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 Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 10, 2019
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-33522 | 20-2110031 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
One Riverway, Suite 1700 Houston, Texas |
77056 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(713) 579-0600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[X] 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 240.14-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CRF 240.133-4(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. [ ]
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Merger Agreement
On October 10, 2019 (the “Agreement Date”), Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), SES Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Subsidiary”), and Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary limited company (“AFE”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, AFE will, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, merge with and into Merger Subsidiary (the “Merger”), the separate corporate existence of Merger Subsidiary shall cease and AFE shall be the successor or surviving corporation of the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Merger is intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Upon the consummation of the Merger, it is contemplated that the Company will also change its name.
Upon consummation of the Merger, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, holders of AFE ordinary shares will receive, in exchange for such ordinary shares, 3,875,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). All outstanding Company stock options and restricted stock will remain outstanding post-Merger on the same terms and conditions as currently applicable to such awards, provided that outstanding awards for departing directors shall be amended to extend exercisability for the term of the award.
The respective boards of directors of the Company, Merger Subsidiary and AFE have determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of their respective stockholders, and have approved the Merger and the Merger Agreement. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are subject to the approval of the Company’s and AFE’s respective shareholders at shareholders’ meetings to be called and held by the Company and AFE, respectively, and other closing conditions, including, among other things, the filing and effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreements and the Purchase Agreements Agreements.
The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties by the Company and Merger Subsidiary, on the one hand, and by AFE, on the other hand, made solely for the benefit of the other. The assertions embodied in those representations and warranties are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules that the parties have exchanged in connection with signing the Merger Agreement. The disclosure schedules contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement. Moreover, certain representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement were made as of a specified date, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from what might be viewed as material to shareholders, or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the Company and Merger Subsidiary, on the one hand, and AFE, on the other hand. Accordingly, the representations and warranties and other disclosures in the Merger Agreement should not be relied on by any persons as characterizations of the actual state of facts about the Company, Merger Subisidiary or AFE at the time they were made or otherwise.
Under the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger, the directors of the Company will be Messrs. Stephen Lonie, Edward Choros, Richard Barker, Robert Rigdon and an additional independent director to be identified, and the officers of the Company will be Messrs. Kerry Parker (President and Chief Executive Officer), Ronald Higson (Chief Operating Officer) and David Hiscocks (Corporate Controller).
The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and AFE, including, among other things, if the Merger is not consummated on or before April 15, 2020.
The Merger Agreement is included herein as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement.
Batchfire Share Exchange
In connection with the entry into the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into Share Exchange Agreements (each, a “Share Exchange Agreement”) with certain of the shareholders of Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd (“Batchfire”), whereby such shareholders will exchange their shares of Batchfire for shares of the Common Stock at a ratio of 10 Batchfire shares for one share of Common Stock. As a result of these exchanges, the Company would own 25% of the outstanding shares of Batchfire. The closing of the exchange is subject to certain conditions specified in the Share Exchange Agreements, including, without limitation, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In addition, the Company is making an offer to the remaining shareholders of Batchfire such that the Company would acquire 100% of the shares if the offers are all accepted.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the Share Exchange Agreement which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Debt Financing and Amendments
In connection with the entry into the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into a securities purchase and exchange agreements (each, a “Purchase Agreement”) with each of the existing holders of its 11% senior secured debentures issued in October 2017 (the “2017 Debentures”), whereby each of the holders agreed to exchange their 2017 Debentures and accompanying warrants (the “2017 Warrants”) for new debentures (the “New Debentures”) and warrants (the “New Warrants”), and certain of the holders agreed to provide $2,000,000 of additional debt financing (the “Interim Financing”).
As compensation for its services, the Company will pay to T.R. Winston & Company, LLC (the “Placement Agent”): (i) a cash fee of $140,000 (representing an aggregate fee equal to 7% of the face amount of the Merger Debentures, as defined below); and (ii) a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Placement Agent Warrant”). We have also agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the Placement Agent.
The Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrant will be exercisable into shares of Common Stock at any time from and after the closing date at an exercise price of $6.00 per common share (subject to adjustment). The Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrant will terminate five years after they become exercisable. The Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrant contain provisions providing for the adjustment of the purchase price and number of shares into which the securities are exercisable
The New Debentures and the Warrants have substantially similar terms to the 2017 Debentures and 2017 Warrants, including as to maturity and security, except that the New Debentures, among other differences, (i) provide for the payment to certain holders, at their election, of interest payments in shares of the Common Stock or in kind, and (ii) provide for certain optional conversion features. The New Warrant changes the exercise price of the Warrant to $6.00 per share and make certain other modifications to the 2017 Warrants. The New Debentures and New Warrants will be issued at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, each Debenture holder (i) waived the events of default resulting from the failure by the Company to timely file its Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 and for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019, (ii) waived the event of default resulting from the failure by the Company to make interest payments due on July 1, 2019, October 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020, and (iii) consented to the consummation of the Merger and the issuance of the Merger Debentures and the Merger Warrants (each as defined below), notwithstanding any limitations in the Debentures to the contrary.
As mentioned above, pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, the Company also issued $2,000,000 of 11% senior secured debentures (the “Merger Debentures”) to certain accredited investors, along with warrants to purchase $4,000,000 of shares of Common Stock, half of which were Series A Common Stock Purchase Warrants (the “Series A Merger Warrants”) and half of which were Series B Common Stock Purchase Warrants (the “Series B Merger Warrants” and, together with the Series A Merger Warrants, the “Merger Warrants”), as part of the Interim Financing. The Company shall receive the $2,000,000 pursuant to the Merger Debentures according to the following schedule: (i) $1,000,000 on or before October 14, 2019, (ii) $500,000 upon the filing of the proxy statement for the Company stockholder approval of the Merger, and (iii) $500,000 within two business days of Company stockholder approval of the Merger. The terms of the Merger Debentures are the same as the New Debentures. The Merger Debentures are intended to assist the Company in financing its business through the closing of the Merger.
Interest on the Merger Debentures is payable quarterly in arrears, at the option of the holder, in the form of shares of Common Stock, to be issued at a price of the lower of $3.00 per share and the 10-day trailing VWAP for the period immediately prior to the due date of the interest payment, or in kind. The Merger Debentures are convertible at any time by the holders into shares of Common Stock at a price of $3.00 per share, and the Company can require conversion into shares of Common Stock at a price of $3.00 per share if the Common Stock trades at or above $10.00 per share for ten consecutive trading days.
The Merger Warrants will be exercisable into shares of Common Stock at any time from and after the issue date at an exercise price of $3.00 per share of Common Stock, in the case of the Series A Merger Warrants, or $6.00 per share of Common Stock, in the case of the Series B Merger Warrants. The Merger Warrants will terminate five years after they become exercisable. The Merger Warrants contain provisions providing for the adjustment of the purchase price and number of shares into which the securities are exercisable. The terms of the Merger Warrants are the same as the New Warrants. The Placement Agent Warrant has the same terms as the Merger Warrant with an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
In connection with entering into the Purchase Agreement, the Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the investors whereby the Company agreed to register the shares of Common Stock underlying the New Debentures, the New Warrants, the Merger Debentures and the Merger Warrants.
The Company has also agreed to loan $350,000 of the proceeds from the Merger Debentures to AFE to assist AFE in financing its business through the closing of the Merger. The terms of this loan will be disclosed once finalized between the Company and AFE.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the forms of the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the New Debentures, the New Warrants, the Series A Merger Warrants and the Series B Merger Warrants which are attached as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 hereto and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Management Consulting Agreement
On the Agreement Date, the Company entered into a management consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Market Development Consulting Group, Inc. d/b/a MDC Group (“MDC”). The Consulting Agreement has a term of one year, ending on September 30, 2019, but is terminable by either party on 30 days notice in connection with an annual review of the services provided by MDC under the Consulting Agreement.
Under terms of the Consulting Agreement, MDC will, among other things, (a) be responsible for the Company’s communications strategy to current and potential stockholders; (b) serve as advisor to Company management and primary point of contact for media and stockholder relations; and (c) provide management and guidance for Company market and investor awareness initiatives.
Until the earlier of the closing of the Merger or the sixth month anniversary of the Agreement Date, MDC will receive a monthly fee of $10,000 plus expense reimbursement. Thereafter, MDC will receive a monthly fee of $25,000 plus expense reimbursement.
On the Agreement Date, the Company issued 70,000 shares of Common Stock to MDC (the “MDC Agreement Date Shares”) and upon the closing of the Merger, the Company will issue an additional 30,000 shares of Common Stock to MDC (the “MDC Merger Closing Shares” and, in together with the MDC Agreement Date Shares, the “MDC Engagement Shares”).
MDC also received a warrant to acquire 300,000 shares of Common Stock upon signing of the Consulting Agreement and will receive additional warrants to acquire 1% of the then fully diluted Common Stock on each annual anniversary prior to termination of the Consulting Agreement (together, the “MDC Warrants”). Subject to specified limitations in the Consulting Agreement, MDC also has certain piggyback registration rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the MDC Warrants.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Consulting Agreement and the MDC Warrant, which are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.8 and Exhibit 10.9, respectively.
Item 2.03 | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. |
The discussion in Item 1.01 regarding the issuance of the New Debentures and the Merger Debentures is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities. |
The discussions in Item 1.01 regarding the MDC Engagement Shares and the shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the Share Exchange Agreements, the New Warrants, the Merger Warrants, the New Debentures the Merger Debentures and the MDC Warrants are incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.
Item 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On October 10, 2019, the Company issued a press release announcing its entry into the Merger Agreement and the related transactions. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the foregoing information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information and Exhibits be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Forward-Looking Statements
This current report, including Exhibit 99.1, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” or “probable” or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “will,” “should,” or “could” be taken, occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements include statements about future operations and the anticipated timing for closing the proposed merger. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by the Company and AFE in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the possibility that the companies may be unable to obtain stockholder approval or satisfy the other conditions to closing. The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018, recent current reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition. The Company and AFE undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Additional Information about the Transaction
In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of the Company that also constitutes a prospectus of the Company relating to the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger. The proxy statement/prospectus will include important information about both the Company and AFE. The Company also plans to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, AFE AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain these documents when available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by the Company can be obtained free of charge from the Company’s website at www.synthesisenergysystems.com.
Participants in Solicitation
The Company and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Company in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018, which was filed with the SEC on November 14, 2018, and its proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2019. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
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 thereunto duly authorized.
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. | |
Dated: October 10, 2019 | /s/ Robert Rigdon |
Robert Rigdon | |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit Index
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
dated as of
October 10, 2019
by and among
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.,
SES MERGER SUB, INC.
and
AUSTRALIAN FUTURE ENERGY PTY LTD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||
ARTICLE I THE MERGER | 1 | ||
SECTION 1.01 | Merger Subsidiary Merges into the Company | 1 | |
SECTION 1.02 | The Closing; Effective Time of the Merger | 2 | |
SECTION 1.03 | Effects of the Merger | 2 | |
SECTION 1.04 | Governing Documents | 2 | |
SECTION 1.05 | Directors and Officers | 2 | |
SECTION 1.06 | Exchange of Shares | 3 | |
SECTION 1.07 | [Reserved] | 4 | |
SECTION 1.08 | Exchange of Certificates | 4 | |
SECTION 1.09 | Tax Consequences | 6 | |
SECTION 1.10 | Further Assurances | 6 | |
ARTICLE II EQUITY AWARD PLANS | 7 | ||
SECTION 2.01 | SES Equity Awards | 7 | |
SECTION 2.02 | Fractional Amounts | 7 | |
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SES AND MERGER SUBSIDIARY | 7 | ||
SECTION 3.01 | Organization and Qualification | 7 | |
SECTION 3.02 | Capitalization | 9 | |
SECTION 3.03 | Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals | 10 | |
SECTION 3.04 | Reports and Financial Statements | 12 | |
SECTION 3.05 | Proxy Statement/Prospectus | 12 | |
SECTION 3.06 | No Violation of Law | 13 | |
SECTION 3.07 | Material Contracts; Compliance with Contracts | 13 | |
SECTION 3.08 | Brokers and Finders | 13 | |
SECTION 3.09 | No Prior Activities of Merger Subsidiary | 13 | |
SECTION 3.10 | Litigation; Government Investigations | 14 | |
SECTION 3.11 | Taxes | 14 | |
SECTION 3.12 | Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA; Employment Agreements | 16 | |
SECTION 3.13 | Tax Matters | 19 | |
SECTION 3.14 | Liabilities | 21 | |
SECTION 3.15 | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 22 | |
SECTION 3.16 | Compliance | 22 | |
SECTION 3.17 | Environmental Matters | 22 | |
SECTION 3.18 | Insurance | 22 | |
SECTION 3.19 | Affiliate Transactions | 23 | |
SECTION 3.20 | Recommendation of SES Board of Directors; Opinion of Financial Advisor | 23 | |
SECTION 3.21 | Certain Payments | 23 | |
SECTION 3.22 | Title to Properties | 24 | |
SECTION 3.23 | Intellectual Property | 24 | |
SECTION 3.24 | No Other Representations or Warranties | 24 |
i |
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 25 | ||
SECTION 4.01 | Organization and Qualification | 25 | |
SECTION 4.02 | Capitalization | 26 | |
SECTION 4.03 | Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals | 27 | |
SECTION 4.04 | Financial Statements | 28 | |
SECTION 4.05 | Liabilities | 29 | |
SECTION 4.06 | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 29 | |
SECTION 4.07 | Litigation; Government Investigations | 29 | |
SECTION 4.08 | Proxy Statement/Prospectus | 30 | |
SECTION 4.09 | No Violation of Law | 30 | |
SECTION 4.10 | Material Contracts; Compliance with Contracts | 30 | |
SECTION 4.11 | Taxes | 32 | |
SECTION 4.12 | Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA; Employment Agreements | 33 | |
SECTION 4.13 | Environmental Matters | 37 | |
SECTION 4.14 | Title to Properties | 37 | |
SECTION 4.15 | Intellectual Property | 38 | |
SECTION 4.16 | Insurance | 38 | |
SECTION 4.17 | Certain Payments | 38 | |
SECTION 4.18 | Brokers and Finders | 38 | |
SECTION 4.19 | Tax Matters | 39 | |
SECTION 4.20 | Payment of Royalties | 41 | |
SECTION 4.21 | No Other Representations or Warranties | 41 | |
ARTICLE V COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS | 41 | ||
SECTION 5.01 | Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger | 41 | |
SECTION 5.02 | Conduct of Business by SES and Merger Subsidiary Pending the Merger | 43 | |
SECTION 5.03 | No Solicitation | 46 | |
SECTION 5.04 | Access to Information; Confidentiality | 47 | |
SECTION 5.05 | Notices of Certain Events | 48 | |
SECTION 5.06 | Merger Subsidiary | 48 | |
SECTION 5.07 | [Reserved] | 48 | |
SECTION 5.08 | SES Stockholders’ Meeting | 48 | |
SECTION 5.09 | Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement | 49 | |
SECTION 5.10 | Public Announcements | 50 | |
SECTION 5.11 | Expenses and Fees | 50 | |
SECTION 5.12 | Agreement to Cooperate | 50 | |
SECTION 5.13 | Exemption From Liability Under Section 16(b) | 51 | |
SECTION 5.14 | Certain Tax Matters | 51 | |
SECTION 5.15 | Company Financial Statements | 52 | |
SECTION 5.16 | SES Consolidated Financial Statements | 52 | |
SECTION 5.17 | Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance | 53 | |
SECTION 5.18 | Subsequent Filings | 54 | |
SECTION 5.19 | Stockholder Litigation | 55 | |
SECTION 5.20 | Employee Matters | 55 | |
SECTION 5.21 | Advisors and Consultants | 56 | |
SECTION 5.22 | GTI Agreement | 56 | |
SECTION 5.23 | Name Change | 56 | |
SECTION 5.24 | Rule 10b5-1 Plan | 56 | |
SECTION 5.25 | Amended SES Options. During the Pre-Closing Period, SES shall amend the SES Options granted to individuals who are directors of SES prior to the Merger Effective Time to permit the exercise of such SES Options through the end of the term of the SES Options and such amended SES Options shall be effective at the Merger Effective Time. | 56 |
ii |
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER | 56 | ||
SECTION 6.01 | Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party | 56 | |
SECTION 6.02 | Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger | 58 | |
SECTION 6.03 | Conditions to Obligations of SES and Merger Subsidiary to Effect the Merger | 59 | |
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION | 60 | ||
SECTION 7.01 | Termination | 60 | |
SECTION 7.02 | [Reserved] | 61 | |
SECTION 7.03 | Effect of Termination | 61 | |
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS | 61 | ||
SECTION 8.01 | Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties | 61 | |
SECTION 8.02 | Australian GST | 62 | |
SECTION 8.03 | Notices | 62 | |
SECTION 8.04 | Interpretation | 63 | |
SECTION 8.05 | Assignments and Successors | 63 | |
SECTION 8.06 | Governing Law | 63 | |
SECTION 8.07 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 64 | |
SECTION 8.08 | Exclusive Jurisdiction; Venue | 64 | |
SECTION 8.09 | No Third-Party Rights | 64 | |
SECTION 8.10 | Counterparts | 64 | |
SECTION 8.11 | Amendments; No Waivers | 64 | |
SECTION 8.12 | Entire Agreement | 65 | |
SECTION 8.13 | Severability | 65 | |
SECTION 8.14 | Specific Performance | 65 | |
SECTION 8.15 | Definitions | 65 |
Exhibits:
Exhibit A | Form of Certificate of Merger | |
Exhibit B | Directors of SES | |
Exhibit C | Form of Indemnification Agreement | |
Exhibit D | Officers of SES | |
Exhibit E | Example Calculation of Per Share Consideration |
iii |
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) entered into as of October 10, 2019, by and among SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“SES”), SES MERGER SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of SES (“Merger Subsidiary”), and AUSTRALIAN FUTURE ENERGY PTY LTD, an Australian proprietary limited company (the “Company”). Terms with their initial letter capitalized have the meaning assigned herein as provided in Section 8.14 below.
WHEREAS, the respective board of directors of SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company have determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of their respective stockholders, and have approved the Merger and this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company intend to effect the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company as the surviving entity in the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL and the Corporations Act. Upon consummation of the Merger, Merger Subsidiary will cease to exist, and the Company will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, the parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and prescribe certain conditions to the Merger, as provided herein;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the parties intend that (a) the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; (b) this Agreement will constitute a plan of reorganization within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g); and (c) SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company will each be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.01 Merger Subsidiary Merges into the Company. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Merger Effective Time, Merger Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the Company in accordance and subject to with the DGCL and the Corporations Act. Upon the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Subsidiary shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving company of the Merger (the “Surviving Company”), shall continue its existence under the Corporations Act and be wholly owned by SES.
1 |
SECTION 1.02 The Closing; Effective Time of the Merger. Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, the Merger shall become effective as promptly as practicable as set forth below.
(a) The consummation of Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Porter Hedges LLP, 1000 Main Street, 36th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, no later than the second Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) or such other place and date as the parties may mutually determine (the “Closing Date”).
(b) Contemporaneous with the Closing, the parties shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) a certificate of merger in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Certificate of Merger”), executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL and the Corporations Act in order to consummate the Merger. The Company shall lodge a Form 484 with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (“ASIC”) to effect the transfer of shares to the Merger Subsidiary. The Merger shall become effective at the time the Certificate of Merger is filed with the Secretary of State, or such later time as may be agreed in writing by the parties prior to the filing of the Certificate of Merger and specified in the Certificate of Merger, being referred to as the “Merger Effective Time.”
SECTION 1.03 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects provided for in this Agreement and in Section 259 of the DGCL. Without limiting the foregoing, upon the Merger, all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of Merger Subsidiary shall vest in the Company and all the obligations, duties, debts and liabilities of Merger Subsidiary shall be the obligations, duties, debts and liabilities of the Company.
SECTION 1.04 Governing Documents. Pursuant to the Merger, the articles of association and memorandum of association of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be the governing documents of the Surviving Company until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.
SECTION 1.05 Directors and Officers.
(a) Directors and Officers of the Company. The directors and officers of the Company immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall, from and after the Merger Effective Time, be the directors and officers of the Company as the Surviving Company of the Merger until their respective successors shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving Company’s articles of association and memorandum of association.
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(b) Directors and Officers of SES. The directors of SES immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall, from and after the Merger Effective Time, resign from their positions as directors of SES and all subsidiaries of SES and, at the Merger Effective Time, automatically and without further action on the part of any Person, the number of members of the SES Board shall be set and established at five (5) and each of the persons named on Exhibit B hereto shall, from and after the Merger Effective Time, be the duly elected and qualified directors of SES and shall hold office until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with SES’ certificate of incorporation and bylaws. SES shall enter into an indemnification agreement substantially in the form attached hereto on Exhibit C with each of the persons named on Exhibit B, to be effective from and after the Merger Effective Time. The officers of SES immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall, from and after the Merger Effective Time, resign from all offices held with SES and all subsidiaries of SES and each of the persons named on Exhibit D hereto shall, from and after the Merger Effective Time, be the duly elected and qualified officers of SES and shall hold office until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with SES’ certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
SECTION 1.06 Exchange of Shares. At the Merger Effective Time and subject to the other provisions of this Article I, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the parties or the holders of any of the following securities:
(a) Capital Stock of Merger Subsidiary. Each issued and outstanding share of Capital Stock of Merger Subsidiary immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be cancelled and automatically converted into and become one (1.0) validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Company Ordinary Share of the Surviving Company.
(b) Excluded Capital Stock of the Company. Each issued and outstanding share of Company Ordinary Shares owned by any Subsidiary of the Company and shares of Company Ordinary Shares held by the Company as treasury stock immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (all such shares, the “Excluded Shares”) shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no payment or consideration shall be made with respect thereto.
(c) Company Ordinary Shares. Each share of Company Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (excluding any Excluded Shares and each issued and outstanding share of Company Ordinary Shares owned by SES) shall be exchanged for that number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of SES Common Stock equal to the Per Share Consideration in accordance with each Pre-Merger Agreement dated October 8, 2019. An example calculation of the Per Share Consideration is attached hereto as Exhibit E.
(d) Merger Consideration Definitions.
(i) The term “Per Share Consideration” means the quotient resulting from (A) the Common Stock Merger Consideration divided by (B) the Closing Company Share Number.
(ii) The term “Closing Company Share Number” means the aggregate number of Company Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (excluding any Excluded Shares and each issued and outstanding share of Company Ordinary Shares owned by SES).
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(iii) The term “Common Stock Merger Consideration” means 3,875,000 shares of newly issued SES Common Stock.
(iv) The term “SES Vested Equity Awards” means the sum of the aggregate number of shares of SES Restricted Shares and SES Options that vest as a result of, or prior to, the Merger (net of shares surrendered by the holder thereof in satisfaction of withholding tax payment obligations) pursuant to any SES equity award plan or agreement, including without limitation, the SES 2015 Long-Term Plan, the SES 2005 Incentive Plan, and any successor plan or agreement (collectively, the “SES Stock Plans”).
SECTION 1.07 [Reserved].
SECTION 1.08 Exchange of Certificates.
(a) Prior to the Merger Effective Time, SES shall appoint an agent, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to act as exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”) for the exchange of stock certificates representing the Merger Consideration upon surrender of certificates representing shares of Company Ordinary Shares (the “Company Certificates”) or, with respect to uncertificated shares, such other evidence of ownership as the Exchange Agent or SES may reasonably request. At or prior to the Merger Effective Time, SES shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Exchange Agent in trust for the benefit of holders of Company Ordinary Shares held immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (each, a “Company Stockholder”), certificates representing the shares of SES Common Stock (or make appropriate alternative arrangements if uncertificated shares of SES Common Stock represented by a book entry will be issued), sufficient, to exchange upon the surrender of Company Certificates, together with a properly completed form of letter of transmittal, as hereinafter provided.
(b) Promptly after the Merger Effective Time, SES shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, joint venture, unincorporated organization, trust, joint venture, association, or any other entity, including a Governmental Entity (each, a “Person”), who was a record holder as of the Merger Effective Time of shares of Company Ordinary Shares, and whose shares were exchanged for the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 1.06, a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Company Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Company Certificates to the Exchange Agent, and which shall be in such form and shall have such other customary provisions as SES may reasonably specify) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Company Certificates in exchange for stock certificates representing the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Company Certificate or, with respect to uncertificated shares of Company Ordinary Shares, such other evidence of ownership as the Exchange Agent or SES may reasonably request, together with such letter of transmittal duly executed and such other documents as may be reasonably required by the Exchange Agent, the record holder of such shares of Company Ordinary Shares shall receive, in exchange therefor, certificates representing the shares of SES Common Stock (or make appropriate alternative arrangements if uncertificated shares of SES Common Stock represented by a book entry will be issued), and such Company Certificate shall forthwith be canceled. If delivery of the Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Company Certificate surrendered is registered, it shall be a condition of exchange that the Company Certificate so surrendered be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the Person requesting such exchange pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the transfer or payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of the Company Certificate surrendered or establish to the satisfaction of SES that such Tax has been paid or is not applicable. In accordance with the memorandum of association of the Company, the Company (and the Surviving Company) shall be entitled to treat the registered owner of all of the shares of Company Ordinary Shares as the owner thereof, and after the Merger Effective Time, as the owner of the Merger Consideration, for all purposes, until the Company Certificates representing such shares (and such Merger Consideration) have been surrendered by the registered owner thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.08 (other than Company Certificates representing Excluded Shares).
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(c) At the close of business on the day of the Merger Effective Time, the stock ledger of the Company shall be closed. From and after the Merger Effective Time, there shall be no registration of transfers of shares of Company Ordinary Shares which were outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Company. From and after the Merger Effective Time, the holders of shares of Company Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Ordinary Shares except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or by applicable Law, and instead shall be owners of the Merger Consideration. If, after the Merger Effective Time, Company Certificates are presented to SES or the Surviving Company for any reason, such Company Certificates shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article I.
(d) If any Company Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Company Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if reasonably required by SES, the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as SES may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Company Certificate, the Exchange Agent will deliver, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificate, certificates representing the shares of SES Common Stock (or make appropriate alternative arrangements if uncertificated shares of SES Common Stock represented by a book entry will be issued) as contemplated by this Article I.
(e) If the aggregate number of shares of SES Common Stock or to which a Company Stockholder would otherwise be entitled under this Agreement would include a fractional share of SES Common Stock, then the number of shares of SES Common Stock that such Company Stockholder is entitled to receive will be (i) if equal to or greater than one-half (0.5), rounded up to the next whole applicable share, and (ii) if less than one-half (0.5), rounded down to the next whole applicable share, and such Company Stockholder will not receive cash or any other compensation in lieu of such fractional share of SES Common Stock.
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(f) At any time after 180 days after the Merger Effective Time, SES shall be entitled to require the Exchange Agent to return certificates representing the Merger Consideration which had been deposited by SES, as the case may be, with the Exchange Agent and not exchanged for Company Certificates. Thereafter, former holders of shares of Company Ordinary Shares shall look only to SES for stock certificates representing the Merger Consideration in exchange for Company Certificates. None of SES, the Company, the Surviving Company or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any holder of a share of Company Ordinary Shares for any Merger Consideration delivered in respect of such share of Company Ordinary Shares to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or other similar Law.
(g) As required by applicable Law, SES and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise payable to a holder of shares of Company Ordinary Shares pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or under any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law, provided notice of intent to withhold has been given by SES to the Company at least five (5) days prior to the day of the Closing, and SES allows the Company to cure the need for any such withholding. To the extent amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority, the withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
(h) If, between the date of this Agreement and the Merger Effective Time, the shares of SES Common Stock shall be changed or proposed to be changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of the occurrence of or record date with respect to any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or similar readjustment, in any such case within such period, or a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, appropriate adjustments shall be made to the Merger Consideration.
SECTION 1.09 Tax Consequences. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Merger qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.
SECTION 1.10 Further Assurances. At and after the Merger Effective Time, the officers and directors of the Surviving Company shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of Merger Subsidiary, or the Company, any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of Merger Subsidiary, or the Company, any other actions and things necessary to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving Company any and all right, title and interest in, to and under any of the rights, properties or assets acquired or to be acquired by Merger Subsidiary as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger.
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ARTICLE
II
EQUITY AWARD PLANS
SECTION 2.01 SES Equity Awards. All SES equity awards outstanding shall remain outstanding, as follows:
(a) Stock Options. At the Merger Effective Time, each SES Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, exercisable or unexercisable, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of any Person, shall remain outstanding, subject to limitations to avoid federal excise Tax pursuant to Sections 409A and 424 of the Code, and shall continue on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the SES Option immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any SES Options granted to individuals who are directors of SES immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be amended prior to the Merger Effective Time to permit the exercise of such SES Options through the end of the term of the SES Options.
(b) Restricted Stock. At the Merger Effective Time, each SES Restricted Share that is outstanding, whether vested or unvested, by virtue of the Merger and without further action on the part of any Person, shall continue on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the SES Restricted Share immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, subject to limitations to avoid federal excise Tax pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
SECTION 2.02 Fractional Amounts. With respect to any fractional amounts of shares or other Capital Stock of SES resulting from, or issuable pursuant to, the Merger pursuant to this Article II, such fractions that are equal to or greater than one-half (0.5) shall be rounded up to the next whole applicable share, and such fractions that are less than one-half (0.5) shall be rounded down to the next whole applicable share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such rounding shall be in accordance with the requirements of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code, as applicable.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SES AND MERGER SUBSIDIARY
SES and Merger Subsidiary (each, a “SES Entity,” and collectively, the “SES Entities”), jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Company that, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered to the Company by SES at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “SES Disclosure Schedule”), which shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered sections of this Article III, it being agreed that disclosure of any item on the SES Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosure with respect to any other section of the SES Disclosure Schedule and this Agreement to the extent that the applicability of such item to such other section of the SES Disclosure Schedule is reasonably apparent from the face of such disclosure:
SECTION 3.01 Organization and Qualification.
(a) Each of the SES Companies is a corporation or other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and has the requisite corporate power or entity power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of the SES Companies is duly qualified and licensed to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so organized, existing, qualified, licensed and in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a SES Material Adverse Effect. True, accurate and complete copies of the Governing Documents of each SES Company as in effect on the date hereof, including all amendments thereto, have heretofore been made available to the Company. Merger Subsidiary is a corporation created for the sole purposes of completing the Merger and will hold no assets or liabilities at the time of the Merger.
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(b) For purposes of this Agreement, “SES Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other occurrences, has a material effect on the business, assets, financial condition or ongoing operations of the SES Companies taken as a whole, which results in or is reasonably likely to result in, losses, claims, damages, liabilities, fees, expenses or fines to any of the SES Companies (collectively, “SES Losses”) that would exceed $250,000 in aggregate amount or has a material adverse effect on SES’ ability to timely consummate the Merger; provided, however, that an SES Material Adverse Effect shall not include any change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence arising out of or resulting from (i) the entering into or the public announcement or disclosure of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) general economic or political conditions, (iii) conditions generally affecting the industries in which SES operates, (iv) any changes in financial or securities markets in general, (v) acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities or terrorism, or the escalation or worsening thereof or (vi) any changes in applicable Laws or accounting rules, including United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”); provided further, however, that any change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence referred to in clauses (ii) through (v) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether an SES Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the text that such change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence has a disproportionate effect on SES compared to other participants in the industries in which SES operates.
(c) Section 3.01(c) of the SES Disclosure Schedule lists each of the SES Companies and sets forth as to each the type of entity, its jurisdiction of organization and, except in the case of SES, its stockholders or other equity holders. Except for the Capital Stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Subsidiaries of SES listed on Section 3.01(c) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, SES does not own, directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, any other Person.
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SECTION 3.02 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized Capital Stock of SES consists of 200,000,000 shares of SES Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (“SES Preferred Stock”) of SES. As of the date hereof, (i) 1,381,164 shares of SES Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, (ii) no shares of SES Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, (iii) no shares of Capital Stock of SES are held in treasury by SES, (iv) no shares are reserved for the issuance of SES Restricted Shares, (v) 166,476 shares of SES Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon exercise of SES Options with an additional 44,980 shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan and (vi) 212,637 shares of SES Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon exercise of the SES Common Stock Warrants.
(b) Section 3.02(b) of the SES Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all SES Stock Plans and all holders of SES Restricted Shares and SES Options, indicating with respect to each SES Restricted Share, and each SES Option, the number of shares of SES Common Stock subject to such SES Restricted Shares and SES Options, the date of grant, settlement terms, vesting period and the expiration date thereof. SES has delivered or made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all SES Stock Plans, the standard forms of the SES Restricted Share Agreement, the SES Option Agreement evidencing SES Restricted Shares and SES Options, and any SES Restricted Share Agreements and SES Option Agreements, a SES Restricted Share, or a SES Option that deviates in any material manner from the SES’ standard forms of the SES Restricted Share Agreement and SES Option Agreement.
(c) Except for the SES Options, the SES Restricted Shares, and the SES Common Stock Warrants, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, commitments, understandings, restrictions, arrangements, rights or warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or other agreement and also including any rights plan or other anti-takeover agreement, obligating any SES Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of the Capital Stock of any SES Company or obligating any SES Company to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment. Except as set forth in Section 3.02(d) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding stock appreciation rights or similar derivative securities or rights of any SES Company. There are no voting trusts, irrevocable proxies or other agreements or understandings to which any SES Company is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of any shares of Capital Stock of SES.
(d) All of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock (or equivalent equity interests of entities other than corporations) of each of SES’ Subsidiaries are owned, directly or indirectly, by SES free and clear of any liens, other than statutory liens for Taxes not yet due and payable, such other restrictions as may exist under applicable securities Law and liens in favor of SES’ lenders as listed on Section 3.02(d) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, and all such shares or other ownership interests have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof.
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SECTION 3.03 Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals.
(a) Each of SES and Merger Subsidiary has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to SES Stockholder Approval, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery by each of SES and Merger Subsidiary of this Agreement, the performance by each of SES and Merger Subsidiary of its obligations hereunder, and the consummation by each of SES and Merger Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of SES, subject only to the approval of the SES Stockholder Approval Matters by the SES Stockholders, and Merger Subsidiary. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SES Common Stock outstanding on the applicable record date (collectively, the “SES Stockholder Approval”) is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of SES’ Capital Stock necessary to adopt or approve the SES Stockholder Approval Matters. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of SES having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which the holders of SES Common Stock may vote. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of SES and Merger Subsidiary, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company, constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of each of SES and Merger Subsidiary, enforceable against each of SES and Merger Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at Law or in equity).
(b) The SES Board, by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous vote of the disinterested directors at a meeting of all directors of SES duly called and held and, as of the date hereof, not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, has, as of the date hereof (i) approved this Agreement and the Merger, and determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to, and in the best interests of, the SES Stockholders, and (ii) resolved to recommend that the SES Stockholders approve the SES Stockholder Approval Matters and directed that such matters be submitted for consideration of the stockholders of SES at the SES Stockholders’ Meeting. The board of directors of the Merger Subsidiary, at a meeting duly called and held, has unanimously approved this Agreement and the Merger. SES, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Subsidiary, hereby approves of this Agreement and the Merger.
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(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of the SES Entities and the consummation of the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not violate, conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, contractually require any offer to purchase or any prepayment of any debt, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of SES under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (i) the Governing Documents of any SES Company, (ii) subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in clauses (i)-(iv) of Section 3.03(d) and obtaining the SES Stockholder Approval, any statute, Law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, order, injunction, writ, Permit or license of any court or Governmental Entity applicable to any of the SES Companies or any of their respective properties or assets, or (iii) any contract, agreement, commitment or understanding to which any SES Company is now a party or by which any of the SES Companies or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except as provided in Section 3.03 of the SES Disclosure Schedule, and other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 3.03(c), such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations, contractual requirements or creations of liens, security interests or encumbrances that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a SES Material Adverse Effect and would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.
(d) Except for (i) the filing with the SEC of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act by SES with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Registration Statement”) and applicable filings pursuant to the Exchange Act, including the filing with the SEC of SES’ proxy statement relating to the SES Stockholders’ Meeting (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State in connection with the Merger, (iii) the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC within four (4) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement and within four (4) Business Days of the Closing Date, (iv) the consent of the holders of the SES Debentures and the SES Common Stock Warrants, (v) such approvals as may be required under applicable state securities or “blue sky” Laws or the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market, and except as provided in Section 3.03 of the SES Disclosure Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization, consent or approval, ratification or permission of (any of the foregoing being a “Consent”), (vi) such approvals of any Governmental Entity or authority or other Person is necessary under any SES Material Contract or otherwise for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by SES or Merger Subsidiary or the consummation by SES or Merger Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than such Consents which, if not made or obtained, as the case may be, would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a SES Material Adverse Effect and would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.
