Shares sold by such Glazer Investor, and (y) for East Stone’s use without restriction an amount equal to the number of Early Sale Shares sold in the Early Sale multiplied by $10.36. In the event that any Glazer Investor chooses not to sell to East Stone any Glazer Shares that they own as of the three-month anniversary of the Business Combination Closing Date, the Escrow Agent shall release all remaining funds from the escrow account to East Stone for East Stone’s use without restriction.

 

East Stone agreed to indemnify the Glazer Investors and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and shareholders (collectively referred to as the “Glazer Indemnitees”) against, and hold them harmless of and from, any and all loss, liability, cost, damage and expense, including without limitation, reasonable and documented out-of-pocket outside counsel fees, which the Glazer Indemnitees may suffer or incur by reason of any action, claim or proceeding, in each case, brought by a third party creditor of East Stone, East Stone or any of their respective subsidiaries asserting that the Glazer Investors are not entitled to receive escrowed funds or such portion thereof as they are entitled to receive pursuant to the Glazer Purchase Agreement, in each case unless such action, claim or proceeding is the result of the fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of any Glazer Indemnitee.

 

The Glazer Purchase Agreement may be terminated: (i) by mutual written consent of East Stone and the Principal Investors; (ii) automatically if East Stone’s shareholders fail to approve the Business Combination before February 24, 2022, subject to extension by mutual agreement; (iii) prior to the closing of the Business Combination by mutual agreement of the Principal Investors if there occurs a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement); (iv) by the Principal Investors if prior to the Extension Meeting, East Stone does not reach substantially similar non-redemption or forward purchase agreements with Other Investors committing an aggregate of 1,949,316 ordinary shares of East Stone to the same restrictions included in the Glazer Purchase Agreement and (v) by the Principal Investors, if prior to the special meeting of shareholders to approve the Business Combination an escrow agreement has not been executed.

 

East Stone has also entered into share purchase agreements with identical terms to the Glazer Purchase Agreement with Sea Otter (covering 974,658 shares) and with Mint Tower (covering 974,658 shares).

 

The foregoing description is only a summary of the Forward Purchase Agreements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Forward Purchase Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein. The form of Forward Purchase Agreement is included as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K in order to provide investors and security holders with material information regarding its terms and the transaction. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about East Stone or the Backstop Investors. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Forward Purchase Agreements were made only for purposes of that agreement; are solely for the benefit of the parties to the Forward Purchase Agreements; may have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Forward Purchase Agreements instead of establishing these matters as facts; and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Security holders and investors should not rely on the representations, warranties or covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of East Stone or the Backstop Investor.

 

2

 

 

Founder Share Transfer Agreement

 

In connection with the above-mentioned arrangements, the Sponsor entered into certain share transfer agreements (the “Founder Share Transfer Agreements”) with the Backstop Investors.

 

Pursuant to the Founder Share Transfer Agreement with Meteora and Glazer on November 12, 2021 (the “Founder Share Transfer Agreement”), Meteora and Glazer agreed not to sell, transfer or seek redemption of an aggregate of 974,658 public shares of East Stone and to vote such shares in favor of the Extension and the Business Combination.

 

In consideration of Meteora and Glazer’s agreement to abide by such restrictions on its public shares, the Sponsor agreed to transfer to the Glazer Investors 44,444 founder shares for every 324,886 public shares not redeemed, for an aggregate of 133,332 founder shares. Of such amount, an aggregate of up to 45,000 founder shares will be transferred on or before the date of the Special Meeting, and an aggregate of 88,332 founder shares will be transferred to the Glazer Investors on or before the Business Combination Closing Date.

 

East Stone has also entered into founder shares transfer agreements with identical terms to the Founder Share Transfer Agreement with Sea Otter (pursuant to which 133,332 founder shares will be transferred to Sea Otter) and with Mint Tower (pursuant to which 133,332 founder shares will be transferred to Mint Tower).

 

Any founder shares transferred pursuant to the Founder Share Transfer Agreements will be transferred to such investors on or before the date of the Special Meeting and will be subject to the same rights and obligations as the remaining founder shares held by the Sponsor, including certain registration rights and the obligations to (a) vote any founder shares held by them in favor of the Business Combination, and (b) subject any founder shares held by them to the same lock-up restrictions as the founder shares held by the Sponsor.

 

The foregoing description is only a summary of the Founder Share Transfer Agreements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Founder Share Transfer Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein. The form of Founder Share Transfer Agreement is included as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K in order to provide investors and security holders with material information regarding its terms and the transaction. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Sponsor or the Backstop Investors. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Founder Share Transfer Agreements were made only for purposes of that agreement; are solely for the benefit of the parties to the Founder Share Transfer Agreements; may have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Founder Share Transfer Agreements instead of establishing these matters as facts; and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Security holders and investors should not rely on the representations, warranties or covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Sponsor or the Backstop Investors.

 

Amendment to Business Combination Agreement

 

On November 12, 2021, the Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement Amendment”) was further amended to memorialize an agreement among the parties that any funds in East Stone’s trust account that relate to ordinary shares of East Stone held by the Backstop Investors shall not count toward the minimum cash condition contained in Section 9.2(d) of the Business Combination Agreement. In addition, Section 10.1(b) of the Business Combination Agreement was amended, contingent upon the effectiveness of the Extension, to provide that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Business Combination Closing Date by either East Stone or JHD, if the Business Combination Closing Date does not occur by February 24, 2022.

 

The foregoing description is only a summary of the Business Combination Agreement Amendment and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Business Combination Agreement Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein. The Business Combination Agreement Amendment is included as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K in order to provide investors and security holders with material information regarding its terms and the transaction. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the parties thereto.

 

3

 

 

Amendment to the Founder Share Letter

 

On November 12, 2021, JHD, Pubco, Primary Seller, East Stone, the Sponsor, Navy Sail, Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, and Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu (Messers Hao and Lu, collectively with Navy Sail and the Sponsor, the Primary Initial Shareholders) entered into an amendment (the “Founder Share Letter Agreement Amendment”) to the Letter Agreement Regarding Forfeiture of Founder Shares, dated February 16, 2021 (the “Founder Share Letter”) by and among JHD, East Stone, the Sponsor, Navy Sail, Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, and Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu.

 

In connection with the Founder Shares Transfer Agreement, the Founder Share Letter was amended pursuant to a letter agreement dated November 12, 2021 (“Letter Agreement Amendment”). The Founder Share Letter provided, inter alia, that up to 1,725,000 East Stone ordinary shares (the “Forfeiture Shares”) would be subject to forfeiture in the event that East Stone did not have at least $100 million in cash at the closing of the business combination transaction, with the number of such shares to be forfeit determined on a sliding scale depending upon the amount of the cash shortfall, if any, with the entire amount of the 1,725,000 shares subject to forfeiture if East Stone’s cash at closing was $70 million or less. Under the terms of the Letter Agreement Amendment, East Stone, the Primary Initial Shareholders, JHD Holdings Limited, Pubco and the Primary Seller have agreed that the 1,725,000 Forfeiture Shares would be exchanged for an equivalent number of Pubco ordinary shares (“Forfeiture Replacement Shares”) at the Closing and that such Forfeiture Replacement Shares would be distributed as follows: (A) 138,000 Forfeiture Replacement Shares to the Primary Seller, (B) to Glazer, Sea Otter and Mint Tower, up to 450,000 Forfeiture Replacement Shares in consideration for their having entered into the Forward Share Purchase Agreements and the Founder Share Transfer Agreements and (C) out of the remaining Forfeiture Replacement Shares, (i) to a shareholder of the Sponsor who is not a director or officer of the Purchaser) up to 500,000 Forfeiture Replacement Shares and (ii) to the extent of any remaining Forfeiture Replacement Shares (a) 50% to Charlie Hao and Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu and (b) 50% to the Primary Seller.

