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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 2, 2022 (May 26, 2022)

 

Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-40793   87-1309280

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

515 Madison Avenue, Suite 8078

New York, New York 10022

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 908-2658

 

Not Applicable

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
         
Units, each consisting of one share of
Class A common stock and one half of
one redeemable warrant
  AEHAU   The Nasdaq Stock
Market LLC
Class A common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share
  AEHA   The Nasdaq Stock
Market LLC
Warrants, each exercisable for one
share of Class A common stock for
$11.50 per share
  AEHAW   The Nasdaq Stock
Market LLC

 

 

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

 

This section describes the material provisions of the Merger Agreement (as defined below) but does not purport to describe all of the terms thereof. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1. Stockholders and other interested parties are urged to read the Merger Agreement in its entirety. Unless otherwise defined herein, the capitalized terms used below are defined in the Merger Agreement.

 

General Terms and Effects

 

On May 26, 2022, Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors, “AHAC”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with AHAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of AHAC (“Merger Sub”), Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), solely in the capacity as the representative from and after the effective time of the Merger (as defined below) ( the “Effective Time”) for the stockholders of AHAC (other than the Company Stockholder (as defined below) (the “Purchaser Representative”), United Gear & Assembly, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“United Gear”), and United Stars Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole stockholder of United Gear (the “Company Stockholder”).

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Closing”), Merger Sub will merge with and into United Gear (the “Merger” and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transactions”), with United Gear continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary AHAC. In the Merger, all shares of United Gear common stock (together, “United Gear Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into the right for the Company Stockholder to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined below).

 

Merger Consideration

 

The aggregate merger consideration to be paid pursuant to the Merger Agreement to the Company Stockholder is based on an enterprise value for United Gear of Three Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($350,000,000), with such consideration paid in a mix of (i) Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) in cash (the “Cash Consideration”) and (ii) 33,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of AHAC, each valued at $10.00 per share (the “Merger Consideration Shares” and together with the Cash Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). If AHAC does not have sufficient cash at Closing to pay the Cash Consideration, AHAC will be required to deliver to the Company Stockholder a promissory note with a principal amount equal to the applicable shortfall, with a maturity of six months from the Closing Date.

 

Earnout

In addition to the Merger Consideration set forth above, the Company Stockholder will also have a contingent right to receive up to an additional 65,000,000 shares of AHAC common stock (the “Earnout Shares”), after the Closing, based on the Adjusted EBITDA of the surviving corporation in the Merger during the fiscal years ending August 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025 (each such fiscal year, an “Earnout Year” and such three-year fiscal period, the “Earnout Period”). Under the Merger Agreement, “Adjusted EBITDA” refers to the earnings before interest expense, federal, state, local and foreign income tax expense, depreciation and amortization of the surviving corporation, during the Earnout Period, on a consolidated basis, subject to adjustments for (i) any extraordinary gains or losses, (ii) any fees and expenses related to the Merger, (iii) unrealized gains and losses, (iv) litigation expenses, (v) gains and losses on foreign exchange, (vi) goodwill impairments, (vii) non-operating income and (viii) non-cash stock based compensation. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Earnout Shares shall be earned and payable during the Earnout Period as follows:

 

Base Earn Out

 

  In the event that the Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023 is equal to or greater than $10,200,000, then the Company Stockholder will be entitled to receive 15,000,000 shares of AHAC common stock;
     
  In the event that the Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024 is equal to or greater than $24,100,000, then the Company Stockholder will be entitled to receive 15,000,000 shares of AHAC common stock; and

 

 

 

 

  In the event that the Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025 is equal to or greater than $39,100,000, then the Company Stockholder will be entitled to receive 15,000,000 shares of AHAC common stock.

 

Bonus Earnout

 

  In the event that the 2023 Adjusted EBITDA is equal to or greater than $12,240,000, then the Company Stockholder will be entitled to receive 6,666,667 shares of AHAC common stock;
     
  In the event that the 2024 Adjusted EBITDA is equal to or greater than $28,920,000, then the Company Stockholder will be entitled to receive 6,666,667 shares of AHAC common stock; and
     
  In the event that the 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is equal to or greater than $46,920,000, then the Company Stockholder will be entitled to receive 6,666,666 shares of AHAC common stock.

 

The number of shares of AHAC common stock constituting any earnout payment will be equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like after the Closing.

 

Representations and Warranties

 

The Merger Agreement contains a number of representations and warranties by each of AHAC, United Gear and Company Stockholder. Many of the representations and warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect. “Material Adverse Effect” as used in the Merger Agreement means with respect to any specified person or entity, any fact, event, occurrence, change or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of such person or entity and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the ability of such person or entity or any of its subsidiaries on a timely basis to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the ancillary documents to which it is a party or bound or to perform its obligations thereunder, in each case subject to certain customary exceptions. Certain of the representations are subject to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement or in information provided pursuant to certain disclosure schedules to the Merger Agreement. The representations and warranties made by AHAC, United Gear and the Company Stockholder are customary for transactions similar to the Transactions.

 

No Survival of Representations and Warranties

 

The representations and warranties of the parties contained in the Merger Agreement terminate as of, and do not survive, the Closing, and there are no indemnification rights for another party’s breach. The covenants and agreements of the parties contained in the Merger Agreement do not survive the Closing, except those covenants and agreements to be performed after the Closing, which covenants and agreements will survive until fully performed.

 

 

 

 

Covenants of the Parties

 

Each party agreed in the Merger Agreement to use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the Closing. The Merger Agreement also contains certain customary covenants by each of the parties during the period between the signing of the Merger Agreement and the earlier of the Closing or the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Interim Period”), including (1) the provision of access to their properties, books and personnel; (2) the operation of their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business; (3) provision of financial statements by United Gear; (4) AHAC’s public filings; (5) no insider trading; (6) notifications of certain breaches, consent requirements or other matters; (7) efforts to consummate the Closing and obtain third party and regulatory approvals; (8) tax matters; (9) further assurances; (10) public announcements; and (11) confidentiality. Each party also agreed during the Interim Period not to solicit or enter into any inquiry, proposal or offer, or any indication of interest in making an offer or proposal for an alternative competing transactions, to notify the others as promptly as practicable in writing of the receipt of any inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests relating to an alternative competing transaction or any requests for non-public information relating to such transaction, and to keep the others informed of the status of any such inquiries, proposals, offers or requests for information. There are also certain customary post-Closing covenants regarding (1) tax matters; (2) maintenance of books and records; (3) indemnification of directors and officers; and (4) use of trust account proceeds.