(e) The board of directors of SES has approved the Merger and this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and such approval is sufficient to render inapplicable to the Merger and this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby the anti-takeover provisions of the DGCL to the extent, if any, such provisions are applicable to the Merger, this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. No other state takeover, control share, fair price or similar statute or regulation applies to or purports to apply to SES with respect to the Merger, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
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SECTION 3.04 Reports and Financial Statements.
(a) Except for its annual report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, since January 1, 2018, SES has timely filed or furnished, as applicable, with the SEC all forms, statements, reports, certifications and documents, including all exhibits, post-effective amendments and supplements thereto (the “SES SEC Reports”), required to be filed by it under each of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, all of which, as amended if applicable, complied when filed or amended, in all material respects, with all applicable requirements of the appropriate act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including applicable extension periods. As of their respective dates, the SES SEC Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent corrected by a subsequent SES SEC Report filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof.
(b) The financial statements of SES included in the SES SEC Reports (collectively, the “SES Financial Statements”) were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, with respect to any unaudited financial statements, as permitted by applicable SEC rules or requirements) applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the SES Companies as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations and changes in financial position of the SES Companies for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).
(c) Since January 1, 2018, there have been no formal internal investigations regarding financial reporting or accounting policies and practices discussed with, reviewed by or initiated at the direction of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of SES, the SES Board or any committee thereof. Since January 1, 2018, neither SES nor its independent auditors have identified (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by SES, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves SES’ management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by SES, or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.
SECTION 3.05 Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information to be supplied by any of the SES Entities or its stockholders for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will, at the time of the mailing thereof or any amendments or supplements thereto, or at the time of the SES Stockholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Registration Statement will comply, as of its effective date, as to form in all material respects with all applicable Laws, including the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no representation or warranty is made by any SES Entity with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein or information supplied by the Company in writing for inclusion therein.
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SECTION 3.06 No Violation of Law. No SES Company is in violation of or has been given written (or, to the knowledge of any SES Entity, oral) notice of any violation of any Law, statute, order, rule, regulation, ordinance or judgment of any Governmental Entity or authority, except for violations which would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a SES Material Adverse Effect. The SES Companies have all material Permits necessary to conduct their businesses as presently conducted. The SES Companies are in compliance, in all material respects, with the terms of such material Permits.
SECTION 3.07 Material Contracts; Compliance with Contracts.
(a) Except as otherwise noted below, Section 3.07 of the SES Disclosure Schedule includes a list of the following contracts, agreements, licenses, arrangements or understandings to which any of the SES Companies is a party or by which any them or their respective assets are bound or affected as of the date hereof (each, whether or not listed on Section 3.07 of the SES Disclosure Schedule, a “SES Material Contract”), which would be deemed a “material contract” within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of SEC Regulation S-K.
(b) With respect to each SES Material Contract (i) the SES Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect with respect to the applicable SES Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at Law or in equity), and (ii) neither SES nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has any knowledge that any other party thereto is, in material breach or violation of or in material default in the performance or observance of any term or provision of any SES Material Contract, and, to the knowledge of the SES Companies, no event has occurred which, with lapse of time or action by a third party, would result in a default under, any SES Material Contract.
(c) True, accurate and complete copies of each SES Material Contract have heretofore been made available to the Company.
SECTION 3.08 Brokers and Finders. Except for fees payable to (i) Clarksons Platou Securities, Inc. pursuant to an engagement letter, dated March 27, 2019, (ii) the Financial Advisor pursuant to an engagement letter, dated October 1, 2019 and (iii) T.R. Winston & Company LLC pursuant to an advisory agreement, dated October 8, 2019, SES has not entered into any contract with any Person that may result in the obligation of SES to pay any investment banking fees, finder’s fees or brokerage fees in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. SES has provided to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of any and all engagement or retention agreements with financial advisors or other advisors, to which SES is a party and which are related to the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.09 No Prior Activities of Merger Subsidiary. Except for obligations incurred in connection with its incorporation or organization and the negotiation, execution and consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, Merger Subsidiary has not incurred any obligation or liability or engaged in any business or activity of any type or kind whatsoever or entered into any agreement or arrangement with any Person.
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SECTION 3.10 Litigation; Government Investigations. Except for the noncompliance notifications received by SES from the NASDAQ Stock Market on February 5, 2019, and May 19, 2019 (together, the “NASDAQ Notice”), there are no material claims, suits, actions, proceedings, arbitrations or other actions pending or, to the knowledge of SES, threatened against, relating to or affecting any SES Company or any of their assets, before any court, governmental department, Governmental Entity, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator. No material investigation or review by any Governmental Entity or authority is pending or, to the knowledge of SES, threatened, and no Governmental Entity or authority has indicated an intention to conduct the same. Except for the NASDAQ Notice, no SES Company is subject to any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or Order of any court, governmental department, Governmental Entity, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator, or any settlement agreement or stipulation, which as of the date hereof, prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a SES Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.11 Taxes.
(a) Each SES Company has timely (i) filed with the appropriate Governmental Entity all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects, and (ii) paid in full or reserved in accordance with GAAP on the SES Financial Statements all material Taxes required to be paid since March 15, 2019. There are no liens for Taxes upon any property or asset of any SES Company, other than liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or Taxes contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and which in both cases are either not material or reserved against in accordance with GAAP. No deficiency with respect to Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed in writing against any SES Company, which has not been fully paid or adequately reserved or reflected in the SES SEC Reports, and there are no material unresolved issues of Law or fact arising out of a written notice of a deficiency, proposed deficiency or assessment from the IRS or any other governmental taxing authority with respect to Taxes of the SES Companies. No SES Company has agreed to an extension of time with respect to a Tax deficiency, other than extensions which are no longer in effect. No SES Company has received (A) notice from any taxing authority of its intent to examine or audit any of SES’ or any of its Subsidiaries’ Tax Returns or (B) notice from any state taxing authority of its intent to examine or audit any of SES’ or any of its Subsidiaries’ Tax Returns, other than notices with respect to examinations or audits by any state taxing authority that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a SES Material Adverse Effect. No SES Company is a party to any agreement providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity other than agreements the consequences of which are fully and adequately reserved for in the SES Financial Statements.
(b) Each SES Company has withheld and remitted each material Tax required to have been withheld and remitted in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other party, and materially complied with all information reporting and backup withholding provisions of applicable Law.
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(c) The statutes of limitations for the federal income Tax Returns of the SES Companies have expired or otherwise have been closed for all taxable periods ending on or before December 31, 2012.
(d) No SES Company has entered into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations relating to the payment or collection of a material amount of Taxes that remains in effect, nor is any request for such a waiver or extension pending.
(e) No SES Company is the subject of or bound by any material private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar material ruling, memorandum of agreement with any taxing authority.
(f) No SES Company has entered into, has any liability in respect of, or has any filing obligations with respect to, any “reportable transactions,” as defined in Section 1.6011-4(b)(1) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations.
(g) No SES Company will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date under Section 481(c) of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law), (ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, or (iii) deferred intercompany gain or excess loss account described in the U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law).
(h) No SES Company has taken or agreed to take any action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstance that would be reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(i) SES has made available to the Company correct and complete copies of (i) all U.S. federal income Tax Returns of the SES Companies relating to taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2012, filed through the date hereof and (ii) any material audit report within the last three years relating to any material Taxes due from or with respect to any SES Company.
(j) No jurisdiction where any SES Company does not file a Tax Return has made a claim that any SES Company is required to file a Tax Return for a material amount of Taxes for such jurisdiction.
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SECTION 3.12 Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA; Employment Agreements.
(a) Section 3.12(a) of the SES Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of each plan, program, policy, practice, contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for employment, compensation, retirement, deferred compensation, loans, severance, separation, relocation, termination pay, performance awards, bonus, incentive, stock option, stock purchase, stock bonus, phantom stock, stock appreciation right, change in control, supplemental retirement, fringe benefits, cafeteria benefits, salary continuation, vacation, sick, or other paid leave, employment or consulting, hospitalization or other medical, dental, life (including all individual life insurance policies as to which any SES Company is the owner, the beneficiary or both) or other insurance or coverage, disability, death benefit, or other benefits, whether written or unwritten, including without limitation each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is or has been sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by any SES Company and any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is or at any relevant time was treated as a single employer with SES within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (an “ERISA Affiliate”) for the benefit of any Person who performs or who has performed services for any SES Company or with respect to which any SES Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any SES Company has or may have any liability (including without limitation contingent liability) or obligation (collectively, the “SES Employee Plans”).
(b) SES has furnished to the Company true and complete copies of documents embodying each of SES Employee Plans and related plan documents, including without limitation trust documents, group annuity contracts, plan amendments, insurance policies or contracts, participant agreements, employee booklets, administrative service agreements, summary plan descriptions, compliance and nondiscrimination tests for the last three (3) plan years, standard COBRA forms and related notices, registration statements and prospectuses and, to the extent still in its possession, any material employee communications relating thereto. With respect to each SES Employee Plan, if any, that is subject to ERISA reporting requirements, SES has provided copies of the Form 5500 reports filed for the last three (3) plan years.
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(c) Compliance. Except as disclosed in Section 3.12(c) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, (i) Each SES Employee Plan has been administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, rules and regulations (including ERISA and the Code), except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a SES Material Adverse Effect; and SES and each ERISA Affiliate of SES have performed all material obligations required to be performed by them under, are not in any material respect in default under or violation of and have no knowledge of any material default or violation by any other party to, any of SES Employee Plans; (ii) any SES Employee Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has either obtained from the IRS a favorable determination letter as to its qualified status under the Code, including all currently effective amendments to the Code, or has time remaining to apply under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations or IRS pronouncements for a determination or opinion letter and to make any amendments necessary to obtain a favorable determination or opinion letter; (iii) none of SES Employee Plans promises or provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any Person; (iv) there has been no “prohibited transaction,” as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, with respect to any SES Employee Plan; (v) none of SES or, to the knowledge of SES, any ERISA Affiliate of SES is subject to any liability or penalty under Sections 4976 through 4980 of the Code or Title I of ERISA with respect to any SES Employee Plan; (vi) all contributions required to be made by SES or any ERISA Affiliate of SES to any SES Employee Plan have been timely paid and accrued; (vii) with respect to each SES Employee Plan, no “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA (excluding any such event for which the thirty (30) day notice requirement has been waived under the regulations to Section 4043 of ERISA) nor any event described in Section 4062, 4063 or 4041 of ERISA has occurred; (viii) each SES Employee Plan subject to ERISA has prepared in good faith and timely filed all requisite governmental reports, which were true and correct as of the date filed, and has properly and timely filed and distributed or posted all notices and reports to employees required to be filed, distributed or posted with respect to each such SES Employee Plan; (ix) no suit, administrative proceeding, action or other litigation has been brought, or to the knowledge of SES is threatened, against or with respect to any such SES Employee Plan, including any audit or inquiry by the IRS or U.S. Department of Labor; (x) there has been no amendment to, written interpretation or announcement by SES or any ERISA Affiliate of SES that would materially increase the expense of maintaining any SES Employee Plan above the level of expense incurred with respect to that SES Employee Plan for the most recent fiscal year included in SES Financial Statements; and (xi) no SES Employee Plan is subject to or maintained pursuant to the Laws of a foreign jurisdiction. No current or former officer, director, employee, leased employee, consultant or agent (or their respective beneficiaries) of any SES Company or its ERISA Affiliates has or will obtain a right to receive a gross-up payment from any SES Company or its ERISA Affiliates with respect to any Tax that may be imposed upon such individual pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, Section 4999 of the Code or otherwise.
(d) Neither SES nor any ERISA Affiliate of SES has ever maintained, established, sponsored, participated in, contributed to, or is obligated to contribute to, or otherwise incurred any obligation or liability (including without limitation any contingent liability) under any “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), to any “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code or any multiple employer welfare arrangement or voluntary employee benefits association. None of SES or any ERISA Affiliate of SES has any actual or potential withdrawal liability (including without limitation any contingent liability) for any complete or partial withdrawal (as defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any multiemployer plan.
(e) With respect to each SES Employee Plan, each SES Company has complied with (i) the applicable health care continuation and notice provisions of the COBRA and the regulations thereunder or any state Law governing health care coverage extension or continuation; (ii) the applicable requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the regulations thereunder; (iii) HIPAA; (iv) the applicable requirements of the Cancer Rights Act of 1998; and (v) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPAC”). SES has no unsatisfied obligations to any employees, former employees or qualified beneficiaries pursuant to COBRA, HIPAA or any state Law governing health care coverage extension or continuation.
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(f) Except as set forth in Section 3.12(f) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or former employee or other service provider of SES or any ERISA Affiliate of SES to severance benefits or any other payment (including without limitation unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or benefits under any SES Employee Plan); or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee or service provider. No benefit payable or that may become payable by any SES Company pursuant to any SES Employee Plan or as a result of or arising under this Agreement shall constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) subject to the imposition of an excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code or the deduction for which would be disallowed by reason of Section 280G of the Code and no such benefit will fail to be deductible for federal income Tax purposes by virtue of Section 162(m) of the Code. Except as set forth in Section 3.12(f) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, each SES Employee Plan can be amended, terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Merger Effective Time in accordance with its terms, without material liability to SES or the Company other than ordinary administration expenses typically incurred in a termination event.
(g) Each SES Company is in compliance in all material respects with all currently applicable Laws and regulations respecting terms and conditions of employment, including without limitation applicant and employee background checking, immigration Laws, discrimination Laws, verification of employment eligibility, employee leave Laws, classification of workers as employees and independent contractors, wage and hour Laws, and occupational safety and health Laws. There are no proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of SES, reasonably expected or threatened, between any SES Company, on the one hand, and any or all of its current or former employees, on the other hand, including without limitation any claims for actual or alleged harassment or discrimination based on race, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or similar tortious conduct, breach of contract, wrongful termination, defamation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, interference with contract or interference with actual or prospective economic disadvantage. There are no claims pending, or, to the knowledge of SES, reasonably expected or threatened, against any SES Company under any workers’ compensation or long-term disability plan or policy. No SES Company is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract. No SES Company is paying or is obligated to pay any employee or any former employee any disability or workers compensation payments or unemployment benefits. Except as set forth in Section 3.12(g) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, the employment of each of the SES Company’s employees is terminable by SES at will. To the best of the knowledge of SES, no employee of any SES Company intends to terminate his or her employment with SES.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 3.12(h) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, no SES Company is a party to or bound by any employment, consulting, termination, severance or similar agreement with any individual officer, director or employee of any SES Company or any agreement pursuant to which any such Person is entitled to receive any benefits from any SES Company upon the occurrence of a change in control of SES or similar event.
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(i) All SES Employee Plans that are subject to Section 409A of the Code are in compliance with the requirements of such Code section and regulations and other guidance thereunder. Except as set forth in Section 3.12(i) of the SES Disclosure Schedule, no SES Common Stock or other security of SES, any of its Subsidiaries or other affiliates and no real property is held in trust or otherwise set aside for funding benefit obligations under any SES Employee Plan.
SECTION 3.13 Tax Matters. No SES Company has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) The Merger will be carried out strictly in accordance with this Agreement and pursuant to the DGCL and the Corporations Act. There are no other written or oral agreements relating to the Merger other than those expressly referred to in this Agreement.
(b) In connection with the Merger, no Company Ordinary Shares will be acquired by SES, Merger Subsidiary or a Related Person for consideration other than shares of SES Common Stock. In accordance with U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(e)(4), (5), and (7), for purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Person” means, (i) a corporation that is a member of an Affiliated Group of which the Company or SES (or any successor corporation thereto) is a member; or (ii) a corporation in which the Company or SES (or any successor corporation thereto), owns, directly or indirectly, immediately before or immediately after such purchase, exchange, redemption, or other acquisition, at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or at least 50% of the total value of shares of all classes of stock, taking into account for purposes of this clause (ii) any stock owned by 5% or greater stockholders of the Company or SES, as applicable, (or any successor thereto) or such corporation, a proportionate share of the stock owned by entities in which the Company or SES, as applicable, (or any successor thereto) or such corporation owns an interest, and any stock which may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options.
(c) Neither SES, Merger Subsidiary nor any Related Person has any plan or intention to redeem or otherwise reacquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of SES Common Stock to be issued in the Merger.
(d) SES has no stock repurchase program and has no current plan or intention to adopt such a plan.
(e) Neither SES nor any Related Person will directly or indirectly acquire any stock of the Company in connection with the Merger, except as described in this Agreement.
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(f) SES has not, directly or indirectly, transferred any cash or property to the Company (or any entity controlled directly or indirectly by the Company) for less than full and adequate consideration and has not made any loan to the Company (or any entity controlled directly or indirectly by the Company) in anticipation of the Merger.
(g) There is no intercompany indebtedness existing between SES, Merger Subsidiary, and the Company.
(h) SES and Merger Subsidiary will each pay its expenses incurred in connection with or as part of the Merger. SES and Merger Subsidiary have not paid and will not pay, directly or indirectly, any expenses (including transfer taxes) incurred by any holder of shares of Company Ordinary Shares in connection with or as part of the Merger, or any related transactions. SES and Merger Subsidiary have not agreed to assume, nor will it directly or indirectly assume, any expense or other liability, whether fixed or contingent, of any holder of shares of Company Ordinary Shares.
(i) Any compensation paid to the holders of shares of Company Ordinary Shares who enter (or have entered) into employment, consulting or noncompetitive contracts, if any, with SES, as the case may be, (i) will be for services actually rendered or to be rendered, (ii) will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm’s length for similar services, and (iii) will not represent consideration for the surrender of the shares of Company Ordinary Shares in the Merger.
(j) Following the Merger, SES will continue the historical business of the Company or use a significant portion of its assets in a business, within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d).
(k) SES is paying no consideration in the Merger other than the Merger Consideration.
(l) SES has substantial non-tax business purposes and reasons for the Merger, and the terms of the Merger are the product of arm’s length negotiations.
(m) Neither SES nor its Subsidiaries (including Merger Subsidiary) will take any position on any Tax Return, or take any other Tax reporting position that is inconsistent with the treatment of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, unless otherwise required by a “determination” (as defined in Code Section 1313(a)(1)).
(n) No stock or securities of SES or Merger Subsidiary will be issued to any Company Stockholder for services rendered to or for the benefit of SES, Merger Subsidiary or the Company in connection with the Merger, except as provided in this Agreement.
(o) No stock or securities of SES or Merger Subsidiary will be issued for any indebtedness owed to any Company Stockholder in connection with the Merger.
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(p) SES has not distributed the stock of any corporation in a transaction satisfying the requirements of Section 355 of the Code since December 31, 2016. The stock of SES has not been distributed in a transaction satisfying the requirements of Section 355 of the Code since December 31, 2016.
(q) At and after the Merger Effective Time, SES will be a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.
(r) After the Merger Effective Time as part of a plan that includes the Merger, SES will not sell or otherwise transfer any of the stock of the Company acquired in the Merger to a corporation or other entity.
(s) Prior to the Merger, Merger Subsidiary will be a newly formed corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and SES will be in control of Merger Subsidiary within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code.
(t) Merger Subsidiary will have no liabilities assumed by the Company and will not transfer to the Company any assets subject to liabilities in the Merger.
(u) No SES Company is an investment company as defined in Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code. For this purpose, an investment company is (1) a regulated investment company; (2) a real estate investment trust; or (3) a corporation (i) fifty percent (50%) or more of the value of whose total assets are stock and securities, and (ii) eighty percent (80%) or more of the value of whose total assets are held for investment. In making the fifty percent and eighty percent determinations under the preceding sentence, stock and securities in any Subsidiary corporation shall be disregarded and a parent corporation shall be deemed to own its ratable share of the Subsidiary’s assets, and a corporation shall be considered a Subsidiary if a parent owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock outstanding. For this purpose, “total assets” shall not include cash and cash items (including receivables) and government securities.
(v) No SES Company is under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.
SECTION 3.14 Liabilities. As of the date hereof, no SES Company has incurred liabilities or obligations (whether known or unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of any nature, except (a) liabilities, obligations or contingencies (i) which are accrued or reserved against in the SES Financial Statements or reflected in the notes thereto, or (ii) which were incurred since June 30, 2019 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices; (b) liabilities, obligations or contingencies which (i) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a SES Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) have been discharged or paid in full prior to the date hereof in the ordinary course of business; and (c) liabilities, obligations and contingencies which are of a nature not required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, including the footnotes thereto. As of the date hereof, Merger Subsidiary has no assets or liabilities.
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SECTION 3.15 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 2018, (a) except with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the SES Companies have carried on and operated their businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, (b) there have not been any changes, events, circumstances, developments or occurrences that would reasonably be expected to have a SES Material Adverse Effect, and (c) except as disclosed on Section 3.15 of the SES Disclosure Schedule or in the SES SEC Reports filed by SES with the SEC since December 31, 2018, and prior to the date hereof to the extent that it is reasonably apparent that the disclosure in such SES SEC Reports is responsive to the matter in this Section 3.15(c), no SES Company has taken any action that, if taken after the date hereof and before the Closing, would constitute a breach of Sections 5.02(b) through (e) and (g) through (p).
SECTION 3.16 Compliance. Except for noncompliance as specified in the NADSAQ Notice, SES is in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of NASDAQ Stock Market that are in each case applicable to SES.
SECTION 3.17 Environmental Matters. Each SES Company is in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by the SES Companies of all material Permits and other governmental authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and material compliance with the terms and conditions thereof. Since January 1, 2018: (a) no SES Company and, to the knowledge of SES, no current or prior owner of any property leased or controlled by any SES Company has received any written notice or other communication relating to property owned or leased at any time by any SES Company, whether from a governmental body, court, administrative agency or commission or other Governmental Entity or instrumentality, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that a SES Company and/or such current or prior owner or any SES Company is not in material compliance with or has materially violated any Environmental Law relating to such property, which, in both cases, remains unresolved and (b) SES does not have any material liability under any Environmental Law.
SECTION 3.18 Insurance. Section 3.18 of the SES Disclosure Schedule sets forth each insurance policy maintained by any SES Company as of the date hereof and each general liability, umbrella and excess liability policy currently maintained by any SES Company (each, a “SES Insurance Policy”). Each SES Insurance Policy is in full force and effect with respect to the period covered and is valid, outstanding and enforceable, and all premiums or installment payments of premiums, as applicable, due thereon have been paid in full. No insurer under any SES Insurance Policy has canceled or generally disclaimed liability under any such policy or, to the knowledge of SES, indicated any intent to do so or not to renew any such policy. To the knowledge of SES, all material claims under the SES Insurance Policies have been filed in a timely fashion.
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SECTION 3.19 Affiliate Transactions. SES’ SEC Reports completely and correctly disclose, as of the date of this Agreement, all agreements, contracts, transfers or assets or liabilities or other commitments or transactions required to be disclosed by applicable securities Laws, whether or not entered into in the ordinary course of business, to or by which any SES Company, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, any (a) present executive officer or director of any SES Company or any Person that has served as such an executive officer or director within the past two (2) years or any of such executive officer’s or director’s immediate family members, (b) record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of SES Common Stock as of the date hereof, or (c) any affiliate of any such executive officer or director or, to the knowledge of SES, of any owner are or have been a party or otherwise bound or affected, and that (i) are currently pending, in effect or have been in effect during the past twelve (12) months, and (ii) involve continuing liabilities and obligations that, individually or in the aggregate, have been, are or will be material to the SES Companies taken as a whole, provided that any such agreement, contract, transfer or assets or liabilities or other commitment or transaction that provides for aggregate payments by or to any SES Company in excess of $120,000 during any twelve (12) month period shall be deemed to be “material” for purposes of this Section 3.19.
SECTION 3.20 Recommendation of SES Board of Directors; Opinion of Financial Advisor.
(a) The SES Board, at a meeting duly called and held, duly adopted resolutions (i) determining that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to, and in the best interests of, the stockholders of SES, (ii) approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) resolving to recommend adoption of this Agreement and the SES Stockholder Approval Matters, and (iv) directing that the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the SES Stockholder Approval Matters and the other transactions contemplated hereby be submitted to the SES Stockholders for consideration in accordance with this Agreement, which resolutions, as of the date of this Agreement, have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.
(b) SES has received an opinion of the Financial Advisor, to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to SES Stockholders. A correct and complete copy of the form of such opinion has been made available to the Company. SES has received the approval of the Financial Advisor to permit the inclusion of a copy of its written opinion in its entirety and/or references thereto in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, subject to the Financial Advisor’s and its legal counsel’s review of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and approval of any references to the Financial Advisor or its written opinion included therein.
SECTION 3.21 Certain Payments. SES has not, nor to the knowledge of SES, has any director, officer, agent or employee of any SES Company, or any other Person, directly or indirectly, made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other payment to any entity or Person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services, in material violation of any applicable Law.
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SECTION 3.22 Title to Properties.
(a) Section 3.22(a) of the SES Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list of all real property and interests in real property leased, subleased, or otherwise occupied as lessee (individually, a “Leased Property”) by any SES Company. SES does not own any real property.
(b) The SES Companies are in possession of all of their Leased Properties pursuant to each lease or sublease, and SES is entitled to and has exclusive possession of such Leased Properties, and the Leased Properties are not subject to any other legally binding lease, tenancy, license or easement of any kind that materially interferes with any SES Company’s use of its Leased Properties as currently used. SES has good and valid title to the leasehold estate or other interest created under each applicable lease, free and clear of any liens, claims or encumbrances, except where the failure to have such good and valid title would not have a SES Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.23 Intellectual Property. The SES Companies own free and clear of any lien, or possess licenses or other valid rights to use, all patents, patent rights, domain names, trademarks (registered or unregistered), trade dress, trade names, copyrights (registered or unregistered), service marks, trade secrets, know-how and other confidential or proprietary rights and information, inventions (patentable or unpatentable), processes, formulae, as well as all goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary in connection with the business of SES and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except where the failure to possess such rights or licenses would not have a SES Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of SES, the conduct, products or services of the business of the SES Companies as currently conducted do not infringe in any material respect upon any Intellectual Property of any third party except where such infringement. There are no claims or suits pending or, to the knowledge of SES, threatened (a) alleging that any SES Company’s conduct, products or services infringe in any material respect upon any Intellectual Property of any third party, or (b) challenging any SES Company’s ownership of, right to use, or the validity or enforcement of any material license or other material agreement relating to SES’ Intellectual Property. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the loss of, or any encumbrance on, the rights of any SES Company with respect to any material Intellectual Property owned or used by them.
SECTION 3.24 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article III, neither SES nor any other Person makes any other express or implied representation or warranty on behalf of SES, the SES Entities or any of their affiliates in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to the SES Entities that, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered to SES by the Company at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”), which shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered sections of this Article IV, it being agreed that disclosure of any item on the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosure with respect to any other section of the Company Disclosure Schedule and this Agreement to the extent that the applicability of such item to such other section of the Company Disclosure Schedule is reasonably apparent from the face of such disclosure:
SECTION 4.01 Organization and Qualification.
(a) Each of the AFE Companies is a corporation or other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and has the requisite corporate power or entity power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of the AFE Companies is duly qualified and licensed to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so organized, existing, qualified, licensed and in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. True, accurate and complete copies of the Governing Documents of the AFE Companies as in effect on the date hereof, including all amendments thereto, have heretofore been made available to SES.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other occurrences, has a material effect on the business, assets, financial condition or ongoing operations of the AFE Companies taken as a whole, which results in or is reasonably likely to result in, losses, claims, damages, liabilities, fees, expenses or fines to any of the AFE Companies (collectively, “AFE Losses”) that would exceed $250,000 in aggregate amount or has a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to timely consummate the Merger; provided, however, that a Company Material Adverse Effect shall not include any change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence arising out of or resulting from (i) the entering into or the public announcement or disclosure of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) general economic or political conditions, (iii) conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Company operates, (iv) any changes in financial or securities markets in general, (v) acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities or terrorism, or the escalation or worsening thereof or (vi) any changes in applicable Laws or accounting rules, including Australian Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards; provided further, however, that any change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence referred to in clauses (ii) through (v) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the text that such change, event, circumstance, development or other occurrence has a disproportionate effect on the Company compared to other participants in the industries in which the Company operates.
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(c) Section 4.01(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each of the AFE Companies and sets forth as to each the type of entity, its jurisdiction of organization and, except in the case of the Company, its stockholders or other equity holders. Except for the Capital Stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Subsidiaries of the Company listed on Section 4.01(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, any other Person.
SECTION 4.02 Capitalization.
(a) The issued share capital of the Company consists of 145,680,821 Company Ordinary Shares. As of the date hereof, 145,680,821 Company Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding, all of which have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. The outstanding shares of Company Ordinary Shares, have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities Laws. Since the date hereof, except as permitted by this Agreement or as disclosed in Section 4.02(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (x) no share capital has been issued, and (y) no options, warrants or securities convertible into, or commitments with respect to the issuance of, shares have been issued, granted or made. Section 4.02(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the holders of record of Company Ordinary Shares as of the date hereof.
(b) There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, commitments, understandings, restrictions, arrangements, rights or warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or other agreement and also including any rights plan or other anti-takeover agreement, obligating any AFE Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of the Capital Stock of any AFE Company or obligating any AFE Company to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment. There are no outstanding stock appreciation rights or similar derivative securities or rights of any AFE Company. Except for the Company Shareholders’ Agreement, there are no voting trusts, irrevocable proxies or other agreements or understandings to which any AFE Company is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of any shares of Capital Stock of the Company.
(c) All of the issued and outstanding share capital (or equivalent equity interests of entities other than corporations) of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company free and clear of any liens, other than statutory liens for Taxes not yet due and payable, such other restrictions as may exist under applicable securities Law, and liens in favor of the Company’s lenders as listed on Section 4.02(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and all such shares or other ownership interests have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof.
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SECTION 4.03 Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals.
(a) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and the Company Stockholders. There is no requirement in the Company Shareholders’ Agreement to hold a meeting of the Company Stockholders to approve this Agreement or the Merger. A Company Stockholder may transfer some or all of its Company Stock to any person in respect of a corporate merger under clause 6.4.2 of the Company Shareholders’ Agreement. 88.9% of Company Stockholders committed to selling their Company Stock in the Pre-Merger Agreement dated October 8, 2019. These Company Stockholders are entitled to require the remaining Company Stockholders to dispose all of their Company Stock to the Merger Subsidiary pursuant to section 8.1 of the Company Shareholders’ Agreement. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which the Company Stockholders may vote. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the SES Entities, constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at Law or in equity).
(b) The Company Board, by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous vote at a meeting of all directors of the Company duly called and held and, as of the date hereof, not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, has, as of the date hereof approved this Agreement and the Merger, and determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company Stockholders.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 4.03(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not violate, conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, contractually require any offer to purchase or any prepayment of any debt, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (i) the Governing Documents of any AFE Company, (ii) subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in clauses (i)-(iii) of Section 4.03(d), any statute, Law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, order, injunction, writ, Permit or license of any court or Governmental Entity applicable to any of the AFE Companies or any of their respective properties or assets, or (iii) any contract, agreement, commitment or understanding to which the Company is now a party or by which the Company or any of its properties or assets may be bound or affected, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 4.03(c), such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations, contractual requirements or creations of liens, security interests or encumbrances that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.
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(d) Except for (i) the filing with the SEC of the Registration Statement, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State in connection with the Merger, (iii) the lodgment of the Form 484 by the Company with ASIC, and (iv) such approvals as may be required under applicable state securities or “blue sky” Laws or the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market, and except as provided in Section 4.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, Consent of, any Governmental Entity or authority or other Person is necessary under any Company Material Contract or otherwise for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than such Consents which, if not made or obtained, as the case may be, would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.
(e) The Company Board has approved the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and such approval is sufficient to render inapplicable to the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby the provisions of Section 203 of DGCL to the extent, if any, such section is applicable to the Merger, this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. No other state takeover control share, fair price or similar statute or regulation applies to or purports to apply to the Company with respect to the Merger, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
SECTION 4.04 Financial Statements.
(a) The Company has made available to SES true and complete copies of (i) the Company’s unaudited balance sheet as of 30 June, 2019 (the “Company Balance Sheet”), and the related unaudited statement of operations and statement of cash flows of the Company for each quarter for the year to 30 June 2019 (collectively with the Company Balance Sheet, the “Company Interim Financial Statements”), and (ii) the Company’s audited balance sheets as of June 30, 2018, June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2016, and the related audited statements of operations and statements of cash flows of the Company for the periods covered therein (collectively, the “Company Annual Financial Statements” and, together with the Company Interim Financial Statements, the “Company Financial Statements”). The Company Financial Statements (i) are consistent with, and have been prepared from, the books and records of the Company, and (ii) were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (except with respect to the Company Interim Financial Statements) applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AFE Companies as of the dates thereof and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).
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(b) The Company has not effected any securitization transactions or “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(c) of SEC Regulation S-K) since December 31, 2015.
(c) Since January 1, 2018, there have been no formal internal investigations regarding financial reporting or accounting policies and practices discussed with, reviewed by or initiated at the direction of the chief executive officer or principal financial officer of the Company, the Company Board or any committee thereof. Since January 1, 2018, neither the Company nor its independent auditors have identified (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by the Company, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Company’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by the Company, or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.
SECTION 4.05 Liabilities. As of the date hereof, no AFE Company has incurred liabilities or obligations (whether known or unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of any nature, except (a) liabilities, obligations or contingencies (i) which are accrued or reserved against in the Company Financial Statements or reflected in the notes thereto or (ii) which were incurred since the date of the Company Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (b) liabilities, obligations or contingencies which (i) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) have been discharged or paid in full prior to the date hereof in the ordinary course of business, and (c) liabilities, obligations and contingencies which are of a nature not required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, including the footnotes thereto.
SECTION 4.06 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 2018, (a) except with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the AFE Companies have carried on and operated their businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, (b) there have not been any changes, events, circumstances, developments or occurrences that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (c) except as disclosed on Section 4.06 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no AFE Company has taken any action that, if taken after the date hereof and before the Closing, would constitute a breach of Sections 5.01(b) through (e) and (g) through (n).
SECTION 4.07 Litigation; Government Investigations. There are no material claims, suits, actions, proceedings, arbitrations or other actions pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against, relating to or affecting any AFE Company or any of their assets, before any court, Governmental Entity, governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator. No material investigation or review by any Governmental Entity or authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, and no Governmental Entity or authority has indicated an intention to conduct the same. No AFE Company is subject to any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or Order of any court, Governmental Entity, governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator, or any settlement agreement or stipulation, which as of the date hereof prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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SECTION 4.08 Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information to be supplied by the Company or its stockholders for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will, at the time of the mailing thereof or any amendments or supplements thereto, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
SECTION 4.09 No Violation of Law. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of or has been given written (or, to the knowledge of the Company, oral) notice of any violation of any Law, statute, order, rule, regulation, ordinance or judgment of any Governmental Entity or authority, except for violations which would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Section 4.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the AFE Companies have all material Permits necessary to conduct their businesses as presently conducted. The AFE Companies are in compliance, in all material respects, with the terms of such material Permits.
SECTION 4.10 Material Contracts; Compliance with Contracts.
(a) Except as otherwise noted below, Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule includes a list of the following contracts, agreements, licenses, arrangements or understandings to which any of the AFE Companies is a party or by which any of them or their respective assets are bound or affected as of the date hereof (each, whether or not listed on Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, a “Company Material Contract”):
(i) contracts for professional services, consulting agreements, licenses, technical data and other Intellectual Property, in each case that provide for aggregate payments by or to any AFE Company in excess of $300,000 during any twelve (12) month period, and master services agreements pursuant to which any AFE Company made aggregate payments of $300,000 in the twelve (12) months prior to the date hereof or reasonably expects to make aggregate payments of $300,000 in the twelve (12) months after the date hereof;
(ii) contracts relating to any Owned Property or Leased Property of any AFE Company, in each case that provide for aggregate payments by or to any AFE Company in excess of $300,000 during any twelve (12) month period;
(iii) pursuant to which payments are required or acceleration of benefits is required upon a change of control of the Company or similar event, in each case that provide for aggregate payments by or to any AFE Company in excess of $300,000 during any twelve (12) month period;
(iv) which is material to any of the AFE Companies or any of their assets, including the Company’s Intellectual Property, or business and which requires the Consent or waiver of a third party prior to the Company consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case that provide for aggregate payments by or to any AFE Company in excess of $300,000 during any twelve (12) month period;
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(v) contracts which concern payments by the AFE Companies in excess of $300,000 in the aggregate unless terminable by the AFE Companies on not more than thirty (30) days’ notice without penalty,
(vi) contracts restricting, in any material respect, any AFE Company from freely engaging in any business or competing anywhere;
(vii) contracts that constitute a partnership or joint venture agreement (excluding any tax partnership);
(viii) any mortgages, indentures, guarantees, letters of credit, loans or credit agreements, security agreements or similar contracts, in each case relating to indebtedness for borrowed money, whether as borrower or lender, in each case in excess of $300,000, other than (A) accounts receivable and payable, and (B) loans to direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company;
(ix) any employee collective bargaining agreement or other contract with any labor union;
(x) which would be deemed a “material contract” within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of SEC Regulation S-K; or
(xi) which, with respect to any AFE Company’s Intellectual Property, relates to (A) any acquisition by or from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any grant by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, of any right, title or interest in, under or to any of the Company’s Intellectual Property, including contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the Company’s Intellectual Property, or (B) any covenant not to sue granted by any of the AFE Companies to any Person or granted by any Person to the AFE Companies for the benefit of the AFE Companies, with respect to any of the Intellectual Property of any AFE Company, all of which any AFE Company’s Intellectual Property in clauses (A) and (B) is material to the AFE Companies, taken as a whole, other than standardized nonexclusive licenses obtained by the AFE Companies in the ordinary course of business.