 

The Forfeiture Replacement Shares being delivered to the Investors and to the Primary Seller are not subject to the forfeiture calculations under the Founder Share letter (as amended by the Letter Agreement), however the calculation of any Forfeiture Replacement Shares to be distributed to the shareholder of the Sponsor or to Charlie Hao, Sherman Lu and the Primary Seller under (C) above will be subject to the forfeiture calculations. To the extent that the forfeiture calculation results in less than all of the remaining Founder’s Shares subject to the arrangement (1,725,000) being distributed pursuant to the terms of the preceding paragraph, the remainder of such shares shall remain with the Primary Initial Shareholders.

 

The foregoing description is only a summary of the Letter Agreement Amendment and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Letter Agreement Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein. The Letter Agreement Amendment is included as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K in order to provide investors and security holders with material information regarding its terms and the transaction. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the parties thereto.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
10.1   Form of Forward Share Purchase Agreement
10.2   Form of Share Transfer Agreement
10.3   First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement, effective as of November 12, 2021, by and among East Stone Acquisition Corporation, Navy Sail International Limited, JHD Technologies Limited, Yellow River MergerCo Limited, JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, solely for purposes of Section 10.3 and Articles XII and XIII thereof, as applicable, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, and Yellow River (Cayman) Limited
10.4   Amendment to Letter Agreement Regarding Forfeiture of Founder Shares, dated November 12, 2021, by and among JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, East Stone Acquisition Corporation, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, Navy Sail International Limited, Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, JHD Technologies Limited Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, and Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Pubco has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 on June 28, 2021 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”) which includes a preliminary proxy statement of East Stone, and a prospectus in connection with the proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) involving East Stone, JHD, Pubco, Yellow River MergerCo Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco, Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative, Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company, in the capacity as Primary Seller and Seller Representative, and the Sellers and Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company, for limited purposes thereof pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to shareholders of East Stone as of a record date to be established for voting on East Stone’s initial business combination with JHD. Shareholders of East Stone and other interested persons are advised to read the preliminary proxy statement, and amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with East Stone’s solicitation of proxies for the special meeting of its shareholders to be held to approve the Business Combination because these documents will contain important information about East Stone, JHD, Pubco and the Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to East Stone by contacting its Chief Financial Officer, Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, c/o East Stone Acquisition Corporation, 25 Mall Road, Suite 330, Burlington, MA 01803, at (781) 202-9128 or at hao@estonecapital.com.

 

DISCLAIMER

 

This report and the exhibits hereto do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

NO ASSURANCE

 

There can be no assurance that the proposed Business Combination will be completed, nor can there be any assurance, if the Business Combination is completed, that the potential benefits of combining the companies will be realized.

 

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

 

East Stone, Pubco, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of East Stone in connection with the Business Combination. Information regarding the officers and directors of East Stone is set forth in East Stone’s annual report on Form 10-KT, which was filed with the SEC on June 9, 2021. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants is also included in the Registration Statement (and will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination) and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning the Business Combination, JHD’s expected financial performance, as well as its strategic and operational plans. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this report due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking-statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against East Stone, JHD or others following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement or any related private financing(s) due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of East Stone; (4) delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; (5) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (6) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; (7) the ability to obtain or maintain the listing of Pubco’s securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market, following the Business Combination, including having the requisite number of shareholders; (8) costs related to the Business Combination; (9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (10) the possibility that JHD may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (11) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in filings with the SEC by East Stone or Pubco. 

 

5

 

 

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.

 

  East Stone Acquisition Corporation
     
Date: November 12, 2021 By: /s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
    Name:  Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

6

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

FORM OF FORWARD SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Forward Share Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of November 12, 2021, by and among (i) East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“East Stone”), (ii) [Investor], (each individually an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”). Each of East Stone and [Investor] is individually referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”. Each of [Investor] is individually referred to herein as a “Principal Investor” and together, the “Principal Investors”. Each Investor (other than the Principal Investors) is individually referred to herein as a “Non-Principal Investor” and together, the “Non-Principal Investors”).

 

Recitals

 

WHEREAS, East Stone is a special purpose acquisition company, also known as a blank check company, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses;

 

WHEREAS, East Stone has entered into a Business Combination Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2021, as amended as of June 25, 2021, as amended and restated as of September 13, 2021 and as further amended and restated as of October 7, 2021, and as may be further amended (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among East Stone, JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“JHD”), JHD Technologies Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), Yellow River MergerCo Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (“Merger Sub”), Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company, in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative thereunder, Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company, in the capacity as the Seller Representative thereunder and the sole holder of JHD’s outstanding capital shares (the “Primary Seller”), and each of the holders of JHD’s capital shares that become parties to the Business Combination Agreement after the date thereof (the transactions contemplated by such Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”), and East Stone has filed a preliminary proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) that will seek, among other things, shareholder approval of the Business Combination at a special meeting of shareholders (the “Business Combination Meeting”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall purchase from the Investors, and the Investors may sell and transfer to the Company, in each case, subject to the conditions set forth herein, certain ordinary shares, no par value, of East Stone held by the Investors (the “Shares”) on the terms set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations, warranties and the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Agreement

 

1. Sale of Shares; Shares Purchase and Sale; Closing.

 

(a) Forward Share Purchase. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4, on the three (3) month anniversary of the date of the closing of the Business Combination (the “Business Combination Closing Date”), the Investors may elect to sell and transfer to the Company, and the Company shall purchase from the Investors, up to that number of Shares (including any Additional Shares) that are then held by the Investors, and have been continuously held by the Investors since the Business Combination Closing Date, but not to exceed 974,658 Shares (including any Additional Shares) in the aggregate unless otherwise agreed in writing by all Parties, at a price per Share equal to $10.41 per Share (the “Shares Purchase Price”). Each Principal Investor shall, and the Principal Investors shall cause the Non-Principal Investors to, notify the Company and the Escrow Agent in writing five (5) Business Days (as defined below) prior to the three (3) month anniversary of the Business Combination Closing Date whether or not such Investor is exercising such Investor’s right to sell any of the Shares (including any Additional Shares) held by such Investor to the Company pursuant to this Agreement (each, a “Shares Sale Notice”). Any Investor that fails to timely deliver a Shares Sales Notice in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to have forfeited its right to sell any Shares (including any Additional Shares) to the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) Shares Closing. If a Shares Sale Notice is timely delivered by any Investor to the Company and Escrow Agent, the closing of the sale of the Shares contemplated in each such timely delivered Share Sales Notice (the “Shares Closing”) shall occur no later than the three (3) month anniversary of the Business Combination Closing Date (the “Shares Closing Date”). On the Shares Closing Date, each selling Investor shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the Shares (including any Additional Shares) subject to the applicable Shares Sale Notice free and clear of all liens and encumbrances to Escrow Agent and, in exchange therefor, the Escrow Agent shall deliver to each such selling Investor(s) an amount equal to (i) the Shares Purchase Price multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares being sold by such selling Investor (with respect to any particular selling Investor, the “Investor Shares Purchase Price”), which shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds from the Escrow Account. The Escrow Agent shall, (i) without delay, release from the Escrow Account to each selling Investor on the Shares Closing Date, for such selling Investor’s use without restriction, an amount equal to such Investor’s Investor Shares Purchase Price, and (ii) promptly deliver such sold Shares to the Company.

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Principal Investors. Each Principal Investor represents and warrants to East Stone and the Company, severally and not jointly, and [Investor] (and not [Investor]) represents and warrants to East Stone and the Company on behalf of the Non-Principal Investors as follows, as of the date hereof:

 

(a) Organization and Power. Such Investor is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

 

(b) Authorization. Such Principal Investor has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by such Principal Investor will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Principal Investor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

 

(c) Governmental Consents and Filings. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of such Investor in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Transactions”) other than disclosure reports regarding such transactions that such Investor is required to file in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Act (as defined below).