 

The Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby requires the approval of both AHAC’s stockholders and the Company Stockholder. AHAC agreed, as promptly as practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement, to prepare, with reasonable assistance from United Gear, and file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), a proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) for the purpose of AHAC soliciting proxies from the stockholders of AHAC to approve the Merger Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby and related matters (the “AHAC Stockholder Approval Matters”) at a special meeting of AHAC’s stockholders (the “AHAC Special Meeting”) and providing AHAC’s public stockholders with an opportunity in accordance with the AHAC’s organizational documents and AHAC’s initial public offering prospectus to have their shares of AHAC common stock redeemed (the “Redemption”). Within one (1) business day after the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company Stockholder agreed to deliver to AHAC a written consent of the Company Stockholder authorizing and approving the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Company Stockholder Written Consent”). The Company Stockholder Written Consent was delivered timely.

 

The parties also agreed to take all necessary action, so that effective at the Closing, the entire board of directors of AHAC (the “Post-Closing Board”) will consist of seven individuals. Four of the members of the Post-Closing Board will be individuals designated by United Gear prior to the Closing and three of the members of the Post-Closing Board (all of whom shall be independent directors) will be mutually designated by AHAC and United Gear. At or prior to Closing, AHAC will provide each of the director designees with a customary director indemnification agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the director designees. The parties also agreed to take all action necessary including causing AHAC’s executive officers to resign, so that the individuals serving as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively, of AHAC immediately after the Closing will be the same individuals as that of United Gear immediately prior to the Closing.

 

During the Interim Period, AHAC, may but is not required to, seek to enter into and consummate subscription agreements with investors relating to a private equity investment and/or backstop arrangements in connection with the Transactions (the “PIPE Investment”), and if so, United Gear agreed to cooperate in connection with such PIPE Investment and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such PIPE Investment to occur, including having United Gear’s senior management participate in any investor meetings and roadshows as reasonably requested by AHAC.

 

Immediately prior to the Effective Time, AHAC has agreed to amend its amended and restated certificate of incorporation (such amendment, the “ AHAC Charter Amendment”) to provide that (i) the name of AHAC shall be changed to “EVGT LTD” or such other name as mutually agreed upon, (ii) convert each issued and outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of AHAC into one share of common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, of AHAC, and (iii) remove and change certain provisions in the amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to AHAC’s status as a blank check company.

 

United Gear agreed that promptly after the date of the Merger Agreement, it would enter into a credit facility with a well-regarded commercial banking institution (the “ Line of Credit”) to provide sufficient working capital and liquidity for the continued operation of the business of the post-Closing combined company.

 

 

 

 

In addition, the Company Stockholder, AHAC and United Gear agreed to negotiate the terms a mutually agreeable management services agreement (the “Management Services Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company Stockholder would continue to provide certain administrative, human resources and other operational support services to United Gear after the Closing.

 

Closing Conditions

 

The obligations of the parties to complete the Closing are subject to various conditions, including the following mutual conditions of the parties unless waived:

 

  receipt of the AHAC Stockholder Approval;
     
  receipt of the Company Stockholder Written Consent (which condition has been satisfied);
     
  expiration of any applicable waiting period under any antitrust laws;
     
  receipt of requisite consents from governmental authorities to consummate the Transactions, and receipt of specified requisite consents from other third parties to consummate the Transactions;
     
  the absence of any law or order that would prohibit the consummation of the Merger or other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
     
  upon the Closing, after giving effect to the completion of the Redemption, and any PIPE Investment AHAC shall have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001;
     
  the members of the Post-Closing Board shall have been elected or appointed as of the Closing;
     
  the Proxy Statement shall have cleared comments by the SEC;
     
  AHAC shall have obtained a fairness opinion; and
     
  United Gear shall have entered into the Line of Credit.

 

Unless waived by AHAC, the obligations of AHAC and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, in addition to customary certificates and other closing deliverables:

 

  the representations and warranties of United Gear and the Company Stockholder being true and correct as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the Closing (subject to Material Adverse Effect);
     
  United Gear having performed in all material respects its obligations and complied in all material respects with its covenants and agreements under the Merger Agreement required to be performed or complied with on or prior to the date of the Closing;
     
  absence of any Material Adverse Effect with respect to United Gear, since the date of the Merger Agreement which is continuing and uncured; and
     
  AHAC having received a customary Non-Competition Agreement and a Lock-Up Agreement executed by the Company Stockholder.

 

 

 

 

Unless waived by United Gear, the obligations of United Gear to consummate the Merger are subject to certain additional conditions, including the following:

 

  the representations and warranties of AHAC and Merger Sub being true and correct as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the Closing (subject to Material Adverse Effect);
     
  AHAC and Merger Sub having performed in all material respects its obligations and complied in all material respects with its covenants and agreements under the Merger Agreement required to be performed or complied with on or prior to the date of the Closing;
     
  absence of any Material Adverse Effect with respect to AHAC and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since the date of the Merger Agreement which is continuing and uncured;
     
  AHAC shall be in compliance in all material respects with the reporting requirements applicable to it under the Exchange Act;
     
  the Registration Rights Agreement and the Management Services Agreement shall both be in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof as of the Closing;
     
  each of the covenants of the Sponsor required under the Sponsor Agreement to be performed as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed in all material respects;
     
  United Gear shall have received, the full amount of the Cash Consideration and, if necessary, the Promissory Note in favor of the Company Stockholder for the cash shortfall; and
     
  the Merger Consideration Shares will represent a majority of the shares of AHAC common stock that will be outstanding or issuable as of immediately following the Effective Time (including any shares of AHAC common stock issuable in connection with any PIPE Investment but excluding any shares of AHAC common stock issuable to the Company Stockholder in connection with any earnout payments).

 

Termination

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain customary and limited circumstances at any time prior to the Closing, including:

 

  by mutual written consent of AHAC and United Gear;
     
  by either AHAC or United Gear if any of the conditions to Closing have not been satisfied or waived by December 17, 2022 (the “Outside Date”), provided that AHAC will have the right to extend the Outside Date if it obtains an extension of the deadline by which it must complete its business combination (an “Extension”) for an additional period the shortest of (i) three months, (ii) the period ending on the last day for AHAC to consummate a business combination after such Extension and (iii) such period as determined by AHAC;
     
  by either AHAC or United Gear if a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and such order or other action has become final and non-appealable;
     
  by either AHAC or United Gear of the other party’s uncured breach (subject to certain materiality qualifiers);
     
  by either AHAC or United Gear if there has been an event after the signing of the Merger Agreement that has had a Material Adverse Effect on the other party and its subsidiaries taken as a whole that is continuing and uncured;

 

  by either AHAC or United Gear if the AHAC Special Meeting is held and the AHAC Stockholder Approval is not received; and
     
  by AHAC if the Company Stockholder Written Consent was not received within one (1) business day of the execution of the Merger Agreement, or if such consent is thereafter rescinded or revoked.