(b) With respect to each Company Material Contract (i) the Company Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect with respect to the applicable AFE Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at Law or in equity) and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has any knowledge that any other party thereto is, in material breach or violation of or in material default in the performance or observance of any term or provision of any Company Material Contract, and, to the knowledge of the AFE Companies, no event has occurred which, with lapse of time or action by a third party, would result in a default under, the Company Material Contract.
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(c) True, accurate and complete copies of each Company Material Contract have heretofore been made available to SES.
SECTION 4.11 Taxes
(a) Each AFE Company has timely (i) filed with the appropriate Governmental Entity all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects, and (ii) paid in full or reserved in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards on the Company Financial Statements all material Taxes required to be paid. No AFE Company has requested an extension of time within which to file a material Tax Return, which has not been since filed. There are no liens for Taxes upon any property or asset of the Company, other than liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or Taxes contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and which in both cases are either not material or reserved against in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. No deficiency with respect to Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed in writing against any AFE Company, which has not been fully paid or adequately reserved or reflected in the Company Financial Statements, and there are no material unresolved issues of Law or fact arising out of a written notice of a deficiency, proposed deficiency or assessment from the IRS or any other governmental taxing authority with respect to Taxes of the AFE Companies. No AFE Company has agreed to an extension of time with respect to a Tax deficiency, other than extensions which are no longer in effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received (A) notice from any taxing authority of its intent to examine or audit any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Tax Returns or (B) notice from any state taxing authority of its intent to examine or audit any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Tax Returns, other than notices with respect to examinations or audits by any state taxing authority that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No AFE Company is a party to any agreement providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity other than agreements the consequences of which are fully and adequately reserved for in the Company Financial Statements.
(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has withheld and remitted each material Tax required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts remitted or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other party, and materially complied with all information reporting and backup withholding provisions of applicable Law.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of or bound by any material private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar material ruling, memorandum of agreement with any taxing authority.
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(d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date under Section 481(c) of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law), (ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, or (iii) deferred intercompany gain or excess loss account described in the U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law).
(e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstance that would be reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(f) The Company has made available to SES correct and complete copies of (i) all U.S. federal income Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries relating to taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2012, filed through the date hereof and (ii) any material audit report within the last three years relating to any material Taxes due from or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(g) No jurisdiction where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file a Tax Return has made a claim that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required to file a Tax Return for a material amount of Taxes for such jurisdiction.
SECTION 4.12 Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA; Employment Agreements.
(a) Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of each plan, program, policy, practice, contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for employment, compensation, retirement, deferred compensation, loans, severance, separation, relocation, termination pay, performance awards, bonus, incentive, stock option, stock purchase, stock bonus, phantom stock, stock appreciation right, change in control, supplemental retirement, fringe benefits, cafeteria benefits, salary continuation, vacation, sick, or other paid leave, employment or consulting, hospitalization or other medical, dental, life (including all individual life insurance policies as to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the owner, the beneficiary or both) or other insurance or coverage, disability, death benefit, or other benefits, whether written or unwritten, including without limitation each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is or has been sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by the Company and any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is or at any relevant time was treated as an ERISA Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of any Person who performs or who has performed services for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any ERISA Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has or may have any liability (including without limitation contingent liability) or obligation (collectively, the “Company Employee Plans”).
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(b) The Company has furnished to SES true and complete copies of documents embodying each of the Company Employee Plans and related plan documents, including without limitation trust documents, group annuity contracts, plan amendments, insurance policies or contracts, participant agreements, employee booklets, administrative service agreements, summary plan descriptions, compliance and nondiscrimination tests for the last three (3) plan years, standard COBRA forms and related notices, registration statements and prospectuses and, to the extent still in its possession, any material employee communications relating thereto. With respect to each Company Employee Plan, if any, that is subject to ERISA reporting requirements, the Company has provided copies of the Form 5500 reports filed for the last three (3) plan years.
(c) Compliance. Except as disclosed in Section 4.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) Each Company Employee Plan has been administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, rules and regulations (including ERISA and the Code), except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect; and the Company and each ERISA Affiliate of the Company have performed all material obligations required to be performed by them under, are not in material respect in default under or violation of and have no knowledge of any material default or violation by any other party to, any of the Company Employee Plans; (ii) any Company Employee Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has either obtained from the IRS a favorable determination letter as to its qualified status under the Code, including all currently effective amendments to the Code, or has time remaining to apply under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations or IRS pronouncements for a determination or opinion letter and to make any amendments necessary to obtain a favorable determination or opinion letter; (iii) none of the Company Employee Plans promises or provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any Person; (iv) there has been no “prohibited transaction,” as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, with respect to any Company Employee Plan; (v) none of Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any ERISA Affiliate of the Company is subject to any liability or penalty under Sections 4976 through 4980 of the Code or Title I of ERISA with respect to any Company Employee Plan; (vi) all contributions required to be made by Company or any ERISA Affiliate of the Company to any Company Employee Plan have been timely paid and accrued; (vii) with respect to each Company Employee Plan, no “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA (excluding any such event for which the thirty (30) day notice requirement has been waived under the regulations to Section 4043 of ERISA) nor any event described in Section 4062, 4063 or 4041 of ERISA has occurred; (viii) each Company Employee Plan subject to ERISA has prepared in good faith and timely filed all requisite governmental reports, which were true and correct as of the date filed, and has properly and timely filed and distributed or posted all notices and reports to employees required to be filed, distributed or posted with respect to each such Company Employee Plan; (ix) no suit, administrative proceeding, action or other litigation has been brought, or to the knowledge of Company is threatened, against or with respect to any such Company Employee Plan, including any audit or inquiry by the IRS or U.S. Department of Labor; (x) there has been no amendment to, written interpretation or announcement by Company or any ERISA Affiliate of the Company that would materially increase the expense of maintaining any Company Employee Plan above the level of expense incurred with respect to that Company Employee Plan for the most recent fiscal year included in the Company Financial Statements; and (xi) no Company Employee Plan is subject to or maintained pursuant to the Laws of a foreign jurisdiction. No current or former officer, director, employee, leased employee, consultant or agent (or their respective beneficiaries) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or their ERISA Affiliates has or will obtain a right to receive a gross-up payment from the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or their ERISA Affiliates with respect to any Tax that may be imposed upon such individual pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, Section 4999 of the Code or otherwise.
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(d) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Company has ever maintained, established, sponsored, participated in, contributed to, or is obligated to contribute to, or otherwise incurred any obligation or liability (including without limitation any contingent liability) under any “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), to any “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code or any multiple employer welfare arrangement or voluntary employee benefits association. None of Company or any ERISA Affiliate of the Company has any actual or potential withdrawal liability (including without limitation any contingent liability) for any complete or partial withdrawal (as defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any multiemployer plan.
(e) With respect to each Company Employee Plan, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has complied with (i) the applicable health care continuation and notice provisions of COBRA and the regulations thereunder or any state Law governing health care coverage extension or continuation; (ii) the applicable requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the regulations thereunder; (iii) the applicable requirements of HIPAA; (iv) the applicable requirements of the Cancer Rights Act of 1998, and (v) the PPAC. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has unsatisfied obligations to any employees, former employees or qualified beneficiaries pursuant to COBRA, HIPAA or any state Law governing health care coverage extension or continuation.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 4.12(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or former employee or other service provider of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or any ERISA Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to severance benefits or any other payment (including without limitation unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or benefits under any Company Employee Plan); or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee or service provider. No benefit payable or that may become payable by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to any Company Employee Plan or as a result of or arising under this Agreement shall constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) subject to the imposition of an excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code or the deduction for which would be disallowed by reason of Section 280G of the Code and no such benefit will fail to be deductible for federal income Tax purposes by virtue of Sections 162(m) of the Code. Except as set forth in Section 4.12(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each Company Employee Plan can be amended, terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Merger Effective Time in accordance with its terms, without material liability to SES, Merger Subsidiary, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company other than ordinary administration expenses typically incurred in a termination event.
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(g) The Company and each Subsidiary of the Company is in compliance in all material respects with all currently applicable Laws and regulations respecting terms and conditions of employment, including without limitation applicant and employee background checking, immigration Laws, discrimination Laws, verification of employment eligibility, employee leave Laws, classification of workers as employees and independent contractors, wage and hour Laws, and occupational safety and health Laws. There are no proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, reasonably expected or threatened, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any or all of their respective current or former employees, on the other hand, including without limitation any claims for actual or alleged harassment or discrimination based on race, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or similar tortious conduct, breach of contract, wrongful termination, defamation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, interference with contract or interference with actual or prospective economic disadvantage. There are no claims pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, reasonably expected or threatened, against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any workers’ compensation or long-term disability plan or policy. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is paying or is obligated to pay any employee or any former employee any disability or workers compensation payments or unemployment benefits. Except as set forth in Section 4.12(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the employment of each of the Company’s employees and each of the employees of each Subsidiary of the Company is terminable by the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, at will. To the best of the knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries intends to terminate his employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 4.12(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is a party to or bound by any employment, consulting, termination, severance or similar agreement with any individual officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any agreement pursuant to which any such Person is entitled to receive any benefits from the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company or similar event.
(i) All Company Employee Plans that are subject to Section 409A of the Code are in compliance with the requirements of such Code section and regulations and other guidance thereunder. Except as set forth in Section 4.12(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Company Ordinary Shares or other security of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or other affiliates and no real property is held in trust or otherwise set aside for funding benefit obligations under any Company Employee Plan.
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SECTION 4.13 Environmental Matters. Each AFE Company is in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by the AFE Companies of all material Permits and other governmental authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and material compliance with the terms and conditions thereof. Since January 1, 2009: (a) no AFE Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, no current or prior owner of any property leased or controlled by any AFE Company has received any written notice or other communication relating to property owned or leased at any time by any AFE Company, whether from a governmental body, court, administrative agency or commission or other Governmental Entity or instrumentality, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that a AFE Company and/or such current or prior owner or any AFE Company is not in material compliance with or has materially violated any Environmental Law relating to such property, which, in both cases, remains unresolved and (b) the Company does not have any material liability under any Environmental Law.
SECTION 4.14 Title to Properties.
(a) [Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule]1 sets forth a complete and correct list of (i) all real property and interests in real property owned in fee (individually, an “Owned Property”) by the AFE Companies and (ii) all Leased Property of the AFE Companies (such Owned Properties and Leased Properties, collectively, “Company Properties”), as the case may be, and the legal owner thereof.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the AFE Companies have good title to all of their Owned Properties, as reflected in the Company Balance Sheet, except for properties and assets that have been disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of such balance sheet, free and clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, charges or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except (i) liens for current Taxes, payments of which are not yet delinquent or are being disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) such imperfections in title and easements and encumbrances, if any, as are not substantial in character, amount or extent and do not materially detract from the value, or interfere with the present use of the property subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The AFE Companies are in possession of all of their Leased Properties pursuant to each lease or sublease, and the Company is entitled to and has exclusive possession of such Leased Properties, and the Leased Properties are not subject to any other legally binding lease, tenancy, license or easement of any kind that materially interferes with any AFE Company’s use of its Leased Properties as currently used. The Company has good and valid title to the leasehold estate or other interest created under each applicable lease, free and clear of any liens, claims or encumbrances, except where the failure to have such good and valid title would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
1 NTD: Cape River Resources to be included on this schedule based on previously completed consolidation.
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SECTION 4.15 Intellectual Property. The AFE Companies own free and clear of any lien, or possess licenses or other valid rights to use, all Intellectual Property necessary in connection with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except where the failure to possess such rights or licenses would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The conduct, products or services of the business of the AFE Companies as currently conducted do not infringe in any material respect upon any Intellectual Property of any third party except where such infringement. There are no claims or suits pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened (a) alleging that any AFE Company’s conduct, products or services infringe in any material respect upon any Intellectual Property of any third party, or (b) challenging any AFE Company’s ownership of, right to use, or the validity or enforcement of any material license or other material agreement relating to the Company’s Intellectual Property. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the loss of, or any encumbrance on, the rights of any AFE Company with respect to any material Intellectual Property owned or used by them.
SECTION 4.16 Insurance. Section 4.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth each insurance policy maintained by or on behalf of any AFE Company as of the date hereof and each general liability, umbrella and excess liability policy currently maintained by any AFE Company (each, a “Company Insurance Policy”). Each Company Insurance Policy is in full force and effect with respect to the period covered and is valid, outstanding and enforceable, and all premiums or installment payments of premiums, as applicable, due thereon have been paid in full. No insurer under any Company Insurance Policy has canceled or generally disclaimed liability under any such policy or, to the knowledge of the Company, indicated any intent to do so or not to renew any such policy. To the knowledge of the Company, all material claims under the Company Insurance Policies have been filed in a timely fashion.
SECTION 4.17 Certain Payments. The Company has not, nor to the knowledge of the Company, has any director, officer, agent or employee of any AFE Company, or any other Person, directly or indirectly, made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other payment to any entity or Person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services, in material violation of any applicable Law.
SECTION 4.18 Brokers and Finders. The Company has not entered into any contract with any Person that may result in the obligation of the Company or the Surviving Company to pay any investment banking fees, finder’s fees or brokerage fees in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company has provided to SES a true, correct and complete copy of any and all engagement or retention agreements with financial advisors or other advisors, to which the Company is a party and which are related to the transactions contemplated hereby.
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SECTION 4.19 Tax Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) The Merger will be carried out strictly in accordance with this Agreement and pursuant to the DGCL and the Corporations Act. The Company is not a party to any other written or oral agreements regarding the Merger other than those expressly referred to in this Agreement.
(b) The Merger Consideration was negotiated by the parties on an arm’s length basis. Based on the volume weighted average closing price of SES Common Stock over the fifteen (15) trading days prior to the date of this Agreement, the fair market value of the Merger Consideration received by each stockholder of the Company will be approximately equal to the fair market value of Company Ordinary Shares exchanged in the Merger.
(c) Prior to the Merger Effective Time and in connection with or anticipation of the Merger, (i) none of the shares of Company Ordinary Shares will be redeemed, (ii) no extraordinary dividends will be made with respect to the shares of Company Ordinary Shares, and (iii) none of the shares of Company Ordinary Shares will be acquired by the Company or any Related Person.
(d) The Company and Company Stockholders will each pay their respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Merger.
(e) Any compensation paid to the Company Stockholders who enter (or have entered) into employment, consulting or noncompetitive contracts, if any, with SES, (i) will be for services actually rendered or to be rendered, (ii) will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm’s length for similar services, and (iii) will not represent consideration for the surrender of the shares of Company Ordinary Shares in the Merger.
(f) No debt of the Company is guaranteed by any Company Stockholder.
(g) The Company owns no stock of SES.
(h) No assets of the Company have been sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of which would prevent SES from continuing the historical business of the Company or from using a significant portion of the Company’s historical business assets in a business following the Merger, within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d).
(i) The Company is not an investment company as defined in Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code. An investment company is (1) a regulated investment company; (2) a real estate investment trust; or (3) a corporation (i) fifty percent (50%) or more of the value of whose total assets are stock and securities, and (ii) eighty percent (80%) or more of the value of whose total assets are held for investment. In making the fifty percent and eighty percent determinations under the preceding sentence, stock and securities in any Subsidiary corporation shall be disregarded and a parent corporation shall be deemed to own its ratable share of the Subsidiary’s assets, and a corporation shall be considered a Subsidiary if a parent owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock outstanding. For this purpose, “total assets” shall not include cash and cash items (including receivables) and government securities.
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(j) The Company is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.
(k) There is no indebtedness existing between SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company..
(l) The Company has substantial non-tax business purposes and reasons for the Merger, and the terms of the Merger are the product of arm’s length negotiations.
(m) The Company will not take, and the Company is not aware of any plan or intention of any of the Company Stockholders to take, any position on any Tax Return, or take any other Tax reporting position, that is inconsistent with the treatment of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, unless otherwise required by a “determination” (as defined in Code Section 1313(a)(1)).
(n) No stock or securities of SES will be issued to any Company Stockholder for services rendered to or for the benefit of SES, Merger Subsidiary or the Company in connection with the Merger (except to the extent of outstanding Company equity awards).
(o) No stock or securities of SES or of the Company will be issued to any Company Stockholder for any indebtedness owed to any Company Stockholder in connection with the Merger.
(p) No assets were transferred to the Company, nor did the Company assume any liabilities, in connection with the Merger. The fair market value of the assets of the Company will exceed the sum of the Company’s liabilities, plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the assets are subject.
(q) At the Merger Effective Time, the Company will not have outstanding any warrants, options, convertible securities, or any other type of right pursuant to which any Person could acquire stock in the Company that, if exercised or converted, would affect SES’ acquisition or retention of control of the Company, as defined in Section 368(c)(1) of the Code.
(r) The Company has no plan or intention to issue additional shares of its stock that would result in SES losing control of the Company within the meaning of Section 368(c)(1) of the Code.
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SECTION 4.20 Payment of Royalties. Except for such items that are being held in suspense as permitted pursuant to applicable Law or the terms of the applicable contract, the Company has timely paid in all material respects all royalties (including lessor’s royalties), overriding royalties, and other burdens, except as set forth on Section 4.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as reserved against in the Company Financial Statements. No AFE Company has received any notice of any dispute or claim in respect of non-payment or underpayment of royalties.
SECTION 4.21 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article IV, neither the Company nor any other Person makes any other express or implied representation or warranty on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE
V
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
SECTION 5.01 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or disclosed in Section 5.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, after the date hereof and until the Merger Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement (the “Pre-Closing Period”), unless SES shall otherwise agree in writing (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to:
(a) conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(b) not make capital expenditures or enter into any binding commitment or contract to make capital expenditures, except (i) capital expenditures which the Company is currently committed to make, (ii) capital expenditures in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, (iii) capital expenditures for repairs and other capital expenditures necessary in light of circumstances not anticipated as of the date of this Agreement which are necessary to avoid significant disruption to the Company’s business or operations consistent with past practice, and (iv) repairs and maintenance in the ordinary course of business;
(c) not (i) amend or propose to amend its Governing Documents, except as agreed to by the parties hereto, (ii) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of outstanding Capital Stock, (iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of its Capital Stock, or (iv) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or modify or amend, any shares of its Capital Stock or any other securities or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities;
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(d) not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) issue, sell, pledge, grant or dispose of, or agree to issue, sell, pledge, grant or dispose of, any equity awards under any Company incentive plans, or any additional shares of, or any options, warrants or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, its Capital Stock of any class or any debt or equity securities convertible into or exchangeable for its Capital Stock, or (ii) incur or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(e) not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) merge, consolidate, combine or amalgamate with any Person other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to purchase or acquire any shares of its Capital Stock or any options, warrants or rights to acquire any of its Capital Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for its Capital Stock, (iii) make any acquisition of any Capital Stock, assets or businesses of any other Person in excess of $1,000 individually other than expenditures for current assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and expenditures for fixed or capital assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iv) sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any assets or businesses that are material to the Company or its Subsidiaries, except, with respect to each of the foregoing, (A) sales, leases, rentals and licenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) pursuant to contracts that are in force at the date of this Agreement and are disclosed in Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and (C) sales, leases or dispositions not to exceed $1,000 individually, or (v) enter into any contract with respect to any of the foregoing items (i) through (iv);
(f) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organization and goodwill, keep available the services of its present officers and key employees, and preserve the goodwill and business relationships with customers and others having business relationships with it, other than as expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement;
(g) not adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution;
(h) not pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims, material liabilities or material obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction (i) of any such material claims, material liabilities or material obligations in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) of material claims, material liabilities or material obligations reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the Company Financial Statements (or the notes thereto);
(i) not enter into any contract that restrains, limits or impedes the ability of the Company or the Surviving Company to compete with or conduct any business or line of business, including geographic limitations on the activities of the Company;
(j) not make any changes in financial or Tax accounting methods, principles or practices (or change an annual accounting period), except insofar as may be required by a change in Australian Accounting Standards, International Financial Reporting Standards or applicable Law;
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(k) not enter into, amend, modify or renew any employment, consulting, severance or similar contract with, pay any bonus or grant any material increase in salary, wage or other compensation or any increase in any employee benefit to, any of its directors, officers or employees, except in each such case (i) as may be required by applicable Law, or (ii) to satisfy obligations existing as of the date hereof pursuant to the terms of contracts that are in effect on the date hereof;
(l) not enter into, establish, adopt, amend or modify any pension, retirement, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or welfare plan, agreement, program or arrangement, in respect of any of its directors, officers or employees, except, in each such case (i) as may be required by applicable Law or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) to satisfy obligations existing as of the date hereof pursuant to the terms of contracts that are in effect on the date hereof;
(m) except to the extent required under existing employee and director benefit plans, agreements or arrangements as in effect on the date hereof or as expressly provided by this Agreement, not accelerate the payment, right to payment or vesting of any bonus, severance, profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation, stock option, insurance or other compensation or benefits;
(n) not agree to the settlement of any claim, litigation, investigation or other action that is material to it;
(o) except in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, not materially modify or amend, or terminate any Company Material Contract, or waive, relinquish, release or terminate any material right or material claim, or enter into any contract that would have been a Company Material Contract if it had been in existence at the time of the execution of this Agreement; and
(p) not agree to take any of the foregoing actions, other than Section 5.01(a) and (f).
SECTION 5.02 Conduct of Business by SES and Merger Subsidiary Pending the Merger. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or disclosed in Section 5.02 of the SES Disclosure Schedule, during the Pre-Closing Period, unless the Company shall otherwise agree in writing (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), SES shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to:
(a) conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(b) not make capital expenditures or enter into any binding commitment or contract to make capital expenditures, except (i) capital expenditures which SES is currently committed to make, (ii) capital expenditures in the ordinary course of SES’ business, (iii) capital expenditures for repairs and other capital expenditures necessary in light of circumstances not anticipated as of the date of this Agreement which are necessary to avoid significant disruption to SES’ business or operations consistent with past practice, and (iv) repairs and maintenance in the ordinary course of business;
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(c) not (i) amend or propose to amend its Governing Documents, except as agreed to by the parties hereto, (ii) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of its Capital Stock, or (iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of its Capital Stock, as the case may be, except as set forth in this Agreement, or (iv) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or modify or amend, any shares of its Capital Stock or any other securities or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities; provided, however, that SES shall be permitted to split, combine, subdivide or reclassify the SES Common Stock to effectuate a reverse stock split for the purpose of maintaining its listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market;
(d) not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) issue, sell, pledge, grant or dispose of, or agree to issue, sell, pledge, grant or dispose of, any equity awards under any SES incentive plans, or any additional shares of, or any options, warrants or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, its Capital Stock of any class or any debt or equity securities convertible into or exchangeable for its Capital Stock, or (ii) incur or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except pursuant to the terms and conditions of SES’ existing credit facility;
(e) not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) merge, consolidate, combine or amalgamate with any Person other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to purchase or acquire any shares of its Capital Stock or any options, warrants or rights to acquire any of its Capital Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for its Capital Stock, (iii) make any acquisition of any Capital Stock, assets or businesses of any other Person in excess of $1,000 individually other than expenditures for current assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and expenditures for fixed or capital assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iv) sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any assets, businesses or any of Capital Stock therein, except (A) sales, leases, rentals and licenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) pursuant to contracts that are in force at the date of this Agreement and are disclosed in Section 3.07 of the SES Disclosure Schedule, (C) sales, leases or dispositions not to exceed $1,000 individually, or (v) enter into any contract with respect to any of the foregoing items (i) through (iv); provided, however, that SES shall be permitted to transfer its Australian assets held under its British Virgin Islands subsidiary, Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., to its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, SES Resources, LLC, or another SES Company, and to terminate the Existing GTI Agreement pursuant to Section 5.23.
(f) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organization and goodwill, keep available the services of its present officers and key employees, and preserve the goodwill and business relationships with customers and others having business relationships with it, other than as expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement;
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(g) not adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution;
(h) not pay, discharge, or satisfy any material claims, material liabilities or material obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction (i) of any such material claims, material liabilities or material obligations in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) of material claims, material liabilities or material obligations reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, SES Financial Statements (or the notes thereto);
(i) not enter into any contract that restrains, limits or impedes its ability to compete with or conduct any business or line of business, including geographic limitations on its activities;
(j) not make any changes in financial or Tax accounting methods, principles or practices (or change an annual accounting period), except insofar as may be required by a change in GAAP or applicable Law;
(k) not enter into, amend, modify or renew any employment, consulting, severance or similar contract with, pay any bonus or grant any material increase in salary, wage or other compensation or any increase in any employee benefit to, any of its directors, officers or employees, except in each such case (i) as may be required by applicable Law, or (ii) to satisfy obligations existing as of the date hereof pursuant to the terms of contracts that are in effect on the date hereof;
(l) not enter into, establish, adopt, amend or modify any pension, retirement, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or welfare plan, agreement, program or arrangement, in respect of any of its directors, officers or employees, except, in each such case (i) as may be required by applicable Law or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) to satisfy obligations existing as of the date hereof pursuant to the terms of contracts that are in effect on the date hereof;
(m) except to the extent required under existing employee and director benefit plans, agreements or arrangements as in effect on the date hereof or as expressly provided by this Agreement, not accelerate the payment, right to payment or vesting of any bonus, severance, profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation, stock option, insurance or other compensation or benefits;
(n) not agree to the settlement of any claim, litigation, investigation or other action that is material to it;
(o) except in the ordinary course of its business, not materially modify or amend, or terminate any SES Material Contract, or waive, relinquish, release or terminate any material right or material claim, or enter into any contract that would have been a SES Material Contract if it had been in existence at the time of the execution of this Agreement; provided, however, that SES shall be permitted to terminate the Existing GTI Agreement pursuant to Section 5.23; and
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(p) not agree to take any of the foregoing actions, other than Section 5.02(a) and (f). For avoidance of doubt, any issuance of securities by SES or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Batchfire Share Exchange, the Pre-Signing Financing and the Post-Signing Financing shall be permitted.
SECTION 5.03 No Solicitation.
(a) General. Each party hereto agrees that it shall not, nor shall it authorize or permit any of the officers, directors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, affiliates or other representatives retained by it to, and that it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its non-officer employees and other agents and affiliates not to (and shall not authorize any of them to) directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, induce or knowingly facilitate the communication, making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (ii) furnish any information regarding such party to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (iii) engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry; (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal (unless permitted pursuant to Sections 5.07 and 5.08); or (v) execute or enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.03(a), the Company may, and prior to obtaining SES Stockholder Approval, SES may, furnish nonpublic information regarding such party to, and enter into discussions or negotiations with, any Person in response to a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal, which such party’s board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with a nationally recognized independent financial advisor and its outside legal counsel, constitutes, or is reasonably likely to result in, a Superior Offer (and is not withdrawn) if: (A) such Acquisition Proposal was not solicited in violation of this Section 5.03(a); (B) the board of directors of such party concludes in good faith based on the advice of outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action is reasonably likely to result in a breach of the fiduciary duties of the board of directors of such party under applicable Laws; (C) at least two (2) Business Days prior to furnishing any such nonpublic information to, or entering into discussions with, such Person, such party gives the other parties written notice of the identity of such Person and of such party’s intention to furnish nonpublic information to, or enter into discussions with, such Person; (D) such party receives from such Person an executed confidentiality agreement containing provisions at least as favorable to such party as those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement; and (E) concurrently with furnishing any such nonpublic information to such Person, such party furnishes such nonpublic information to the other parties hereto (to the extent such nonpublic information has not been previously furnished by such party to the other parties). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party acknowledges and agrees that, in the event any representative of such party (whether or not such representative is purporting to act on behalf of such party) takes any action that, if taken by such party, would constitute a breach of this Section 5.03 by such party, the taking of such action by such representative shall be deemed to constitute a breach of this Section 5.03 by such party for purposes of this Agreement.
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(b) Notice of Proposal or Inquiry. If any party or any representative of such party receives an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry at any time during the Pre-Closing Period, then such party shall promptly (and in no event later than two (2) Business Days after such party becomes aware of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry) advise the other parties hereto orally and in writing of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry (including the identity of the Person making or submitting such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, and the terms thereof). Such party shall keep the other parties informed in all material respects with respect to the status and terms of any such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry and any modification or proposed modification thereto.
(c) Cease Current Discussions. Each party shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions with any Person that relate to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry as of the date of this Agreement and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, in accordance with the terms of any applicable confidentiality agreement, the return or destruction of any confidential information previously furnished to any such Person by such party or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 5.04 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Subject to applicable Law relating to the exchange of information, the parties shall afford to each other and the other’s accountants, counsel, financial advisors, sources of financing and other representatives reasonable access during normal business hours with reasonable notice throughout the period from the date hereof until the Merger Effective Time to all of their respective properties, books, contracts and records (including, but not limited to, Tax Returns) and, during such period, shall furnish promptly (i) a copy of each report, schedule and other document filed or received by any of them pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws or filed by any of them with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) such other information concerning its businesses, properties and personnel as any party shall reasonably request, and will use reasonable efforts to obtain the reasonable cooperation of its officers, employees, counsel, accountants, consultants and financial advisors in connection with the review of such other information by the parties and their respective representatives.
(b) The parties hereto acknowledge that the Confidentiality Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
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SECTION 5.05 Notices of Certain Events.
(a) The Company and SES shall as promptly as reasonably practicable after their executive officers acquire knowledge thereof, notify the other of: (i) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the Consent of such Person (or another Person) is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which Consent relates to a SES Material Contract or a Company Material Contract, as applicable, or the failure of which to obtain could materially delay consummation of the Merger; (ii) any notice or other communication from any Governmental Entity or authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (iii) any actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or, to its knowledge, threatened, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting the Company or SES, as the case may be that, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Sections 5.09, 5.10 or 5.12, or which relate to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 5.03, each of the Company and SES agrees to give prompt notice to the other of, and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to remedy, (i) the occurrence or failure to occur of any event which occurrence or failure to occur would reasonably be expected to cause any of its representations or warranties in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at the Merger Effective Time, and (ii) any failure on its part to comply with or satisfy in all material respects any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.05(b) shall not limit or otherwise affect the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties, the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice or the conditions to such party’s obligation to consummate the Merger.
SECTION 5.06 Merger Subsidiary. SES will take all action necessary to cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Until the Merger Effective Time, Merger Subsidiary will not carry on any business or conduct any operations other than the execution of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder and matters reasonably related hereto.
SECTION 5.07 [Reserved].
SECTION 5.08 SES Stockholders’ Meeting.
(a) SES agrees, subject to Section 5.08(c), that it shall take all action necessary to call, give notice of and hold a meeting (such meeting, the “SES Stockholders’ Meeting”), and that it will recommend to, and solicit the vote of the holders of SES Common Stock to vote for approval of, (i) this Agreement, (ii) the principal terms of the Merger, and (iii) the issuance of shares of SES Common Stock in the Merger (collectively, the “SES Stockholder Approval Matters”). The SES Stockholders’ Meeting shall be held as promptly as practicable after the S-4 Effective Date. SES shall take reasonable measures to ensure that all proxies solicited in connection with the SES Stockholders’ Meeting are solicited in compliance with all applicable Laws.
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(b) SES agrees that, subject to Section 5.08(c): (i) the SES Board shall recommend that the holders of SES Common Stock vote to approve the SES Stockholder Approval Matters and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such approval within the timeframe set forth in Section 5.08(a), (ii) the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall include a statement to the effect that the SES Board recommends that the SES Stockholders vote to approve the SES Stockholder Approval Matters (the recommendation of the SES Board that the SES Stockholders vote to approve the SES Stockholder Approval Matters being referred to as the “SES Board Recommendation”); and (iii) the SES Board Recommendation shall not be withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to the Company, and no resolution by the SES Board or any committee thereof to withdraw or modify the SES Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to the Company shall be adopted or proposed.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 5.08(b), at any time prior to the approval of the SES Stockholder Approval Matters by the SES Stockholders, the SES Board may withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the SES Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to the Company if, but only if the SES Board determines in good faith, based on such matters as it deems relevant following consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify such recommendation would result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided that the Company receives written notice from SES confirming that the SES Board has determined to change its recommendation at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the SES Board Recommendation being withdrawn, withheld, amended or modified in a manner adverse to the Company.
(d) SES’ obligation to call, give notice of and hold the SES Stockholders’ Meeting in accordance with Section 5.08(a) shall not be limited or otherwise affected by any withdrawal or modification of the SES Board Recommendation.
(e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit SES or the SES Board from complying with Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act. SES shall not withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to the Company the SES Board Recommendation unless specifically permitted pursuant to the terms of Section 5.08(c).
SECTION 5.09 Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, SES shall prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and SES shall prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC the Registration Statement, in which the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be included as a prospectus. Each of the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to comply with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to respond promptly to any comments of the SEC or its staff and to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after it is filed with the SEC. SES shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to the stockholders of SES as promptly as practicable after the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act (the “S-4 Effective Date”). Each party hereto shall promptly furnish to the other party all information concerning such party and such party’s stockholders that may be required or reasonably requested in connection with any action contemplated by this Section 5.09.
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(b) Each party shall reasonably cooperate with the other and provide, and require its representatives, advisors, accountants and attorneys to provide, the other party and its representatives, advisors, accountants and attorneys, with all such information regarding such party as is required by Law to be included in the Registration Statement or reasonably requested from such party to be included in the Registration Statement.
SECTION 5.10 Public Announcements. In connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, SES and the Company shall issue a joint press release mutually agreed to by the Company and SES. SES, in its discretion, shall be entitled to convene an investor conference call in conjunction with the issuance of such press release. Except for the press release and such conference call, no party shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement (to the extent not previously issued or made in accordance with this Agreement) with respect to this Agreement, the Merger, or the other transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written Consent of the other parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as may be required by Law, including applicable SEC requirements, applicable fiduciary duties or by any applicable listing agreement with the NASDAQ Stock Market (in which case such party shall not issue or cause the publication of such press release or other public statement without prior consultation with the other party).
SECTION 5.11 Expenses and Fees. Each of the parties shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 5.12 Agreement to Cooperate.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including Section 5.03 and this Section 5.12, each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary or appropriate waivers, consents or approvals of third parties required in order to preserve material contractual relationships of SES and the Company and their respective Subsidiaries and to effect all necessary registrations, filings and submissions. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions herein provided and subject to the fiduciary duties of the respective board of directors of the Company and SES, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 5.07(c) and Section 5.08(c), none of the parties hereto shall knowingly take or cause to be taken any action that would reasonably be expected to materially delay or prevent consummation of the Merger.
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(b) In the event that any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by a Governmental Entity or private party challenging the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, or any other agreement contemplated hereby, the Company, SES, and Merger Subsidiary shall cooperate in all respects with the other parties and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to contest and resist any such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if so precluded in the exercise of their directors’ fiduciary duties, none of the Company, SES, Merger Subsidiary, or any of their affiliates shall be required to defend, contest or resist any action or proceeding, whether judicial or administrative, or to take any action to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any order, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.13 Exemption From Liability Under Section 16(b). SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall cause their respective boards of directors and the board of directors of the Surviving Company to adopt prior to the Merger Effective Time such resolutions as may be required to, and shall otherwise use reasonable efforts to, exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act to the maximum extent permitted by Law. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to provide the information to SES and Merger Subsidiary required in connection with the adoption of such resolutions to exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act to the maximum extent permitted by Law.
SECTION 5.14 Certain Tax Matters.
(a) SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall each use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and before or after the Merger Effective Time, none of SES, Merger Subsidiary, or the Company shall knowingly take any action, cause any action to be taken, fail to take any action or cause any action to fail to be taken which action or failure to act could cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.