 

(d) Compliance with Other Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance by such Principal Investor of this Agreement and the consummation by such Principal Investor and the other Investors of the Transactions will not result in any violation or default (i) of any provisions of its organizational documents, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or (v) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to it, in each case (other than clause (i)), which would have a material adverse effect on such Principal Investor or any of the other Investors or its or their ability to consummate the Transactions.

 

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(e) Share-Holdings. As of the date of this Agreement, the Investors collectively hold [●] Shares, with each Investor’s holdings of Shares set forth on Appendix A hereto.

 

(f)   Disclosure of Information. Such Principal Investor has had an opportunity to discuss East Stone’s and the Company’s business, management and financial affairs, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as well as the terms of the Business Combination, with East Stone’s management.

 

(g) No Other Representations and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 2 and in any certificate or written agreement delivered pursuant hereto, neither any Principal Investor or any person acting on behalf of such Principal Investor nor any of such Principal Investor’s affiliates (collectively, the “Principal Investor Parties”) has made, makes or shall be deemed to make any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to such Principal Investor or the other Investors, and the Principal Investor Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by East Stone in Section 3 of this Agreement, in any certificate or written agreement delivered pursuant hereto and in any public filings, the Principal Investor Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made by the East Stone Parties (as defined below).

 

3. Representations and Warranties of East Stone. East Stone represents and warrants to each Principal Investor as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Corporate Power. East Stone is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. East Stone has no subsidiaries other than the merger subsidiary referenced in the recitals hereto that was formed for the purpose of effecting the Business Combination.

 

(b) Authorization. All corporate action required to be taken by East Stone’s Board of Directors in order to authorize East Stone to enter into this Agreement has been taken. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by East Stone, shall constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of East Stone, enforceable against East Stone in accordance with its term, subject to the effect of the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(c) Disclosure. East Stone has not disclosed to either Principal Investor material non-public information with respect to East Stone or the Business Combination, other the terms of and transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which shall be publicly disclosed by East Stone either by the issuance of a press release or the filing with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, in each case, by 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time on the first Business Day immediately following the date that the Parties enter into this Agreement. Such public disclosure shall disclose the name of the Principal Investors as having entered into the Agreement.

 

(d) Governmental Consents and Filings. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of East Stone in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, other than disclosure reports regarding such transactions East Stone is required to file in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Act.

 

(e) Compliance with Other Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance by East Stone of this Agreement and the consummation by East Stone of the Transactions will not result in any violation or default (i) of any provisions of its organizational documents, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or (v) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to it, in each case (other than clause (i)), which would have a material adverse effect on East Stone or its ability to consummate the Transactions.

 

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(f)   Adequacy of Financing. The Company will have available to it sufficient funds to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(g) SEC Filings. To the knowledge of East Stone, none of East Stone’s reports and other filings with the Commission, as of their respective dates, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(h) No Other Representations and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 3 and in any certificate or written agreement delivered pursuant hereto or in any public filings, neither East Stone or any person on behalf of East Stone nor any of East Stone’s affiliates (collectively, the “East Stone Parties”) has made, makes or shall be deemed to make any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to East Stone, the Company, the Transactions or the Business Combination, and the East Stone Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by the Principal Investors in Section 2 of this Agreement and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, the East Stone Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made by the Principal Investor Parties.

 

4. Additional Agreements.

 

(a) Net Long Position. During the term of this Agreement, each Investor agrees to maintain a net long position of the Company’s securities. If, on the day that is three trading days prior to the Company’s special meeting of shareholders to approve, among other things, an extension of the date by which East Stone has to consummate a business combination from November 24, 2021 to February 24, 2022 (the “Extension Meeting”), the Investors own fewer than 974,658 Public Shares, the Investors shall purchase Public Shares at trust value, in the first instance in the form of Public Shares tendered for redemption from the Escrow Agent (as defined herein) (the “Extension Redeemed Shares”), and if such Extension Redeemed Shares are not sufficient to allow the Investors to own at least 974,658 Public Shares, then the Investor shall thereafter purchase Public Shares, at trust value, in the open market, up to a number of Public Shares such that the Investors hold 974,658 shares as of the time of the Extension Meeting. If, on the day that is three trading days prior to the Business Combination Meeting, the Investors hold fewer than 974,658 Public Shares, the Investors shall purchase Public Shares at trust value, in the first instance in the form of Public Shares tendered for redemption from the Escrow Agent (as defined herein) (the “Business Combination Redeemed Shares”), and if such Business Combination Redeemed Shares are not sufficient to allow the Investors to own at least 974,658 Public Shares, then the Investor shall thereafter purchase Public Shares, at trust value, in the open market, up to a number of Public Shares such that the Investors hold 974,658 Public Shares as of the time of the Business Combination Meeting.

 

(b) No Redemptions; No Tenders. Each Principal Investor further agrees not to, and Meteora will cause the Non-Principal Investors not to, (i) request redemption of any of the Shares (including any Additional Shares) in conjunction with East Stone’s shareholders’ approval of the Business Combination, or (ii) tender the Shares (including any Additional Shares) to East Stone in response to any redemption or tender offer that East Stone may commence for its ordinary shares; provided that (x) all of the Additional Investors shall be bound by a substantially similar restriction as set forth in this Section 4(b) in the Additional Investor Agreements (as defined below).

 

(c) Option to Purchase Additional Shares and Certain Derivatives. East Stone hereby acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Investors from purchasing from third parties prior to the Business Combination Closing Date additional ordinary shares of East Stone, including shares that have previously been tendered by third parties for redemption at their original redemption value in conjunction with East Stone’s stockholders’ approval of the Business Combination, to the extent such third parties unwind such tenders for redemption (the “Additional Shares”), or any warrants, convertible notes or options (including puts or calls) of East Stone; provided, the aggregate number of Shares and Additional Shares owned by the Investors and subject to Sections 1, 4(b) and 4(c) shall not exceed 974,658 ordinary shares of East Stone, unless otherwise agreed in writing by all Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, all Additional Shares shall be deemed Shares for all purposes hereunder and shall be purchased by the Company in accordance with Section 1.

 

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(d) Open Market Sale. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties agree that the Investors shall, commencing on the Business Combination Closing Date, have the right, but not the obligation, to sell any or all of the Shares (including any Additional Shares) in the open market if the sale price exceeds $10.26 per Share prior to payment of any commissions due by the Investors for such sale. The Investor shall give written notice to the Company and the Escrow Agent of any sale of the Shares (including any Additional Shares) pursuant to this Section 4(d) within three (3) Business Days following the date of such sale (the “Open Market Sale Notice”), and the Open Market Sale Notice shall include the date of the sale, the number of Shares sold, and confirmation that the sale price per Share was greater than $10.26 per Share prior to the payment of any commissions due by the Investor for the sale. If the Investors sell any Shares (including any Additional Shares) in the open market after the Business Combination Closing Date and prior to the one (1) month anniversary of the Business Combination Closing Date at a sales price per Share that is greater than $10.26 (such sale, the “Early Sale” and such shares, the “Early Sale Shares”), then, within five (5) Business Days of the Company’s and the Escrow Agent’s receipt of such Open Market Sale Notice, the Escrow Agent shall release from the Escrow Account (x) to each selling Investor an amount equal to $0.05 per Early Sale Share sold by such Investor (the “Early Sale Premium”) and (y) to the Company an amount equal to $10.36 per Early Sale Share sold in such Early Sale.

 

(e) Escrow.