 

 

 

 

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, all further obligations of the parties under the Merger Agreement will terminate and will be of no further force and effect (except that certain obligations related to public announcements, confidentiality, fees and expenses, termination, waiver of claims against the trust, and certain general provisions will continue in effect), and no party will have any further liability to any other party thereto except for liability for any fraud claims or willful and intentional breach of the Merger Agreement prior to such termination.

 

Trust Account Waiver

 

United Gear and the Company Stockholder agreed that they and their affiliates will not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in AHAC’s trust account held for its public stockholders, and agreed not to, and waived any right to, make any claim against the trust account (including any distributions therefrom).

 

Purchaser Representative

 

Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC is serving as the Purchaser Representative under the Merger Agreement, and in such capacity will represent the interests of AHAC’s stockholders after the Closing (other than the Company Stockholder) with respect to certain matters under the Merger Agreement, including with respect to the determination of including with respect to the determination of whether any Earnout Shares have been earned.

 

Governing Law and Arbitration

 

The Merger Agreement is governed by Delaware law and, subject to the required arbitration provisions, the parties are subject to exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (and any appellate courts thereof). Any disputes under the Merger Agreement, other than claims for injunctive or temporary equitable relief or enforcement of an arbitration award, will be subject to arbitration by the American Arbitration Association, to be held in New York County, State of New York.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of such agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such agreement. The Merger Agreement has been filed to provide investors with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about AHAC, United Gear or any other party to the Merger Agreement. In particular, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, which were made only for purposes of such agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties (including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts) and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors and reports and documents filed with the SEC. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, or any descriptions thereof, as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of any party to the Merger Agreement. In addition, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and other terms of the Merger Agreement may be subject to subsequent waiver or modification. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties and other terms may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in AHAC’s public disclosures.

 

 

 

 

Related Agreements

 

Non-Competition Agreement

 

Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company Stockholder and a related shareholder entered into a non-competition agreement (the “Non-Competition Agreement”) with AHAC and United Gear. Under the Non-Competition Agreement, from the Closing until the two (2) year anniversary of the Closing Date, the subject parties will not directly or indirectly engage in the same or similar business as the surviving corporation in the Merger.

 

Lock-Up Agreement

 

Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company Stockholder entered into a lock-up agreement with AHAC and the Purchaser Representative (the “Lock-Up Agreement”).

 

Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreement, with respect to the shares received as Merger Consideration, the Company Stockholder agreed not to, during the period commencing from the Closing and ending on the earliest of (a) the six-month anniversary of the Closing, (b) the date that AHAC consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party that results in all of AHAC stockholders having the right to exchange their equity holdings in AHAC for cash, securities or other property and (c) the date on which the Closing price of AHAC’s common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at least 75 days after the Closing: (i) lend, offer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, donate, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any restricted securities, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Restricted Securities, or (iii) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

 

Sponsor Agreement

 

Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Sponsor entered in a sponsor agreement with AHAC and United Gear (the “Sponsor Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement, the Sponsor agreed, among other things, to vote its shares of AHAC Class B common stock in favor of the adoption an approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions and to waive its anti-dilution protection in connection with the conversion of its shares of AHAC Class B common stock into AHAC Class A common stock upon the consummation of the Transactions.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Non-competition Agreement, the Lock-up Agreement and the Sponsor Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the forms of Non-Competition Agreement, Lock-Up Agreement and Sponsor Agreement, copies of which are filed hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Important Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the Merger Agreement and the proposed business combination transaction (the “Business Combination”), AHAC intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to the proposed Business Combination. This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that AHAC has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed Business Combination. AHAC’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement and the amendments thereto, the definitive proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein filed in connection with the Business Combination, as these materials will contain important information about AHAC, United Gear, the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination. When available, the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials for the Business Combination will be mailed to stockholders of AHAC as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. Stockholders of AHAC will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., 515 Madison Avenue, Suite 8078, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Suren Ajjarapu.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

AHAC, United Gear and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from AHAC’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination. Investors and securityholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of AHAC’s directors and officers in AHAC’s filings with the SEC, including, when filed with the SEC, the preliminary proxy statement and the amendments thereto, the definitive proxy statement, and other documents filed with the SEC, and such information with respect to United Gear’s directors and executive officers will also be included in the proxy statement.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed Business Combination between AHAC and United Gear, including without limitation statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, the anticipated timing of the Business Combination, the implied enterprise value, future financial condition and performance of United Gear and the combined company after the Closing and expected financial impacts of the Business Combination, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Business Combination, the pre-money valuation of United Gear (which is subject to certain inputs that may change prior to the Closing of the Business Combination and is subject to adjustment after the Closing of the Business Combination), the level of redemptions of AHAC’s public stockholders and the products and markets and expected future performance and market opportunities of United Gear. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties.

 

Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the proposed Business Combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of AHAC’s securities; (ii) the risk that the proposed Business Combination may not be completed by AHAC’s Business Combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the Business Combination deadline if sought by AHAC; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the approval of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of AHAC; (iv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (v) the failure to achieve the minimum amount of cash available following any redemptions by AHAC’s stockholders; (vi) redemptions exceeding a maximum threshold or the failure to meet The Nasdaq Capital Market’s initial listing standards in connection with the consummation of the contemplated Business Combination; (vii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Business Combination on United Gear’s business relationships, operating results, and business generally; (viii) risks that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of United Gear; (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against United Gear or against AHAC related to the Merger Agreement or the proposed Business Combination; (x) changes in the markets in which United Gear competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (xi) changes in domestic and global general economic conditions; (xii) risk that United Gear may not be able to execute its growth strategies; (xiii) risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and response, including supply chain disruptions; (xiv) risk that United Gear may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls; (xv) costs related to the Business Combination and the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the Business Combination or to realize estimated pro forma results and underlying assumptions, including with respect to estimated stockholder redemptions; (xvi) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination and to achieve its commercialization and development plans, and identify and realize additional opportunities, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of United Gear to grow and manage growth economically and hire and retain key employees; and (xvii) and those factors discussed in AHAC’s filings with the SEC and that that will be contained in the proxy statement relating to the proposed Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the “Risk Factors” section of the preliminary proxy statement and the amendments thereto, the definitive proxy statement, and other documents to be filed by AHAC from time to time with the SEC. These filings will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and while United Gear and AHAC may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither of United Gear or AHAC gives any assurance that United Gear or AHAC, or the combined company, will achieve its expectations.