(b) SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall comply with the record keeping and information reporting requirements set forth in U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-3. This Agreement is intended to constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g).
(c) The Company, SES, and Merger Subsidiary shall cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all Tax Returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp Taxes, and transfer, recording, registration and other fees and similar Taxes which become payable in connection with the Merger that are required or permitted to be filed on or before the Merger Effective Time. Each of SES, Merger Subsidiary, the Company and the holders of the Company Ordinary Shares shall pay any such Taxes or fees imposed on it or them by any Governmental Entity, which becomes payable in connection with the Merger.
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(d) Following the Merger, SES and the Company will not take any action and will not fail to take any action that would prevent the Merger from satisfying the “continuity of business enterprise” requirement for a “reorganization” as provided in U.S. Treasury Regulation 1.368-1(d).
(e) SES or Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall each use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Tax opinions set forth in Sections 6.02(e) and 6.03(c).
(f) Officers of SES or Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall execute and deliver to Jones Day LLP, Tax counsel for the Company, certificates substantially in the form agreed to by the parties and such law firm at such time or times as may reasonably be requested by such law firm, including prior to the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and the Merger Effective Time, in connection with such Tax counsel’s respective delivery of the opinion pursuant to Sections 6.02(e). Each of SES or Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts not to take or cause to be taken any action that would cause to be untrue (or fail to take or cause not to be taken any action which would cause to be untrue) any of the certifications and representations included in the certificates described in this Section 5.14(f).
SECTION 5.15 Company Financial Statements. As soon as practicable but prior to December 31, 2019, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to SES true and complete copies of the Company’s audited balance sheet as of June 30, 2019, and the related audited statements of operations and statements of cash flows of the Company for the periods covered therein, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, accompanied by the report thereon of the Company’s independent auditors (collectively, the “Company 2019 Audited Financial Statements”). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts ensure that the Company 2019 Audited Financial Statements comply in all material respects with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement.
SECTION 5.16 SES Consolidated Financial Statements. As soon as practicable but prior to November 30, 2019, SES shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Company true and complete copies of SES’ audited consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2019, and the related audited statements of operations and statements of cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the periods covered therein, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, accompanied by the report thereon of SES’ independent auditors (collectively, the “SES 2019 Audited Financial Statements”). SES shall use its commercially reasonable efforts ensure that the SES 2019 Audited Financial Statements comply in all material respects with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement.
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SECTION 5.17 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company agree that all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation by SES now existing in favor of each Person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Merger Effective Time an officer or director of any SES Company (each, a “SES Indemnified Party”), as provided in its Governing Documents, the Governing Documents of SES or the DGCL, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or pursuant to any other contracts in effect on the date hereof and disclosed in Section 3.18 of the SES Disclosure Schedule, shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms after the Merger Effective Time, and in the event that any proceeding is pending or asserted or any claim made during such period, until the final disposition of such proceeding or claim. SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company further agree that all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation by SES now existing in favor of each SES Indemnified Party shall survive the consummation of the Merger and the Governing Documents of any SES Company shall not be amended, restated, repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect any rights thereunder of any such SES Indemnified Party.
(b) For six (6) years after the Merger Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, SES and the Surviving Company shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless each SES Indemnified Party against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, fees, expenses, judgments and fines arising in whole or in part out of actions or omissions (and alleged actions or omissions) in their capacity as an officer or director of any of the SES Companies, as applicable, occurring at or prior to the Merger Effective Time (including in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement), and shall reimburse each SES Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such SES Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, fees, expenses, judgments and fines as such expenses are incurred, subject to the Surviving Company’s or SES’ receipt of an undertaking by such SES Indemnified Party to repay such legal and other fees and expenses paid in advance if it is ultimately determined in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that such SES Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified under applicable Law.
(c) SES shall obtain, prior to the Merger Effective Time, to be effective not later than the Merger Effective Time, “tail” insurance policies, covering each director and officer of SES for all risks and perils currently covered by the SES’ director and officer insurance policies, except that the insured amounts may be increased as determined by SES in its reasonable discretion, with a claims period of not less than six (6) years from the Merger Effective Time with at least the same coverage and amounts and containing terms and conditions that are not less advantageous to the directors and officers of SES and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case with respect to claims arising out of or relating to events which occurred before or at the Merger Effective Time (including in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement). All premiums and other costs associated with the tail insurance policies contemplated by this Section 5.17(c) shall be paid for by the Surviving Company using the proceeds of the Post-Closing Financing.
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(d) The Surviving Company shall obtain or maintain insurance policies covering each director and officer of the Company and SES for all risks and perils currently covered by the Company’s director and officer insurance policies, except that the insured amounts may be increased as determined by SES in its reasonable discretion, with a claims period of not less than six (6) years from the Merger Effective Time with at least the same coverage and amounts and containing terms and conditions that are not less advantageous to the directors and officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case with respect to claims arising out of or relating to events which occurred before or at the Merger Effective Time (including in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).
(e) The obligations of SES and the Surviving Company under this Section 5.17 shall survive the consummation of the Merger and shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any SES Indemnified Party to whom this Section 5.17 applies without the consent of such affected SES Indemnified Party (it being expressly agreed that the SES Indemnified Parties to whom this Section 5.17 applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 5.17, each of whom may enforce the provisions of this Section 5.17).
(f) In the event SES, the Surviving Company or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving company or entity in such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in either such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of SES or the Surviving Company, as the case may be, shall assume all of the obligations set forth in this Section 5.17. The agreements and covenants contained herein shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which any SES Indemnified Party is entitled, whether pursuant to Law, contract or otherwise. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, shall be construed to or shall release, waive or impair any rights to directors’ and officers’ insurance claims under any policy that is or has been in existence with respect to SES, the Company or their respective officers, directors and employees, it being understood and agreed that the indemnification provided for in this Section 5.17 is not prior to, or in substitution for, any such claims under any such policies.
SECTION 5.18 Subsequent Filings. Until the earlier of the Merger Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, SES will timely file with the SEC each form, report and document required to be filed by SES under the Exchange Act. As of their respective dates, none of such reports shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements of SES included in such reports shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and shall fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the SES Companies as at the dates thereof and the results of their operations and changes in financial position for the periods then ended.
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SECTION 5.19 Stockholder Litigation. Each of SES and the Company shall promptly advise the other party orally and in writing of any stockholder litigation commenced against SES, the Company and/or any of their respective directors relating to this Agreement, the Merger and/or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall keep the other party fully informed regarding any such stockholder litigation. Each of SES and the Company shall give the other party the opportunity to consult with SES or the Company regarding the defense or settlement of any such stockholder litigation, shall give due consideration such party’s advice with respect to such stockholder litigation and shall not settle any such litigation without the other party’s consent (not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
SECTION 5.20 Employee Matters.
(a) As soon as practicable following the date hereof, SES and the Company shall meet with employees of the AFE Companies and the SES Companies (i) who have expressed an interest in continuing employment with the SES Companies or the AFE Companies after the Merger Effective Time, and (ii) who the Company has an interest in continuing the employment, and in each such case, SES shall negotiate in good faith with such person to determine terms of his or her continuing employment. SES and the Company shall agree on the list of all employees who have accepted an offer to continue their employment with the AFE Companies or the SES Companies effective immediately following the Merger (each such employee a “Continuing Employee”) two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing. Employment of the employees of any AFE Company who are not Continuing Employees shall be terminated by the Company as of the Merger Effective Time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, SES’ Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer shall discuss and agree to the continuation of certain SES management personnel after the Merger Effective Time and SES shall enter into retention agreements with such personnel at or immediately prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
(b) All Continuing Employees will be provided credit for their service with the AFE Companies under any SES Employee Plan or other plan in which the Continuing Employee participates after the Merger Effective Time as credited to such employees under a similar Company Employee Plan.
(c) With respect to any employee of a AFE Company who is a Continuing Employee, SES shall continue the Company Employee Plan that is a group health plan within the meaning of COBRA and that is in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (the “Company Group Health Plan”) or, if such continuance is not available for continuance, a SES Employee Plan that is in the aggregate substantially the same as the Company Group Health Plan, from the Merger Effective Time through December 31, 2019, and thereafter, will provide coverage under the group health plan of SES as in effect from time to time. With respect to any employee of a AFE Company who is not a Continuing Employee, SES shall provide continuation of group health coverage in accordance with COBRA under the Company Group Health Plan or, if such continuance is not available for continuance, a SES Employee Plan that is in the aggregate substantially the same as the Company Group Health Plan, from the Merger Effective Time through December 31, 2019, and thereafter, will provide continuation of group health coverage in accordance with COBRA under the group health plan of SES as in effect from time to time. In addition, for the period from the Merger Effective Time until December 31, 2019, SES will pay the same share of the aggregate group health insurance cost for such group health plan that the AFE Companies paid for the policy period immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, including for any employee of the AFE Companies who is not a Continuing Employee and who elects COBRA continuation.
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(d) The provisions in this Section 5.20 are intended for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, and shall not inure to the benefit of any other entity or Person (other than permitted assigns of the parties hereto) either as a third party beneficiary or otherwise.
SECTION 5.21 Advisors and Consultants. SES, Merger Subsidiary and the Company shall each be entitled to pay fees and expenses of their respective professional advisors and consultants for services rendered on agreed terms pursuant to invoices received from time to time prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 5.22 GTI Agreement. During the Pre-Closing Period, SES shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate the termination of the existing Amended and Restated License Agreement with the Gas Technology Institute (the “Existing GTI Agreement”) and SES shall negotiate and execute a new License Agreement with the Gas Technology Institute (the “New GTI Agreement”) on terms reasonably acceptable to the Company and materially consistent with the term sheet entered into between the Company and the Gas Technology Institute.
SECTION 5.23 Name Change. Company intends to implement a change in the name of the Company and Surviving Company at the Merger Effective Time. The information relating to the name change will be disclosed in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC.
SECTION 5.24 Rule 10b5-1 Plan. SES shall implement written plans for trading securities for the officers and directors of SES that complies with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (the “Rule 10b5-1 Plan”) to be effective at the Merger Effective Time.
SECTION 5.25 Amended SES Options. During the Pre-Closing Period, SES shall amend the SES Options granted to individuals who are directors of SES prior to the Merger Effective Time to permit the exercise of such SES Options through the end of the term of the SES Options and such amended SES Options shall be effective at the Merger Effective Time.
ARTICLE
VI
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
SECTION 6.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of the parties to consummate the Merger are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Merger Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) this Agreement and the Merger shall have been adopted and approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company;
(b) this Agreement, the Merger and the issuance of shares of SES Common Stock in the Merger shall have been adopted and approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of SES in accordance with the DGCL;
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(c) none of the parties hereto shall be subject to any Law, order, injunction, judgment or ruling enacted, promulgated, issued, entered, amended or enforced by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of the Merger or makes the consummation of the Merger illegal;
(d) the Registration Statement shall be declared effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the SEC and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated by the SEC and not concluded or withdrawn;
(e) the issuance of the shares of SES Common Stock to be issued as the Common Stock Merger Consideration shall have been appropriately registered under the Securities Act and registered, qualified or qualified for exemption under applicable state securities Laws;
(f) no Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over any party hereto shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any order, writ, assessment, decision, injunction, decree, ruling or judgment of a Governmental Entity (any of the foregoing, an “Order”), whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that make illegal, enjoin or otherwise prohibit consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(g) the SES Board shall have received an opinion from the Financial Advisor to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement and based upon and subject to the qualifications and assumptions set forth therein, the terms of the Merger are fair, from a financial point of view, to SES and its stockholders, and such opinion shall not have been rescinded or revoked;
(h) SES shall have received the consent of the holders of the SES Debentures and the SES Common Stock Warrants and such consent shall be effective at the Merger Effective Time;
(i) the Existing GTI Agreement shall have been terminated and the New GTI Agreement shall have been negotiated and executed by SES and the Gas Technology Institute;
(j) SES has executed share exchange agreements with Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd shareholders (on terms and conditions acceptable to SES) and such agreements are effective and unconditional and, immediately following completion of the transaction contemplated by such agreements, SES will hold (in aggregate, whether directly or indirectly) at least 25% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd (the “Batchfire Share Exchange”); and
(k) all necessary governmental and other third-party consents and approvals for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained (including, if the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) (“FIRB Act”) applies to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
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(i) | the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia (“Treasurer”) (or the Treasurer’s delegate) has provided a written no objections notification to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without conditions or with conditions that the Party to which the conditions will apply considers to be acceptable (acting reasonably); or | |
(ii) | following notice of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement being given to the Treasurer under the FIRB Act, the Treasurer has ceased to be empowered to make any order under Part 3 of the FIRB Act because the applicable time limit on making orders and decisions under the FIRB Act has expired). |
SECTION 6.02 Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger. Unless waived by the Company, the obligation of the Company to consummate the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Merger Effective Time of the following additional conditions:
(a) (i) the representations and warranties of the SES Entities set forth in Sections 3.02 (Capitalization), and 3.03(a) – (c) (Authority; Non-Contravention) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Merger Effective Time as if made on and as of the Merger Effective Time (or, if given as of a specific date, at and as of such date) and (ii) the other representations and warranties of the SES Entities contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Merger Effective Time as if made on and as of the Merger Effective Time (or, if given as of a specific date, at and as of such date), except in the case of this clause (ii) for changes expressly permitted by this Agreement. The Company shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of SES to that effect;
(b) each SES Entity shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement on or prior to the Merger Effective Time and the Company shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of SES to that effect;
(c) pursuant to terms of the Merger, and concurrently with the effectiveness thereof, the board of directors of the Company immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be elected to serve as directors of Surviving Company to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of Surviving Company until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified;
(d) the Company shall have received the opinion of Jones Day LLP, counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, on the date on which the Registration Statement is filed and on the Closing Date, in each case dated as of such respective date, rendered on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion and the certificates obtained from officers of the Company, SES and Merger Subsidiary, all of which are consistent with the state of facts existing as of the date on which the Registration Statement is filed and the Merger Effective Time, as applicable, to the effect that (i) the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) the Company and SES will each be a “party to the reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. In rendering the opinion described in this Section 6.02(d), Jones Day LLP shall have received and may rely upon the certificates and representations referred to in Section 5.14(f);
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(e) SES and Merger Subsidiary must have delivered to its counsel, the Company and the Company’s counsel a certificate signed on behalf of SES and Merger Subsidiary by a duly authorized officer of SES and Merger Subsidiary certifying the representations set forth in Section 4.13 and as otherwise reasonably requested by the Company’s or SES and SES’ tax counsel;
(f) the Company shall have been furnished with evidence satisfactory to it that SES has obtained the consents, approvals and waivers set forth in Section 6.02(f) of the SES Disclosure Schedule; and
(g) the certificate of incorporation of Merger Subsidiary shall be in a form and substance acceptable to the Company in its reasonable discretion at the Merger Effective Time.
SECTION 6.03 Conditions to Obligations of SES and Merger Subsidiary to Effect the Merger. Unless waived by SES and Merger Subsidiary, the obligations of SES and Merger Subsidiary to consummate the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Merger Effective Time of the following additional conditions:
(a) (i) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Sections 4.02 (Capitalization), and 4.03(a) – (c) (Authority; Non-Contravention) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Merger Effective Time as if made on and as of the Merger Effective Time (or, if given as of a specific date, at and as of such date) and (ii) the other representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Merger Effective Time as if made on and as of the Merger Effective Time (or, if given as of a specific date, at and as of such date), except in the case of this clause (ii) for changes expressly permitted by this Agreement. SES shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company to that effect;
(b) the Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement on or prior to the Merger Effective Time, and SES shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company to that effect;
(c) the Company must have delivered to its counsel, SES and Merger Subsidiary and their counsel a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a duly authorized officer of the Company certifying the representations set forth in Section 4.19 and as otherwise reasonably requested by the Company’s or SES and Merger Subsidiary’s tax counsel;
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(d) each of the Company’s agreements set forth in Section 6.03(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall have been terminated, effective prior to or concurrently with the Merger, and SES shall have received from the Company evidence of such terminations in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to SES; and
(e) SES shall have been furnished with evidence satisfactory to it that the Company has obtained the consents, approvals and waivers set forth in Section 6.03(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
ARTICLE
VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger may be abandoned, at any time prior to the Merger Effective Time (whether before or after the SES Stockholder Approval or any approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company):
(a) by mutual written consent of the Company and SES duly authorized by each of their respective board of directors; or
(b) by either the Company or SES, if the Merger has not been consummated by April 15, 2020 (the “Outside Date); or
(c) by the Company, in the event of a SES Material Adverse Effect, or by SES, in the event of a Company Material Adverse Effect, or by either the Company or SES, whichever is the non-breaching party, if (i) there has been a breach by the other party of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a SES Material Adverse Effect, as the case may be, and which breach is not curable, or if curable, the breaching party shall not be using on a continuous basis its reasonable best efforts to cure in all material respects such breach after written notice of such breach by the terminating party or such breach has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach by the terminating party, or (ii) there has been a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the part of the other party, which would reasonably be expected to have a SES Material Adverse Effect or a Company Material Adverse Effect, as the case may be, and which breach is not curable, or if curable, the breaching party shall not be using on a continuous basis its reasonable best efforts to cure such breach after written notice of such breach by the terminating party, or such breach has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach by the terminating party; or
(d) by either the Company or SES after ten (10) days following the entry of any final and non-appealable judgment, injunction, order or decree by a court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction restraining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger; or
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(e) by the Company if the Company receives a Superior Offer, resolves to accept such Superior Offer and gives SES at least four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to terminate pursuant to this provision; or
(f) by SES or the Company, if the SES Board shall have failed to recommend, or shall have withdrawn, modified or amended in a manner adverse to the Company in any material respect the SES Board Recommendation, or shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing, or shall have recommended another Acquisition Proposal or if the SES Board shall have resolved to accept a Superior Offer; or
(g) by SES if prior to receipt of the SES Stockholder Approval, SES receives a Superior Offer, resolves to accept such Superior Offer and gives the Company at least four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to terminate pursuant to this provision;
(h) by the Company or SES, if the Company Board shall have recommended another Acquisition Proposal or if the Company Board shall have resolved to accept a Superior Offer; or
(i) by the Company, if the stockholders of SES fail to approve the SES Stockholder Approval Matters at the SES Stockholders’ Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof).
SECTION 7.02 [Reserved].
SECTION 7.03 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement by either SES or the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.01, written notice thereof shall be given to the other party or parties, specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and there shall be no liability or further obligation on the part of the Company, SES, Merger Subsidiary, or their respective officers or directors (except as set forth in this Section 7.03. Nothing in this Section 7.03 shall relieve any party from liability for fraud in connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE
VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.01 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. Absent actual fraud, and any intentional, willful and material breach of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement by the Company or any SES Entity, as applicable, none of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered under this Agreement will survive the Merger Effective Time. This Section 8.01 does not limit any covenant of the parties to this Agreement which, by its terms, contemplates performance after the Merger Effective Time. The Confidentiality Agreement will survive termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
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SECTION 8.02 Australian GST. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all amounts payable under this document are expressed to be exclusive of GST. If GST is payable on a supply made under or in connection with this document, for which the consideration is not expressly stated to be GST inclusive, the party providing the consideration for that supply must pay to the supplier as additional consideration an amount equal to the amount of GST payable on that supply (the “GST Amount”). The GST Amount is payable at the same time that the other consideration for the supply is provided, except that the GST Amount need not be paid until the supplier gives a tax invoice to the recipient of the supply. Where any indemnity, reimbursement or similar payment under this document is based on any cost, expense or other liability incurred, it will be reduced by an amount equal to any input tax credit entitlement which the party being reimbursed or indemnified is entitled to in relation to the relevant cost, expense or other liability. Whenever an adjustment event occurs in relation to any supply made under or in connection with this document, the GST Amount will be recalculated to reflect that adjustment and the amount of the difference from the GST Amount must be paid by, refunded to or credited to the recipient of the supply, as applicable. This clause survives the termination of this document. Unless the context requires otherwise, words and expressions that have a defined meaning in A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth) will have the same meaning when used in this Section 8.02.
SECTION 8.03 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), sent via facsimile or e-mail (with confirmation of transmission) or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to SES, Merger Subsidiary:
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
One Riverway, Suite 1700
Houston, Texas 77056
Attention: Robert W. Rigdon
E-Mail: robert.rigdon@synthesisenergy.com
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice hereunder):
Porter Hedges LLP
1000 Main Street, 36th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Kevin Poli
Facsimile: (713) 226-6282
E-mail: kpoli@porterhedges.com
If to the Company:
Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd
Level 10, 10 Market Street
Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Australia
Attention: Kerry Parker
E-mail: k.parker@ausfutureenergy.com.au
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with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice hereunder):
Jones Day LLP
717 Texas, Suite 3300
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Emily Leitch
Facsimile: (832) 239-3600
E-mail: eleitch@jonesday.com
SECTION 8.04 Interpretation.
(a) The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears, (i) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision, (ii) “knowledge” shall mean actual knowledge as of the date hereof of the executive officers of the Company or SES, as the case may be, after reasonable inquiry of any Person directly reporting to any such executive officer, (iii) “including” shall mean “including, without limitation,” and “includes” shall mean “includes, without limitation,” and (iv) reference to any Article or Section means such Article or Section hereof. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed against any party hereto solely because such party or its legal representative drafted such provision. For purposes of determining whether any fact or circumstance involves a material adverse effect on the ongoing operations of a party, any special transaction charges incurred by such party as a result of the consummation of transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be considered.
(b) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 8.05 Assignments and Successors. No party may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any attempted assignment of this Agreement or of any such rights or delegation of obligations without such consent shall be void and of no effect This Agreement will be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
SECTION 8.06 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT, AND ANY DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PARTIES’ RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THEREOF.
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SECTION 8.07 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any action or proceeding between the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 8.08 Exclusive Jurisdiction; Venue. In any action or proceeding between any of the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the parties: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 8.07, (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts, (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party, and (e) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if such process is given as a notice in accordance with Section 8.02 of this Agreement.
SECTION 8.09 No Third-Party Rights. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the parties) any right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that after the Merger Effective Time, the SES Indemnified Parties shall be third-party beneficiaries of, and entitled to enforce, Section 5.17, and provided further, that no consent of the SES Indemnified Parties shall be required to amend any provision of the Agreement prior to the Merger Effective Time.
SECTION 8.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 8.11 Amendments; No Waivers.
(a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived prior to the Merger Effective Time if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company, SES, and Merger Subsidiary or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided that any waiver or amendment shall be effective against a party only if the board of directors of such party, or a person authorized to act on behalf of such party, approves such waiver or amendment.
(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.
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SECTION 8.12 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules, exhibits and amendments hereto, the Confidentiality Agreement and the other agreements executed in connection with this Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. No representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein has been made or relied upon by any party hereto. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder except for the provisions of Article I, which are intended for the benefit of the stockholders of SES and the stockholders of the Company.
SECTION 8.13 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.
SECTION 8.14 Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not to be performed in accordance with their specific terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof in addition to any other rights or remedies at Law or in equity.
SECTION 8.15 Definitions. The following terms have the following definitions:
(a) “Acquisition Inquiry” means, with respect to a party hereto, an inquiry, indication of interest or request for information that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal with such party.
(b) “Acquisition Proposal” means, with respect to a party hereto, any offer or proposal, whether written or oral, from any Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than SES, Merger Subsidiary, the Company or any affiliates thereof (each, a “third party”) to acquire beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of (i) 15% or more of any class of the equity securities of such party or (ii) 15% or more of the fair market value of the assets of such party, in each case pursuant to any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, acquisition of securities, reorganization, recapitalization, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction or series of related transactions, which is structured to permit a third party to acquire beneficial ownership of (A) 15% or more of any class of equity securities of the party or (B) 15% or more of the fair market value of the assets of the party.
(c) “AFE Companies” (and with correlative meaning “AFE Company”) means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries.
(d) “AFE Losses” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.01(b)(i).
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(e) “Affiliated Group” means one or more chains of corporations connected through stock ownership with a common parent corporation, but only if: (i) the common parent owns directly stock that possesses at least 80% of the total voting power, and has a value at least equal to 80% of the total value, of the stock in at least one of the other corporations, and (ii) stock possessing at least 80% of the total voting power, and having a value at least equal to 80% of the total value, of the stock in each corporation (except the common parent) is owned directly by one or more of the other corporations.
(f) “Agreement” has the meaning given such term in the Preamble of this Agreement.
(g) “ASIC” has the meaning given it in Section 1.02(b).
(h) “Australian Accounting Standards” means, in respect of the AFE Companies, (a) the accounting standards required under the Corporations Act (including the Approved Accounting Standards issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board) and other mandatory professional reporting requirements issued by the joint accounting bodies (including the Australian Accounting Standards issued either jointly by CPA Australia and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand or by the Australian Accounting Research Foundation on behalf of CPA Australia and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand); and (b) if no accounting standard applies under the Corporations Act or other mandatory professional reporting requirements, the principles set out in Australian Statements of Accounting Concepts.
(i) “Batchfire Share Exchange” has the meaning given to it in Section 6.01(j).
(j) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday and Sunday and any day on which banks are not required or authorized to close in the State of Texas.
(k) “Capital Stock” means (i) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares, interests, participation or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including the common stock of such Person, and (ii) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, any and all partnership, membership or other equity interests of such Person.
(l) “Certificate of Merger” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.02(b).
(m) “Closing” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.02(a).
(n) “Closing Company Share Number” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.06(d)(ii).
(o) “Closing Date” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.02(a).
(p) “Closing SES Share Number” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.06(d)(iii).
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(q) “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985.
(r) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(s) “Common Stock Merger Consideration” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.06(d)(iii).
(t) “Company” has the meaning given to it in the Second recital of this Agreement.
(u) “Company 2019 Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.15.
(v) “Company Annual Financial Statements” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.04(a).
(w) “Company Balance Sheet” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.04(a).
(x) “Company Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
(y) “Company Certificates” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.08(a).
(z) “Company Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning given to it in Article IV.
(aa) “Company Employee Plans” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.12(a).
(bb) “Company Financial Statements” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.04(a).
(cc) “Company Insurance Policy” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.16.
(dd) “Company Interim Financial Statements” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.04(a).
(ee) “Company Material Adverse Effect” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.01(b).
(ff) “Company Material Contract” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.10(a).
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(gg) “Company Ordinary Shares” means the common stock, no Par Value share, of the Company.
(hh) “Company Properties” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.14(a).
(ii) “Company Shareholders’ Agreement” means the Shareholders’ Agreement entered into by the shareholders of the Company dated 30 November 2017.
(jj) “Company Stockholder” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.09(a).
(kk) “Confidentiality Agreement” means the confidentiality agreement dated January 23, 2019, between SES and the Company.
(ll) “Consent” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.03(d).
(mm) “Corporations Act” means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia.
(nn) “DGCL” means Delaware General Corporation Law.
(oo) “Environmental Law” means any Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including any Law or regulation relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials.
(pp) “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(qq) “ERISA Affiliate” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.12(a).
(rr) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(ss) “Exchange Agent” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.09(a).
(tt) “Excluded Shares” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.06(b).
(uu) “Existing GTI Agreement” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.23.
(vv) “Financial Advisor” means Westwood Capital LLC.
(ww) “GAAP” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.01(b).
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(xx) “Governing Document” means the legal document(s) by which any Person (other than an individual) establishes its legal existence or which govern its internal affairs. For example, the “Governing Documents” of a corporation would include its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the “Governing Document” of a limited partnership would include its limited partnership agreement and the “Governing Document” of a limited liability company would include its operating agreement.
(yy) “Governmental Entity” means, with respect to any Person or matter, any supranational, national, state, municipal, local or foreign government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority, or any quasi-governmental body with jurisdiction over such Person or matter.
(zz) “Hazardous Materials” means (i) any material, substance, chemical, pollutant, waste, product, derivative, compound, mixture, solid, liquid, mineral or gas, in each case, whether naturally occurring or man-made, that is hazardous, acutely hazardous, toxic, or words of similar import or regulatory effect under Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, crude oil or any fraction thereof, and (ii) any petroleum or petroleum-derived products, radon, radioactive materials or wastes, asbestos in any form, lead or lead-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and polychlorinated biphenyls.
(aaa) “HIPAA” means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(bbb) “Intellectual Property” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.23.
(ccc) “IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.
(ddd) “Laws” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order, judgment, decree or other requirement of law.
(eee) “Leased Property” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.22(a).
(fff) “Merger” has the meaning given to it in the third recital of this Agreement.
(ggg) “Merger Consideration” means the Common Stock Merger Consideration.
(hhh) “Merger Effective Time” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.02.
(iii) “Merger Subsidiary” has the meaning given such term in the Preamble of this Agreement.
(jjj) “NASDAQ Notice” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.10.
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(kkk) “NASDAQ Stock Market” means The NASDAQ Stock Market.
(lll) “New GTI Agreement” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.23.
(mmm) “Order” has the meaning given to it in Section 6.01(f).
(nnn) “Outside Date” has the meaning given to it in Section 7.01(b).
(ooo) “Owned Property” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.14.
(ppp) “Per Share Consideration” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.06(d)(i).
(qqq) “Permit” (and with correlative meaning “Permits”) means each governmental or regulatory permit, license, franchise, variance, exemption, order and other governmental Consent.
(rrr) “Person” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.08(b).
(sss) “Post-Signing Financing” means any form of financing mutually agreed to by SES and the Company.
(ttt) “PPAC” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.12(e).
(uuu) “Pre-Signing Financing” means convertible debentures issued by SES pursuant to a securities purchase agreement with TR Winston and/or clients of TR Winston for an aggregate amount of $2,000,000.
(vvv) “Pre-Closing Period” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.01.
(www) “Proxy Statement/Prospectus” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.03(d).
(xxx) “Registration Statement” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.03(d).
(yyy) “Related Person” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.13(b).
(zzz) “Rule 10b5-1 Plan” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.26.
(aaaa) “S-4 Effective Date” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.09(a).
(bbbb) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(cccc) “Secretary of State” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.02(b).
(dddd) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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(eeee) “SES” has the meaning given to it in the Preamble of this Agreement.
(ffff) “SES 2005 Incentive Plan” means the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan.
(gggg) “SES 2015 Long-Term Plan” means Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan.
(hhhh) “SES 2019 Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.16.
(iiii) “SES Board” means the board of directors of SES.
(jjjj) “SES Board Recommendation” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.08(b).
(kkkk) “SES Common Stock” means the voting common stock, par value $.01 per share of SES.
(llll) “SES Common Stock Warrants” means warrants to acquire shares of SES Common Stock.
(mmmm) “SES Companies” (and with correlative meaning “SES Company”) means SES and each of its Subsidiaries.
(nnnn) “SES Debentures” means the Senior Secured Debentures issued by SES pursuant to a securities purchase agreement dated October 24, 2017 with certain accredited investors for an aggregate amount of $8,000,000.
(oooo) “SES Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning given to it in Article V.
(pppp) “SES Employee Plans” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.12(a).
(qqqq) “SES Entity” has the meaning given to it in Article V.
(rrrr) “SES Financial Statements” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.04(b).
(ssss) “SES Indemnified Party” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.17(a).
(tttt) “SES Insurance Policy” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.18.
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(uuuu) “SES Losses” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.01(b)(i).
(vvvv) “SES Material Adverse Effect” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.01(b).
(wwww) “SES Material Contract” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.07.
(xxxx) “SES Option Agreement” means the option agreement to purchase SES Options in accordance with the terms and conditions of such agreement.
(yyyy) “SES Options” means the options to purchase SES Common Stock issued pursuant to the SES 2005 Incentive Plan or the SES 2015 Long-Term Plan.
(zzzz) “SES Preferred Stock” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.02(a)
(aaaaa) “SES Restricted Share Agreement” means the restricted share agreement pursuant to which SES may grant SES Restricted Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of such agreement.
(bbbbb) “SES Restricted Shares” means shares of restricted stock of SES issued pursuant to SES 2005 Incentive Plan or the SES 2015 Long-Term Plan.
(ccccc) “SES SEC Reports” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.04(a).
(ddddd) “SES Stock Plans” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.06(d)(iv).
(eeeee) “SES Stockholder” means a holder of SES Common Stock immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time.
(fffff) “SES Stockholder Approval” has the meaning given to it in Section 3.03(a).
(ggggg) “SES Stockholder Approval Matters” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.08(a).
(hhhhh) “SES Stockholders’ Meeting” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.08(a).
(iiiii) “Subsidiary” (and with the correlative meaning “Subsidiaries”) means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation 50% or more of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person, directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, trust or other entity in which such Person, directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, is either a general partner, has a 50% or greater equity interest at the time or otherwise owns a controlling interest.
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(jjjjj) “Superior Offer” means an unsolicited bona fide written offer by a third party to enter into (i) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, acquisition of securities, reorganization, recapitalization, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction as a result of which either (A) the stockholders of a party hereto prior to such transaction in the aggregate cease to own at least 50% of the voting securities of the entity surviving or resulting from such transaction (or the ultimate company entity thereof) or (B) in which a Person or “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of securities representing 50% or more of the voting power of the party’s Capital Stock then outstanding or (ii) a sale, lease, exchange transfer, license, acquisition or disposition of any business or other disposition of at least 50% of the assets of the party, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions which, in any case under clause (i) or (ii) above: (A) was not obtained or made as a direct or indirect result of a breach of (or in violation of) this Agreement; and (B) is on terms and conditions that the board of directors of SES or the Company, as applicable, determines, in its reasonable, good faith judgment, after obtaining and taking into account such matters that its board of directors deems relevant following consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor: (x) is reasonably likely to be more favorable, from a financial point of view, to the SES Stockholders or the Company Stockholders, as applicable, than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby; and (y) is reasonably capable of being consummated.
(kkkkk) “Surviving Company” has the meaning given to it in Section 1.01.
(lllll) “Tax Return” means any return, report, claim for refund, estimate, information return or statement or other similar document (including attached schedules) relating to or required to be filed with respect to any Tax, including, any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Tax.
(mmmmm) “Tax” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “Taxes”) means all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all net income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, environmental, customs duty, Capital Stock, communications services, severance, stamp, payroll, sales, employment, unemployment, disability, social security, occupation, use, property, escheat, withholding, excise, production, value added, occupancy, capital, ad valorem, transfer, inventory, license, customs duties, fees, assessments and charges of any kind whatsoever and other taxes, duties or assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with all interest, penalties, fines and additions imposed with respect to such amounts and any interest in respect of such penalties and additions, and includes any liability for Taxes of another Person by contract, as a transferee or successor, under U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or analogous state, local or foreign Law provision or otherwise.
(nnnnn) “third party” has the meaning given to it in the definition of Acquisition Proposal.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Robert W. Rigdon | |
Name: | Robert W. Rigdon | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
AUSTRALIAN FUTURE ENERGY PTY LTD | ||
By: | /s/ Kerry J. Parker | |
Name: | Kerry J. Parker | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
SES MERGER SUB, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Robert W. Rigdon | |
Name: | Robert W. Rigdon | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization
SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This Share Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into between Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (“SES”), a Delaware, United States of America corporation, and _________, who is a shareholder in Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd (ABN 84 607 340 189), an Australian proprietary limited company (“Batchfire”) (a “Batchfire Shareholder”) effective as of the date set forth in Section 9(d) hereof.
The parties to this Agreement are sometimes referred to individually as a “Party” and together as the “Parties.”
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) among SES, SES Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware, United States of America corporation wholly owned by SES, and Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd (ABN 56 168 160 067), an Australian proprietary limited company (“AFE”).
1. BACKGROUND
Whereas, Batchfire Shareholder is the owner of __________ shares of Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd (“Batchfire Shares”).
Whereas, the Parties desire for SES to issue one share of the common stock of SES, par value US$0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) in exchange for the transfer of every ten Batchfire Shares owned by the Batchfire Shareholder as at the date of this Agreement, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
In consideration of the agreement of SES and the Batchfire Shareholder to exchange Batchfire Shares for the issue of shares of Common Stock, upon the terms and conditions contained herein, SES and the Batchfire Shareholder agree and represent as further outlined in this Agreement.
2. SHARE EXCHANGE.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in exchange for the Batchfire Shares contemplated by Section 2(b) below, the Batchfire Shareholder hereby irrevocably accepts from SES, 497,737 shares of Common Stock, to be registered according to Section 6(b).
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in exchange for the issue of the shares of Common Stock contemplated by Section 2(a) above, SES hereby irrevocably accepts from the Batchfire Shareholder ________ Batchfire Shares equal to approximately ___% ownership of Batchfire as of the Effective Date.