 

(i) Simultaneously with the closing of the Business Combination, East Stone shall deposit, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which East Stone hereby acknowledges, into an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Escrow Agent”), subject to the terms of a written escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto and to be entered into on or prior to the Business Combination Closing Date, an amount equal to the lesser of (x) $10,146,189.78 and (y) $10.41 multiplied by the number of Shares and Additional Shares held by the Investors as of the closing of the Business Combination, including after application of any ratable reduction as provided for in Section 4(b) (the “Escrowed Funds”). The Escrow Agreement shall irrevocably cause the Escrow Agent to release from the Escrow Account the aggregate Shares Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1. The payments to be made by the Escrow Agent to the Investors in accordance with Section 1 or to the Investors and the Company in accordance with Section 4(d), if applicable, will be made solely with the Escrowed Funds.

 

(ii) Upon receipt by the Escrow Agent and Company of written notice that any Investor has sold Shares above $10.26 (including any Additional Shares) as provided in Section 4(d), the Escrow Agent may release to the Company for the Company’s use without restriction an aggregate amount equal to the number of Shares (including any Additional Shares) sold multiplied by $10.41; provided that if an Investor sold any Early Sale Shares, within five (5) Business Days of the Company’s and the Escrow Agent’s receipt of the applicable Open Market Sale Notice, the Escrow Agent shall release from the Escrow Account (a) for the selling Investor’s use without restriction an amount equal to the Early Sale Premium with respect to the Early Sale Shares sold by such Investor, and (b) for the Company’s use without restriction an amount equal to the number of Early Sale Shares sold in the Early Sale multiplied by $10.36.

 

(iii) In the event that any Investor elects not to sell to the Company any Shares (including any Additional Shares) held by such Investor by either (A) a Principal Investor delivering a written notice to the Company on behalf of itself (or Meteora delivering a written notice to the Company on behalf of the Non-Principal Investors) stating such Investor’s intention not to sell any Shares (or any Additional Shares) to the Company, or (B) such Investor failing to timely deliver a Shares Sale Notice to the Company pursuant to Section 1(a) for all of its Shares, the Company may promptly issue instructions to the Escrow Agent to release from the Escrow Account to the Company for the Company’s use without restriction an amount equal to (x) $10.41 multiplied by (y) the number of Shares held by such Investor.

 

(f)   Notification. The Company shall promptly notify the Principal Investors of the occurrence of any event that would make any of the representations and warranties of East Stone set forth in Section 3 untrue or incorrect at any time between the date of this Agreement and the Shares Closing Date, except where the failure of a representation and warranty to be true and correct would not have a material adverse effect on East Stone’s or the Company’s ability to consummate the Transactions.

 

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(g) Most Favored Nation. Concurrently with, or shortly after, the execution of this Agreement, East Stone may enter into separate agreements with other investors (the “Additional Investors”) for the purchase and sale of East Stone ordinary shares imposing restrictions on dispositions of East Stone ordinary shares by the Additional Investors similar to those herein ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “Additional Investor Agreements”). East Stone agrees not to provide the Additional Investors material terms in the Additional Investor Agreements that are more favorable to such Additional Investors than the terms provided to the Investors in this Agreement. In the event that East Stone provides the Additional Investors with material terms in the Additional Investor Agreements that are more favorable than the terms provided to the Investors in this Agreement, East Stone shall promptly inform the Principal Investors of such more favorable terms, and the Principal Investors shall have the mutual right to elect to have such more favorable terms included herein, in which case the Parties shall promptly amend this Agreement to effect the same. For the avoidance of doubt, if East Stone transfers or sells Founder Shares to another investor and that investor also executes a non redemption agreement or forward share purchase agreement substantially similar to this Agreement, the Investor shall be notified of such agreement and have the right to amend the terms of this Agreement to match the more favorable terms and/or the Investor shall have the right elect to have such terms included herein.

 

(h) Security Agreement in Escrow Account. To secure the obligations of East Stone and the Company under this Agreement, East Stone and the Company each grant to the Principal Investors a security interest in, and lien on, all right, title, and interest of East Stone and the Company in and to the Escrow Account in respect of all funds required to satisfy East Stone’s and the Company’s obligations hereunder, the Escrow Agreement, all rights related thereto, and all proceeds, products, and profits of the foregoing. In the event of a default by East Stone or the Company under this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement, then, in addition to any other rights the Principal Investors may have under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and applicable law, the Principal Investors shall also have the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in the State of New York. East Stone and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file such UCC financing statements or other documents as reasonably directed by the Principal Investors with respect to their security interests.

 

(i) Indemnification. East Stone (referred to as the “Indemnitor”) agrees to indemnify the Investors and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and shareholders (collectively referred to as the “Indemnitees”) against, and hold them harmless of and from, any and all loss, liability, cost, damage and expense, including without limitation, reasonable and documented out-of-pocket outside counsel fees, which the Indemnitees may suffer or incur by reason of any action, claim or proceeding, in each case, brought by a third party creditor of East Stone, the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries asserting that the Investors are not entitled to receive the aggregate Share Purchase Price or such portion thereof as they are entitled to receive pursuant to Section 1(a) and Section 4(d) of this Agreement, in each case unless such action, claim or proceeding is the result of the fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of any Indemnitee.

 

5. Closing Conditions. The obligation of the Company to purchase the Shares at the Shares Closing under this Agreement shall be subject in all respects to the consummation of the Business Combination, such Shares being free and clear of all liens and other encumbrances as of the Shares Closing and such Shares being continuously held by the Investors from the closing of the Business Combination through the three (3) month anniversary of the Business Combination Closing Date.

 

6. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated as follows:

 

(a) at any time by mutual written consent of all Parties;

 

(b) automatically if the stockholders of East Stone fail to approve the Business Combination before February 24, 2022, subject to extension by mutual agreement; and

 

(c) prior to the closing of the Business Combination by mutual agreement of the Principal Investors if there occurs a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement).

 

(d) By the Investors, if prior to the Extension Meeting, East Stone does not reach substantially similar non-redemption or forward purchase agreements with Other Investors committing an aggregate of 1,949,316 ordinary shares of East Stone to the same restrictions included in Section 4(b) of this Agreement.

 

(e) By the Investors, if prior to the Business Combination Meeting, all Parties, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, have not executed the Escrow Agreement.

 

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In the event of termination in accordance with Section 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 6(d), or 6(e), this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of [Investor], East Stone, or the Company and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, managers, members, or stockholders and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all rights and obligations of each Party shall immediately cease; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 6 shall relieve any Party from liabilities or damages arising out of any actual fraud or willful breach by such party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement prior to termination of this Agreement.

 

7. General Provisions.

 

(a) Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (i) personal delivery to the Party to be notified, (ii) when sent, if sent by electronic mail during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next Business Day, (iii) five (5) Business Days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next Business Day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All notices and other communications sent to a Party shall be sent to the e-mail address or address as set forth on the signature page of such Party hereto, or to such e-mail address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given by such Party in accordance with this Section 7(a).

 

(b) No Finder’s Fees. Each Party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with the Transactions. Each Principal Investor agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless East Stone from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of the Transactions (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Investors, or any of their respective officers, employees or representatives is responsible or arising out of any agreement entered into by any such person or entity. East Stone agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Principal Investors from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of the Transactions (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which East Stone or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible or arising out of any agreement entered into by any such person or entity.

 

(c) Survival of Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Shares Closing.

 

(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto or referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or to the Transactions.

 

(e) Successors. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

 

(f) Assignments. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, no Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the each of the other Parties.

 

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(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures sent by facsimile transmission or in PDF format shall be deemed to be originals for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

(h) Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(i) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement, the entire relationship of the Parties, and any litigation among the Parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its choice of laws or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising from or relating to the relative rights of the parties hereto and all other questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement, shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) or, to the extent the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts (the “Delaware Federal Court”) or, to the extent neither the Court of Chancery nor the Delaware Federal Court has subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (the “Chosen Courts”), and, solely with respect to any such action (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action in the Chosen Courts, and (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party hereto.