 

No Offer or Solicitation

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K will not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This Current Report on Form 8-K will also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed with this Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description of Exhibits
2.1*   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 26, 2022, by and among Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., AHAC Merger Sub Inc., Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative, United Stars Holdings, Inc. and United Gear & Assembly, Inc.
10.1   Form of Non-Competition Agreement
10.2   Form of Lock-Up Agreement
10.3   Form of Sponsor Agreement
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

* Certain exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). AHAC agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon its request.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: June 2, 2022

 

  AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Suren Ajjarapu
    Suren Ajjarapu
    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and among

 

AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.,

as the Purchaser,

 

AHAC MERGER SUB INC,
as Merger Sub,

 

AESTHER HEALTHCARE SPONSOR, LLC,
in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative,

 

UNITED GEAR & ASSEMBLY, INC.,
as the Company,

 

and

 

UNITED STARS HOLDINGS, INC.,
in the capacity as the Company Stockholder,

 

Dated as of May 26, 2022

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  PAGE
I. MERGER 2
1.1. Merger 2
1.2. Effective Time 2
1.3. Effect of the Merger 2
1.4. Tax Treatment 2
1.5. Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation 2
1.6. Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation 3
1.7. Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws 3
1.8. Merger Consideration 3
1.9. Effect of Merger on Company Stock 4
1.10. Surrender of Company Common Stock and Payment of Merger Consideration 4
1.11. Effect of Transaction on Merger Sub Stock 5
1.12. Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action 5
   
II. CLOSING 5
2.1. Closing 5
   
III. representations and warranties of THE purchaser 6
3.1. Organization and Standing 6
3.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement 6
3.3. Governmental Approvals 6
3.4. Non-Contravention 7
3.5. Capitalization 7
3.6. SEC Filings and Purchaser Financials 8
3.7. Stock Market Listing 9
3.8. Absence of Certain Changes 9
3.9. Compliance with Laws 10
3.10. Actions; Orders; Permits 10
3.11. Taxes and Returns 10
3.12. Employees and Employee Benefit Plans 11
3.13. Properties 11
3.14. Material Contracts 11
3.15. Transactions with Affiliates 12
3.16. Merger Sub Activities 12
3.17. Investment Company Act 12
3.18. Finders and Brokers 12
3.19. Ownership of Merger Consideration Shares 12
3.20. Purchaser Activities 12
3.21. Certain Business Practices 13
3.22. Insurance 13
3.23. Trust Account 14
3.24. Independent Investigation 14
3.25. Information Supplied 14
   
Iv. representations and warranties of THE COMPANY 15
4.1. Organization and Standing 15
4.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement 15
4.3. Capitalization 16
4.4. Subsidiaries 16
4.5. Governmental Approvals 16
4.6. Non-Contravention 17

 

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4.7. Financial Statements 17
4.8. Absence of Certain Changes 18
4.9. Compliance with Laws 18
4.10. Company Permits 19
4.11. Litigation 19
4.12. Material Contracts 19
4.13. Intellectual Property 21
4.14. Taxes and Returns 23
4.15. Real Property 24
4.16. Personal Property 25
4.17. Title to and Sufficiency of Assets 25
4.18. Employee Matters 25
4.19. Benefit Plans 26
4.20. Environmental Matters 28
4.21. Transactions with Related Persons 29
4.22. Insurance 29
4.23. Books and Records 30
4.24. Top Customers and Suppliers 30
4.25 Certain Business Practices 30
4.26. RESERVED 31
4.27. Investment Company Act 31
4.28. Finders and Brokers 31
4.29. Independent Investigation 31
4.30. Information Supplied 31
   
V.representations and warranties of COMPANY STOCKHOLDER 32
5.1. Organization and Standing 32
5.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement 32
5.3. Ownership 32
5.4. Non-Contravention 32
5.5. No Litigation 33
5.6. Investment Representations 33
5.7. Information Supplied 34
5.8. Independent Investigation 34
5.9 Finders and Brokers 35
   
V. COVENANTS 35
6.1. Access and Information 35
6.2. Conduct of Business of the Company 36
6.3. Conduct of Business of the Purchaser 38
6.4. Annual and Interim Financial Statements 40
6.5. Purchaser Public Filings 41
6.6. No Solicitation 41
6.7. No Trading 42
6.8. Notification of Certain Matters 42
6.9. Efforts 42
6.10. Tax Matters 44
6.11. Further Assurances 46
6.12. The Proxy Statement 46
6.13. Public Announcements 47
6.14. Confidential Information 48

 

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6.15. Documents and Information 49
6.16. Post-Closing Board of Directors and Executive Officers 49
6.17. Indemnification of Officers and Directors; Tail Insurance 50
6.18. Trust Account Proceeds 50
6.19. Company Stockholder Written Consent 51
6.20. PIPE Investment 51
6.21. Purchaser Fairness Opinion 51
6.22. Company Line of Credit 51
6.23. Employment Agreements 51
6.24. Management Services Agreement 51
6.25. Amended and Restated Purchaser Organizational Documents 51
   
VII. Closing conditions 52
7.1. Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations 52
7.2. Conditions to Obligations of the Company 53
7.3. Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser 55
7.4. Frustration of Conditions 56
   
VIII. TERMINATION AND EXPENSES 56
8.1. Termination 56
8.2. Effect of Termination 57
8.3. Fees and Expenses 57
   
ix. waiver of claims against trust 58
9.1. Waiver of Claims Against Trust 58
   
x. miscellaneous 59
10.1. Notices 59
10.2. Binding Effect; Assignment 60
10.3. Third Parties 60
10.4. Arbitration 60
10.5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction 60
10.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 61
10.7. Specific Performance 61
10.8. Severability 61
10.9. Amendment 61
10.10. Waiver 61
10.11. Entire Agreement 62
10.12. Interpretation 62
10.13. Counterparts 63
10.14. Purchaser Representative 63
10.15. Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties 64
10.16. Legal Representation 64
   
XI DEFINITIONS 65
11.1. Certain Definitions 65
11.2. Section References 73

 

INDEX OF ANNEXES AND EXHIBITS

 

Annex Description
Annex I Earnout

 

Exhibit Description
Exhibit A Form of Lock-Up Agreement
Exhibit B Form of Non-Competition Agreement
Exhibit C Form of Sponsor Agreement
Exhibit D Form of Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation
Exhibit E Form of Amended and Restated Purchaser Bylaws
Exhibit F Form of Promissory Note