(c) To the extent that any Batchfire Shares are or will be acquired by another Batchfire shareholder pursuant to any pre-emptive rights under the Batchfire Constitution or Batchfire Shareholders Agreement as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the parties agree that the Batchfire Shares and Common Stock to be exchanged under this Agreement will be proportionality reduced.
(d) This Agreement may be terminated by the Batchfire Shareholder at any time prior to the date that is 14 days after the date of this Agreement if the Batchfire Shareholder receives a Superior Offer, resolves to accept such Superior Offer and gives SES at least four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to terminate pursuant to this provision. For the purposes of this Section 2(d), “Superior Offer” means a bona fide written offer by a third party to acquire some or all of the Batchfire Shares that is reasonably likely to be more favorable, from a financial point of view to the Batchfire Shareholder, than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and is reasonably capable of being consummated.
(e) Subject to other terms and conditions under this Agreement, the closing shall take place by no later than seven days after satisfaction of all conditions precedent specified in Section 7 hereof (the “Closing Date”).
(f) All of the _______ SES shares to be issued to the Batchfire Shareholder under this Agreement, will not be subject to any escrow period, and shall be fully tradeable and registered in accordance with Section 6(b) at Closing.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BATCHFIRE SHAREHOLDER
The Batchfire Shareholder hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, SES as follows:
(a) The Batchfire Shareholder is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, is solvent and in good standing under the laws of its place of incorporation, has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
(b) All action on the part of the Batchfire Shareholder and its officers, directors and control persons necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of all obligations of the Batchfire Shareholder hereunder has been taken. This Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Batchfire Shareholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to the rights of creditors generally.
(c) No consent, approval, qualification, order or authorization of, or filing with, any local, state, or federal governmental authority is required on the part of the Batchfire Shareholder in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement.
(d) The Batchfire Shareholder will not sell or otherwise transfer its shares of Common Stock without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or applicable state securities laws or an exemption therefrom. The shares of Common Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state.
(e) The Batchfire Shares to be exchanged with SES are free of any and all encumbrances, are duly and validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable and are be free of restrictions on transfer.
(f) In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Batchfire Shareholder has not taken any action in violation of any applicable state, federal or international laws, statutes, rules and regulations and ordinances, including all applicable decisions of courts having the effect of law in any such jurisdiction applicable to it or any order or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality applicable to the Batchfire Shareholder or any of its affiliates or any of their property, including, without limitation, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as amended.
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(g) The issuance and exchange of the Common Stock and the Batchfire Shares comply with the relevant Australian regulations concerning investment of overseas securities.
(h) The Batchfire Shareholder represents that it is acquiring the shares of Common Stock for its own account, for investment and not with a view toward resale or distribution except in compliance with the Securities Act. The Batchfire Shareholder has not received or made an offer to sell the shares of Common Stock being acquired, or to be acquired, nor does it have any present intention of selling, distributing or otherwise disposing of such shares of Common Stock either currently or after the passage of a fixed or determinable period of time or upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any predetermined event or circumstances in violation of the Securities Act.
(i) The Batchfire Shareholder has had an opportunity to read (and has read) the filings of SES with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available through the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and the website of SES (www.synthesisenergy.com).
(j) The Batchfire Shareholder acknowledges that it has had an adequate opportunity and time to complete all of its required due diligence processes and procedures, and has had the opportunity to raise relevant questions and queries with SES and AFE and has received adequate responses to such questions and queries.
(k) The Batchfire Shareholder acknowledges that it enters into this Agreement without the benefit of any representations, warranties or statements from SES (or any other person) except to the extent expressly set out in Section 4 and has not relied on any representations, warranties or statements from SES (or any other person) except to the extent expressly set out in Section 4.
(l) The Batchfire Shareholder acknowledges that it has had an adequate opportunity and time to obtain the benefit of independent legal, financial, accounting and tax advice prior to the signing of this Agreement by the Batchfire Shareholder.
(m) The Batchfire Shareholder has complied with, and is not in breach of, any Batchfire constituent documents (including the Batchfire Constitution and Batchfire Shareholders Agreement).
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SES
SES represents, covenants and warrants to the Batchfire Shareholder that:
(a) SES is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, to execute and deliver this Agreement, to issue the shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. SES is duly qualified and is authorized to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify would have a materially adverse effect on its business, properties, prospects, or financial condition.
(b) Except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement, all actions on the part of SES and its officers, directors and control persons necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of all obligations of SES hereunder and the issuance, exchange and delivery of the shares of Common Stock hereunder has been taken. This Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of SES, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to the rights of creditors generally.
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(c) The shares of Common Stock, upon issuance to the Batchfire Shareholder in accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable and will be free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws.
(d) No consent, approval, qualification, order or authorization of, or filing with, any local, state, or federal governmental authority is required on the part of SES in connection with (i) the valid execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement by SES, and (ii) the offer, exchange or issuance of the shares of Common Stock by SES, except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, any required to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act, or such post-closing filings as may be required under applicable state securities laws, which will be timely filed within the applicable periods therefore.
5. COVENANTS BETWEEN SIGNING AND CLOSING.
(a) Subject to Section 5(b), commencing from the execution of this Agreement and before the Closing Date, each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain or assist in obtaining all necessary consents and approvals for the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including but not limited to all necessary regulatory approvals and complying with the required processes and procedures relating to any pre-emptive rights under the Batchfire Constitution and Batchfire Shareholders Agreement. Each Party will advise the other Party as soon as practicable after it becomes aware that any of the conditions precedent in Sections 7(b), 7(c), 7(d), 7(g) and 7(h) have been satisfied.
(b) The Batchfire Shareholder agrees that it will (and will only) issue a transfer notice under the Batchfire Constitution to comply with any required processes and procedures relating to any pre-emptive rights under the Batchfire Constitution and Batchfire Shareholders Agreement as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with a written direction to be issued by SES to the Batchfire Shareholder (and such direction will include the form and contents of the transfer notice that must be issued by the Batchfire Shareholder). SES agrees that it will not issue a written direction under this Section 5(b) prior to the date that is 14 days after the date of this Agreement (without the consent of the Batchfire Shareholder).
(c) Commencing from the execution of this Agreement and until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement, the Batchfire Shareholder agrees to not exercise any pre-emptive rights to purchase any shares of another Batchfire shareholder that may arise under the Batchfire Constitution or Batchfire Shareholders Agreement.
(d) Subject to and without limiting Section 5(b), commencing from the execution of this Agreement and until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement, the Batchfire Shareholder agrees to not transfer, assign or otherwise deal with any of its Batchfire Shares other than in accordance with this Agreement or in accordance with any pre-emptive rights of another Batchfire shareholder that arises under the Batchfire Constitution or Batchfire Shareholders Agreement as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) Commencing from the execution of this Agreement and until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement, SES agrees to continue to comply with any disclosure requirements under applicable securities or other laws or regulations or the applicable rules of any stock exchange having jurisdiction over SES.
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6. POST-CLOSING AGREEMENTS.
(a) The Batchfire Shareholder understands, acknowledges and agrees with SES as follows: (i) except as required by law and described in this Agreement, the exchange of the Batchfire Shares for shares of Common Stock is irrevocable, (ii) the offering of the Common Stock by SES is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which is in part dependent upon the truth, completeness and accuracy of the representations, warranties and statements made by the Batchfire Shareholder herein; (iii) there can be no assurance that the Batchfire Shareholder will be able to sell or dispose of its shares of Common Stock.
(b) The shares of Common Stock are intended to be registered through the filing by SES of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or in the alternative through the filing of a separate registration statement with the SEC in connection therewith, either of which will in part be dependent upon the truth, completeness and accuracy of the representations, warranties and statements made by Batchfire Shareholder herein or otherwise provided by the Batchfire Shareholder for use therein.
(c) The Batchfire Shareholder understands, acknowledges and agrees that, as a result of the acquisition of the shares of Common Stock, it may be required to file with the SEC a Schedule 13D (Information to Be Included in Statements Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) and Amendments Thereto Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a)) and a Form 3 (Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities). The Batchfire Shareholder further understands, acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility to amend these documents as necessary after they are filed and SES shall have no liability or obligation to it with respect thereto.
(d) For so long as the Batchfire Shareholder owns or controls at least 5% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, at any meeting of stockholders of SES or at any adjournment thereof or in any other circumstances upon which a vote, consent or other approval (including by written consent) is sought, the Batchfire Shareholder shall, including by executing a written consent or proxy if requested by SES, vote (or cause to be voted) its shares of Common Stock in favor of each director nominated by the SES board of directors and in favor of any proposal which the SES board of directors recommends to the other stockholders of SES. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement is intended to constitute a voting agreement entered into under Section 218(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
The consummation of the transactions for Closing shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties by each Party contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date in all material respects as though made at each such date.
(b) For a Batchfire Shareholder who is also defined as a Foundation Shareholder under an Implementation, Participation, and Commitment Deed dated 31 October 2016 (“IPCD”), the consent of CS Energy Limited to the transfer of shareholdings as outlined in this Agreement is obtained in accordance with clause 7.3(b)(i) of the IPCD.
(c) If the transactions contemplated by all share exchange agreements to be entered into by SES with Batchfire shareholders (including under this Agreement) on or about the date of this Agreement will trigger a “Change of Control” (as defined in the IPCD), the consent of CS Energy Limited to the transfer of shareholdings as outlined in this Agreement is obtained in accordance with clause 11.3(d) of the IPCD.
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(d) Compliance with any required processes and procedures relating to any pre-emptive rights under the Batchfire Constitution and Batchfire Shareholder’s Agreement.
(e) All necessary governmental and other third-party consents and approvals for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, either Party shall promptly notify the other Party once all such necessary governmental and other third-party consents and approvals have been obtained.
(f) There shall be no law, governmental order, or legal proceeding in effect or threatened which prohibits or restricts the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or imposes any restrictions on the Parties with respect thereto.
(g) The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have closed in accordance with their terms.
(h) SES has executed share exchange agreements with other Batchfire shareholders and such agreements (including this Agreement) are effective and unconditional (other than as a result of this condition) and, immediately following completion of the transaction contemplated by such agreements (including this Agreement), SES will hold (in aggregate, whether directly or indirectly) at least 25% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Batchfire.
8. TERMINATION.
Upon effectiveness of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9(d), this Agreement may be terminated by any Party in writing upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) if any governmental authority shall have issued an order, decree or ruling enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) if there shall have been a breach of the other Party’s covenants, agreements, representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement which breach, either individually or in the aggregate, would result in the failure of any condition precedent as set out in Section 7;
(c) if the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms thereof; or
(d) upon the mutual written agreement of the Parties.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The representations, warranties and covenants of SES and the Batchfire Shareholder contained in this Agreement will survive the Closing Date. The representations, warranties and covenants will not be affected or reduced as a result of any investigation or knowledge of SES or the Batchfire Shareholder.
(b) This Agreement may not be assigned by the Batchfire Shareholder to any person or entity without the prior written consent of SES.
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(c) Each Party will obtain the prior written approval of the other Party before issuing, or permitting any agent or affiliate to issue, any press releases or otherwise making or permitting any agent or affiliate to make any public statements with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not restrict disclosures to the extent (i) necessary for a Party to perform this Agreement (including disclosure to any governmental authority as reasonably necessary to provide notices and seek consents), (ii) required by applicable securities or other laws or regulations or the applicable rules of any stock exchange having jurisdiction over the Parties or their respective affiliates or (iii) such Party has given the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review such disclosure prior to its release and no objection is raised; and provided, further, that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), each Party shall use its best efforts to consult with the other Party regarding the contents of any such release or announcement prior to making such release or announcement.
(d) This Agreement shall become immediately effective, and binding in all respects, upon the execution, and as of the date, of the Merger Agreement (the “Effective Date”).
(e) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof shall be waived, modified, changed, discharged, terminated, revoked or canceled except by an instrument in writing signed by the Party effecting the same against whom any change, discharge or termination is sought.
(f) Notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be sufficiently given when personally delivered or sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed: (i) if to SES, to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., One Riverway, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77056, Attention: Robert Rigdon, with a copy to Porter Hedges LLP, 1000 Main Street, 35th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Robert G. Reedy, or (ii) if to the Batchfire Shareholder, to _____________.
(g) Failure of a Party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or a delay by a Party in exercising such right or remedy, will not operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by a Party will be effective unless and until it is in writing and signed by such Party.
(h) THIS AGREEMENT, AND ANY DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PARTIES’ RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THEREOF. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any action or proceeding between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. In any action or proceeding between any of the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Parties: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with this Section 9(h), (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts, (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party, and (e) agrees that service of process upon such Party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if such process is given as a notice in accordance with Section 9(f) of this Agreement..
(i) This Agreement may be executed through the use of separate signature pages or in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile or Portable Document Format (pdf) transmission), and each of such counterparts shall, for all purposes, constitute one agreement binding on all the Parties, notwithstanding that all Parties are not signatories to the same counterpart.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SES and the Batchfire Shareholder have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date noted immediately below.
Dated: 2019
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Robert W. Rigdon | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[NAME OF SHAREHOLDER | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
SECURITIES PURCHASE AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of October __, 2019, between Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each purchaser identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Company desires to issue and sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Sections 3(a)(9) and 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and, the Company desires to exchange with each Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to exchange with the Company, certain securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement: (a) capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Debentures (as defined herein), and (b) the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:
“Acquiring Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.7.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Closing Dates” means each of the Trading Days on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto, and all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchasers’ obligations to pay the applicable Subscription Amount and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the applicable Securities, in each case, have been satisfied or waived.
“Closings” means the closings of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company Counsel” means Porter Hedges LLP, with offices located at 1000 Main Street, 35th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.
“Conversion Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Debentures.
“Conversion Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Debentures.
“Debentures” means the 11% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures due, subject to the terms therein, on October 24, 2022, issued by the Company to the Purchasers hereunder, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, which Debenture shall have a Conversion Price equal to $3.00 for those Purchasers having a cash Subscription Amount and for those not having a cash Subscription Amount, the Conversion Price shall be $6.00.
“Disclosure Schedules” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1.
“EGS” means Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, with offices located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105-0302.
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“Effective Date” means the earliest of the date that (a) the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission, (b) all of the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants) have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 or may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, (c) following the one year anniversary of the applicable Closing Date provided that a holder of the Securities is not an Affiliate of the Company or (d) all of the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants) may be sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(1) of the Securities Act without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and Company Counsel has delivered to such holders a standing written unqualified opinion that resales may then be made by such holders of the Underlying Shares pursuant to such exemption which opinion shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such holders.
“Escrow Agent” means Signature Bank, a New York State chartered bank, with offices at 261 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016.
“Escrow Agreement” means the escrow agreement entered into prior to the date hereof, by and among the Company, the Escrow Agent and the Placement Agent pursuant to which the Purchasers shall deposit Subscription Amounts with the Escrow Agent to be applied to the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(s).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan, or any other incentive plan duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equityholders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities and (d) with the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, up to an amount of Debentures and warrants equal to the difference between $10,000,000 and the aggregate Subscription Amounts hereunder, on the same terms and conditions and prices as hereunder, with investors executing definitive agreements for the purchase of such securities and such transactions having closed on or before February 28, 2019.
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“Existing Debentures” means the 11% Senior Secured Debentures of the Company due October 24, 2022.
“Existing Warrants” means the Common Stock Purchase Warrants of the Company issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 24, 2017.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).
“Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(bb).
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(o).
“Legend Removal Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(c).
“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).
“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(m).
“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.17.
“Merger” means the merger transaction contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October [9], 2019 by and among the Company, SES Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd., an Australian proprietary limited company.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Placement Agent” means T.R. Winston & Company, LLC.
“Pledged Securities” means any and all certificates and other instruments representing or evidencing all of the capital stock and other equity interests of the Subsidiary Guarantors, to the extent that the equity interests of such Subsidiary Guarantors are certificated.
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“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Public Information Failure” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.3(b).
“Public Information Failure Payments” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.3(b).
“Purchaser Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.10.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, among the Company and the Purchasers, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
“Registration Statement” means a registration statement meeting the requirements set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and covering the resale of the Underlying Shares by each Purchaser as provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).
“Required Minimum” means, as of any date, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then issued or potentially issuable in the future pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including any Underlying Shares issuable upon conversion in full of the Debentures and exercise in full of all Warrants, ignoring any conversion or exercise limits set forth therein.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).
“Securities” means the Debentures, the Warrants, and the Underlying Shares.
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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Security Agreement” means the Security Agreement, dated October 24, 2017, among the Company and the holders of the Existing Debentures.
“Security Documents” shall mean any documents and filing required thereunder in order to grant the Purchasers a first priority security interest in the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries as provided in the Security Agreement, including all UCC-1 filing receipts.
“Series A Warrants” means, collectively, the Common Stock purchase warrants delivered to the Purchasers at the First Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, which Warrants shall be exercisable on the First Closing Date, have an exercise price equal to $3.00, subject to adjustment therein, and have a term of exercise equal to five (5) years, in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.
“Series B Warrants” means, collectively, the Common Stock purchase warrants delivered to the Purchasers at the First Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, which Warrants shall be exercisable on the First Closing Date, have an exercise price equal to $6.00, subject to adjustment therein, and have a term of exercise equal to five (5) years, in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto
“Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include locating and/or borrowing shares of Common Stock).
“Subscription Amount” means, as to each Purchaser, the aggregate amount to be paid for Debentures and Warrants purchased hereunder at the applicable Closing as specified below such Purchaser’s name on the signature page of this Agreement and next to the heading “Subscription Amount,” in United States dollars and in immediately available funds and/or the tender for cancellation of Existing Debentures.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means the Subsidiary Guarantees required pursuant to the Security Agreement.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary executing a Subsidiary Guarantee.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
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“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Debentures, the Warrants, the Escrow Agreement, all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Transfer Agent” means American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 59 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level, New York, New York 10038, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Underlying Shares” means the Warrant Shares and shares of Common Stock issued and issuable pursuant to the terms of the Debenture, including without limitation, shares of Common Stock issued and issuable in lieu of the cash payment of interest on the Debentures in accordance with the terms of the Debentures, in each case without respect to any limitation or restriction on the conversion of the Debentures or the exercise of the Warrants.
“Variable Rate Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrants” means, collectively, the Series A Warrants and the Series B Warrants.
“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, without respect to any limitation or restriction on the exercise of the Warrants.
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ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE
2.1 Closings. On each Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, substantially concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase, Debentures and/or exchange the Existing Debentures for Debentures as follows:
(a) On the second Trading Day following the date hereof (“First Closing”), an aggregate of $1,000,000;
(b) On the Trading Day that the notifies the Purchaser (at least two Trading Days’ prior notice) that the Company has mailed the proxy statement to the shareholders of the Company for the approval of the merger (“Second Closing”), an aggregate of $500,000;
(c) On the second Trading Day following the date that the Company publicly announces that the shareholders of the Company have approved the Merger (“Third Closing”), an aggregate of $500,000.
Each Purchaser shall deliver to the Escrow Agent via wire transfer or a certified check, immediately available funds equal to such Purchaser’s cash Subscription Amount as set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Purchaser and deliver the applicable certificates representing the Existing Debentures to the Company, and the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser its respective Debenture and a Warrant, as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a), and the Company and each Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the applicable Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, each Closing shall occur at the offices of EGS or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree.
2.2 Deliveries.
(a) On or prior to the applicable Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser the following:
(i) at the First Closing, this Agreement duly executed by the Company;
(ii) at the First Closing, a legal opinion of Company Counsel, substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto;
(iii) at each Closing, a Debenture with a principal amount equal to such Purchaser’s aggregate Subscription Amount as to the applicable Closing as set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page hereto, which shall equal the applicable cash Subscription Amount, if any, plus the applicable principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest of any applicable Existing Debentures tendered hereunder for surrender, if any, registered in the name of such Purchaser;
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(iv) at the First Closing, with respect to Purchasers having a cash Subscription Amount, a Series A Warrant registered in the name of such Purchaser to purchase up to a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of such Purchaser’s cash Subscription Amount divided by $3.00, with an exercise price equal to $3.00, subject to adjustment therein;
(v) at the First Closing, with respect to Purchasers having a cash Subscription Amount, a Series B Warrant registered in the name of such Purchaser to purchase up to a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of such Purchaser’s cash Subscription Amount divided by $3.00, with an exercise price equal to $6.00, subject to adjustment therein;
(vi) at each Closing, the Company shall have provided each Purchaser with the Company’s wire instructions, on Company letterhead and executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer;
(vii) at the First Closing, the Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by the Company; and
(viii) at each Closing, any Security Documents reasonably required by the Purchasers including, if there are any Purchasers that do not hold Existing Debentures, a consent to the novation of such Purchasers to the Security Agreement.
(b) On or prior to each Closing Date, each Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company or the Escrow Agent, as applicable, the following:
(i) at the First Closing, this Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser;
(ii) at each Closing, to the Escrow Agent, such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount applicable to the applicable Closing by wire transfer to the account specified in the Escrow Agreement;
(iii) at the Third Closing, certificates with transfer powers in blank of such Purchaser’s Existing Debentures, if any, to effect the exchange for Debentures;
(iv) at the First Closing, the Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser; and
(v) at each Closing, to the extent that a Purchaser does not currently hold Existing Debentures, a duly executed novation to the Security Agreement.
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2.3 Closing Conditions.
(a) The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with each Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects (or, to the extent representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on each Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of each Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the applicable Closing Date shall have been performed; and
(iii) the delivery by each Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.
(b) The respective obligations of the Purchasers hereunder in connection with each Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects (or, to the extent representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) when made and on each Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to each Closing Date shall have been performed;
(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement;
(iv) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof;
(v) as to the Third Closing the Registration Statement registering all of the Registrable Securities shall have been declared effective by the Commission; and
(vi) from the date hereof to each Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market and, at any time prior to the applicable Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of such Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at the applicable Closing.
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ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation or otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to each Purchaser:
(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company are as set forth in Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.
(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
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(c) Authorization; Enforcement.
(i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(ii) With respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by such agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company, and no further action is required by the respective Subsidiary Guarantor, its managers or its members in connection therewith. The Subsidiary Guarantee has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the respective Subsidiary Guarantor and, when delivered in accordance with the terms thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the respective Subsidiary Guarantor enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except: (A) as listed by general equitable principals and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (B) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (C) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, (ii) as a result of the provisions of Section 4.20 of this Agreement, conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Sections 4.6 and 4.20 of this Agreement, (ii) the notice and/or application(s) to the Transfer Agent and to each applicable Trading Market for the issuance and sale of the Securities and the listing of the Warrant Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, and (iii) the filing of Form D with the Commission and such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
(f) Issuance of the Securities. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock for issuance of the Warrant Shares at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date hereof.
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(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), which Schedule 3.1(g) shall also include the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company as of the date hereof. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire any shares of Common Stock, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Purchasers) and will not result in a right of any holder of Company securities to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price under any of such securities. There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), there are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.
(h) SEC Reports; Financial Statements. Except for its Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019, the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has never been an issuer subject to Rule 144(i) under the Securities Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.
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(i) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as specifically disclosed in a subsequent SEC Report filed prior to the date hereof or as otherwise noted in this Agreement, including without limitation Section 4.20: (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company incentive plans or pursuant to previously issued Common Stock Equivalents. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. No event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, properties, operations, assets or financial condition, that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.
(j) Litigation. There is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
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(k) Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Compliance. Except as noted in Section 4.20 and the SEC Reports with respect to notices received from the Nasdaq Stock Market, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Environmental Laws. The Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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(n) Regulatory Permits. To the Company’s knowledge, the Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
(o) Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries, (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties and (iii) Liens set forth on Schedule 3.1(o). Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
(p) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights as described in the SEC Reports as necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(q) Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
(r) Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for: (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.
(s) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in material compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the applicable Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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(t) Certain Fees. Other than with respect to T.R. Winston & Company, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiaries to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Purchasers shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(u) Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchasers’ representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Purchasers as contemplated hereby. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, provided, however that, as contemplated by this Agreement, stockholder consent is required under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market.
(v) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(w) Registration Rights. Other than each of the Purchasers, no Person has any right to cause the Company to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiaries.
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(x) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(x), the Company has not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(x), the Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees to the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.
(y) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could become applicable to the Purchasers as a result of the Purchasers and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Purchasers’ ownership of the Securities.
(z) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided any of the Purchasers or their agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchasers will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchasers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
(aa) No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchasers’ representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of (i) the Securities Act which would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act, or (ii) any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.
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(bb) Solvency. Assuming completion of the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement, the Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the applicable Closing Date. Schedule 3.1(bb) and the SEC Reports sets forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $150,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $150,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Except as noted in Section 4.20 of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.
(cc) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.
(dd) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company nor any Person acting on behalf of the Company has offered or sold any of the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising. The Company has offered the Securities for sale only to the Purchasers and certain other “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act.
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(ee) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has: (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.
(ff) Accountants. The Company’s accounting firm is RSM US LLP. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange.
(gg) Seniority. As of the applicable Closing Date, and other than the Existing Debentures, no Indebtedness or other claim against the Company is senior to the Debentures in right of payment, whether with respect to interest or upon liquidation or dissolution, or otherwise, other than indebtedness secured by purchase money security interests (which is senior only as to underlying assets covered thereby) and capital lease obligations (which is senior only as to the property covered thereby).
(hh) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchasers’ Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each of the Purchasers is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by any Purchaser or any of their respective representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchasers’ purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.
(ii) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding (except for Sections 3.2(f) and 4.15 hereof), it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) none of the Purchasers has been asked by the Company to agree, nor has any Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term, (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by any Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, Short Sales or “derivative” transactions, before or after the closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities, (iii) any Purchaser, and counter-parties in “derivative” transactions to which any such Purchaser is a party, directly or indirectly, may presently have a “short” position in the Common Stock and (iv) each Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction. The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) one or more Purchasers may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value of the Warrant Shares deliverable with respect to Securities are being determined, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing stockholders’ equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents.
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(jj) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Company’s placement agent in connection with the placement of the Securities.
(kk) Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock incentive plans was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of such plans. No stock option granted under such plans has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
(ll) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).
(mm) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(nn) Bank Holding Company Act. The operations of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
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(oo) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
(pp) No Disqualification Events. With respect to the Securities to be offered and sold hereunder in reliance on Rule 506 under the Securities Act, none of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering hereunder, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person” and, together, “Issuer Covered Persons”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3). The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with its disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e), and has furnished to the Purchasers a copy of any disclosures provided thereunder.
(qq) Other Covered Persons. Other than the Placement Agent (and any other agents with which the Placement Agent may have any arrangements), the Company is not aware of any person (other than any Issuer Covered Person) that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of purchasers in connection with the sale of any Securities.
(rr) Notice of Disqualification Events. The Company will notify the Purchasers and the Placement Agent in writing, prior to the applicable Closing Date of (i) any Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person and (ii) any event that would, with the passage of time, become a Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person.
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3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser, for itself and for no other Purchaser, hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date to the Company as follows (unless as of a specific date therein, in which case they shall be accurate as of such date):
(a) Organization; Authority. Such Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of such Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by such Purchaser, and when delivered by such Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law. The Purchaser’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Purchaser’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Purchaser is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Purchaser is bound or affected.
(b) Own Account. Such Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting such Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.
(c) Purchaser Status. At the time such Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, and on each date on which it exercises any Warrants or converts any Debentures it will be an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act.
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(d) Experience of Such Purchaser. Such Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Such Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment. Such Purchaser understands that nothing in the Transaction Documents or any other materials presented to such Purchaser in connection with the purchase and sale of the Shares constitutes legal, tax or investment advice.
(e) General Solicitation. Such Purchaser is not, to such Purchaser’s knowledge, purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or, to the knowledge of such Purchaser, any other general solicitation or general advertisement.
(f) Access to Information. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) and the SEC Reports and has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities; (ii) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment. Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that neither the Placement Agent nor any Affiliate of the Placement Agent has provided such Purchaser with any information or advice with respect to the Securities nor is such information or advice necessary or desired. Neither the Placement Agent nor any Affiliate has made or makes any representation as to the Company or the quality of the Securities and the Placement Agent and any Affiliate may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Company which such Purchaser agrees need not be provided to it. In connection with the issuance of the Securities to such Purchaser, neither the Placement Agent nor any of its Affiliates has acted as a financial advisor or fiduciary to such Purchaser.
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(g) Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, such Purchaser has not directly or indirectly, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with such Purchaser, executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that such Purchaser first received a term sheet (written or oral) from the Company or any other Person representing the Company setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending immediately prior to the execution hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Purchaser’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement. Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement or to such Purchaser’s representatives, including, without limitation, its officers, directors, partners, legal and other advisors, employees, agents and Affiliates, such Purchaser has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty against, or a prohibition of, any actions with respect to the borrowing of, arrangement to borrow, identification of the availability of, and/or securing of, securities of the Company in order for such Purchaser (or its broker or other financial representative) to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.
(h) No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents (including the related portions of the Disclosure Schedules), such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company nor any other Person has made or makes any other express or implied representation or warranty, either written or oral, on behalf of the Company. Such Purchaser further acknowledges and agrees that it is not relying and has not relied on any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, express or implied, except for the representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the representations contained in this Section 3.2 shall not modify, amend or affect such Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to locating or borrowing shares in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.
ARTICLE IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1 Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal securities laws. In connection with any transfer of Securities other than pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144, to the Company or to an Affiliate of a Purchaser or in connection with a pledge as contemplated in Section 4.1(b), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer does not require registration of such transferred Securities under the Securities Act. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Purchaser under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
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(b) The Purchasers agree to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section 4.1, of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:
[NEITHER] THIS SECURITY [NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE][CONVERTIBLE] HAS [NOT] BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY [AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE [CONVERSION] OF THIS SECURITY] MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that a Purchaser may from time to time pledge pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer or grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and, if required under the terms of such arrangement, such Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject to approval of the Company and no legal opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee, secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further, no notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Purchaser’s expense, the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge or transfer of the Securities.
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(c) Certificates evidencing the Underlying Shares shall not contain any legend (including the legend set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof): (i) while a registration statement (including the Registration Statement) covering the resale of such security is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Underlying Shares pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants), (iii) if such Underlying Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants), or (iv) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission). The Company shall cause its counsel to issue a legal opinion to the Transfer Agent or the Purchaser promptly after the Effective Date if required by the Transfer Agent to effect the removal of the legend hereunder, or if requested by a Purchaser, respectively. If all or any portion of a Warrant is exercised or Debenture is converted at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the Underlying Shares, or if such Underlying Shares may be sold under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants) as to such Underlying Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission) then such Underlying Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that following the Effective Date or at such time as such legend is no longer required under this Section 4.1(c), it will, no later than two Trading Days following the delivery by a Purchaser to the Company or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Underlying Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend (such second Trading Day, the “Legend Removal Date”), deliver or cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certificate representing such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the Transfer Agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4. Certificates for Underlying Shares subject to legend removal hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Purchaser by crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company System as directed by such Purchaser.
(d) In addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to a Purchaser, in cash, (i) as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Underlying Shares (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date such Securities are submitted to the Transfer Agent) delivered for removal of the restrictive legend and subject to Section 4.1(c), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day five (5) Trading Days after such damages have begun to accrue) for each Trading Day after the seventh Trading Day following the Legend Removal Date until such certificate is delivered without a legend and (ii) if the Company fails to (a) issue and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to a Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date a certificate representing the Securities so delivered to the Company by such Purchaser that is free from all restrictive and other legends and (b) if after the Legend Removal Date such Purchaser purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Purchaser of all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, or a sale of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock that such Purchaser anticipated receiving from the Company without any restrictive legend, then, an amount equal to the excess of such Purchaser’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) (the “Buy-In Price”) over the product of (A) such number of Underlying Shares that the Company was required to deliver to such Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date multiplied by (B) the lowest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Purchaser to the Company of the applicable Underlying Shares (as the case may be) and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this clause (ii).
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(e) Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, agrees with the Company that such Purchaser will sell any Securities pursuant to either the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including any applicable prospectus delivery requirements, or an exemption therefrom, and that if Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, they will be sold in compliance with the plan of distribution set forth therein, and acknowledges that the removal of the restrictive legend from certificates representing Securities as set forth in this Section 4.1 is predicated upon the Company’s reliance upon this understanding.
4.2 Acknowledgment of Dilution. The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities may result in dilution of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution may be substantial under certain market conditions. The Company further acknowledges that its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, its obligation to issue the Underlying Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents, are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any right of set off, counterclaim, delay or reduction, regardless of the effect of any such dilution or any claim the Company may have against any Purchaser and regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership of the other stockholders of the Company.
4.3 Furnishing of Information; Public Information.
(a) Until the earliest of the time that (i) no Purchaser owns Securities or (ii) the Warrants have expired, the Company covenants to file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the Exchange Act even if the Company is not then subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act).
(b) At any time during the period commencing from the six (6) month anniversary of the date hereof and ending at such time that all of the Securities may be sold without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, if the Company (i) shall fail for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) or (ii) has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144 (i)(1)(i) or becomes an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (a “Public Information Failure”) then, in addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to a Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the Securities, an amount in cash equal to two percent (2.0%) of such Purchaser’s aggregate Subscription Amount of such Purchaser’s Securities then held on the day of a Public Information Failure and on every thirtieth (30th) day (pro rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the earlier of (a) the date such Public Information Failure is cured and (b) such time that such public information is no longer required for the Purchasers to transfer the Underlying Shares pursuant to Rule 144. The payments to which a Purchaser shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) are referred to herein as “Public Information Failure Payments.” Public Information Failure Payments shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Payments are incurred and (ii) the third (3rd) Business Day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Payments is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Payments in a timely manner, such Public Information Failure Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Nothing herein shall limit such Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Public Information Failure, and such Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief.
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4.4 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of the Securities or that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.
4.5 Exercise Procedures. Conversion and Exercise Procedures. Each of the form of Notice of Exercise included in the Warrants and the form of Notice of Conversion included in the Debentures set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Purchasers in order to exercise the Warrants or convert the Debentures. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Notice of Exercise or Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise or Notice of Conversion form be required in order to exercise the Warrants or convert the Debentures. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Purchasers to exercise their Warrants or convert their Debentures. The Company shall honor exercises of the Warrants and conversions of the Debentures and shall deliver Underlying Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.
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4.6 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall (a) by 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents to the Purchasers that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to any of the Purchasers by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such press release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates on the one hand, and any of the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate. The Company and each Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor any Purchaser shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of any Purchaser, or without the prior consent of each Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, except: (a) as required by federal securities law in connection with (i) any Registration Statement and (ii) the filing of final Transaction Documents with the Commission and (b) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchasers with prior notice of such disclosure permitted under this clause (b).
4.7 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that any Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that any Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and the Purchasers.
4.8 Non-Public Information. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, which shall be disclosed pursuant to Section 4.4, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf will provide any Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes, or the Company reasonably believes constitutes, material non-public information, unless prior thereto such Purchaser shall have consented to the receipt of such information and agreed with the Company to keep such information confidential. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. To the extent that the Company delivers any material, non-public information to a Purchaser without such Purchaser’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Purchaser shall not have any duty of confidentiality to Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates, or a duty to the Company, and of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information, provided that the Purchaser shall remain subject to applicable law. To the extent that any notice provided pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
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4.9 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder for the purposes set forth in Section 4.20(d) of this Agreement, and shall not use such proceeds: (a) for the satisfaction of any portion of the Company’s debt (other than payment of trade payables in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and prior practices), (b) for the redemption of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, (c) for the settlement of any outstanding litigation or (d) in violation of FCPA or OFAC regulations.
4.10 Indemnification of Purchasers. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.10, the Company will indemnify and hold each Purchaser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each Person who controls such Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, shareholders, agents, members, partners or employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling persons (each, a “Purchaser Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Purchaser Parties in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any stockholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is based upon a breach of such Purchaser Party’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser Party may have with any such stockholder or any violations by such Purchaser Party of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser Party which constitutes fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). If any action shall be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Party. Any Purchaser Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by a Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Purchaser Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents. The indemnification required by this Section 4.10 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Purchaser Party against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.
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4.11 Reservation and Listing of Securities.
(a) The Company shall maintain a reserve of the Required Minimum from its duly authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Transaction Documents in such amount as may then be required to fulfill its obligations in full under the Transaction Documents.
(b) If, on any date, the number of authorized but unissued (and otherwise unreserved) shares of Common Stock is less than the Required Minimum on such date, then the Board of Directors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to amend the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to at least the Required Minimum at such time.