 

(j) MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(k) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except with the prior written consent of all Parties.

 

(l) Severability. The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any Party or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the Parties agree that the governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator making such determination will have the power to modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.

 

(m) Expenses. At the Business Combination Closing Date, East Stone shall pay the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of legal counsel to the Principal Investors, in an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate $10,000. East Stone and the Company are responsible for all fees associated with the Escrow Account.

 

(n) Exclusivity. East Stone represents that it has not entered into any similar agreements with any other parties prior to the execution of this Agreement. East Stone may enter into a similar non-redemption or forward purchase agreement with two other parties, for a maximum aggregate 1,949,316 shares, subject to the terms of Section 4(g).

 

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(o) Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which commercial banks in New York are obligated by any applicable law to close. Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign law will be deemed also to refer to law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The Parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If a Party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

(p) Waiver. No waiver by a Party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may 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 because of any prior or subsequent occurrence.

 

(q) Specific Performance. Each Party agrees that irreparable damage may occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed by any other Party in accordance with the terms hereof and that the other Parties shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.

 

(r)   Rule 10b5-1.

 

i. The Company represents and warrants to the Investors that Company is not entering into this Agreement to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Public Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Public Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Public Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Public Shares) for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such securities or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act, and the Company represents and warrants to the Investors that the Company has not entered into or altered, and agrees that the Company will not enter into or alter, any corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the Public Shares.

 

ii. The Company agrees that, subject to Section 4(a) herein, it will not seek to control or influence the Investors’ decision to make any “purchases or sales” (within the meaning of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B)(3)) under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Investors’ decision to enter into any hedging transactions.

 

iii. The Company acknowledges and agrees that any amendment, modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement shall be made in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

[Investor]

 

By:                  
Name:  
Title:    
   
Address for Notices:  
   
East Stone:  
   
East Stone Acquisition Corporation  
   
By:    
Name:  
Title:    

 

Address for Notices:

25 Mall Road, Suite 330, Burlington, MA 01803

hao@estonecapital.com

 

[Signature Page to East Stone Forward Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Appendix A

 

Investor Number of Shares
[Investor]  
   
   
   

 

[Signature Page to East Stone Forward Purchase Agreement] 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Escrow Agreement

(attached hereto)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

SHARE TRANSFER AGREEMENT

 

This Share Transfer Agreement (“Agreement”), dated November 12, 2021, among [Investors] (each of [Investors] an “Investor”, and collectively the “Investors”) and Double Ventures Holdings Limited (the “Sponsor”).

 

RECITALS:

 

A. East Stone Acquisition Corporation (“East Stone”), a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Company” or “SPAC”) will hold a special meeting of its shareholders (“Business Combination Meeting”) to consider and act upon, among other things, a proposal (the “Acquisition Proposal”) to adopt and approve certain proposed transactions pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2021, as amended as of June 25, 2021, as amended and restated as of September 13, 2021 and as further amended and restated as of October 7, 2021, and as may be further amended (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among East Stone, JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“JHD”), JHD Technologies Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Pubco”), Yellow River MergerCo Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (“Merger Sub”), Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company, in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative thereunder, Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company, in the capacity as the Seller Representative thereunder and the sole holder of JHD’s outstanding capital shares (the “Primary Seller”), and each of the holders of JHD’s capital shares that become parties to the Business Combination Agreement after the date thereof (such transactions, the “Business Combination”).

 

B. In the event that the SPAC believes it will not be able to consummate the Business Combination on or prior to November 24, 2021, SPAC intends to hold a special meeting of shareholders (the “Extension Meeting”) to approve, among other things, a proposal (the “Extension Proposal”) to amend SPAC’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which East Stone has to consummate a business combination (the “Extension”) from November 24, 2021 to February 24, 2022.

 

C. The Investors have agreed not to seek redemption of 974,658 ordinary shares issued in SPAC’s initial public offering (“Public Shares”) upon the terms set forth herein.

 

IT IS AGREED:

 

1. Non-Redemption and Voting.

 

(a) The Investors hereby agree not to request redemption of any Public Shares at the Extension Meeting and vote in favor of the Extension Proposal.

 

(b) Further, the Investors agree not to seek redemption of any Public Shares at the Meeting to approve the Acquisition Proposal, subject to the terms of the executed Forward Purchase Agreement, and vote in favor of the Acquisition Proposal.

 

 

 

 

2. Net Long. During the term of this Agreement, each Investor agrees to maintain a net long position of the Company’s securities. If, on the day that is three trading days prior to the Company’s special meeting of shareholders to approve, among other things, an extension of the date by which East Stone has to consummate a business combination from November 24, 2021 to February 24, 2022 (the “Extension Meeting”), the Investors own fewer than 974,658 Public Shares, the Investors shall purchase Public Shares at trust value, in the first instance in the form of Public Shares tendered for redemption from the Escrow Agent (as defined herein) (the “Extension Redeemed Shares”), and if such Extension Redeemed Shares are not sufficient to allow the Investors to own at least 974,658 Public Shares, then the Investor shall thereafter purchase Public Shares, at trust value, in the open market, up to a number of Public Shares such that the Investors hold 974,658 shares as of the time of the Extension Meeting. If, on the day that is three trading days prior to the Business Combination Meeting, the Investors hold fewer than 974,658 Public Shares, the Investors shall purchase Public Shares at trust value, in the first instance in the form of Public Shares tendered for redemption from the Escrow Agent (as defined herein) (the “Business Combination Redeemed Shares”), and if such Business Combination Redeemed Shares are not sufficient to allow the Investors to own at least 974,658 Public Shares, then the Investor shall thereafter purchase Public Shares, at trust value, in the open market, up to a number of Public Shares such that the Investors hold 974,658 Public Shares as of the time of the Business Combination Meeting.

 

3. Insider Stock Transfers. In consideration of the agreements set forth in Section 1 hereof, the Sponsor (or its designees) will transfer, on or before the Extension Meeting (“Extension Meeting Date”), to the Investors, 15,000 of the Company’s ordinary shares (“Founder Shares”) beneficially owned by it (or its designees) for every 324,886 Public Shares not redeemed by the Investors. Further, on the date of the closing of the Business Combination (the “Business Combination Closing Date” and each of the Extension Meeting Date and the Business Combination Closing Date, a “Share Transfer Date”), or one business day after, the Sponsor (or its designees) will transfer, to the Investors, an additional 29,444 Founder Shares beneficially owned by it (or its designees) for every 324,886 Public Shares not redeemed by the Investors. In the event there is no Extension Meeting, the Sponsor (or its designees) will transfer, to the Investors, on or before the Business Combination Closing Date, 44,444 Founder Shares beneficially owned by it (or its designees) for every 324,886 Public Shares not redeemed by the Investors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the number of Founder Shares transferred to the Investors shall not be subject to earn-out, cut-back, reduction, mandatory repurchase, redemption or forfeiture for any reason, including (i) transfer of the Founder Shares to any person, (ii) concessions or “earn-out” triggers in connection with the negotiation of a Business Combination Agreement, (iii) or any other modification, without the Investor’s prior written consent. The Founder Shares shall be re-issued in the name of the Investors either in physical certificate form or electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit Withdrawal at Custodian) System, as directed by the Investors. The Sponsor hereby assigns to the Investors (x) its registration rights pursuant to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2020, with respect to the Founder Shares being transferred to the Investors hereunder, and (y) its rights and obligations pursuant to that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2020, with respect to certain restrictions and voting obligations relating to the Founder Shares being transferred to the Investors hereof (the “Insider Letter”). Each Investor will be subject to the terms of the Insider Letter (and related definitional, enforcement and general provisions), as if it were an original undersigned party thereto.