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 26, 2022 by and among (i) Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors, the “Purchaser”), (ii) AHAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (Merger Sub”), (iii) Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in the capacity as the representative from and after the Effective Time (as defined below) for the stockholders of the Purchaser (other than the Company Stockholder (as defined below) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and its successors and assignees) in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (the “Purchaser Representative”), (iv) United Gear & Assembly, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (v) United Stars Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole stockholder of the Company (the “Company Stockholder”). The Purchaser, Merger Sub, the Purchaser Representative, the Company, and the Company Stockholder are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS:

 

A. The Company is a manufacturer and supplier of precision metal gears, shafts, and related assemblies to global automotive and equipment manufacturers;

 

B. The Company Stockholder owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company;

 

B. The Purchaser owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub, which was formed for the sole purpose of the Merger (as defined below);

 

D. The Parties intend to effect the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”), as a result of which all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, in exchange for the right for the Company Stockholder to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined herein), all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (as amended, the “DGCL”);

 

E. The boards of directors of the Company, the Purchaser and Merger Sub have each (i) determined that the Merger is fair, advisable and in the best interests of their respective companies and stockholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, and (iii) determined to recommend to their respective stockholders the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger;

 

F. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (a) the Company Stockholder has entered into a Lock-Up Agreement with Purchaser and Sponsor, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Lock-Up Agreement”), (b) the Company Stockholder has entered into a Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement in favor of Purchaser and the Company, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “Non-Competition Agreement”), and (c) Purchaser, Sponsor, the Company and certain other Persons have entered into a sponsor agreement, the form of which is attached as Exhibit C hereto (the “Sponsor Agreement”),each of which agreements described in clauses (a) and (b) above will become effective as of the Closing;

 

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G. Concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser, the Purchaser Representative and the Company Stockholder shall enter into a Registration Rights Agreement, in a form mutually acceptable Purchaser and the Company (the “Registration Rights Agreement”);

 

H. The Parties intend that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (as defined herein); and

 

I. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Article XI hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Article I
MERGER

 

1.1 Merger. At the Effective Time, and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, Merger Sub and the Company shall consummate the Merger, pursuant to which Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, following which the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation. The Company, as the surviving corporation after the Merger, is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Surviving Corporation” (provided, that references to the Company for periods after the Effective Time shall include the Surviving Corporation).

 

1.2 Effective Time. The Parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company and Purchaser (the “Certificate of Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing, or such later time as may be specified in the Certificate of Merger, being the “Effective Time”).

 

1.3 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company Line of Credit and any associated debt), Liabilities, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and the Company shall become the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, Liabilities, duties and obligations of the Surviving Corporation, which shall include the assumption by the Surviving Corporation of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and the Company set forth in this Agreement to be performed after the Effective Time.

 

1.4 Tax Treatment. For federal income tax purposes, the Merger is intended to constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. The Parties adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Treasury Regulations.

 

1.5 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall automatically be amended and restated in their entirety to read identically to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, and such amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws shall become the respective Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation in such Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws shall be amended to be “United Gear & Assembly, Inc.”

 

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1.6 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, the board of directors and executive officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be the board of directors and executive officers of the Company immediately prior to the Closing, after giving effect to Section 6.16, each to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

1.7 Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Purchaser shall amend and restate its (a) Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto (the “Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation”), which shall, among other matters, amend the Purchaser’s Certificate of Incorporation to (i) provide that the name of the Purchaser shall be changed to “EVGT LTD”, or such other name as mutually agreed to by the Purchaser and the Company, and (ii) remove and change certain provisions in the Purchaser’s Certificate of Incorporation related to the Purchaser’s status as a blank check company and (b) Bylaws in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto(the “Amended and Restated Purchaser Bylaws”), which shall, among other matters, provide for the size and structure of the Post-Closing Purchaser Board in accordance with Section 6.16.

 

1.8 Merger Consideration.

 

(a) At the Closing, subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as consideration for the Merger, the Company Stockholder shall be entitled to receive from the Purchaser, an amount equal to Three Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($350,000,000) (the “Merger Consideration”).

 

(b) The Merger Consideration will be paid in the form of:

 

(i) an amount in cash equal to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) (the “Cash Consideration”), which amount shall be comprised of the sum of:

 

  (A) the Closing Purchaser Cash, after giving effect to the completion of the Redemption, plus the proceeds of any PIPE Investment, and after payment of the Purchaser’s and the Company’s Expenses and any other Liabilities of Purchaser due and owing at Closing; plus
     
  (B) if necessary, the proceeds received by the Company after drawing down on the Company Line of Credit.

 

provided that in the event that the sum of clauses (A)-(B) above is less than Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) (such deficit, the “Cash Shortfall Amount”), the Purchaser shall issue the Company Stockholder a six (6) month promissory note in the principal amount equal to the Cash Shortfall Amount, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the Promissory Note”); and

 

(ii) a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock (the “Merger Consideration Shares”) with an aggregate value equal to: (a) the Merger Consideration, minus (b) the Cash Consideration (the resulting amount from the calculation in clauses (a)-(b), the “Merger Consideration Share Amount”), with the Company Stockholder receiving a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to (i) the Merger Consideration Share Amount, divided by (ii) the Per Share Price.

 

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(c) Additionally, after the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I to this Agreement, the Company Stockholder shall have the contingent right to receive the Earnout Payments, if any, as additional consideration if the requirements for receipt of such Earnout Payments as set forth in Annex I are satisfied.

 

1.9 Effect of Merger on Company Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or the holders of Company Common Stock or the holders of any shares of capital stock of the Purchaser or Merger Sub:

 

(a) Company Stock. Subject to clause (b) below, all shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be cancelled and cease to exist in exchange for the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, upon delivery of the Transmittal Documents in accordance with Section 1.10. As of the Effective Time, the Company Stockholder shall cease to have any other rights in and to the Company or the Surviving Corporation.

 

(b) Treasury Stock. Notwithstanding clause (a) above or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, at the Effective Time, if there are any shares of Company Common Stock that are owned by the Company as treasury shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, such shares of Company Common Stock shall be canceled and shall cease to exist without any conversion thereof or payment therefor.

 

1.10 Surrender of Company Common Stock and Payment of Merger Consideration.

 

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Purchaser shall appoint its transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, or another agent reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Exchange Agent”), for the purpose of exchanging the certificates representing Company Stock (“Company Certificates”). At or prior to the Effective Time, the Purchaser shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Exchange Agent the Merger Consideration. The delivery of Company Certificates in respect of the Merger Consideration shall be effected, and risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Company Certificates to the Exchange Agent (or a Lost Certificate Affidavit) for use in such exchange.