(c) The Company shall, if applicable: (i) in the time and manner required by the principal Trading Market, prepare and file with such Trading Market an additional shares listing application covering a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date of such application, (ii) take all steps necessary to cause such shares of Common Stock to be approved for listing or quotation on such Trading Market as soon as possible thereafter, (iii) provide to the Purchasers evidence of such listing or quotation and (iv) maintain the listing or quotation of such Common Stock on any date at least equal to the Required Minimum on such date on such Trading Market or another Trading Market. The Company agrees to maintain the eligibility of the Common Stock for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation, including, without limitation, by timely payment of fees to the Depository Trust Company or such other established clearing corporation in connection with such electronic transfer. The Purchasers acknowledge and agree that the Company will be required to seek stockholder approval under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market in connection with the issuance of the Securities.
4.12 [Reserved]
4.13 Variable Rate Transactions. From the date hereof until such time as no Purchaser holds any of the Warrants, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price. Any Purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.
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4.14 Equal Treatment of Purchasers. No consideration (including any modification of any Transaction Document) shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of the Transaction Documents unless the same consideration is also offered to all of the parties to such Transaction Documents. Further, the Company shall not make any payment of principal or interest on the Debentures in amounts which are disproportionate to the respective principal amounts outstanding on the Debentures at any applicable time. For clarification purposes, this provision constitutes a separate right granted to each Purchaser by the Company and negotiated separately by each Purchaser, and is intended for the Company to treat the Purchasers as a class and shall not in any way be construed as the Purchasers acting in concert or as a group with respect to the purchase, disposition or voting of Securities or otherwise.
4.15 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants that neither it, nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.6. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.6, such Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Transaction Documents and the Disclosure Schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) no Purchaser makes any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.6, (ii) no Purchaser shall be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.6 and (iii) no Purchaser shall have any duty of confidentiality or duty not to trade in the securities of the Company to the Company or its Subsidiaries after the issuance of the initial press release as described in Section 4.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Purchaser’s assets, the covenant set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.
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4.16 Form D; Blue Sky Filings. The Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof, promptly upon request of any Purchaser. The Company shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to qualify the Securities for, sale to the Purchasers at each Closing under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, and shall provide evidence of such actions promptly upon request of any Purchaser.
4.17 Capital Changes. Except as may be required to maintain the listing of the Common Stock on a national stock exchange, until the one year anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company shall not undertake a reverse or forward stock split or reclassification of the Common Stock without the prior written consent of the Purchasers holding at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Debentures.
4.18 Security Agreement Acknowledgement. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) the security interests granted to the holders of the Existing Debentures pursuant to the Security Agreement applies to and covers the obligations of the Company to the Purchasers evidenced by the Debentures and (b) the Debentures rank first in priority to all other Indebtedness of the Company; provided, however, Debentures issued in exchange for the Existing Debentures hereunder shall have seniority over the Debentures issued for cash-consideration on the date hereof, which Debentures issued for cash-consideration on the date hereof shall be junior in liquidation to the Debentures received in exchange for the Exchange Debentures. Additionally, the Debenture constitutes an “Obligation” under the Subsidiary Guarantee as if the Debentures were Additional Debentures issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Each Purchaser that is a party to the Security Agreement hereby consents and agrees to permit the novation to the Security Agreement of any Purchaser’s hereunder that are not parties to the Security Agreement on the date hereof.
4.19 Amendment to Exercise Price of Existing Warrants. The Company and each Purchaser hereby agree to amend the “Exercise Price” of the Warrant to equal $6.00, subject to adjustment thereunder and to delete the following provision in Section 3(e) of the Warrant which shall no longer be of any force or effect: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction).” This amendment shall be effective immediately upon the execution of this Agreement. At the request of a holder of the Existing Warrant, the Company shall deliver a restated and amended Existing Warrant certificate reflecting these amendments within 3 Trading Days of such request.
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4.20 Consents and Waivers of Purchasers. The Company acknowledge and agrees that the following Events of Default exist or will exist under the Existing Debentures and Debentures:
(a) The Company was late filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018 of the Company (the “2018 Annual Report”) expects that it will be late in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019 (the “2019 Annual Report”) and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 (the “Q1 Quarterly Report”). Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, hereby waives the Event of Default resulting from the failure to timely file the 2018 Annual Report by Company and the Events of Default that will result from the failure to timely file the 2019 Annual Report and the Q1 Quarterly Report by the Company, and agrees not to exercise any of the rights and remedies available to the Holder as a result of such Event of Defaults; provided, however, the Company shall be current in its periodic filings with the Commission on or before March 31, 2020 and the failure to become current by such date shall be deemed an Event of Default under the Debentures.
(b) The Company failed to make an interest payment under the Existing Debenture which was due on July 1, 2019 (the “July 2019 Interest Payment”), an interest payment due on October 1, 2019 (the “October 2019 Interest Payment”) and expect to fail to make the interest payment on January 1, 2020 (the “January 2020 Interest Payment”), which failures constitute Events of Default under the Existing Debentures. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, hereby waives the Event of Default resulting from the failure by the Company to make the July 2019 Interest Payment and the Event of Default resulting from the failure by the Company to make the October 2019 Interest Payment and the Event of Default that will result from the Company’s failure to make the January 2020 Interest Payment, and agrees not to exercise any of the rights and remedies available to the Holder as a result of such Event of Defaults. In lieu of cash payment of the July 2019 Interest Payment, October 2019 Interest Payment and January 2020 Interest Payment, at the election of the Holder, such amounts shall be either (i) issued in shares of Common Stock at a price of $_____, which is the average of the VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Days as of the most recent Trading Day that is immediately prior to the date hereof or (ii) added to the principal amount of the Debentures issued hereunder.
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(c) The Company is entering into the Merger Agreement pursuant to which SES Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) will merge with and into Australian Future Energy PTY LTD, an Australian proprietary limited company (“AFE”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”). Upon the consummation of the Merger, the Merger Sub will cease to exist, and AFE will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. At the closing of the Merger, the Company will issue to the shareholders of AFE 3,875,000 shares of Common Stock. The Merger constitutes a “Fundamental Transaction” as defined in the Existing Debentures and Debentures and the Existing Debentures and Debentures require the repayment in full of the principal and interest under the Existing Debentures and Debentures. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, hereby consents and agrees that, notwithstanding any limitations in the Existing Debentures or Debentures to the contrary, the Company is permitted to consummate the Merger without repaying the Existing Debenture or Debentures in full.
(d) In order to cover operating expenses and the expenses of the Company and AFE associated with the Merger, the Company is entering into this Agreement which provides for the issuance of Debentures and Warrants for additional cash Subscription Amounts, provided that the Debentures issued for cash Subscription Amounts shall be junior in priority to the Debentures issued in exchange for the Exchange Debentures (“Interim Funding”). Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, hereby consents and agrees that, notwithstanding any limitations in the Existing Debentures or Debenture to the contrary, the Company is permitted to consummate the Interim Funding and issue the Debentures and Warrants hereunder.
ARTICLE V.
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by any Purchaser, as to such Purchaser’s obligations hereunder only and without any effect whatsoever on the obligations between the Company and the other Purchasers, by written notice to the other parties, if the First Closing has not been consummated on or before October 31, 2019; provided, however, that such termination will not affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties). The Purchaser shall have the right to terminate any of its obligations of each of the Second and Third Closings, as applicable, if the Second Closing has not occurred on or before February 28, 2020 and the Third Closing has not occurred on or before May 31, 2020.
5.2 Fees and Expenses. At the First Closing, the Company has agreed to reimburse the Placement Agent the non-accountable sum of $30,000 for its legal fees and expenses. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company and any conversion or exercise notice delivered by a Purchaser), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to the Purchasers.
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5.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.
5.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto. To the extent that any notice provided pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
5.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and Purchasers holding at least 50.1% in interest of the Debentures then outstanding or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought, provided that if any amendment, modification or waiver disproportionately and adversely impacts a Purchaser (or group of Purchasers), the consent of such disproportionately impacted Purchaser (or group of Purchasers) shall also be required. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right. Any proposed amendment or waiver that disproportionately, materially and adversely affects the rights and obligations of any Purchaser relative to the comparable rights and obligations of the other Purchasers shall require the prior written consent of such adversely affected Purchaser, Any amendment effected in accordance with accordance with this Section 5.5 shall be binding upon each Purchaser and holder of Securities and the Company.
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5.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
5.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Purchaser (other than by merger). Any Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Purchaser assigns or transfers any Securities, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchasers.”
5.8 No Third Party Beneficiaries. The Placement Agent shall be the third party beneficiary of the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3.1 and the representations and warranties of the Purchasers in Section 3.2. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.10 and this Section 5.8.
5.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any Action or Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such Action or Proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such Proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Action or Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If any party hereto shall commence an Action or Proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.10, the prevailing party in such Action or Proceeding shall be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such Action or Proceeding.
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5.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive each Closing and the delivery of the Securities.
5.11 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
5.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
5.13 Rescission and Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever any Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights; provided, however, that in the case of a rescission of a exercise of a Warrant, the applicable Purchaser shall be required to return any shares of Common Stock subject to any such rescinded exercise notice concurrently with the return to such Purchaser of the aggregate exercise price paid to the Company for such shares and the restoration of such Purchaser’s right to acquire such shares pursuant to such Purchaser’s Warrant (including, issuance of a replacement warrant certificate evidencing such restored right).
5.14 Replacement of Securities. If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.
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5.15 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, each of the Purchasers and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any Action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
5.16 Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or a Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
5.17 Usury. To the extent it may lawfully do so, the Company hereby agrees not to insist upon or plead or in any manner whatsoever claim, and will resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, usury laws wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, in connection with any Action or Proceeding that may be brought by any Purchaser in order to enforce any right or remedy under any Transaction Document. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document, it is expressly agreed and provided that the total liability of the Company under the Transaction Documents for payments in the nature of interest shall not exceed the maximum lawful rate authorized under applicable law (the “Maximum Rate”), and, without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any rate of interest or default interest, or both of them, when aggregated with any other sums in the nature of interest that the Company may be obligated to pay under the Transaction Documents exceed such Maximum Rate. It is agreed that if the maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law and applicable to the Transaction Documents is increased or decreased by statute or any official governmental action subsequent to the date hereof, the new maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law will be the Maximum Rate applicable to the Transaction Documents from the effective date thereof forward, unless such application is precluded by applicable law. If under any circumstances whatsoever, interest in excess of the Maximum Rate is paid by the Company to any Purchaser with respect to indebtedness evidenced by the Transaction Documents, such excess shall be applied by such Purchaser to the unpaid principal balance of any such indebtedness or be refunded to the Company, the manner of handling such excess to be at such Purchaser’s election.
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5.18 Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Purchaser under any Transaction Document are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance or non-performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any Proceeding for such purpose. Each Purchaser has been represented by its own separate legal counsel in its review and negotiation of the Transaction Documents. For reasons of administrative convenience only, each Purchaser and its respective counsel have chosen to communicate with the Company through EGS. EGS does not represent any of the Purchasers and only represents the Placement Agent. The Company has elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and Transaction Documents for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any of the Purchasers. It is expressly understood that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between the Company and a Purchaser, solely, and not between the Company and the Purchasers collectively and not between and among the Purchasers.
5.19 Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.
5.20 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
5.21 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
5.22 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. |
Address for Notice: | ||
By: | Fax: | ||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice): |
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
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[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGES TO SYMX SECURITIES PURCHASE AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
Name of Purchaser: ________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: __________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: _____________________________________________________
Email Address of Authorized Signatory: _____________________________________________
Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory: __________________________________________
Address for Notice to Purchaser:
Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):
First Closing Aggregate Subscription Amount: $_________
Cash Subscription Amount: $____________
Exchange Subscription Amount (and interest): $_____________
Second Closing Aggregate Subscription Amount: $_______
Cash Subscription Amount: $____________
Exchange Subscription Amount (and interest): $_____________
Third Closing Aggregate Subscription Amount: $_________
Cash Subscription Amount: $____________
Exchange Subscription Amount (and interest): $_____________
Series A Warrant Shares: _______________
Series B Warrant Shares: ________________
EIN Number: _______________________
[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE]
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EXHIBIT B
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October __, 2019, between Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each of the several purchasers signatory hereto (each such purchaser, a “Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and each Purchaser (the “Purchase Agreement”).
The Company and each Purchaser hereby agrees as follows:
1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Advice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
“Effectiveness Date” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed hereunder, the date that the Company’s registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the Merger is declared effective and with respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 2(c) or Section 3(c), the 60th calendar day following the date on which an additional Registration Statement is required to be filed hereunder (or, in the event of a “full review” by the Commission, the 90th calendar day following the date such additional Registration Statement is required to be filed hereunder); provided, however, that in the event the Company is notified by the Commission that one or more of the above Registration Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement shall be the fifth Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the dates otherwise required above, provided, further, if such Effectiveness Date falls on a day that is not a Trading Day, then the Effectiveness Date shall be the next succeeding Trading Day.
“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).
“Event Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).
“Filing Date” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required hereunder, on or before the date that the Company files the registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the Merger and, with respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 2(c) or Section 3(c), the earliest practical date on which the Company is permitted by SEC Guidance to file such additional Registration Statement related to the Registrable Securities.
“Holder” or “Holders” means the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Initial Registration Statement” means the initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement.
“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Plan of Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
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“Registrable Securities” means, as of any date of determination, (a) all of the shares of Common Stock then issued and issuable upon conversion in full of the Debentures (assuming on such date the Debentures are converted in full without regard to any conversion limitations therein), (b) all shares of Common Stock issued and issuable as interest or principal on the Debentures assuming all permissible interest and principal payments are made in shares of Common Stock and the Debentures are held until maturity, (c) all Warrant Shares then issued and issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (assuming on such date the Warrants are exercised in full without regard to any exercise limitations therein), (d) any additional shares of Common Stock issued and issuable in connection with any anti-dilution provisions in the Debentures or the Warrants (in each case, without giving effect to any limitations on conversion set forth in the Debentures or limitations on exercise set forth in the Warrants) and (e) any securities issued or then issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing; provided, however, that any such Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (and the Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of any, or file another, Registration Statement hereunder with respect thereto) for so long as (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Registrable Securities is declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of by the Holder in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (b) such Registrable Securities have been previously sold in accordance with Rule 144, or (c) such securities become eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and without current public information pursuant to Rule 144 as set forth in a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed, delivered and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the affected Holders (assuming that such securities and any securities issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of which, or as a dividend upon which, such securities were issued or are issuable, were at no time held by any Affiliate of the Company, as reasonably determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel to the Company.
“Registration Statement” means any registration statement required to be filed hereunder pursuant to Section 2(a) and any additional registration statements contemplated by Section 2(c) or Section 3(c), including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to any such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in any such registration statement.
“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Selling Stockholder Questionnaire” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
“SEC Guidance” means (i) any publicly-available written or oral guidance of the Commission staff, or any comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff and (ii) the Securities Act.
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2. Shelf Registration.
(a) On or prior to each Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities that are not then registered on an effective Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415. Each Registration Statement filed hereunder shall be on Form S-3 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, in which case such registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e)) and shall contain (unless otherwise directed by at least 85% in interest of the Holders) substantially the “Plan of Distribution” attached hereto as Annex A and substantially the “Selling Stockholder” section attached hereto as Annex B; provided, however, that no Holder shall be required to be named as an “underwriter” without such Holder’s express prior written consent. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause a Registration Statement filed under this Agreement (including, without limitation, under Section 3(c)) to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event no later than the applicable Effectiveness Date, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (i) have been sold, thereunder or pursuant to Rule 144, or (ii) may be sold without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144, as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the affected Holders (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall telephonically request effectiveness of a Registration Statement as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders via facsimile or by e-mail of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement on the same Trading Day that the Company telephonically confirms effectiveness with the Commission, which shall be the date requested for effectiveness of such Registration Statement. The Company shall, by 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day after the effective date of such Registration Statement, file a final Prospectus with the Commission as required by Rule 424. Failure to so notify the Holder within one (1) Trading Day of such notification of effectiveness or failure to file a final Prospectus as foresaid shall be deemed an Event under Section 2(d).
(b) Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in Section 2(a), if the Commission informs the Company that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, the Company agrees to promptly inform each of the Holders thereof and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Initial Registration Statement as required by the Commission, covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the Commission, on Form S-3 or such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e); with respect to filing on Form S-3 or other appropriate form, and subject to the provisions of Section 2(d) with respect to the payment of liquidated damages; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment, the Company shall be obligated to use diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the SEC Guidance, including without limitation, Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation 612.09.
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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and subject to the payment of liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(d), if the Commission or any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation on the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Company used diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all or a greater portion of Registrable Securities), unless otherwise directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced as follows:
a. | First, the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities to be included other than Registrable Securities; | |
b. | Second, the Company shall reduce Registrable Securities represented by Warrant Shares (applied, in the case that some Warrant Shares may be registered, to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of unregistered Warrant Shares held by such Holders); and | |
c. | Third, the Company shall reduce Registrable Securities represented by Conversion Shares (applied, in the case that some Conversion Shares may be registered, to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of unregistered Conversion Shares held by such Holders). |
In the event of a cutback hereunder, the Company shall give the Holder at least five (5) Trading Days prior written notice along with the calculations as to such Holder’s allotment. In the event the Company amends the Initial Registration Statement in accordance with the foregoing, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by Commission or SEC Guidance provided to the Company or to registrants of securities in general, one or more registration statements on Form S-3 or such other form available to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Initial Registration Statement, as amended.
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(d) If: (i) the Initial Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to its Filing Date (if the Company files the Initial Registration Statement without affording the Holders the opportunity to review and comment on the same as required by Section 3(a) herein, the Company shall be deemed to have not satisfied this clause (i)), or (ii) the Company fails to file with the Commission a request for acceleration of a Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, within five Trading Days of the date that the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review, or (iii) prior to the effective date of a Registration Statement, the Company fails to file a pre-effective amendment and otherwise respond in writing to comments made by the Commission in respect of such Registration Statement within ten (10) calendar days after the receipt of comments by or notice from the Commission that such amendment is required in order for such Registration Statement to be declared effective, or (iv) a Registration Statement registering for resale all of the Registrable Securities is not declared effective by the Commission by the Effectiveness Date of the Initial Registration Statement, or (v) after the effective date of a Registration Statement, such Registration Statement ceases for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, or the Holders are otherwise not permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein to resell such Registrable Securities, for more than fifteen (15) consecutive calendar days or more than an aggregate of thirty (30) calendar days (which need not be consecutive calendar days) during any 12-month period (any such failure or breach being referred to as an “Event”, and for purposes of clauses (i) and (iv), the date on which such Event occurs, and for purpose of clause (ii) the date on which such five (5) Trading Day period is exceeded, and for purpose of clause (iii) the date which such fifteen (15) calendar day period is exceeded, and for purpose of clause (v) the date on which such fifteen (15) or thirty (30) calendar day period, as applicable, is exceeded being referred to as “Event Date”), then, in addition to any other rights the Holders may have hereunder or under applicable law, on each such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date (if the applicable Event shall not have been cured by such date) until the applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay to each Holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the product of (1) the product of (A) 2.0% multiplied by (B) the quotient of (I) the number of such Holder’s Registrable Securities that are not then covered by a Registration Statement that is then effective and available for use by such Holder divided by (II) the total number of such Holder’s Registrable Securities multiplied by (2) the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; provided, however, that, in the event that none of such Holder’s Registrable Securities are then covered by a Registration Statement that is effective and available for use by such Holder, the quotient of (I) divided by (II) in clause (1)(B) herein shall be deemed to equal 1. The parties agree that the maximum aggregate liquidated damages payable to a Holder under this Agreement shall be 25% of the aggregate Subscription Amount paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. If the Company fails to pay any partial liquidated damages pursuant to this Section in full within seven days after the date payable, the Company will pay interest thereon at a rate of 18% per annum (or such lesser maximum amount that is permitted to be paid by applicable law) to the Holder, accruing daily from the date such partial liquidated damages are due until such amounts, plus all such interest thereon, are paid in full. The partial liquidated damages pursuant to the terms hereof shall apply on a daily pro rata basis for any portion of a month prior to the cure of an Event.
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the Company be permitted to name any Holder or affiliate of a Holder as any Underwriter without the prior written consent of such Holder.
3. Registration Procedures.
In connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company shall:
(a) Not less than five (5) Trading Days prior to the filing of each Registration Statement and not less than one (1) Trading Day prior to the filing of any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (including any document that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall (i) furnish to each Holder copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of such Holders, and (ii) cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent registered public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective counsel to each Holder, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not file a Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto to which the Holders of [a majority of the Registrable Securities shall reasonably object in good faith, provided that, the Company is notified of such objection in writing no later than five (5) Trading Days after the Holders have been so furnished copies of a Registration Statement or one (1) Trading Day after the Holders have been so furnished copies of any related Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto. Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a completed questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex B (a “Selling Stockholder Questionnaire”) on a date that is not less than two (2) Trading Days prior to the Filing Date or by the end of the third (3rd) Trading Day following the date on which such Holder receives draft materials in accordance with this Section.
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(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, to a Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period and prepare and file with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities, (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and, as so supplemented or amended, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424, (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and provide as promptly as reasonably possible to the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to a Registration Statement (provided that, the Company shall excise any information contained therein which would constitute material non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), and (iv) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance (subject to the terms of this Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) If during the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable Securities at any time exceeds 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock then registered in a Registration Statement, file as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any case prior to the applicable Filing Date, an additional Registration Statement covering the resale by the Holders of not less than the number of such Registrable Securities.
(d) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which notice shall, pursuant to clauses (iii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made) as promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less than one (1) Trading Day prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one (1) Trading Day following the day (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed, (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement, and (C) with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible for inclusion therein or any statement made in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of a Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with respect to the Company that the Company believes may be material and that, in the determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow continued availability of a Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided, however, that in no event shall any such notice contain any information which would constitute material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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(e) Use its reasonable best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order stopping or suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(f) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission, provided that any such item which is available on the EDGAR system (or successor thereto) need not be furnished in physical form.
(g) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after the giving of any notice pursuant to Section 3(d).
(h) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement, provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
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(i) If requested by a Holder, cooperate with such Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holder may request.
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(d), as promptly as reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into account the Company’s good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its stockholders of the premature disclosure of such event, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor such Prospectus will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses (iii) through (vi) of Section 3(d) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(j) to suspend the availability of a Registration Statement and Prospectus, subject to the payment of partial liquidated damages otherwise required pursuant to Section 2(d), for a period not to exceed 60 calendar days (which need not be consecutive days) in any 12-month period.
(k) Otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 172 under the Securities Act, file any final Prospectus, including any supplement or amendment thereof, with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, promptly inform the Holders in writing if, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company does not satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 172 and, as a result thereof, the Holders are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with any disposition of Registrable Securities and take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to facilitate the registration of the Registrable Securities hereunder.
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(l) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and, if required by the Commission, the natural persons thereof that have voting and dispositive control over the shares. During any periods that the Company is unable to meet its obligations hereunder with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities solely because any Holder fails to furnish such information within three Trading Days of the Company’s request, any liquidated damages that are accruing at such time as to such Holder only shall be tolled and any Event that may otherwise occur solely because of such delay shall be suspended until such information is delivered to the Company.
4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with, this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent registered public accountants) (A) with respect to filings made with the Commission, (B) with respect to filings required to be made with any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, and (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder. In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions of any Holder or, except to the extent provided for in the Transaction Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the Holders.
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5. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, members, partners, agents, brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, members, stockholders, partners, agents and employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to (1) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading or (2) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(d)(iii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified person and shall survive the transfer of any Registrable Securities by any of the Holders in accordance with Section 6(h).
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(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such information relates to such Holder’s information provided in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or the proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose), such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto. In no event shall the liability of a selling Holder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of all expenses paid by such Holder in connection with any claim relating to this Section 5 and the amount of any damages such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission) received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof, provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
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An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding, or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall reasonably believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten Trading Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party, provided that the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) not to be entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms.
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The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. In no event shall the contribution obligation of a Holder of Registrable Securities be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of all expenses paid by such Holder in connection with any claim relating to this Section 5 and the amount of any damages such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission) received by it upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder of any of their respective obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. Each of the Company and each Holder agrees that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall not assert or shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Piggyback on Registrations; Prohibition on Filing Other Registration Statements. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(b) attached hereto and in connection with transactions contemplated by clause (d) under Exempt Issuance, neither the Company nor any of its security holders (other than the Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the Company in any Registration Statements other than the Registrable Securities. The Company shall not file any other registration statements until all Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to a Registration Statement that is declared effective by the Commission, provided that this Section 6(b) shall not prohibit the Company from filing amendments to registration statements filed prior to the date of this Agreement.
(c) [RESERVED]
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(d) Discontinued Disposition. By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 3(d)(iii) through (vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company agrees and acknowledges that any periods during which the Holder is required to discontinue the disposition of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2(d).
(e) Piggy-Back Registrations. If, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than (i) on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with the Company’s stock option or other employee benefit plans, or (ii) in connection with an underwritten public offering by the Company, then the Company shall deliver to each Holder a written notice of such determination and, if within fifteen days after the date of the delivery of such notice, any such Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such Holder requests to be registered; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 6(e) that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 (without volume restrictions or current public information requirements) promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or that are the subject of a then effective Registration Statement that is available for resales or other dispositions by such Holder.
(f) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and the Holders of 50.1% or more of the then outstanding Registrable Securities (for purposes of clarification, this includes any Registrable Securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of any Security), provided that, if any amendment, modification or waiver disproportionately and adversely impacts a Holder (or group of Holders), the consent of such disproportionately impacted Holder (or group of Holders) shall be required. If a Registration Statement does not register all of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a waiver or amendment done in compliance with the previous sentence, then the number of Registrable Securities to be registered for each Holder shall be reduced pro rata among all Holders and each Holder shall have the right to designate which of its Registrable Securities shall be omitted from such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of a Holder or some Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given only by such Holder or Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the first sentence of this Section 6(f). No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
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(g) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign (except by merger) its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of all of the Holders of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
(i) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(i), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to any of its securities to any Person that have not been satisfied in full.
(j) Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
(k) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(l) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.
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(m) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(n) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
(o) Independent Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or transactions. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement with respect to the obligations of the Company contained was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Holder, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Holder. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement is between the Company and a Holder, solely, and not between the Company and the Holders collectively and not between and among Holders.
********************
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS TO RRA]
Name of Holder: __________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Holder: __________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE]
Annex A
Plan of Distribution
Each Selling Stockholder (the “Selling Stockholders”) of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:
● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; | |
● | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | |
● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
● | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | |
● | privately negotiated transactions; | |
● | settlement of short sales; | |
● | in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security; | |
● | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; | |
● | a combination of any such methods of sale; or | |
● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), if available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA IM-2440.
In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.
The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which the securities may be resold by the Selling Stockholders without registration and without regard to any volume or manner-of-sale limitations by reason of Rule 144, without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the securities have been sold pursuant to this prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the common stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).
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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The common stock being offered by the selling shareholders are those previously issued to the selling shareholders, and those issuable to the selling shareholders, upon exercise of the warrants. For additional information regarding the issuances of those shares of common stock and warrants, see “Private Placement of Shares of Common Stock and Warrants” above. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling shareholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the shares of common stock and the warrants, the selling shareholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.
The table below lists the selling shareholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling shareholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling shareholder, based on its ownership of the shares of common stock and warrants, as of ________, 2019, assuming exercise of the warrants held by the selling shareholders on that date, without regard to any limitations on exercises.
The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling shareholders.
In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the selling shareholders, this prospectus generally covers the resale of the sum of (i) the number of shares of common stock issued to the selling shareholders in the “Private Placement of Shares of Common Stock and Warrants” described above and (ii) the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the related warrants, determined as if the outstanding warrants were exercised in full as of the trading day immediately preceding the date this registration statement was initially filed with the SEC, each as of the trading day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in the registration right agreement, without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the warrants. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling shareholders pursuant to this prospectus.
Under the terms of the warrants, a selling shareholder may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause such selling shareholder, together with its affiliates and attribution parties, to beneficially own a number of shares of common stock which would exceed [4.99]% of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants which have not been exercised. The number of shares in the second column does not reflect this limitation. The selling shareholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”
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Name of Selling Shareholder | Number of shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering | Maximum Number of shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus | Number of shares of Common Stock Owned After Offering | |||
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Annex C
Synthesis energy systems, inc.
Selling Stockholder Notice and Questionnaire
The undersigned beneficial owner of common stock (the “Registrable Securities”) of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) to which this document is annexed. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling Stockholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned by it in the Registration Statement.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Name.
(a) | Full Legal Name of Selling Stockholder |
(b) | Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities are held: |
(c) | Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered by this Questionnaire): |
2. Address for Notices to Selling Stockholder:
Telephone:_______________________________________________________________________________________ |
Fax:_____________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Contact Person____________________________________________________________________________________ |
3. Broker-Dealer Status:
(a) | Are you a broker-dealer? |
Yes [ ] No [ ]
(b) | If “yes” to Section 3(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as compensation for investment banking services to the Company? |
Yes [ ] No [ ]
Note: | If “no” to Section 3(b), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement. |
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(c) | Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer? |
Yes [ ] No [ ]
(d) | If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you purchased the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities? |
Yes [ ] No [ ]
Note: | If “no” to Section 3(d), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement. |
4. Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Stockholder.
Except as set forth below in this Item 4, the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the securities issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
(a) | Type and Amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder: |
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5. Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any material inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective; provided, that the undersigned shall not be required to notify the Company of any changes to the number of securities held or owned by the undersigned or its affiliates.
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 5 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.
Date: _____________________________________ | Beneficial Owner: __________________________________ | |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
PLEASE FAX A COPY (OR EMAIL A .PDF COPY) OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE TO:
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NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
Original Issue Date: October __, 2019 | $_______________ |
Original Conversion Price (subject to adjustment herein): $____
11% SENIOR SECURED COnvertible DEBENTURE
DUE October 24, 2022
THIS 11% SENIOR SECURED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE is one of a series of duly authorized and validly issued 11% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), having its principal place of business at Three Riverway, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77056, designated as its 11% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture due October 24, 2022 (this debenture, the “Debenture” and, collectively with the other debentures of such series, the “Debentures”).
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Company promises to pay to ________________________ or its registered assigns (the “Holder”), or shall have paid pursuant to the terms hereunder, the principal sum of $_______________ on October 24, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”) or such earlier date as this Debenture is required or permitted to be repaid as provided hereunder, and to pay interest to the Holder on the aggregate then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture in accordance with the provisions hereof. This Debenture is subject to the following additional provisions:
Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, in addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Debenture, (a) capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) and (b) the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Bankruptcy Event” means any of the following events: (a) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) thereof commences a case or other proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction relating to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, (b) there is commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof any such case or proceeding that is not dismissed or stayed within 60 days after commencement, (c) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered, (d) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property that is not discharged or stayed within 60 days after such appointment, (e) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (f) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof admits in writing that it is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or (g) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, by any act or failure to act, expressly indicates its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing or takes any corporate or other action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.
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“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(d).
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(v).
“Change of Control Transaction” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition after the date hereof by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Company, by contract or otherwise) of in excess of 40% of the voting securities of the Company (other than by means of exercise of the Warrants issued together with the Debentures), (b) the Company merges into or consolidates with any other Person, or any Person merges into or consolidates with the Company and, after giving effect to such transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than 60% of the aggregate voting power of the Company or the successor entity of such transaction, (c) the Company sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another Person and the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than 60% of the aggregate voting power of the acquiring entity immediately after the transaction, (d) a replacement at one time or within a three year period of more than one-half of the members of the Board of Directors which is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board of Directors on the Original Issue Date (or by those individuals who are serving as members of the Board of Directors on any date whose nomination to the Board of Directors was approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are members on the date hereof), or (e) the execution by the Company of an agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, providing for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.
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“Conversion” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
“Conversion Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).
“Conversion Schedule” means the Conversion Schedule in the form of Schedule 1 attached hereto.
“Conversion Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Debenture Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
“Equity Conditions” means, during the period in question, (a) the Company shall have duly honored all conversions and redemptions scheduled to occur or occurring by virtue of one or more Notices of Conversion of the Holder, if any, (b) the Company shall have paid all liquidated damages and other amounts owing to the Holder in respect of this Debenture, (c)(i) there is an effective Registration Statement pursuant to which the Holder is permitted to utilize the prospectus thereunder to resell all of the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents (and the Company believes, in good faith, that such effectiveness will continue uninterrupted for the foreseeable future) or (ii) all of the Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents (and shares issuable in lieu of cash payments of interest) may be resold pursuant to Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements as determined by the counsel to the Company as set forth in a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the Holder, (d) the Common Stock is trading on a Trading Market and all of the shares issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents are listed or quoted for trading on such Trading Market (and the Company believes, in good faith, that trading of the Common Stock on a Trading Market will continue uninterrupted for the foreseeable future), (e) there is a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved shares of Common Stock for the issuance of all of the shares then issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents, (f) unless waived by the Holder, there is no existing Event of Default and no existing event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default, (g) the issuance of the shares in question (or, in the case of an Optional Redemption or Mandatory Redemption, the shares issuable upon conversion in full of the Optional Redemption Amount or Mandatory Redemption Amount) to the Holder would not violate the limitations set forth in Section 4(d) herein, (h) there has been no public announcement of a pending or proposed Fundamental Transaction or Change of Control Transaction that has not been consummated, and (i) the applicable Holder is not in possession of any information provided by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates, that constitutes, or may constitute, material non-public information.
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“Event of Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
“Forced Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(f).
“Forced Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(f).
“Forced Conversion Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(f).
“Forced Conversion Notice Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(f).
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).
“Interest Conversion Rate” means the lesser of (a) $3.001 (subject to adjustment for forward and reverse stock splits and the like) or (b) the lesser of (i) the average of the VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day that is immediately prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date or (ii) the average of the VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day that is immediately prior to the date the applicable Interest Conversion Shares are issued and delivered if such delivery is after the Interest Payment Date.
“Interest Conversion Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Interest Share Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Late Fees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
“Mandatory Default Amount” means the sum of (a) the greater of (i) the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, plus all accrued and unpaid interest hereon, divided by the Conversion Price on the date the Mandatory Default Amount is either (A) demanded (if demand or notice is required to create an Event of Default) or otherwise due or (B) paid in full, whichever has a lower Conversion Price, multiplied by the VWAP on the date the Mandatory Default Amount is either (x) demanded or otherwise due or (y) paid in full, whichever has a higher VWAP, or (ii) 130% (101% in the case of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(a)(x)) of the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, plus 100% of accrued and unpaid interest hereon, and (b) all other amounts, costs, expenses and liquidated damages due in respect of this Debenture.
1 NTD: Holders that do not participate in the funding will have a conversion rate of $6.00.
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“Mandatory Redemption” means the redemption of this Debenture pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof.
“Mandatory Redemption Event” means the redemption of this Debenture pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof.
“Merger” means the merger transaction contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October [9], 2019 by and among the Company, SES Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd., an Australian proprietary limited company.
“New York Courts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(d).
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
“Optional Redemption” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
“Optional Redemption Amount” means the sum of (a) 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, (b) all accrued but unpaid interest and (c) all liquidated damages, costs, expenses and other amounts due in respect of the Debenture.
“Optional Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
“Optional Redemption Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
“Optional Redemption Notice Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
“Optional Redemption Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
“Original Issue Date” means the date of the first issuance of the Debentures, regardless of any transfers of any Debenture and regardless of the number of instruments which may be issued to evidence such Debentures.
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“Permitted Indebtedness” means (a) the indebtedness evidenced by the Debentures, (b) the Indebtedness existing on the Original Issue Date and set forth on Schedule 3.1(aa) attached to the Purchase Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing of such indebtedness, (c) lease obligations and purchase money indebtedness of up to $1,500,000, in the aggregate, incurred in connection with the acquisition of capital assets and lease obligations with respect to newly acquired or leased assets, and any Permitted Refinancing of such indebtedness, (d) guarantee obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any indebtedness permitted under this Agreement, (e) guarantee obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary associated with project development or asset performance for a project or asset of any Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, (d) indebtedness that (i) is expressly subordinate to the Debentures pursuant to a written subordination agreement with the Purchasers in a form which is acceptable to Purchasers holding at least 66.67% in interest of the Debentures then outstanding, (ii) is junior in right of payment to the indebtedness evidenced by the Debentures, and (iii) matures at a date later than the 91st day following the Maturity Date, and (e) indebtedness incurred in connection with an issuance or issuances contemplated by clause (d) under the definition of Exempt Issuance (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).
“Permitted Lien” means the individual and collective reference to the following: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) have been established in accordance with GAAP, (b) Liens imposed by law which were incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, statutory landlords’ Liens, and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, and which (x) do not individually or in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries or (y) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing for the foreseeable future the forfeiture or sale of the property or asset subject to such Lien, (c) Liens incurred in connection with Permitted Indebtedness under clauses (a) and (b), and (d) Liens incurred in connection with Permitted Indebtedness under clause (c) thereunder, provided that such Liens are not secured by assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired or leased.