 

4. Representations of the Investors. The Investors hereby represent and warrant to the Sponsor that:

 

(a) The Investors, in making the decision to receive the Founder Shares from the Sponsor, have not relied upon any oral or written representations or assurances from the Sponsor or any of SPAC’s officers, directors, partners or employees or any other representatives or agents.

 

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(b) This Agreement has been validly authorized, duly executed and delivered by the Investors and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other party hereto, is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the general principles of equity and to bankruptcy or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Investors do not and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of, constitute a default under, or result in a violation of (i) any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Investors are a party which would prevent the Investors from performing its obligations hereunder or (ii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Investors are subject.

 

(c) The Investors acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with the Investor’s own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors.

 

(d) Each Investor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was formed.

 

(e) The Investors are record and beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of, and have good title to, all of the Public Shares, and there exist no liens or any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such securities (other than transfer restrictions under the Securities Act)) affecting any such securities. Except for the Public Shares, any pubic rights, and any public warrants held by Stockholder, as of the date of this Agreement, the Investors are not record holders of any (i) equity securities of SPAC, (ii) securities of SPAC having the right to vote on any matters on which the stockholders of SPAC may vote or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, at any time, equity securities of SPAC, or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from SPAC any equity securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities of SPAC.

 

(f) There are no actions pending against the Investors or, to the Investors’ knowledge, threatened against the Investors, before (or, in the case of threatened actions, that would be before) any arbitrator or any governmental authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Investors of their obligations under this Agreement.

 

5. Sponsor Representations. The Sponsor hereby represents and warrants to the Investors that:

 

(a) This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by it and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other party hereto, is a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the general principles of equity and to bankruptcy or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Sponsor does not and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of, constitute a default under, or result in a violation of (i) any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Sponsor is a party which would prevent the Sponsor from performing its obligations hereunder or (ii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Sponsor is subject.

 

(b) The Sponsor (or its designees) is the beneficial owner of the Founder Shares and will transfer them to the Investors immediately prior to the applicable Share Transfer Date free and clear of any liens, claims, security interests, options charges or any other encumbrance whatsoever, except for restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws and the terms set forth in the Insider Letter.

 

(c) Neither the Sponsor not the Company have disclosed to the Investors material non-public information with respect to the Company or the Business Combination, other than any such information that shall be publicly disclosed by the Sponsor either by the issuance of a press release or the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, in each case, by 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time on the first Business Day immediately following the date that the Sponsor and Investors enter into this Agreement. Such public disclosure shall disclose the name of the Investors as having entered into the Agreement.

 

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(d) Compliance with Other Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance by the Sponsor of this Agreement and the consummation by the Sponsor of this Agreement will not result in any violation or default (i) of any provisions of its organizational documents, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or (v) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to it, in each case (other than clause (i)), which would have a material adverse effect on the Sponsor or its ability to consummate the Business Combination.

 

(e) There are no actions pending against the Sponsor or the Company, to the Sponsor’s or the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Sponsor or the Company, before (or, in the case of threatened actions, that would be before) any arbitrator or any governmental authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Investors of their obligations under this Agreement.

 

6. Disclosure; Exchange Act Filings. Promptly after execution of this Agreement, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) reporting the execution of this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement shall cooperate with one another to assure that such disclosure is accurate.

 

7. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may be amended or modified only by written instrument signed by all parties. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not alter or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware, including the conflicts of law provisions and interpretations thereof. 

 

9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

10. Termination. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall become null and void and of no force and effect (i) if the Business Combination is not consummated by February 24, 2022 or (iii) if East Stone does not reach substantially similar non-redemption or forward purchase agreements with other investors committing an aggregate of 1,949,316 ordinary shares. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Business Combination is not consummated by February 24, 2022 the Investors shall not be required to forfeit or transfer the Founder Shares transferred to them on or before the Extension Meeting and the Sponsor (or its designees) shall still transfer to the Investors, on the Business Combination Closing Date or one trading day after, an additional 29,444 Founder Shares beneficially owned by it (or its designees) for every 324,886 Public Shares not redeemed by the Investors at the Extension Meeting. However, if the Business Combination is not consummated by February 22, 2022, the Investors shall be released from all obligations of this Agreement.

 

11. Remedies. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that, in the event of any breach of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement by the other party, money damages may be inadequate with respect to any such breach and the non-breaching party may have no adequate remedy at law. It is accordingly agreed that each of the parties hereto shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, to seek injunctive relief and/or to compel specific performance to prevent breaches by the other party hereto of any covenant or agreement of such other party contained in this Agreement.

 

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12. Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

 

13. Most Favored Nation. In the event the Sponsor enters into separate agreements with other investors in respect of the purchase of the Shares, before or after the execution of this Agreement, and subsequent non-redemption agreement, the Sponsor represents that the material terms of such other agreements are no more favorable to such other investors thereunder than the terms of this Agreement are in respect of the Investors. In the event that another investor is afforded any such more favorable terms than the Investors, the Sponsor shall promptly so inform the Investors of such more favorable terms, and the Investors shall have the right to elect to have such more favorable terms included herein, in which case the parties hereto shall promptly amend this Agreement to effect the same. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Sponsor transfers or sells Founder Shares to another investor and that investor also executes a non redemption agreement or forward share purchase agreement substantially similar to this Agreement, the Investors shall be notified of such agreement and have the right to amend the terms of this Agreement to match the more favorable terms and/or the Investors shall have the right elect to have such terms included herein

 

14. Indemnification. The Sponsor and the Company (referred to as the “Indemnitors”) shall both agree to indemnify the Investors and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and shareholders (collectively referred to as the “Indemnitees”) against, and hold them harmless of and from, any and all loss, liability, cost, damage and expense, including without limitation, reasonable and documented out-of-pocket outside counsel fees, incurred as a result of any claim, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or arbitrative brought against the Sponsor or Company that makes any Investor a party, or brought against the Investors in relation to this Agreement.

 

15. Notification. The Sponsor and/or Company shall promptly notify the Investors of the occurrence of any event that would make any of the representations and warranties of the Sponsor and/or Company untrue or incorrect at any time between the date of this Agreement and the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

16. SEC Filings. None of the Company’s reports and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as of their respective dates, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

17. Trust Fund Waiver. Each Investor acknowledges that East Stone has established a trust account (“Trust Account”) for the benefit of East Stone’s public stockholders and that disbursements from the Trust Account are available only in the limited circumstances as described in the SEC Reports. Each Investor further acknowledges and agrees that East Stone’s sole assets consist of the cash proceeds of East Stone’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities, and that substantially all of these proceeds have been deposited in the Trust Account for the benefit of its public stockholders. Each Investor (on behalf of itself and its affiliates) hereby waives any past, present or future claim of any kind against, and any right to access, the Trust Account and any funds contained therein for any reason whatsoever, and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account at any time for any reason whatsoever; provided, however, that nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit the Investors’ right to pursue a claim against the Company for (i) legal relief against monies or other assets held outside the Trust Account or (ii) specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement so long as such claim would not affect East Stone’s ability to fulfill its obligation to effectuate redemption of public shares as described in the SEC Reports.

 

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18. Inconsistent Agreements. Investors hereby covenant and agree that, except for this Agreement and any other forward share purchase agreement that the Investor may enter into with the SPAC, each (a) shall not enter into at any time while this Agreement remains in effect, any voting agreement or voting trust with respect to the Public Shares and (b) shall not grant at any time while this Agreement remains in effect a proxy, consent or power of attorney with respect to the Public Shares.