 

(b) The Company Stockholder shall be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration in respect of its shares of Company Stock, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, but subject to the delivery to the Exchange Agent of the following items prior thereto: (i) the Company Certificates for its Company Common Stock (or a Lost Certificate Affidavit), and (ii) such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the Exchange Agent. Until so surrendered, each Company Certificate shall represent after the Effective Time for all purposes only the right to receive such portion of the Merger Consideration attributable to such Company Certificate.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that any Company Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, in lieu of delivery of a Company Certificate to the Exchange Agent, the Company Stockholder may instead deliver to the Exchange Agent an affidavit of lost certificate and indemnity of loss in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Exchange Agent (a “Lost Certificate Affidavit”), which at the reasonable discretion of the Exchange Agent may include a requirement that the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificate deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock represented by the Company Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed. Any Lost Certificate Affidavit properly delivered in accordance with this Section 1.10(c) shall be treated as a Company Certificate for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(d) All Purchaser Common Stock issued upon the surrender of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Company Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Surviving Corporation, the Purchaser or any Party hereto shall be liable to any Person for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no fraction of a share of Purchaser Common Stock will be issued by virtue of the Merger or the transactions contemplated hereby, and each Person who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Purchaser Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Purchaser Common Stock that otherwise would be received by such holder) shall instead have the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock issued to such Person rounded down in the aggregate to the nearest whole share of Purchaser Common Stock.

 

1.11 Effect of Transaction on Merger Sub Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or the holders of any Company Common Stock or the holders of any shares of capital stock of the Purchaser or Merger Sub, each share of Merger Sub Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into an equal number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation, with the same rights, powers and privileges as the shares so converted and shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

 

1.12 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub, the officers and directors of the Company and Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

Article II
CLOSING

 

2.1 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VII, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, LLP (“EGS”), counsel to the Purchaser, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, on a date and at a time to be agreed upon by Purchaser and the Company, which date shall be no later than the second (2nd) Business Day after all the Closing conditions to this Agreement have been satisfied or waived, or at such other date, time or place (including remotely) as the Purchaser and the Company may agree (the date and time at which the Closing is actually held being the “Closing Date”).

 

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Article III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

 

Except as set forth in (i) the disclosure schedules delivered by the Purchaser and Merger Sub to the Company on the date hereof (the “Purchaser Disclosure Schedules”), the Section numbers of which are numbered to correspond to the Section numbers of this Agreement to which they refer, or (ii) the SEC Reports that are available on the SEC’s website through EDGAR, the Purchaser and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:

 

3.1 Organization and Standing. Each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub is a company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the DGCL. The Purchaser and Merger Sub each have all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Purchaser and Merger Sub is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing can be cured without material cost or expense. The Purchaser and Merger Sub have heretofore made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of their respective Organizational Documents, as currently in effect. Neither the Purchaser nor Merger Sub in violation of any provision of its respective Organizational Documents in any material respect.

 

3.2 Authorization; Binding Agreement. Each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to obtaining the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) have been duly and validly authorized by the board of directors of the Purchaser and Merger Sub, as applicable, and (b) other than the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval, no other corporate proceedings, other than as set forth elsewhere in the Agreement, on the part of either the Purchaser or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which the Purchaser or Merger Sub is a party shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Purchaser or Merger Sub, as applicable, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and such Ancillary Documents by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser or Merger Sub, as applicable, enforceable against the Purchaser or Merger Sub, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and moratorium laws and other laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by any applicable statute of limitation or by any valid defense of set-off or counterclaim, and the fact that equitable remedies or relief (including the remedy of specific performance) are subject to the discretion of the court from which such relief may be sought (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

 

3.3 Governmental Approvals. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 3.3, no Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, on the part of the Purchaser is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (a) pursuant to Antitrust Laws, (b) such filings as contemplated by this Agreement, (c) any filings required with Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (d) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and/ or any state “blue sky” securities Laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (e) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser.

 

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3.4 Non-Contravention. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 3.4, the execution and delivery by the Purchaser and Merger Sub of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, the consummation by the Purchaser and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance by the Purchaser and Merger Sub with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Purchaser’s or Merger Sub’s, as applicable, Organizational Documents, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 3.3 hereof, and the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order or Consent applicable to the Purchaser, Merger Sub or any of their respective properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by the Purchaser or Merger Sub under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Purchaser or Merger Sub under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any Purchaser Material Contract, except for any deviations from any of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) or (c) that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser or Merger Sub.

 

3.5 Capitalization.

 

(a) Purchaser is authorized to issue (i) 125,000,000 shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock, (ii) 12,500,000 shares of Purchaser Class B Common Stock, and 1,250,000 shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock. The issued and outstanding Purchaser Securities as of the date of this Agreement are set forth on Schedule 3.5(a). As of the date of this Agreement, there are no issued or outstanding shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock. All outstanding shares of Purchaser Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to or issued in violation of any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, Purchaser’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which Purchaser is a party. None of the outstanding Purchaser Securities has been issued in violation of any applicable securities Laws.

 

(b) Prior to giving effect to the Merger, Merger Sub is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock, of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding, and all of which are owned by the Purchaser and Merger Sub has no other authorized, issued or outstanding shares of capital stock. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. No Person other than Purchaser has any rights with respect to such equity securities of Merger Sub and no such rights will arise by virtue of or in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Prior to giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than Merger Sub, Purchaser does not have any Subsidiaries or own any equity interests in any other Person.

 

(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5(a) or Schedule 3.5(c) there are no (i) outstanding options, warrants, puts, calls, convertible securities, preemptive or similar rights, (ii) bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having general voting rights or that are convertible or exchangeable into securities having such rights or (iii) subscriptions or other rights, agreements, arrangements, Contracts or commitments of any character (other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents), (A) relating to the issued or unissued shares of Purchaser or Merger Sub or (B) obligating Purchaser to issue, transfer, deliver or sell or cause to be issued, transferred, delivered, sold or repurchased any options or shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares, or (C) obligating Purchaser or Merger Sub to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, subscription or other right, agreement, arrangement or commitment for such capital shares. Other than the Redemption or as expressly set forth in this Agreement, there are no outstanding obligations of Purchaser or Merger Sub to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Purchaser or Merger Sub or to provide funds to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5(c), there are no stockholders agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which Purchaser or Merger Sub is a party with respect to the voting of any shares of Purchaser or Merger Sub.

 

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(d) All Indebtedness of Purchaser and Merger Sub as of the date of this Agreement is disclosed on Schedule 3.5(d). No Indebtedness of Purchaser or Merger Sub contains any restriction upon (i) the prepayment of any of such Indebtedness, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness by Purchaser or Merger Sub or (iii) the ability of Purchaser or Merger Sub to grant any Lien on its properties or assets.