“Permitted Refinancing” means indebtedness constituting a refinancing or extension of Indebtedness that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness being refinanced or extended, (b) has a weighted average maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of the indebtedness being refinanced or extended, (c) is not entered into as part of a sale leaseback transaction, (d) is not secured by a Lien on any assets other than the collateral securing the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended and as set forth on Schedule 3.1(o) or as permitted pursuant to clause (d) of Permitted Liens, and (e) the obligors of which are the same as (or fewer than) the obligors of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended.
“Purchase Agreement” means the Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement, dated as of October __, 2019 among the Company and the original Holders, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
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“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date of the Purchase Agreement, among the Company and the original Holders, in the form of Exhibit B attached to the Purchase Agreement.
“Registration Statement” means a registration statement meeting the requirements set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and covering the resale of the Underlying Shares by each Holder as provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(ii).
“Successor Entity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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Section 2. Interest.
a) Payment of Interest in Shares or Kind. The Company shall pay interest to the Holder on the aggregate unconverted and then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture at the rate of 11% per annum, payable quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, beginning on the first such date after the Original Issue Date, on each Mandatory Redemption Date (as to that principal amount then being redeemed), on each Conversion Date (as to that principal amount then being converted), on each Optional Redemption Date (as to that principal amount then being redeemed) and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) (if any Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the applicable payment shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day), at the option of the Holder, in duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the Interest Conversion Rate (the dollar amount to be paid in shares, the “Interest Share Amount”). The Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) shall cause a number of shares of Common Stock to be applied against such Interest Share Amount equal to the quotient of (x) the applicable Interest Share Amount divided by (y) the Interest Conversion Rate (the “Interest Conversion Shares”) on the Interest Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (A) the Equity Conditions are not met on the Interest Payment Date, (B) the Company cannot deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder’s account with The Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), or (C) the Holder elects not to receive the applicable interest payment in shares of Common Stock, then, as of such Interest Payment Date, such interest payment shall accrete to, and increase, the outstanding principal amount due hereunder and no such Interest Conversion Shares shall be required to be delivered by the Company to the Holder.
b) Interest Calculations. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve 30 day periods, and shall accrue daily commencing on the Original Issue Date until payment in full of the outstanding principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, and other amounts which may become due hereunder, has been made. Interest hereunder will be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture is registered on the records of the Company regarding registration and transfers of this Debenture (the “Debenture Register”).
c) Late Fee. All overdue accrued and unpaid interest to be paid hereunder shall entail a late fee at an interest rate equal to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law (the “Late Fees”) which shall accrue daily from the date such interest is due hereunder through and including the date of actual payment in full.
Section 3. Registration of Transfers and Exchanges.
a) Different Denominations. This Debenture is exchangeable for an equal aggregate principal amount of Debentures of different authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be payable for such registration of transfer or exchange.
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b) Investment Representations. This Debenture has been issued subject to certain investment representations of the original Holder set forth in the Purchase Agreement and may be transferred or exchanged only in compliance with the Purchase Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations.
c) Reliance on Debenture Register. Prior to due presentment for transfer to the Company of this Debenture, the Company and any agent of the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Debenture is duly registered on the Debenture Register as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, whether or not this Debenture is overdue, and neither the Company nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Section 4. Conversion.
a) Voluntary Conversion. At any time after the Original Issue Date until this Debenture is no longer outstanding, this Debenture shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at the option of the Holder, at any time and from time to time (subject to the conversion limitations set forth in Section 4(d) hereof). The Holder shall effect conversions by delivering to the Company a Notice of Conversion, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A (each, a “Notice of Conversion”), specifying therein the principal amount of this Debenture to be converted and the date on which such conversion shall be effected (such date, the “Conversion Date”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required. To effect conversions hereunder, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Debenture to the Company unless the entire principal amount of this Debenture, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, has been so converted in which case the Holder shall surrender this Debenture as promptly as is reasonably practicable after such conversion without delaying the Company’s obligation to deliver the shares on the Share Delivery Date. Conversions hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture in an amount equal to the applicable conversion. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the principal amount(s) converted and the date of such conversion(s). The Company may deliver an objection to any Notice of Conversion within one (1) Business Day of delivery of such Notice of Conversion. The Holder, and any assignee by acceptance of this Debenture, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of a portion of this Debenture, the unpaid and unconverted principal amount of this Debenture may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Conversion Price. The conversion price in effect on any Conversion Date shall be equal to $3.002, subject to adjustment herein (the “Conversion Price”).
c) Mechanics of Conversion.
i. Conversion Shares Issuable Upon Conversion of Principal Amount. The number of Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion hereunder shall be determined by the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture to be converted by (y) the Conversion Price.
ii. Delivery of Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. Not later than the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined below) after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Holder the Conversion Shares which, on or after the earlier of (i) the six month anniversary of the Original Issue Date or (ii) the Effective Date, shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions (other than those which may then be required by the Purchase Agreement) representing the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of this Debenture. On or after the earlier of (i) the six month anniversary of the Original Issue Date or (ii) the Effective Date, the Company shall deliver any Conversion Shares required to be delivered by the Company under this Section 4(c) electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Conversion.
iii. Failure to Deliver Conversion Shares. If, in the case of any Notice of Conversion, such Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the Holder shall be entitled to elect by written notice to the Company at any time on or before its receipt of such Conversion Shares, to rescind such Conversion, in which event the Company shall promptly return to the Holder any original Debenture delivered to the Company and the Holder shall promptly return to the Company the Conversion Shares issued to such Holder pursuant to the rescinded Conversion Notice.
2 NTD: Holders that do not participate in the funding will have a conversion rate of $6.00.
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iv. Obligation Absolute; Partial Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Debenture in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by the Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Company or any violation or alleged violation of law by the Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Company to the Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares; provided, however, that such delivery shall not operate as a waiver by the Company of any such action the Company may have against the Holder. In the event the Holder of this Debenture shall elect to convert any or all of the outstanding principal amount hereof, the Company may not refuse conversion based on any claim that the Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with the Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and or enjoining conversion of all or part of this Debenture shall have been sought and obtained. In the absence of such injunction, the Company shall issue Conversion Shares upon a properly noticed conversion. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder such Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii) by the Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of principal amount being converted, $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Share Delivery Date until such Conversion Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such conversion. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue actual damages or declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8 hereof for the Company’s failure to deliver Conversion Shares within the period specified herein and the Holder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Holder from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.
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v. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder such Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii), and if after such Share Delivery Date the Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Conversion Shares which the Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by the Holder) the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) this Debenture in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the attempted conversion (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Company had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 4(c)(ii). For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of this Debenture with respect to which the actual sale price of the Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Debenture as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
vi. Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of this Debenture and payment of interest on this Debenture, each as herein provided, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holder (and the other holders of the Debentures), not less than such aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock as shall (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement) be issuable (taking into account the adjustments and restrictions of Section 5) upon the conversion of the then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture and payment of interest hereunder. The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and, if the Registration Statement is then effective under the Securities Act, shall be registered for public resale in accordance with such Registration Statement (subject to such Holder’s compliance with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement).
vii. Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of this Debenture. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such conversion, the Company shall at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price or round up to the next whole share.
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viii. Transfer Taxes and Expenses. The issuance of Conversion Shares on conversion of this Debenture shall be made without charge to the Holder hereof for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such Conversion Shares, provided that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such Conversion Shares upon conversion in a name other than that of the Holder of this Debenture so converted and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such Conversion Shares unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Conversion and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Conversion Shares.
d) Holder’s Conversion Limitations. The Company shall not effect any conversion of this Debenture, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Debenture, to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted principal amount of this Debenture beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein (including, without limitation, any other Debentures or the Warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 4(d), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 4(d) applies, the determination of whether this Debenture is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which principal amount of this Debenture is convertible shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Debenture may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates or Attribution Parties) and which principal amount of this Debenture is convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. To ensure compliance with this restriction, the Holder will be deemed to represent to the Company each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 4(d), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Debenture, by the Holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture held by the Holder. The Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 4(d), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of this Debenture held by the Holder and the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 4(d) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(d) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation contained herein or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Debenture
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Section 5. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Debenture is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock or any Common Stock Equivalents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon conversion of, or payment of interest on, the Debentures), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of the Common Stock, any shares of capital stock of the Company, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Company) outstanding immediately before such event, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Reserved.
c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 5(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Debenture (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Debenture is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Debenture, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Debenture (without regard to any limitations on conversion hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Debenture is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares of Common Stock for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent conversion of this Debenture, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 4(d) on the conversion of this Debenture), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Debenture is convertible immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 4(d) on the conversion of this Debenture). For purposes of any such conversion, the determination of the Conversion Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Conversion Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of this Debenture following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Debenture and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Debenture a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Debenture which is convertible for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon conversion of this Debenture (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this Debenture) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with a conversion price which applies the conversion price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such conversion price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Debenture immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Debenture and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Debenture and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 5 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 5, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Company) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to the Holder.
i. Adjustment to Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 5, the Company shall promptly deliver to each Holder a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
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ii. Notice to Allow Conversion by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of this Debenture, and shall cause to be delivered to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Debenture Register, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert this Debenture during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such notice through the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 6. Optional Redemption; Mandatory Redemption and Forced Conversion.
a) Optional Redemption at Election of Company. Subject to the provisions of this Section 6(a) and Section 6(c), at any time and from time to time after the Original Issue Date, the Company may deliver a notice to the Holder (an “Optional Redemption Notice” and the date such notice is deemed delivered hereunder, the “Optional Redemption Notice Date”) of its irrevocable election to redeem some or all of the then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture for cash in an amount equal to the Optional Redemption Amount on the 20th day following the Optional Redemption Notice Date (such date, the “Optional Redemption Date”, such twenty day period, the “Optional Redemption Period” and such redemption, the “Optional Redemption”). The Optional Redemption Amount is payable in full on the Optional Redemption Date. The Company may only effect an Optional Redemption if each of the Equity Conditions shall have been met (unless waived in writing by the Holder) on each Trading Day during the period commencing on the Optional Redemption Notice Date through to the Optional Redemption Date and through and including the date payment of the Optional Redemption Amount is actually made in full. If any of the Equity Conditions shall cease to be satisfied at any time during the Optional Redemption Period, then the Holder may elect to nullify the Optional Redemption Notice by notice to the Company within 3 Trading Days after the first day on which any such Equity Condition has not been met (provided that if, by a provision of the Transaction Documents, the Company is obligated to notify the Holder of the non-existence of an Equity Condition, such notice period shall be extended to the third Trading Day after proper notice from the Company) in which case the Optional Redemption Notice shall be null and void, ab initio. The Company covenants and agrees that it will honor all Notices of Conversion tendered from the time of delivery of the Optional Redemption Notice through the date all amounts owing thereon are due and paid in full. The Company’s determination to pay an Optional Redemption in cash shall be applied ratably to all of the holders of the then outstanding Debentures based on their (or their predecessor’s) initial purchases of Debentures pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
b) Redemption Procedure. Any payment pursuant to an Optional Redemption shall be payable on the Optional Redemption Date. If any portion of the payment pursuant to an Optional Redemption shall not be paid by the Company by the applicable due date, interest shall accrue thereon at an interest rate equal to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law until such amount is paid in full.
c) Mandatory Redemption. Within seven days of the receipt of (i) each cash dividend payment made by Batchfire Resources Pty. Ltd. (“Batchfire”) to the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) proceeds from each sale by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, of the securities of Batchfire then held by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries (each a “Mandatory Redemption Event”), the Company shall use the dividend payments or gross proceeds from the sale of the securities, net of reasonable costs incurred in connection with such sale, including legal, accounting, other professional and transaction fees, transfer taxes and any amounts incurred by the Company to comply with Section 6(d) (such amounts received, “Proceeds”), to redeem this Debenture and all other then outstanding Debentures in the manner and in such amounts as are set forth herein and therein (each being a “Mandatory Redemption”).
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d) Mandatory Notices. With respect to each Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company shall deliver a written notice by confirmed facsimile, email and overnight courier (with next day delivery specified) to all, but not less than all, of the holders of Debentures (the “Mandatory Redemption Notice” and the date such notice is delivered to all such holders is referred to as the “Mandatory Redemption Notice Date”) (i) stating the date on which the applicable Mandatory Redemption shall occur (the “Mandatory Redemption Date”), which date shall be at least two (2) Business Days immediately prior to such Mandatory Redemption Event, (ii) stating the amount of Proceeds with respect to such Mandatory Redemption Event and (iii) shall contain a certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that the Company has simultaneously taken the same action with respect to all of the Debentures.
e) Calculation and Payment of Mandatory Redemption Price. The amount to be paid to the Holder under Section 6(c) in respect of this Debenture with respect to each Mandatory Redemption Event shall be calculated on the applicable Mandatory Redemption Date and shall be equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount under this Debenture and (ii) all other amounts due and payable with respect to such principal amount and interest as of the applicable Mandatory Redemption, such that after the payment of such sum of (i) and (ii) above to the Holder in respect of such Mandatory Redemption Event and the payment of the applicable Mandatory Redemption Prices (as defined in the other Debentures) under all the other then-outstanding Debentures in respect of such Mandatory Redemption Event, with the payment of such amounts hereunder and thereunder being made pro rata on the basis of then-outstanding principal amounts hereunder and thereunder, all Proceeds shall be utilized in respect of such Mandatory Redemption Event under this Debenture and all other then-outstanding Debentures (such amount to be so paid to the Holder as calculated in accordance with the foregoing shall be referred to here the “Mandatory Redemption Price”). The Company shall deliver the applicable Mandatory Redemption Price to the Holder in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds on the applicable Mandatory Redemption Date, together with a written notice containing the calculation of such Mandatory Redemption Price that specifies each amount under clauses (i) and (ii) above. Upon receipt of the applicable Mandatory Redemption Price by the Holder, such Mandatory Redemption Price shall be applied to the principal and other items set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above in accordance with such required calculation. To the extent redemptions required by Section 6(c) are deemed or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prepayments of this Debenture by the Company, such redemptions shall be deemed to be voluntary prepayments. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any portion of this Debenture under Section 6(c), the Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for the Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under Section 5(c) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of the Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. In the event that the Company does not pay the applicable Mandatory Redemption Price to the Holder on the Mandatory Redemption Date, at any time thereafter and until the Company pays such unpaid Mandatory Redemption Price in full, the Holder shall have the option, in lieu of redemption, to, upon notice to the Company, require the Company to promptly return to the Holder all or any portion of this Debenture representing the principal amount subject to redemption and for which the applicable Mandatory Redemption Price has not been paid. Upon the Company’s receipt of such notice, (x) the applicable Mandatory Redemption Notice shall be null and void with respect to the principal amount subject thereto and (y) the Company shall immediately return this Debenture to the Holder.
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f) Forced Conversion. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if after the Effective Date, the VWAP for each of any 10 consecutive Trading Days, which period shall have commenced only after the Effective Date (such period the “Threshold Period”), exceeds $10.00 (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the Original Issue Date), the Company may, within 1 Trading Day after the end of any such Threshold Period, deliver a written notice to the Holder (a “Forced Conversion Notice” and the date such notice is delivered to the Holder, the “Forced Conversion Notice Date”) to cause the Holder to convert all or part of the then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture plus, if so specified in the Forced Conversion Notice, accrued but unpaid interest, liquidated damages and other amounts owing to the Holder under this Debenture, it being agreed that the “Conversion Date” for purposes of Section 4 shall be deemed to occur on the third Trading Day following the Forced Conversion Notice Date (such third Trading Day, the “Forced Conversion Date”). The Company may not deliver a Forced Conversion Notice, and any Forced Conversion Notice delivered by the Company shall not be effective, unless all of the Equity Conditions are met (unless waived in writing by the Holder) on each Trading Day occurring during the applicable Threshold Period through and including the later of the Forced Conversion Date and the Trading Day after the date such Conversion Shares pursuant to such conversion are delivered to the Holder. Any Forced Conversion shall be applied ratably to all Holders based on their initial purchases of Debentures pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, provided that any voluntary conversions by a Holder shall be applied against the Holder’s pro rata allocation, thereby decreasing the aggregate amount forcibly converted hereunder if only a portion of this Debenture is forcibly converted. For purposes of clarification, a Forced Conversion shall be subject to all of the provisions of Section 4, including, without limitation, the provision requiring payment of liquidated damages and limitations on conversions.
g) Cancelation of Debenture. For the avoidance of doubt, upon any acquisition, redemption or repurchase of some or all of the then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture by the Company, or any Subsidiary, shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding with respect to such portion of principal amount being acquired, redeemed or repurchased.
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Section 7. Negative Covenants. As long as any portion of this Debenture remains outstanding, unless the holders of at least 66.67% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debentures shall have otherwise given prior written consent, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, directly or indirectly:
a) other than Permitted Indebtedness, enter into, create, incur, assume, guarantee or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind, including, but not limited to, a guarantee, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
b) other than Permitted Liens, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
c) amend its charter documents, including, without limitation, its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, in any manner that materially and adversely affects any rights of the Holder; provided, however that any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation for the purpose of effecting a reverse split to maintain the Company’s listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market shall not require prior written consent of any Holder pursuant to this Debenture;
d) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire more than a de minimis number of shares of its Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents other than as to (i) the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares as permitted or required under the Transaction Documents, (ii) shares of Common Stock reacquired as a result of the forfeiture or net exercise of awards under the Company’s incentive plans, and (iii) repurchases of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents of departing directors, officers or other employees or consultants of the Company, provided that such repurchases shall not exceed an aggregate of $100,000 during the term of this Debenture;
e) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness, other than the Debentures if on a pro-rata basis, other than regularly scheduled principal and interest payments as such terms are in effect as of the Original Issue Date, provided that such payments shall not be permitted if, at such time, or after giving effect to such payment, any Event of Default exist or occur;
f) pay cash dividends or distributions on any equity securities of the Company;
g) enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of the Company (1) which would be required to be disclosed in any public filing with the Commission or (2) which would involve any transfer of its shares in Batchfire, unless, in either such case, such transaction is made on an arm’s-length basis and expressly approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company (even if less than a quorum otherwise required for board approval);
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h) will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary Guarantor to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its securities to the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors; (ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors; or (iii) except for restrictions which are in place on the date hereof and contained in any agreement or other document which has been filed by the Company with the Commission, or are respecting any joint venture or partnership existing on the date hereof, sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors; or
i) engage in any business other than the actual or contemplated business of the Company and/or its Affiliates as of the date hereof, including providing proprietary gasification technology systems and other solutions to the energy and chemicals industries, forming regional business platforms, technology licensing, equipment sales, project development and ownership, commodity sales, and using the Company’s technology to produce and manufacture syngas, and other related businesses within the energy and chemicals industries; or
j) in one transaction or a series of related transactions, acquire any material assets, including ownership interests in any joint venture or partnership, unless such assets are owned directly by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided, however that the acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of additional ownership interests in any joint venture or partnership existing on the date hereof shall not in any way be prohibited or limited by this Section 6(j); or
k) issue any additional Debentures, or amend the terms of any of the Debentures, which includes terms or conditions which are more favorable to the holders of such Debentures than the terms and conditions of this Debenture; or
l) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Section 8. Events of Default.
a) “Event of Default” means, wherever used herein, any of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether such event shall be voluntary or involuntary or effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court, or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
i. any default in the payment of (A) the principal amount of any Debenture or (B) interest, liquidated damages, and other amounts owing to a Holder on any Debenture, as and when the same shall become due and payable (whether on a Conversion Date or the Maturity Date or by acceleration or otherwise) which default, solely in the case of an interest payment or other default under clause (B) above, is not cured within 7 Business Days;
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ii. the Company shall fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the Debentures (other than a breach by the Company of its obligations to deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon conversion, which breach is addressed in clause (ix) below) or in any Transaction Document, which failure is not cured, if possible to cure, within the earlier to occur of (A) 7 Business Days after notice of such failure sent by the Holder or by any other Holder to the Company and (B) 15 Business Days after the Company has become or should have become aware of such failure;
iii. a material default or event of default (subject to any grace or cure period provided in the applicable agreement, document or instrument) shall occur under (A) any of the Transaction Documents or (B) any other material agreement, lease, document or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is obligated (and not covered by clause (vi) below);
iv. any representation or warranty made in this Debenture, any other Transaction Documents, any written statement pursuant hereto or thereto or any other report, financial statement or certificate made or delivered to the Holder or any other Holder shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed made;
v. the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) shall be subject to a Bankruptcy Event;
vi. the Company or any Subsidiary shall default on any of its obligations under any mortgage, credit agreement or other facility, indenture agreement, factoring agreement or other instrument under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for borrowed money or money due under any long term leasing or factoring arrangement that (A) involves an obligation greater than $150,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, and (B) results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable;
vii. the Common Stock shall not be eligible for listing or quotation for trading on a Trading Market and shall not be eligible to resume listing or quotation for trading thereon within five Trading Days;
viii. the Company shall be a party to (A) any Change of Control Transaction, (B) any Fundamental Transaction or (C) in one transaction or a series of related transactions the sale or disposition of all or in excess of 33% of its assets where the proceeds received by the Company are not at least 75% cash or cash equivalents (whether or not such sale would constitute a Change of Control Transaction, but excluding for all purposes sales of any assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries which are located in China); or
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ix. the Company shall fail for any reason to deliver Conversion Shares to a Holder prior to the fifth Trading Day after a Conversion Date pursuant to Section 4(c) or any Forced Conversion Date pursuant to Section 6(f) or the Company shall provide at any time notice to the Holder, including by way of public announcement, of the Company’s intention to not honor requests for conversions of any Debentures in accordance with the terms hereof;
x. the electronic transfer by the Company of shares of Common Stock through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation is no longer available or is subject to a “chill”;
xi. any monetary judgment, writ or similar final process shall be entered or filed against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of their respective property or other assets (other than their direct or indirect ownership interest in any other Subsidiary) for more than $250,000, and such judgment, writ or similar final process shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 45 days.
b) Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs, the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest, liquidated damages and other amounts owing in respect thereof through the date of acceleration, shall become, at the Holder’s election, immediately due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount. Commencing 5 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in the eventual acceleration of this Debenture, the interest rate on this Debenture shall accrue at an interest rate equal to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law. Upon the payment in full of the Mandatory Default Amount, the Holder shall promptly surrender this Debenture to or as directed by the Company. In connection with such acceleration described herein, the Holder need not provide, and the Company hereby waives, any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, and the Holder may immediately and without expiration of any grace period enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law. Such acceleration may be rescinded and annulled by Holder at any time prior to payment hereunder and the Holder shall have all rights as a holder of the Debenture until such time, if any, as the Holder receives full payment pursuant to this Section 7(b). No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon an Event of Default for failure to repay this Debenture on the Maturity Date, the Company shall sell an amount of its shares in Batchfire necessary to repay the Mandatory Default Amount.
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Section 9. Miscellaneous.
a) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holder hereunder, including, without limitation, any Notice of Conversion, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile, by email attachment, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at the address set forth above, or such other facsimile number, email address, or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holder delivered in accordance with this Section 9(a). Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile, by email attachment, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number, email address or address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company, or if no such facsimile number or email attachment or address appears on the books of the Company, at the principal place of business of such Holder, as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment to the email address set forth on the signature pages attached hereto prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment to the email address set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day, (iii) the second Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.
b) Absolute Obligation. Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Debenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, liquidated damages and accrued interest on this Debenture at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. This Debenture is a direct debt obligation of the Company. This Debenture ranks pari passu with all other Debentures now or hereafter issued under the terms set forth herein.
c) Lost or Mutilated Debenture. If this Debenture shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed Debenture, a new Debenture for the principal amount of this Debenture so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Debenture, and of the ownership hereof, reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
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d) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Debenture shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretation, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective Affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan (the “New York Courts”). Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such New York Courts, or such New York Courts are improper or inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Debenture and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Debenture or the transactions contemplated hereby. If any party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Debenture, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its attorneys fees and other costs and expenses incurred in the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
e) Waiver. Any waiver by the Company or the Holder of a breach of any provision of this Debenture shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Debenture. The failure of the Company or the Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Debenture on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Debenture on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Company or the Holder must be in writing.
f) Severability. If any provision of this Debenture is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Debenture shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on this Debenture as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Debenture, and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefits or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Holder, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such as though no such law has been enacted.
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g) Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Debenture shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Debenture and any of the other Transaction Documents at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue actual and consequential damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Debenture. The Company covenants to the Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any such breach or any such threatened breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to the Holder that is requested by the Holder to enable the Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Debenture.
h) Next Business Day. Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.
i) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Debenture and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
j) Secured Obligation. The obligations of the Company under this Debenture are secured by all assets of the Company and each Subsidiary pursuant to the Security Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2017 between the Company, the Subsidiaries of the Company and the Secured Parties (as defined therein), subject to the provisions in Section 4.18 of the Purchase Agreement with respect to the priority thereof.
k) Additional Guarantors. The Company shall cause each of its subsidiaries formed or acquired on or subsequent to the date hereof to become a Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes under the Transaction Documents by executing and delivering an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 1 to the form of Subsidiary Guarantee attached as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement. In addition, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a British Virgin Islands corporation, to become a Subsidiary Guarantor within six months of the date hereof, provided, however, that it shall not be an event of default if the Company does not cause this to occur within six months so long as the Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to attempt to cause this to occur.
Section 10. Disclosure. Upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Debenture, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company shall within two (2) Business Days after such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, nonpublic information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, the Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries.
*********************
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Debenture to be duly executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above indicated.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Facsimile No. for delivery of Notices: __________________ |
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ANNEX A
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
The undersigned hereby elects to convert principal under the 11% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture due October 24, 2022 of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), into shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), of the Company according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below. If shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such certificates and opinions as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance therewith. No fee will be charged to the holder for any conversion, except for such transfer taxes, if any.
By the delivery of this Notice of Conversion the undersigned represents and warrants to the Company that its ownership of the Common Stock does not exceed the amounts specified under Section 4 of this Debenture, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.
The undersigned agrees to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements under the applicable securities laws in connection with any transfer of the aforesaid shares of Common Stock.
Conversion calculations: | |
Date to Effect Conversion: | |
Principal Amount of Debenture to be Converted: | |
$_____ of Interest Accrued on Account of Conversion at Issue. | |
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued: | |
Signature: | |
Name: | |
Address for Delivery of Common Stock Certificates: | |
Or | |
DWAC Instructions: | |
Broker No: __________________ | |
Account No: _________________ |
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Schedule 1
CONVERSION SCHEDULE
The 11% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures due on October 24, 2022 in the aggregate principal amount of $____________ are issued by Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation. This Conversion Schedule reflects conversions made under Section 4 of the above referenced Debenture.
Dated: |
Date of Conversion (or for first entry, Original Issue Date) |
Amount of Conversion |
Aggregate Principal Amount Remaining Subsequent to Conversion (or original Principal Amount) |
Company Attest | |||
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NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
Warrant Shares: _______ | Initial Exercise Date: October __, 2019 |
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to the close of business on the five (5) year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date (the “Termination Date”; provided, however that if such date is not a Trading Day, the Termination Date shall be the immediately following Trading Day) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated October __, 2019, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
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Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency that the Company may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by electronic (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (“Notice of Exercise”). Within two Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise; provided, however, in the event that the Holder has not delivered such aggregate Exercise Price within two (2) Trading Days following the date of such exercise as aforesaid, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver such Warrant Shares hereunder until such payment is made. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $6.00, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time after the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, there is no effective Resale Registration Statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) | = | as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; |
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(B) | = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
(X) | = |
the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.
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If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants), and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (A) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (B) two (2) Trading Days after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) three Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the seventh Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such seventh Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof. The obligation of the Company to pay compensation for Buy In under this Section 2(d)(iv) is subject to delivery by the Holder of the aggregate Exercise Price in accordance with the terms of Section 2(a) herein.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination and shall have no liability for exercises of the Warrant that are not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, other than with respect to exercises of the Warrant not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limit as a result of incorrect information regarding the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock provided to the Holder by the Company or the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 2(e). In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination and shall have no liability for exercises of the Warrant that are not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, other than with respect to exercises of the Warrant not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limit as a result of incorrect information regarding the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock provided to the Holder by the Company or the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 2(e). For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 9.99/4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price, provided that the Base Share Price shall not be less than $___.1 Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents are issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, despite the prohibition thereon in the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised
1 greater of (i) $0.10 and (ii) 20% of the closing bid price of the Common Stock on the date prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement.
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company makes a public filing with the SEC disclosing the adjustment, notice will be deemed to have been given.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If, during the period in which this Warrant is outstanding, (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Exercise Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
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c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
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c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
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e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant or the Purchase Agreement, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) No Net Cash Settlement. The Holder acknowledges that, in the event this Warrant is not exercisable for cash pursuant to Section 2 hereof, other than cashless exercise pursuant to Section 2(e) hereunder, the Warrant Shares may not be settled with the Company for the cash value or in assets or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will this provision prevent the Holder from its rights to receive liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(d)(i), Buy-In pursuant to Section 2(d)(iv), or cash payments pursuant to Section 3(e) pursuant to a Fundamental Transaction.
i) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
j) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
k) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
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l) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
m) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
n) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
o) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or
[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
(4) Accredited Investor. The undersigned is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: | _______________________________________________ |
(Please Print) | |
Address: | _______________________________________________ |
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(Please Print)
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Phone Number: | ________________________________________________ |
Email Address: | ________________________________________________ |
Dated: _______________ __, ______ | |
Holder’s Signature:________________________ | |
Holder’s Address:_________________________ |
NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
SERIES A COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
Warrant Shares: _______ | Initial Exercise Date: October __, 2019 |
THIS SERIES A COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to the close of business on the five (5) year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date (the “Termination Date”; provided, however that if such date is not a Trading Day, the Termination Date shall be the immediately following Trading Day) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated October 10, 2019, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency that the Company may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by electronic (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (“Notice of Exercise”). Within two Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise; provided, however, in the event that the Holder has not delivered such aggregate Exercise Price within two (2) Trading Days following the date of such exercise as aforesaid, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver such Warrant Shares hereunder until such payment is made. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $3.00, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time after the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, there is no effective Resale Registration Statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = | as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; |
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(B) = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and |
(X) = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants), and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (A) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (B) two (2) Trading Days after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) three Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the seventh Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such seventh Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof. The obligation of the Company to pay compensation for Buy In under this Section 2(d)(iv) is subject to delivery by the Holder of the aggregate Exercise Price in accordance with the terms of Section 2(a) herein.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination and shall have no liability for exercises of the Warrant that are not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, other than with respect to exercises of the Warrant not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limit as a result of incorrect information regarding the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock provided to the Holder by the Company or the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 2(e). In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination and shall have no liability for exercises of the Warrant that are not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, other than with respect to exercises of the Warrant not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limit as a result of incorrect information regarding the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock provided to the Holder by the Company or the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 2(e). For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 9.99/4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price, provided that the Base Share Price shall not be less than $0.36. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents are issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, despite the prohibition thereon in the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company makes a public filing with the SEC disclosing the adjustment, notice will be deemed to have been given.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If, during the period in which this Warrant is outstanding, (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Exercise Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
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e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
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Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant or the Purchase Agreement, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
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h) No Net Cash Settlement. The Holder acknowledges that, in the event this Warrant is not exercisable for cash pursuant to Section 2 hereof, other than cashless exercise pursuant to Section 2(e) hereunder, the Warrant Shares may not be settled with the Company for the cash value or in assets or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will this provision prevent the Holder from its rights to receive liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(d)(i), Buy-In pursuant to Section 2(d)(iv), or cash payments pursuant to Section 3(e) pursuant to a Fundamental Transaction.
i) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
j) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
k) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
l) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
m) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
n) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
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o) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TO: SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or
[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
(4) Accredited Investor. The undersigned is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: | |
(Please Print) | |
Address: | |
(Please Print) | |
Phone Number: | |
Email Address: | |
Dated: _______________ __, ______ | |
Holder’s Signature:_________________________________ | |
Holder’s Address:_________________________________ |
NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
SERIES B COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
Warrant Shares: _______ | Initial Exercise Date: October __, 2019 |
THIS SERIES B COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to the close of business on the five (5) year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date (the “Termination Date”; provided, however that if such date is not a Trading Day, the Termination Date shall be the immediately following Trading Day) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated October 10, 2019, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
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Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency that the Company may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by electronic (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (“Notice of Exercise”). Within two Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise; provided, however, in the event that the Holder has not delivered such aggregate Exercise Price within two (2) Trading Days following the date of such exercise as aforesaid, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver such Warrant Shares hereunder until such payment is made. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $6.00, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time after the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, there is no effective Resale Registration Statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A)= | as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; | |
(B)= | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
(X)= | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
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If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming cashless exercise of the Warrants), and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (A) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (B) two (2) Trading Days after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) three Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the seventh Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such seventh Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof. The obligation of the Company to pay compensation for Buy In under this Section 2(d)(iv) is subject to delivery by the Holder of the aggregate Exercise Price in accordance with the terms of Section 2(a) herein.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination and shall have no liability for exercises of the Warrant that are not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, other than with respect to exercises of the Warrant not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limit as a result of incorrect information regarding the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock provided to the Holder by the Company or the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 2(e). In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination and shall have no liability for exercises of the Warrant that are not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, other than with respect to exercises of the Warrant not in compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Limit as a result of incorrect information regarding the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock provided to the Holder by the Company or the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 2(e). For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 9.99/4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price, provided that the Base Share Price shall not be less than $0.36. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents are issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, despite the prohibition thereon in the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company makes a public filing with the SEC disclosing the adjustment, notice will be deemed to have been given.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If, during the period in which this Warrant is outstanding, (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Exercise Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
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e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
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Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant or the Purchase Agreement, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
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h) No Net Cash Settlement. The Holder acknowledges that, in the event this Warrant is not exercisable for cash pursuant to Section 2 hereof, other than cashless exercise pursuant to Section 2(e) hereunder, the Warrant Shares may not be settled with the Company for the cash value or in assets or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will this provision prevent the Holder from its rights to receive liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(d)(i), Buy-In pursuant to Section 2(d)(iv), or cash payments pursuant to Section 3(e) pursuant to a Fundamental Transaction.
i) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
j) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
k) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
l) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
m) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
n) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
o) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TO: SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or
[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
(4) Accredited Investor. The undersigned is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Address: | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Phone Number: | ||
Email Address: | ||
Dated: _______________ __, ______ | ||
Holder’s Signature: | ||
Holder’s Address: |
MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT is made this 10th day of October, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Market Development Consulting Group, Inc. d/b/a MDC Group (“Consultant”), a Wisconsin corporation with mailing address 7845 N. Links Circle, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217, and Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., (“Company”), a Delaware corporation with principal executive offices located at One Riverway, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas, 77056.
WHEREAS, Consultant provides management consulting services; and
WHEREAS, Company wishes to retain Consultant to provide such services to Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, for the mutual promises and other consideration described herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Information to be furnished by Company. Company shall furnish Consultant with current public information about Company, including without limitation Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, its most recent Annual Report to Shareholders, its most recent Proxy Statement and any other periodic or current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the dates of those documents, and shall also provide any other public information reasonably requested by Consultant (“Company Information”). Consultant acknowledges that Company will, from time to time in the course of consulting with Consultant on press releases and other communications to the public and to broker/dealer and institutional investor networks, provide to Consultant nonpublic information. For so long as such information remains nonpublic or unless and until Company advises Consultant that such information no longer is material, Consultant shall refrain from trading in any securities of Company or advising others to do so and shall refrain from disclosing or disseminating such information to any other party except as directed and approved by Company.
Company shall be responsible to assure Company Information accurately and fairly presents the financial condition and results of operations of Company as of the dates indicated thereon. Consultant shall have no liability for any misstatement or omission in Company Information, and Company shall be obligated to indemnify and defend Consultant against any claim, action or proceeding brought by any party against Consultant asserting such third party has been injured as a result of any such misstatement or omission. The preceding indemnification in favor of the Consultant solely applies with respect to the Consultant’s use of Company Information.
2. Management Consulting Services. Consultant shall assist Company’s management in developing and executing its investor relations and corporate communications strategy, as set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Scope”). Both Consultant and Company recognize that the Scope will be a significant undertaking and commitment of time on both parties. While the relationship between Company and Consultant is not an employer/employee relationship, and although not exclusive, Consultant further agrees that the Scope will be a primary focus of Consultant’s time and effort.