 

19. Covenants of Investors. The Investors hereby: (a) agree to promptly notify the Company and Pubco to comply with relevant SEC disclosure requirements or to confirm the fulfillment of the Investors' obligations pursuant to Section 2 herein, upon the reasonable request of the Company or Pubco, of the number of any new securities acquired by the Investors after the date hereof until the closing of the Business Combination (any such new securities being subject to the terms of this Agreement as “Public Shares” as though owned by the Investors on the date hereof); provided that any such requests shall only be made from time to time as may be reasonably needed to effect the Extension or the Business Combination, as the case may be; (b) agrees to permit Pubco and the Company to publish and disclose each Investor's identity, ownership of the Public Shares and the nature of each Investor's commitments, arrangements and understandings under this Agreement, and, if deemed appropriate by Pubco or the Company, a copy of this Agreement, in (i) the Registration Statement/Proxy Statement, (ii) any Form 8-K or 6-K filed by the Company or Pubco with the SEC in connection with the execution and delivery of the Business Combination Agreement and the Registration Statement/Proxy Statement, and (iii) any other documents or communications provided by Pubco or the Company to any governmental authority or to security holders of Pubco, in each case, to the extent required by the federal securities laws or the SEC or any other securities authorities.

  

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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

 

  SPONSOR:
     
  By:       
  Name: 
  Title:

 

  COMPANY:
     
  By:            
  Name:   
  Title:  

 

  [INVESTOR]:
                  
  By:  
  Name:   
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to East Stone Share Transfer Agreement]

 

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT

 

This First Amendment (this “First Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement is made and entered into effective as of November 12, 2021, by and among (i) East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (together with its successors, the “Purchaser”), (ii) Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative under the Business Combination Agreement (the “Purchaser Representative”), (iii) JHD Technologies Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“Pubco”), (iii) Yellow River MergerCo Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (“Merger Sub”), (iv) JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company (the “Company”), (v) solely for purposes of Section 10.3 and Articles XII and XIII thereof, as applicable, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company (the "Sponsor") and (vi) Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company (the “Primary Seller”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, Purchaser, the Purchaser Representative, Pubco, Merger Sub, the Company, the Sponsor and the Primary Seller are parties to that certain Business Combination Agreement made and entered into as of February 16, 2021 (the “Original Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties entered into a First Amendment to the Original Agreement on November 25, 2021 and entered into an Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement on September 13, 2021 and a Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement on October 7, 2021 (the "Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement")

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein (as amended, including by this First Amendment, the “Amended Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

1Amendment. The parties hereby agree to amend the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement as follows:

 

a. The tenth recital of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of the Original Agreement, the Purchaser’s sponsor, Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company (“Sponsor”), Sherman Xiaoma Lu, Charlie Chunyi Hao, Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company (collectively with the Sponsor, the Primary Initial Shareholders) entered into a letter agreement with the Purchaser and the Company, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit C hereto, which letter agreement was amended on November 12, 2021, to among other things add the Primary Seller and Pubco as parties thereto (as amended, the “Founder Share Letter”), pursuant to which the Primary Initial Shareholders have agreed to forfeit up to an aggregate of between zero and fifty percent (50%) of the Founder Shares (defined below) owned by the Primary Initial Shareholders, in the event that the Purchaser has less than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) in cash and cash equivalents, including funds remaining in the Trust Account (defined below) (after giving effect to the completion and payment of the Redemption (defined below)) and the proceeds of any PIPE Investment (defined below) immediately prior to the Closing, with the full fifty percent (50%) of the Founder Shares being subject to forfeiture if such amount of cash and cash equivalents is Seventy Million Dollars ($70,000,000) or less;

 

b. Section 9.2(d) of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

"Minimum Cash. Purchaser shall hold no less than One Hundred Ten Million Dollars ($110,000,000) in cash and cash equivalents, including funds remaining in the Trust Account (defined below) (after giving effect to the completion and payment of the Redemption) and the proceeds of any PIPE Investment immediately prior to the Closing and the principal amount of the 2021 Convertible Notes and the gross cash proceeds of any Equity Investment; provided however, that for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that the investors referred to in clause 1(b)(ii) of the Founder Share Letter enter into forward share purchase agreements with Purchaser pursuant to which such investors have, inter alia, agreed to waive their right to redeem their Purchaser Ordinary Shares at the Closing, the value of such Purchaser Ordinary Shares remaining in the Trust Account immediately before the Closing (which such funds will be placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust pursuant to the forward share purchase agreements immediately following Closing) shall not count towards the One Hundred Ten Million Dollar ($110,000,000) minimum cash condition."

 

 

 

 

c. Section 10.1(b) of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement shall be amended effective upon the effectiveness of the amendment to the Purchaser's amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which the Purchaser has to consummate a business combination from November 24, 2021 to February 24, 2022, by deleting Section 10.1(b) of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

(b) by written notice by the Purchaser or the Company if any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article IX have not been satisfied or waived by February 24, 2022 (or such other date that Parties agree to in writing) (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(b) shall not be available to a Party if the breach or violation by such Party or its Affiliates (or with respect to the Company, any Seller, Pubco or Merger Sub) of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement was the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Outside Date;

 

2. Miscellaneous. Except as expressly provided in this First Amendment, all of the terms and provisions in the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Documents are and shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. This First Amendment does not constitute, directly or by implication, an amendment or waiver of any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement or any Ancillary Document, or any other right, remedy, power or privilege of any party, except as expressly set forth herein. Any reference to the Agreement in the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement or any other agreement, document, instrument or certificate entered into or issued in connection therewith shall hereinafter mean the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment (or as the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement may be further amended or modified after the date hereof in accordance with the terms thereof). The Seconded Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, and the documents or instruments attached hereto or thereto or referenced herein or therein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Business Combination Agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to its subject matter. If any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement is materially different from or inconsistent with any provision of this First Amendment, the provision of this First Amendment shall control, and the provision of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement shall, to the extent of such difference or inconsistency, be disregarded. This First Amendment shall be interpreted, construed, governed and enforced in a manner consistent with the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement, and, without limiting the foregoing, Sections 12.2 through 12.9, and 12.11 and 12.12 of the Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, and such provisions apply to this First Amendment as if all references to the “Agreement” contained therein were instead references to this First Amendment.

 

{The remainder of this page is intentionally blank; the next page is the signature page.}

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Amendment to be signed and delivered by its respective duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.

 

  Purchaser:
   
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Name: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Additional Signatures on Following Page]

 

(Signature Page to First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement)

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Amendment to be signed and delivered by its respective duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.

 

  Pubco:
   
  JHD TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Jun Wang
  Name: Jun Wang
  Title: Director  
   
  Merger Sub:
   
  YELLOW RIVER MERGERCO LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Jun Wang
  Name: Jun Wang
  Title: Director 

 

  The Primary Seller and Seller Representative:
   
  YELLOW RIVER (CAYMAN) LIMITED  
   
  By: /s/ Alan Martin Clingman
  Name: Alan Martin Clingman
  Title: Director

 

  The Company:
   
  JHD HOLDINGS (CAYMAN) LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Jun Wang
  Name: Jun Wang
  Title: Director

 

[Additional Signatures on Following Page]

 

(Signature Page to First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement)

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Amendment to be signed and delivered by its respective duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.