 

(e) Since the date of formation of Purchaser and Merger Sub, and except as contemplated by this Agreement, neither Purchaser nor Merger Sub has declared or paid any distribution or dividend in respect of its shares and has not repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its shares, and neither Purchaser’s nor Merger Sub’s board of directors has authorized any of the foregoing.

 

3.6 SEC Filings and Purchaser Financials.

 

(a) The Purchaser, since the IPO, has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements, registration statements, prospectuses and other documents required to be filed or furnished by the Purchaser with the SEC under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and will file all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement. Except to the extent available on the SEC’s web site through EDGAR, the Purchaser has delivered to the Company copies in the form filed with the SEC of all of the following: (i) the Purchaser’s annual reports on Form 10-K for each fiscal year of the Purchaser beginning with the first year for which the Purchaser was required to file such a form, (ii) the Purchaser’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for each fiscal quarter that the Purchaser filed such reports to disclose its quarterly financial results in each of the fiscal years of the Purchaser referred to in clause (i) above, (iii) all other forms, reports, registration statements, prospectuses and other documents (other than preliminary materials) filed by the Purchaser with the SEC since the beginning of the first fiscal year referred to in clause (i) above (the forms, reports, registration statements, prospectuses and other documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, whether or not available through EDGAR, are, collectively, the “SEC Reports”) and (iv) all certifications and statements required by (A) Rules 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act, and (B) 18 U.S.C. §1350 (Section 906 of SOX) with respect to any report referred to in clause (i) above (collectively, the “Public Certifications”). The SEC Reports (x) were prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder and (y) did not, as of their respective effective dates (in the case of SEC Reports that are registration statements or prospectuses filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act) and at the time they were filed with the SEC (in the case of all other SEC Reports) 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 made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.6, the Public Certifications are each true as of their respective dates of filing. As used in this Section 3.6, the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner permitted by SEC rules and regulations in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC. As of the date of this Agreement, (A) the Purchaser Public Units, the shares of Purchaser Common Stock and the Purchaser Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq, (B) the Purchaser has not received any written deficiency notice from Nasdaq relating to the continued listing requirements of such Purchaser Securities, (C) there are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened against the Purchaser by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority with respect to any intention by such entity to suspend, prohibit or terminate the quoting of such Purchaser Securities on Nasdaq and (D) such Purchaser Securities are in compliance with all of the applicable listing and corporate governance rules of Nasdaq.

 

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(b) The financial statements and notes of the Purchaser contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Reports (the “Purchaser Financials”), fairly present in all material respects the financial position and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Purchaser at the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with (i) GAAP methodologies applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and (ii) Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and for the omission of notes and audit adjustments in the case of unaudited quarterly financial statements to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable).

 

(c) Neither Purchaser nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any Liabilities or obligations required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for those that are either (i) adequately reflected or reserved on or provided for in the Purchaser Financials or (ii) that are not material in amount and that were incurred after the date of the Company Financials in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (other than Liabilities for breach of any Contract or violation of any Law).

 

(d) Purchaser has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Purchaser files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Purchaser’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

3.7 Stock Market Listing. The issued and outstanding Purchaser Public Units, are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “AEHAU”. The issued and outstanding shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “AEHA”. The issued and outstanding Purchaser Public Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “AEHAW”. Purchaser is in material compliance with the rules of Nasdaq and there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, threatened against Purchaser by Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Purchaser Class A Common Stock or Purchaser Public Warrants or terminate the listing of Purchaser Class A Common Stock or Purchaser Public Warrants on Nasdaq. None of Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Purchaser Class A Common Stock or Purchaser Public Warrants under the Exchange Act, except as contemplated by this Agreement. Purchaser has not received any notice from Nasdaq or the SEC regarding the revocation of such listing or otherwise regarding the delisting of the Purchaser Class A Common Stock from Nasdaq or the SEC.

 

3.8 Absence of Certain Changes. As of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth in Schedule 3.8, the Purchaser has, (a) since its formation, conducted no business other than its formation, the public offering of its securities (and the related private offerings), public reporting and its search for an initial Business Combination as described in the IPO Prospectus (including the investigation of the Company and the negotiation and execution of this Agreement) and related activities, (b) since January 1, 2022, not been subject to a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser, and (c) has not taken any action or committed or agreed to take any action that would be prohibited by Section 6.3(b) (without giving effect to Schedule 6.3) if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of the Company.

 

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3.9 Compliance with Laws. The Purchaser is, and has since its formation been, in compliance with all Laws applicable to it and the conduct of its business except for such noncompliance which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser, and the Purchaser has not received written notice alleging any violation of applicable Law in any material respect by the Purchaser.

 

3.10 Actions; Orders; Permits. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened material Action to which the Purchaser is subject which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser. There is no material Action that the Purchaser has pending against any other Person. The Purchaser is not subject to any material Orders of any Governmental Authority, nor are any such Orders pending. The Purchaser holds all material Permits necessary to lawfully conduct its business as presently conducted, and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties, all of which are in full force and effect, except where the failure to hold such Consent or for such Consent to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser.

 

3.11 Taxes and Returns.

 

(a) The Purchaser has timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, which such Tax Returns are accurate and complete in all material respects, and has paid, collected or withheld, or caused to be paid, collected or withheld, all material Taxes required to be paid, collected or withheld, other than such Taxes for which adequate reserves in the Purchaser Financials have been established in accordance with GAAP. Schedule 3.11(a) sets forth each jurisdiction where the Purchaser files or is required to file a Tax Return. There are no audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings pending against the Purchaser in respect of any Tax, and the Purchaser has not been notified in writing of any proposed Tax claims or assessments against the Purchaser (other than, in each case, claims or assessments for which adequate reserves in the Purchaser Financials have been established in accordance with GAAP or are immaterial in amount). There are no Liens with respect to any Taxes upon any of the Purchaser’s assets, other than Permitted Liens. The Purchaser has no outstanding waivers or extensions of any applicable statute of limitations to assess any material amount of Taxes. There are no outstanding requests by the Purchaser for any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return or within which to pay any Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return.

 

(b) Since the date of its formation, the Purchaser has not (i) changed any Tax accounting methods, policies or procedures except as required by a change in Law, (ii) made, revoked, or amended any material Tax election, (iii) filed any amended Tax Returns or claim for refund or (iv) entered into any closing agreement affecting or otherwise settled or compromised any material Tax Liability or refund.

 

(c) There is no Action currently pending or threatened against the Purchaser by a Tax authority in a jurisdiction where it does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction or that it is or may be required to file Tax Returns in such jurisdiction.

 

(d) The Purchaser has collected or withheld all Taxes currently required to be collected or withheld by it, and all such Taxes have been paid to the appropriate Governmental Authorities or set aside in appropriate accounts for future payment when due.