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Consultant is an independent contractor and is not an officer, employee, servant, agent, partner or joint venturer of Company. In the performance of services under this Agreement, Consultant’s Staff shall not be, and shall not hold themselves out to be, an officer, employee, servant, agent, partner or joint venturer of Company and shall have no authority to legally bind Company unless expressly authorized to do so in writing by an authorized executive officer of Company. Consultant warrants that the services to be provided hereunder will not cause a conflict with any other duties or obligations of Consultant to third parties.
3. Term and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date written above, and shall remain in effect for one calendar year until the close of business on September 30, 2020 (“Expiration Date”). Thereafter, this Agreement automatically shall renew for successive one-year terms, unless either party provides the other with at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of non-renewal. Furthermore, Company and Consultant shall complete an annual review 30 days prior to each 12-month anniversary date of the Effective Date. During such review, the parties agree to use reasonable efforts to jointly assess Company’s investor relations and corporate communications performance, address needs and deficiencies and develop updated objectives for the effort. Should the parties not reach mutual agreement on the update objectives, then either party may choose to terminate this Agreement with 30 days written notice. Upon any such termination, expiration or non-renewal of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall have no further duty or obligations hereunder; provided that Company shall remain obligated to defend and indemnify Consultant as described in paragraph 1 of this Agreement and to make any payments of monthly retainer fees and reimbursable expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 and paragraph 5 which remain unpaid as of the effective date of expiration or non-renewal.
4. Compensation for Services.
(a) Consulting Fee. For the initial 6 months of the term of this Agreement or until the Company’s contemplated Reverse-Merger Transaction between the Company and Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd, closes (“Reverse-Merger”), Company shall pay to Consultant a monthly fee of US $10,000.00. Thereafter, the Company shall pay to Consultant a monthly fee of US $25,000.00. Depending on the Reverse-Merger closing date, the increase of the monthly fee shall be paid on a pro-rata basis for the month of the transaction.
The monthly fee shall be due and payable by the Company upon execution of this agreement and thereafter in advance on the first (1st) calendar day (or next business day thereafter) of each calendar month (commencing November 1, 2019) throughout the term of the Agreement (the “Payment Date”). Failure by Company to pay the monthly fee on any Payment Date shall entitle Consultant to cease providing services pursuant to this Agreement unless and until said payment (together with any applicable late payment fee or penalty) is tendered in full, in addition to any other rights or remedies Consultant may have under this Agreement, at law or in equity, on account of such late payment. Payment of the monthly fee shall be made on each Payment Date pursuant to this agreement, without further notice or invoice by Federal Funds Wire to Consultant.
Any payment made more than thirty (30) days after the Payment Date will be subject to an interest charge at the rate of 18% per year from the Payment Date until the date paid or, if less, the maximum legal rate permissible under applicable law.
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(b) Engagement Shares. Upon execution of this Agreement Company shall issue 70,000 Shares of the Company’s common stock to Consultant with all voting rights thereto and holding periods under Rule 144 to commence upon issuance. Consultant agrees not to seek registration of these 70,000 shares until the earlier of six months or closing of the proposed Reverse-Merger. Upon closing of the proposed Reverse-Merger , Company shall issue an additional 30,000 Shares of the Company’s common stock to Consultant with all voting rights thereto and holding periods under Rule 144 to commence upon issuance. Prior to the issuance of the shares, the Company shall have taken all steps necessary to assure that such shares will constitute duly authorized, fully-paid upon issuance, non-assessable, validly issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company also shall have taken all steps necessary to assure that the shares have been authorized for issuance by the Board of the Company to the extent necessary.
(c) Common Stock Warrant. Upon execution of this agreement, Company shall grant to Consultant a common stock warrant (the “Warrant”) entitling Consultant to purchase up to 300,000 shares of common stock of Company at $3.00 per share. The Warrant expires on September 30, 2029 and is freely assignable in whole or in part by Consultant. Said Warrant to contain a mutually acceptable blocker clause limiting the Consultant’s ability to at any time acquire more than 4.9% of the Company’s common stock without the Company’s written approval.
On each anniversary of this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date, Company shall further grant to the Consultant an additional common stock warrant (“Anniversary Warrant Grant”) (which together with the original Warrant shall be known as the “Warrants”), entitling the Consultant to purchase that number of shares of Company Common Stock which is equal to 1% of the sum of (a) the number of then outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, plus (b) the number of shares of Company Common Stock underlying then outstanding warrants, options and other derivative rights for the purchase of Company Common Stock which are at that time both immediately exercisable and in the money. The exercise price of each such Anniversary Warrant shall be equal to the average closing price over the twenty consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Anniversary. Each Warrant shall be fully exercisable immediately, shall have a term of ten years, and shall be freely assignable in whole or in part by Consultant.
Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement and concurrent with the issuance of any Anniversary Warrant Grants, the parties shall prepare or cause to be prepared, execute and deliver to each other a mutually acceptable form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement representing Company’s grant of all warrants described in the foregoing. The agreement shall contain customary terms and conditions, including without limitation provisions for cashless exercise.
Company shall have reserved from shares of its common stock held in treasury or from authorized and unissued shares of its common stock, or from a combination of the two, a sufficient number of shares of common stock to support the exercise of the Warrants in full, and prior to delivery of the Warrants, Company shall have taken all steps necessary to assure that such shares, upon issuance in connection with the exercise of the relevant Warrant, will constitute duly authorized, fully-paid, non-assessable, validly issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Company. Company also shall have taken all steps necessary to assure that the shares underlying the Warrants have been approved upon issuance for quotation or listing in the quotation system or on the stock exchange on or through which Company’s common stock is traded. Consultant understands that Company’s common stock presently is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market. The Warrants shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
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During the term of this Agreement and for so long thereafter during which there remain outstanding any Warrants granted to Consultant under this Agreement or any shares of Company Common Stock acquired through the exercise of any such Warrants which at that time remain subject to resale restrictions on account of having been issued in an unregistered transaction(s), the holder(s) of such Warrant(s) and shares shall have piggyback registration rights with respect to all such outstanding shares and all shares underlying such unexercised Warrants (together the “Outstanding Warrant Shares”). More specifically, if at any time during which any Warrant Shares remain outstanding and are subject to resale restrictions on account of having been issued in an unregistered transaction(s), Company files any registration statement for the issuance, sale and/or resale of any shares of its capital stock of the same class as the such Warrant Shares, then Company shall be obligated to include in such registration statement the resale of all such Warrant Shares by the holder(s) thereof. These piggyback registration rights shall be explicitly provided for in the Common Stock Warrant Agreement(s) described above.
Consultant’s exercise of any such piggyback registration rights shall be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
(i) If such rights are exercised in connection with an underwritten offering of shares of capital stock of Company, then Company shall not be required to include any Warrant Shares in such underwritten offering unless Consultant accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between Company and its underwriters, and then only in such quantity as the underwriters in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of Company’s capital stock offering;
(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Company be required to file a post-effective amendment to any registration statement currently in effect as of the date of this Agreement in order to accommodate Consultant’s exercise of the piggyback registration rights granted pursuant to this Section 4 of this Agreement; and
(iii) The piggyback registration rights described in this Section 4 of this Agreement shall not apply with respect to any Warrant Shares which Consultant may sell pursuant to Rule 144(k) or which Consultant otherwise may sell in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws without volume, manner of sale or other limitations or restrictions.
5. Reimbursement for Expenses. Company shall reimburse Consultant for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Consultant in connection with performing services pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation travel, meals, lodging, mobile telephone, and long distance telephone. Notwithstanding the forgoing, any individual expenses in excess of $2,000 or monthly expenses in the aggregate in excess of $5,000 must be pre-approved by Company in writing or such expense may be disallowed. Company agrees to make reimbursement payments for out-of-pocket expenses upon receipt of Consultant’s invoice. Any reimbursement payments owed but not made within fifteen (15) days following the Company’s receipt of invoice shall accrue interest from the invoice date at the rate of 18% per year, or, if less, the maximum rate permitted under applicable law.
6. Consultant’s Representations and Warranties. Consultant represents and warrants to Company that Consultant has all requisite power and authority and has taken all actions necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligations of Consultant, enforceable against Consultant in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to the rights of creditors generally and for general principles of equity.
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EXCEPT AS STATED IN THE PRECEEDING PARAGRAPH, CONSULTANT MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE QUALITY OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED HEREUNDER OR ANY RESULTS TO BE ACHIEVED, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS THE EXISTENCE OF ANY SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CONSULTANT SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SUFFERED BY COMPANY OTHER THAN SUCH DAMAGES WHICH RESULT FROM GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR FRAUD ON THE PART OF CONSULTANT.
7. Company’s Representations and Warranties. Company represents and warrants to Consultant that except as specifically provided for in the next paragraph, Company has all requisite corporate or other power and authority, and has taken all corporate or other actions necessary to authorize, the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery the Warrant will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of Company, enforceable against Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to the rights of creditors generally and for general principles of equity.
8. Termination for Cause. This Agreement may be terminated by Company prior to the Expiration Date only for Cause, as defined below. Such termination for Cause shall not affect:
(a) Consultant’s rights or Company’s obligations with respect to any Warrants granted to Consultant prior to such termination, as described in paragraph 4(b) of this Agreement;
(b) Company’s obligation to indemnify Consultant as described in paragraph 1 of this Agreement; or
(c) Company’s obligation to reimburse Consultant for expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 and paragraph 5 of this Agreement which remain unpaid as of the effective date of such termination.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means any of the following: (i) Consultant or its President breaches any provision(s) of this Agreement and Consultant fails to cure such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of Company within thirty (30) calendar days following Consultant’s receipt of written notice from Company specifying the asserted breach; (ii) the conviction (or plea of nolo contendere or equivalent plea) of a felony by Consultant or its President (which, through lapse of time or otherwise, is not subject to appeal); (iii) Consultant or its President commits fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence while providing the Services or fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement; (iv) an act of personal dishonesty taken by Consultant or its President that is intended to result in personal enrichment of Consultant or its President at the expense of Company or a Company affiliate; or (vi) any representation made by Consultant in this Agreement proves to be materially inaccurate and Consultant fails to cure (if curable) such misrepresentation to the reasonable satisfaction of Company within thirty (30) calendar days of Consultant’s receipt of written notice from Company specifying the asserted misrepresentation.
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9. Confidentiality Covenant of Consultant
(a) Consultant acknowledges that his relationship with Company is one of high trust and confidence and that in the course of Consultant’s service to Company its Staff will have access to and contact with Proprietary Information, as defined below. Consultant agrees that they will not, during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, disclose to others, or use for Consultant’s benefit or the benefit of others, any Proprietary Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant’s obligations under this Section 9 shall not apply to any information that (i) is or becomes known to the general public under circumstances involving no breach by Consultant or others of the terms of this Section 9, (ii) is generally disclosed to third parties by Company without restriction on such third parties, or (iii) is approved for release by written authorization of the President and Chief Executive Officer of Company.
(b) Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, Consultant shall deliver to Company business records in Consultant’s possession which contain Proprietary Information.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Proprietary Information” means information which is used in the business of Company and (i) is designated as Proprietary Information by Company; (ii) is known by Consultant to be considered confidential by Company; (iii) from all the relevant circumstances should reasonably be assumed by Consultant to be confidential and proprietary to Company, or (iv) relates to the SES Gasification Technology based on U-GAS® coal gasification technology and its use in the manufacture of synthesis gas and other energy products (and any work product resulting from or related thereto), any Invention, formula, vendor information, customer or client information, trade secret, process, methodology, research, report, technical data, know how, computer program, software, software documentation, design, technology, marketing or business plan, forecast, unpublished financial statements or budgets, or license, price, cost or employee list that is communicated to, learned of, developed or otherwise acquired by Consultant in the course of his service as a consultant to Company. Failure to mark any writing as proprietary or confidential shall not affect the proprietary or confidential nature of such writing or the information contained therein.
10. Insurance. Company shall include Consultant as a named insured under the director and officer insurance policy it maintains for its directors and officers.
11. Miscellaneous. Neither party may assign its rights or duties under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other party, except that (i) either party may assign all of its rights hereunder together with all of its obligations hereunder to any third party with which it may merge or consolidate or to a purchaser of substantially all of the assets of such party and (ii) Consultant may, without Company’s consent, assign to any party affiliated with Consultant or to any independent contractor who renders services to Consultant in connection with Consultant’s performance of this Agreement Consultant’s right to receive all or any portions of the Monthly Consulting Fee, Warrants and reimbursable expenses due and owing to Consultant.
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“Company” as used in this Agreement, shall mean Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The terms of this Agreement may be altered only by written agreement between the parties. The failure of either party to object to or take affirmative action with respect to any conduct of the other which is in violation of the terms of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of the violation or breach, or of any future similar violation or breach.
This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its provisions governing choice of law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the Effective Date.
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. | MDC Group | |||
By: | /s/ Robert Rigdon | By: | /s/ David E. Castaneda | |
Robert Rigdon, President & CEO | David E. Castaneda, President |
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SCHEDULE A
Scope of Consultant's Responsibilities
(a) | Responsible for effective, efficient and comprehensive communications strategy to current and potential shareholders; |
(b) | Serve as advisor to Company management and primary point of contact for media and shareholder relations; |
(c) | Maintain, update and expand investor roster; |
(d) | Manage the process around earnings releases and investor conference calls such as introductions and Safe Harbor Statements; |
(e) | Overall management and guidance for Company market and investor awareness initiatives; and |
(f) | Participate either in person or by conference call with Company management and possibly outside counsel for frequent information updates on Company activities. |
8 |
NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.
Warrant No. W-26 | Warrant to Purchase 300,000 Shares of Common Stock |
Dated: October 10, 2019 |
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
Of
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Market Development Consulting Group, Inc. (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth below, to purchase from Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), 300,000 shares (“Warrant Shares”) of the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), upon surrender of this Warrant, at the principal office of the Company referred to below, with the Notice of Exercise attached hereto duly executed, and simultaneous payment therefore in lawful money of the United States at the exercise price of $3.00 per share (the “Exercise Price”). This Warrant is being issued as of October 10, 2019 (the “Warrant Issue Date”).
1. Term of Warrant. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, this Warrant shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, during the term commencing on the Warrant Issue Date and ending at 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the tenth anniversary of the Warrant Issue Date, and shall be void thereafter (the “Term”).
2. Exercise of Warrant.
(a) Method of Exercise. During the Term, The purchase rights represented by this Warrant are exercisable by the Holder, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of Exercise attached hereto as Exhibit A duly completed and executed on behalf of the Holder, at the principal office of the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company), upon either payment in cash, certified check or wire transfer of funds of the Exercise Price or by an exchange of shares of Common Stock as described in the following paragraph.
In lieu of a cash payment, the Holder may elect to exchange all or some of this Warrant for shares of Common Stock equal to the value of the amount of the Warrant being exchanged on the date of exchange. If the Holder elects to exchange this Warrant for shares, the Holder shall tender to the Company the Warrant for the amount being exchanged, along with written notice of the Holder’s election to exchange some or all of this Warrant, and the Company shall issue to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock computed using the following formula:
X= Y(A-B)
A
Where X = | the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Holder. | ||
Y = | the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable under the amount of the Warrant being exchanged (as adjusted to the date of such calculation), | ||
A = | the closing price of the Common Stock on the day immediately preceding the date of exercise of the Warrant on the consolidated reporting system of the securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed. | ||
B = | Exercise Price. |
This Warrant shall be exercisable immediately in whole or in part.
(b) Issuance of Shares. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of its surrender for exercise as provided above, and the person entitled to receive the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of record of such shares as of the close of business on such date. As promptly as practicable on or after such date and in any event within three (3) days thereafter, the Company at its expense shall issue and deliver to the person or persons entitled to receive the same a certificate or certificates for the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise. In the event that this Warrant is exercised in part, the Company, at the request of the Holder and at Company expense, will execute and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor exercisable for the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant may then be exercised.
(c) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(c), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the transfer agent for the Common Stock setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one trading day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
3. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. In lieu of any fractional share to which the Holder would otherwise be entitled (after aggregating all shares that are being issued upon such exercise), the Company shall make a cash payment equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by such fraction.
4. Replacement of Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company at its expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.
5. No Rights as Stockholder. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof.
6. Restrictions on Transferability of Securities.
(a) Restrictions on Transferability. This Warrant and the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (collectively the “Securities”) shall not be sold, assigned, transferred or pledged except upon the conditions specified in this Section 6.
(b) Restrictive Legends. Each certificate representing the Securities and any other securities issued in respect of the Securities upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or similar event, shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of Section 6(c)) be stamped or imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities laws):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, DELIVERED AFTER SALE, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED BY THE ISSUER WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION COVERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
Each holder of Securities and each subsequent transferee consents to the Company making a notation on its records and giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Securities in order to implement the restrictions on transfer established in this Section 6.
(c) Notice of Proposed Transfers. The Securities may be sold or transferred (i) as permitted pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof, and (ii) otherwise, with the prior written consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Each holder of a warrant or stock certificate, as the case may be, representing the Securities, by acceptance thereof, agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Warrant. Such holder agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Securities unless and until (X) there is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement or (Y) such holder shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and if reasonably requested by the Company, such holder shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such shares under the Securities Act.
(d) Exempt Transfers. Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 6(c), no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be necessary for a transfer by a holder of a warrant or stock certificate, as the case may be, representing Securities in compliance with Rule 144(k) (or any successor provision) of the Securities Act so long as the Company is furnished with satisfactory evidence of compliance with such rule.
7. Reservation of Stock. The Company covenants that during the term this Warrant is exercisable, the Company will reserve from its authorized and unissued capital stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and, from time to time, will take all steps necessary to amend its Certificate of Incorporation to provide sufficient reserves of shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Company further covenants that all Warrant Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of rights represented by this Warrant and payment of the Exercise Price, all as set forth herein will be duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously therewith). The Company agrees that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant.
8. Adjustments. If the Company at any time while this Warrant remains outstanding and unexpired shall (i) split, subdivide, combine or recapitalize the issued and outstanding Common Stock into a different number of shares of the same class, (ii) increase the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding without receiving compensation therefore in money, services or property, or (iii) by reclassification or recapitalization of securities or otherwise, change the Common Stock into the same or a different number of securities of any other class or classes, this Warrant shall thereafter represent the right to acquire such number and kind of securities as would have been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the Warrant Shares immediately prior to the happening of such event.
In addition, in the event of a Corporate Event (defined below), the Holder shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of the Warrant Shares, such shares of capital stock or other securities or property as may be issuable or payable with respect to or in exchange for the number of Warrant Shares which the Holder would have received had he exercised the Warrant immediately prior to such Corporate Event. A “Corporate Event” means any of the following: (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (iii) a merger, consolidation or combination involving the Company (other than a merger, consolidation or combination (A) in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation and (B) which does not result in the outstanding shares of Common Stock being converted into or exchanged for different securities, cash or other property, or any combination thereof).
9. Registration Rights. For so long as any Warrant Shares remain outstanding and remain subject to resale restrictions, if the Company files any registration statement for the issuance, sale and/or resale of any shares of its Common Stock, then the Company shall be obligated to include in such registration statement the resale of all Warrant Shares; subject to the following conditions and restrictions: (i) if such rights are exercised by the Holder in connection with an underwritten offering of shares of capital stock of the Company, then the Company shall not be required to include any Warrant Shares in such underwritten offering unless the Holder accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and its underwriters, and then only in such quantity as the underwriters in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of Company’s capital stock offering; (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Company be required to file a post-effective amendment to any registration statement currently in effect as of the Warrant Issue Date in order to accommodate the Holder’s rights granted pursuant to this Section 9; and (iii) the rights of the Holder described in this Section 9 shall not apply with respect to any Warrant Shares which the Holder may sell pursuant to Rule 144(k) or which Consultant otherwise may sell in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws without volume, manner of sale or other limitations or restrictions.
10. Amendments and Waivers. This Warrant may not be amended except with the written consent of the Company and the Holder. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each future holder of this Warrant. No waivers of, or exceptions to, any term, condition or provision of this Warrant, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition or provision.
11. Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay any documentary stamp taxes attributable to the initial issuance of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or taxes which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of any certificates for Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the Holder in respect of which such shares are issued, and in such case, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate for Warrant Shares or any Warrant until the person requesting the same has paid to the Company the amount of such tax or has established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that such tax has been paid. The Holder shall be responsible for income taxes due under federal, state or other law, if any such tax is due.
12. Notices. Unless otherwise provided, any notice required or permitted under this Warrant shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given as hereinafter described (i) if given by personal delivery or overnight courier, then such notice shall be deemed given upon receipt of confirmation of such delivery, and (ii) if given by mail, then such notice shall be deemed given upon the earlier of (A) receipt of such notice by the recipient or (B) five days after such notice is deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid. All notices shall be addressed as follows: if to the Holder, c/o Fredrick G. Lautz Esq. Quarles & Brady, 411 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 2040, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, and if to the Company, at One Riverway, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77056 or at such other address as the Holder or the Company may designate by ten days’ advance written notice to the other.
13. Benefits. Nothing in this Warrant shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation (other than the Company and the Holder) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim, it being agreed that this Warrant shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and the Holder.
14. Successors. All the covenants and provisions hereof by or for the benefit of the Holder shall bind and inure to the benefit of its respective successors and assigns hereunder.
15. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right granted herein shall be a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then (notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary) such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
16. Counterparts. This Warrant may be executed through the use of separate signature pages or in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile or Portable Document Format (pdf) transmission), and each of such counterparts shall, for all purposes, constitute one agreement binding on all the parties, notwithstanding that all parties are not signatories to the same counterpart.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized.
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Robert Rigdon | |
Name: | Robert Rigdon | |
Title: | President and CEO |
Acknowledged and Agreed: | ||
Market Development Consulting Group, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ David E. Castaneda | |
Name: | David E. Castaneda | |
Title: | President |
Exhibit A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
1. The undersigned hereby elects to purchase _______ shares of Common Stock (“Stock”) of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and (check the applicable box):
[ ] tenders by means of a cash payment herewith payment in full of the purchase price and any transfer taxes payable pursuant to the terms of the Warrant.
[ ] elects the net exercise option pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Warrant, and accordingly requests delivery of a net of ______________ of such securities.
2. The shares of Stock to be received by the undersigned upon exercise of the Warrant are being acquired for its own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to resale or distribution of any part thereof, and the undersigned has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. The undersigned further represents that it does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation to such person or to any third person, with respect to the shares of Stock. The undersigned believes it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase the Stock.
3. The undersigned understands that the shares of Stock are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in transactions not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), only in certain limited circumstances. In this connection, the undersigned represents that it is familiar with Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.
4. The undersigned understands the instruments evidencing the Stock may bear one or all of the following legends:
(a) “THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, DELIVERED AFTER SALE, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED BY THE ISSUER WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION COVERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”
(b) Any legend required by applicable state law.
5. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of Stock in the name of the undersigned:
________________________________________________
[Name]
Executed on _________________________________________(date)
By:_____________________________________________________
Name:___________________________________________________
Title (if applicable):_________________________________________
Federal Tax ID or Social Security No.:___________________________
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS TO ACQUIRE
AUSTRALIAN FUTURE ENERGY
Synthesis Energy Systems Makes Offer to Acquire Shares
in Batchfire Resources
Transaction Highlights:
● | Acquisition of 100% of Australian Future Energy, with pre-commitments from all major shareholders; |
● | Offer to acquire 100% of Batchfire Resources, with minimum acceptance level set at 25%, and pre-commitments from 33% of shareholders; |
● | Creation of a newly invigorated company with a multi-tier platform and combination of operating and growth assets; |
● | Creation of a vertically integrated energy company; |
● | Re-setting of the Board and Management team; |
● | Securing of capital to support the proposed transactions to closing; and |
● | Target date for completion of the transactions is first quarter 2020. |
HOUSTON, October 10, 2019 – Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (SES) (NASDAQ: SES) announced today that it has signed a definitive Merger Agreement, whereby Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd (AFE), a private company incorporated in Brisbane, Australia in 2014, will merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of SES. As a result of the transaction, AFE will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SES. SES currently holds approximately 35% of the issued capital of AFE.
Upon closing and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, SES will issue 3,875,000 new shares of SES common stock for the acquisition of AFE. Each holder of AFE ordinary shares will receive one share of SES’s common stock for approximately each 24.44 ordinary shares of AFE.
The current other major shareholders of AFE, representing approximately 90% of the current issued capital of AFE, have formally pre-committed their shares in support of the merger transaction. The mutually agreed purchase value of AFE is approximately $US 36 million, based on $6 per share of SES common stock to be issued.
-1- |
In connection with entry into the Merger Agreement, SES also announces that it has offered to acquire 100% of the issued capital of Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd (Batchfire), owner of the Callide Mine in Queensland, Australia, via the issuance and exchange of one share of SES common stock for each ten ordinary shares of Batchfire.
SES has set a minimum participation level by Batchfire shareholders of 25% inclusive of SES’s own 7.37% holding in Batchfire. Each participating Batchfire shareholder will enter into a Share Exchange Agreement with SES and, to date, SES has received signed Share Exchange Agreements from 33% of Batchfire shareholders, inclusive of SES Group’s ownership, meeting the minimum participation level.
The Batchfire share exchange is subject to conditions specified in the Share Exchange Agreements, including the completion of Batchfire’s pre-emptive rights procedure and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The valuation basis for the offer to acquire Batchfire is based on $6 per each share of Company common stock placing the value of 100% of Batchfire at approximately $US 80 million.
As part of the transaction, at merger closing, Mr. Kerry Parker, current CEO of AFE, will be appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of SES, and Mr. Ron Higson, current COO of AFE, will be appointed as Chief Operating Officer of SES. An appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer for SES will be named at, or prior to, closing.
Additionally, Mr. Edek Choros, Mr. Stephen Lonie, and Mr. Richard Barker will be appointed to the SES Board of Directors. Mr. Robert W. Rigdon, a long-time SES executive who has served as Deputy Chairman and Director of AFE since its inception and is the current Vice Chairman, President and CEO of SES, will remain on the board of SES. Once convened, the Board of Directors is expected to appoint one or more additional, independent directors. All other current directors of SES will resign their positions at merger closing.
“A lot has been accomplished since forming AFE five years ago, which we believe makes this merger of AFE and SES a best value course of action for both AFE shareholders and the SES shareholders, team members and business partners around the world. The technology commercialized by SES through its five projects built in China has now been well-proven as a clean energy technology solution that converts low-cost, locally sourced resources into high value syngas and energy products,” said Mr. Rigdon.
“Together with Edek Choros we created AFE and, two years later, AFE spun out Batchfire Resources, now owner of one of the lowest production cost, largest thermal coal mines in all Australia. We believe that the executive team at AFE, led by Kerry Parker and Ron Higson, under the experienced guidance of AFE’s Chairman Stephen Lonie, Executive Director Edek Choros, Director Richard Barker, and SES have the AFE company well-positioned for growth as a vertically integrated operation. With the exciting new Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project now coming forward and the increased ownership of Batchfire, the newly merged SES is poised for growth,” concluded Mr. Rigdon.
-2- |
“From the outset, our strategy has been to create a vertically integrated energy development and production company that combines quality, operating cash flow assets with a set of well advanced and well planned growth assets. We believe that AFE has accomplished that with our position in, and contribution towards, the successful turnaround of Batchfire’s Callide Mine, along with a project pipeline that includes substantial work completed on our advanced Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project, the acquisition of the Pentland Coal Mine Project (270 million metric tonnes resource), and the work we have completed for later-stage gasification projects in Townsville. Indeed, we believe that the company is well positioned at the right time, especially given strong local demand for gas and gas-based products in the east-coast Australian market,” said Mr. Parker.
“Australia needs energy. The Australian east coast gas market is in short supply for the foreseeable future. Three large LNG projects built in the last ten years in Gladstone, circa 1,200 PJ (approximately 1,140 BCF) per annum, are now exporting gas offshore to Asia, at the same time that New South Wales and Victoria have imposed bans on new gas developments. It’s the right time and the right place for scalable and replicable clean energy gasification projects with compelling economics. Production costs of conventional gas are on the rise, and we believe that we will be able to secure long-term production of gas at competitive pricing,” continued Mr. Parker.
“At Gladstone, we’ve made significant progress, putting all of the building blocks in place in logical order for a successful project, with a disciplined approach to development, and cautious use of funding. Callide Mine, which we spun out as a separate company, via Batchfire Resources, is a textbook turnaround success story. We believe that we are on the apex of seeing the benefits of the process put in place three years ago by Batchfire’s founding shareholders,” Mr. Parker concluded.
Assets Being Acquired
Batchfire Resources – The merger will, if the conditions are satisfied, bring SES’s ownership of Batchfire, currently 7.37%, to a minimum of 25% of Batchfire shares. SES has made an offer to Batchfire shareholders to acquire up to 100% of the Batchfire shares on issue.
Batchfire is wrapping up the three-year mine improvement plan originally put in place in late 2016 when AFE created Batchfire and bought the Callide mine from Anglo American Coal. Through implementing this plan, Batchfire’s Callide Mine increased its production from approximately 6 million tons annually in 2016 to today’s approximately 11 million tons annually, with approximately 4 million tons export coal, with lower production costs, and increased profitability.
-3- |
The Callide Mine is a long-time supplier to CS Energy power stations for Australia’s national grid (approximately 18% of Queensland’s electricity generation), domestic customers in Gladstone, and exports via the Gladstone port. Batchfire estimates that Callide has approximately 230 million metric tons of reserves, and is an approximately 1.0 billion metric ton (mt) resource.
Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project – Advanced stage, above-ground coal gasification development project, to supply ammonia, natural gas, and power via SES gasification technology, upon a company-owned 120-hectare (approximately 300-acre) site in Gladstone State Development Area, Queensland.
SES and AFE believe that all of the key building blocks for the Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project are in place:
● | Long-term offtake arrangements are in place with Tier 1 Australian ASX-listed off-takers for 100% of the production output – approximately 250,000 tpa of ammonia and approximately 14 petajoules (PJ) (approximately 13.4 BCF) per annum of pipeline quality gas; | |
● | Agreements for supply of coal feedstock under long-term arrangement in place; | |
● | Project site acquired in 2018; | |
● | Long-term water supply agreement in place; | |
● | Engagement of SNC Lavalin on a pathway to EPC for the project; | |
● | Permitting and approvals well advanced with a pathway to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) expected by late 2020; and | |
● | Final Investment Decision will be made in mid to late 2020. |
The project has received strong support from all levels of Government in Australia, and from the Gladstone community.
Cape River Resources’ West Pentland Coal Resource – A 270 million metric ton JORC-compliant resource, to be utilized for future planned coal gasification projects on-site at West Pentland, for the production of pipeline quality gas, electrical power, and additional chemical products (ammonia, methanol).
Interim Funding To Support Merger Process
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, SES issued $2,000,000 of 11% senior secured debentures to certain accredited investors, along with warrants to purchase $4,000,000 of shares of SES’s common stock. The warrants will be exercisable into shares of SES common stock at any time: at an exercise price of $3.00 per share of SES common stock, as to half of the warrants of each warrant-holder; $6.00 per share of SES common stock as to the other half of the warrants of such warrant-holder. The warrants will terminate five years after they become exercisable.
-4- |
SES shall receive the $2,000,000 pursuant to the Merger Debentures schedule, beginning seven business days after this announcement and concluding within two business days of stockholder approval of the merger. The merger debentures are intended to assist SES and AFE in financing the business through the closing of the merger. SES expects the merger to close in the first quarter of 2020.
Other Relevant Information
Upon completion of the merger, the Company intends to further implement strategies for the development of its projects, including in relation to the project financing activities AFE has previously undertaken with its strategic and financial partners related to the Gladstone Project.
AFE has completed lodgments with the Australian Federal Government to support the project finance (debt) requirements for the Gladstone Project through participation by the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
All currently outstanding SES stock options and restricted stock shall remain outstanding post-merger on the same terms and conditions as currently applicable to such awards.
The Merger Agreement includes provision for a change in the Company name and a re-branding of the Company, with further announcements forthcoming.
Transaction Process Overview
SES will require stockholder approval to approve the merger. Additional information related to the merger will be included in SES’s registration statement on Form S-4, that will include a proxy statement for a special meeting of stockholders of SES to approve the merger, among other things. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including stockholder approval.
T. R. Winston & Company served as financial advisors to SES, in relation to the AFE and Batchfire transactions. Additionally, the firm served as placement agent for the issuance of the $2 million senior secured debentures.
Porter Hedges LLP, based in Houston, Texas, and King and Wood Mallesons, based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia served as legal counsel to SES and Jones Day, based in Brisbane and Houston, served as legal counsel to AFE.
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About Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
Synthesis Energy Systems (SES) is a Houston-based technology company focused on generating clean, high-value energy from low-cost and low-grade coal, biomass and municipal solid waste through its proprietary technology for conversion of these resources into a clean synthesis gas (syngas) and methane. SES’s proprietary technology enables the production of clean, low-cost power, industrial fuel gas, chemicals, fertilizers, transportation fuels, and substitute natural gas, replacing expensive natural gas-based energy. SES’s technology can also produce high-purity hydrogen for cleaner transportation fuels. SES enables greater fuel flexibility for both large-scale and efficient small- to medium-scale operations close to fuel sources. Fuel sources include low-rank, low-cost high ash, high moisture coals, which are significantly cheaper than higher grade coals, waste coals, biomass, and municipal solid waste feedstocks. SES: Growth With Blue Skies. For more information, please visit: www.synthesisenergy.com.
About Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd
Australian Future Energy (AFE) is a privately owned Australian company founded in 2014 by its primary shareholders being Mr. Edek Choros and Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (SES).
AFE was established to secure an ownership position in local resources, such as coal and biomass, for production of fuel gas and synthetic natural gas for use in power generation and the production of agricultural chemicals using SES gasification technology that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and support Australian industry and regional growth. As part of the formation of AFE, SES and AFE entered into a Master Technology Agreement whereby AFE will exclusively use SES technology for its gasification projects, while SES will exclusively use AFE as its channel to the Australian market.
AFE is currently seeking to develop energy projects that will produce synthesis gas “syngas” - an alternative to natural gas - for use in east-coast Australia as pipeline quality gas and for use as a feedstock for the production of agricultural chemicals, such as ammonia, urea, and methanol.
AFE’s first project is the Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project that is aimed at supplying approximately 250,000 tpa of ammonia and approximately 14 PJ (approximately 13.4 BCF) of pipeline quality gas per annum to industrial customers and users in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia.
For further information about Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd – please see website at www.ausfutureenergy.com.au.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and uncertainties are the possibility that the companies may be unable to obtain stockholder approval or satisfy the other conditions to closing, the ability of Batchfire Resources Pty Ltd (“BFR”), and Australian Future Energy Pty Ltd management to successfully grow and develop their Australian assets and operations, including Callide, Pentland, and the Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project; the ability of BFR to produce earnings and pay dividends; the ability of SES EnCoal Energy sp. z o. o. management to successfully grow and develop projects, assets and operations in Poland; our ability to raise additional capital; our indebtedness and the amount of cash required to service our indebtedness; our ability to develop our power business unit and our other business verticals, including DRI steel, through our marketing arrangement with Midrex Technologies; our ability to successfully develop our licensing business; the ability of our project with Yima to produce earnings and pay dividends; the economic conditions of countries where we are operating; events or circumstances which result in an impairment of our assets; our ability to reduce operating costs; our ability to make distributions and repatriate earnings from our Chinese operations; our ability to maintain our listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market; our ability to successfully commercialize our technology at a larger scale and higher pressures; commodity prices, including in particular natural gas, crude oil, methanol and power; the availability and terms of financing; our customers’ and/or our ability to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for future projects; our ability to estimate the sufficiency of existing capital resources; the sufficiency of internal controls and procedures; and our results of operations in countries outside of the U.S., where we are continuing to pursue and develop projects. Although we believe that in making such forward-looking statements our expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected by us. We cannot assure you that the assumptions upon which such forward-looking statements are based will prove to be correct. Please refer to our latest Form 10-K available on our website at www.synthesisenergy.com.
Additional Information about the Transaction
In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of the Company that also constitutes a prospectus of the Company relating to the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger. The proxy statement/prospectus will include important information about both the Company and AFE. The Company also plans to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, AFE AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain these documents when available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by the Company can be obtained free of charge from the Company’s website at www.synthesisenergysystems.com.
Participants in Solicitation
The Company and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Company in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018, which was filed with the SEC on November 14, 2018, and its proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2019. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Contact:
MDC Group
Investor Relations:
David Castaneda
Arsen Mugurdumov
414.351.9758
IR@synthesisenergy.com
Media Relations:
Susan Roush
805.624.7624
PR@synthesisenergy.com
Australian Future Energy
Mr. Kerry Parker
Chief Executive Officer
+61 417 731 014
k.parker@ausfutureenergy.com.au
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