 

  Purchaser Representative:
   
  Navy Sail International Limited, solely in its capacity as the Purchaser Representative hereunder
   
  /s/ Chunyi (Charlie) Hao
  Name: Chunyi (Charlie) Hao
  Title: Director

 

  Sponsor:
   
  DOUBLE VENTURES HOLDINGS Limited, solely with respect to Section 10.3 hereof in its capacity as the Sponsor hereunder
   
  /s/ Chunyi (Charlie) Hao
  Name: Chunyi (Charlie) Hao
  Title: Director

 

 

(Signature Page to First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement)

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

JHD HOLDINGS (CAYMAN) LIMITED
14/F Golden Centre

188 Des Voeux Road Central
Hong Kong

EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
25 Mall Road, Suite 330

Burlington, MA 01803

 

November 12, 2021

 

Double Ventures Holdings Limited
19/F Hong Commercial Building

145 Hennessy Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

Attn: Sherman Xiaoma Lu 

Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu

19/F Hong Commercial Building

145 Hennessy Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong 

   

Navy Sail International Limited

19/F Hong Commercial Building

145 Hennessy Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

Charlie Hao

19/F Hong Commercial Building

145 Hennessy Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

   

Yellow River (Cayman) Limited

One Capital Place

PO Box 847

Grand Cayman KY1 - 1103

Cayman Islands BWI

Attn: Sherrie Chou

JHD Technologies Limited

One Capital Place

PO Box 847

Grand Cayman KY1 - 1103

Cayman Islands BWI

Attn: Ariel Gibson

 

Re: Amendment to Letter Agreement Regarding Forfeiture of Founder Shares

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain letter agreement, dated February 16, 2021 (the “Founder Share Letter”), by and among, JHD Holdings (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“JHD”), East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands business company (the “Purchaser”), Double Ventures Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (the “Sponsor”), Navy Sail International Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Navy Sail”), Chunyi (Charlie) Hao, and Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu , pursuant to which, among other matters, each of the Sponsor, Navy Sail and Messrs. Hao and Lu (collectively, the “Primary Initial Shareholders”) agreed to forfeit up to 50% of their Founder Shares in the event that that Purchaser Cash at Closing was less than the Target Purchaser Cash. Any term used but not defined in this letter agreement (this “Amendment”) will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Founder Share Letter or, if such term is not defined in the Founder Share Letter, in the Business Combination Agreement defined therein.

 

The Purchaser, JHD and the Primary Initial Shareholders desire to amend the Founder Share Letter to provide (i) that the Forfeited Shares, if any, shall be cancelled and replaced with Pubco Ordinary Shares, which shall be used for the purposes specified herein and (ii) to add JHD Technologies Limited, a Cayman Islands company (“Pubco”), and Yellow River (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands company (the “Primary Seller”), as a parties thereto.

 

 

 

 

Section 3 of the Founder Share Letter provides that it may only be changed, amended or modified by a written instrument executed by all of the parties thereto.

 

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, JHD, Pubco, the Purchaser, the Primary Initial Shareholders and the Primary Seller hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Amendments to Founder Share Letter. The Founder Share Letter shall be amended as follows:

 

(a) The third sentence of the preamble to Section 1 of the Founder Share Letter is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

“In order to effectuate such forfeiture, upon the Closing, each Primary Initial Shareholder shall deliver its Founder Pro Rata Share of the Forfeited Shares to Purchaser in book entry form for cancellation. The Forfeited Shares shall be replaced by an equivalent number of Pubco Ordinary Shares (the “Forfeiture Replacement Shares”) with such shares being allocated and applied in accordance with Section 1(b) below. In addition, any Founder Shares transferred to investors prior to the Closing pursuant to Section 1(b)(ii) below shall also be deemed to be Forfeiture Replacement Shares.

 

(b) Section 1 of the Founder Share Letter shall be amended by adding the following as a new subsection 1(b):

 

“(b) The Forfeiture Replacement Shares shall be allocated and issued to the individuals and entities specified below in the following order and priority:

 

(i) First, 138,000 Forfeiture Replacement Shares to the Primary Seller in partial satisfaction of the amounts owed to the Primary Seller for advancing the Extension payment to Purchaser;

 

(ii) Second, if any Forfeiture Replacement Shares remain after the allocation and issuance in clause (i) above, up to 450,000 Forfeiture Replacement Shares (with such number of shares payable under Section 1(b)(ii) reduced by the amount of any prior transfers of Founder Shares for the purposes set forth below in this Section 1(b)(ii)) in connection with the Transactions either (x) to enter into written backstop agreements with the Purchaser or Pubco or (y) to provide financing for the costs and expenses of an Extension, with any new issuance of such shares occurring concurrently with the Closing; and

 

(iii) Third, if any Forfeiture Replacement Shares remain after the allocations in clauses (i) and (ii) above, (A) the first 500,000 of such Forfeiture Replacement Shares to an individual shareholder of the Sponsor who is neither a member of the Board of Directors or the management team of the Purchaser and (B) the remaining Forfeiture Replacement Shares equally to (x) the Primary Seller on the one hand, and (y) Messrs. Hao and Lu in equal proportion on the other hand.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that the investors specified in clause 1(b)(ii) above enter in non-redemption agreements with Purchaser and thereby waive their right to redeem their shares at the Closing, the value of such shares remaining in the trust account immediately before the Closing (which such funds will be placed in escrow pursuant to the non-redemption agreements immediately following Closing) shall not count towards the minimum cash condition specified in Section 9.2(d) of the Business Combination Agreement.

 

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(c) Section 1 of the Founder Share Letter shall be amended by adding the following as a new subsection 1(c):

 

“(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that after the application of Section 1(a) above it is determined by the parties hereto that there are no Forfeited Shares at the Closing, the Primary Initial Shareholders acknowledge and agree that the obligation to deliver shares of Purchaser or Pubco to the entities specified in Section 1(b)(i) and 1(b)(ii) above, shall be satisfied by the Primary Initial Shareholders either at or prior to the Closing by the transfer of an equivalent number of Founder Shares to such parties in the same order and priority as specified in Section 1(b) (i) to (ii) with respect to the Forfeiture Replacement Shares.

 

(d) The Founder Share Letter shall be amended by adding the Primary Seller and Pubco as parties thereto.

 

2. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Except as expressly provided in this Amendment, all of the terms and provisions in the Founder Share Letter are and shall remain in full force and effect, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. This Amendment does not constitute, directly or by implication, an amendment or waiver of any provision of the Founder Share Letter, or any other right, remedy, power or privilege of any party thereto, except as expressly set forth herein.

 

(b) Any reference to the Founder Share Letter in the Founder Share Letter or any other agreement, document, instrument or certificate entered into or issued in connection therewith shall hereinafter mean the Founder Share Letter, as amended by this Amendment (or as the Founder Share Letter may be further amended or modified in accordance with the terms thereof).

 

(c) Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that such party has full power and authority to enter into this Amendment and has been duly authorized to do so. The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment will not conflict with or breach any other agreement to which any of the parties or their respective assets are bound.

 

(d) The terms of this Amendment shall be governed by, enforced and construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the provisions of the Founder Share Letter, including Sections 6 thereof.

 

(e) Neither this Amendment, nor the Founder Share Letter, may be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by (i) the Purchaser, JHD, Pubco, each Primary Initial Shareholder and Yellow River.

 

{Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature page follows}

 

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Please indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing in the space provided below.

 

  JHD HOLDINGS (CAYMAN) LIMITED
     
  By: /s/ Jun Wang
  Name: Jun Wang
  Title: Director
     
  EAST STONE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Name: Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and agreed, effective as of the date first set forth above:

 

DOUBLE VENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED  
     
By: /s/ Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
Name: Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
Title: Director  
     
NAVY SAIL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED  
     
By: /s/ Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
Name: Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
Title: Director  
     

 

/s/ Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
Chunyi (Charlie) Hao  
   
/s/ Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu  
Xiaoma (Sherman) Lu  

 

[Additional Signatures on Following Page]

 

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Founder Share Letter]

 

 

 

 

JHD TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED  
     
By: /s/ Jun Wang  
Name: Jun Wang  
Title: Director  
     
YELLOW RIVER (CAYMAN) LIMITED  
     
By: /s/ Alan Martin Clingman  
Name: Alan Martin Clingman  
Title: Director  
     

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Founder Share Letter]