 

(e) The Purchaser has not (i) made any change in accounting method (except as required by a change in Law); (ii) used an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing; (iii) entered into an installment sale or open transaction prior to the Closing; (iv) received a prepaid amount prior to the Closing; or (v) received a ruling from, or signed an agreement with, any taxing authority, which, in any case, would reasonably be expected to have a material impact on its Taxes following the Closing.

 

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(f) The Purchaser has not participated in, or sold, distributed or otherwise promoted, any “reportable transaction,” as defined in Treasury regulation section 1.6011-4.

 

(g) The Purchaser has no Liability for the Taxes of another Person (i) under any applicable Tax Law, (ii) as a transferee or successor, or (iii) by contract, indemnity or otherwise (excluding commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which was not the sharing of Taxes). The Purchaser is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which was not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes (including advance pricing agreement, closing agreement or other agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Authority) that will be binding on it with respect to any period following the Closing Date.

 

(h) The Purchaser has not requested, and is not the subject of or bound by any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar ruling, memorandum or agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, nor is any such request outstanding.

 

(i) The Purchaser has not been constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in connection with a distribution described in Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as it relates to Section 355 of the Code).

 

(j) The Purchaser is not aware of any fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a transaction described in Section 368 of the Code.

 

3.12 Employees and Employee Benefit Plans. The Purchaser does not (a) have any paid employees or (b) maintain, sponsor, contribute to or otherwise have any Liability under, any Benefit Plans.

 

3.13 Properties. The Purchaser does not own, license or otherwise have any right, title or interest in any material Intellectual Property. The Purchaser does not own or lease any material real property or material Personal Property.

 

3.14 Material Contracts.

 

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(a), other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, there are no Contracts to which the Purchaser is a party or by which any of its properties or assets may be bound, subject or affected, which (i) creates or imposes a Liability greater than $100,000, (ii) may not be cancelled by the Purchaser on less than sixty (60) days’ prior notice without payment of a material penalty or termination fee or (iii) prohibits, prevents, restricts or impairs in any material respect any business practice of the Purchaser as its business is currently conducted, any acquisition of material property by the Purchaser, or restricts in any material respect the ability of the Purchaser to engage in business as currently conducted by it or compete with any other Person (each, a “Purchaser Material Contract”). All Purchaser Material Contracts have been made available to the Company other than those that are exhibits to the SEC Reports.

 

(b) With respect to each Purchaser Material Contract: (i) the Purchaser Material Contract was entered into at arms’ length and in the ordinary course of business; (ii) the Purchaser Material Contract is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in all material respects against the Purchaser and, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, the other parties thereto, and is in full force and effect (except, in each case, as such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions); (iii) the Purchaser is not in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a breach or default in any material respect by the Purchaser, or permit termination or acceleration by the other party, under such Purchaser Material Contract; and (iv) to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, no other party to any Purchaser Material Contract is in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a breach or default by such other party, or permit termination or acceleration by the Purchaser under any Purchaser Material Contract.

 

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3.15 Transactions with Affiliates. Schedule 3.15 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the Contracts and arrangements that are in existence as of the date of this Agreement under which there are any existing or future Liabilities or obligations between the Purchaser and any (a) present or former director, officer or employee or Affiliate of the Purchaser, or any immediate family member of any of the foregoing, or (b) record or beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the Purchaser’s outstanding capital stock as of the date hereof.

 

3.16 Merger Sub Activities. Since its formation, Merger Sub has not engaged in any business activities other than as contemplated by this Agreement, does not own directly or indirectly any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person and has no assets or Liabilities except those incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party and the Transactions, and, other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party, Merger Sub is not party to or bound by any Contract.

 

3.17 Investment Company Act. The Purchaser is not an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company”, or required to register as an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

3.18 Finders and Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission from the Purchaser, the Company or any of its Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Purchaser.

 

3.19 Ownership of Merger Consideration Shares. All shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued and delivered to the Company Stockholder as Merger Consideration in accordance with Article I shall be, upon issuance and delivery of such Purchaser Common Stock, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Liens, other than restrictions arising from applicable securities Laws, the Lock-Up Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and any Liens incurred by the Company Stockholder, and the issuance and sale of such Purchaser Common Stock pursuant hereto will not be subject to or give rise to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal.

 

3.20 Purchaser Activities. Since its formation Purchaser has not engaged in any activities other than activities relating to the pursuit of a Business Combination and related financing activities and its reporting obligations with the SEC and Nasdaq and Merger Sub has not engaged in any business activities other than as contemplated by this Agreement, neither Purchaser nor Merger Sub own directly or indirectly any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person (other than Purchaser’s 100% ownership of Merger Sub) and Merger Sub has no assets or Liabilities except those incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which they are a party and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and, other than this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party, Merger Sub is not a party to or bound by any Contract.

 

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3.21 Certain Business Practices.

 

(a) Neither the Purchaser, nor any of its Representatives acting on its behalf, has (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees, to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other local or foreign anti-corruption or bribery Law, (iii) made any other unlawful payment or (iv) since the formation of the Purchaser, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any unlawful gift or similar benefit in any material amount to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to help or hinder the Purchaser or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction.

 

(b) The operations of the Purchaser are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with money laundering statutes in all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority, and no Action involving the Purchaser with respect to any of the foregoing is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened.

 

(c) None of the Purchaser or any of its directors or officers, or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, any other Representative acting on behalf of the Purchaser is currently identified on the specially designated nationals or other blocked person list or otherwise currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), and the Purchaser has not, in the last five (5) fiscal years, directly or indirectly, used any funds, or loaned, contributed or otherwise made available such funds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, in connection with any sales or operations in any other country sanctioned by OFAC or for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to, or otherwise in violation of, any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

3.22 Insurance. Schedule 3.22 lists all insurance policies (by policy number, insurer, coverage period, coverage amount, annual premium and type of policy) held by the Purchaser relating to the Purchaser or its business, properties, assets, directors, officers and employees, copies of which have been provided to the Company. All premiums due and payable under all such insurance policies have been timely paid and the Purchaser is otherwise in material compliance with the terms of such insurance policies. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect, and to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, there is no threatened termination of, or material premium increase with respect to, any of such insurance policies. There have been no insurance claims made by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has each reported to its insurers all claims and pending circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim, except where such failure to report such a claim would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser.

 

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3.23 Trust Account. As of the date hereof, there is at least $107,000,000 invested in the Trust Account, maintained by the Trustee, pursuant to the Trust Agreement. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except in accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and Purchaser’s final prospectus dated September 14, 2021. Amounts in the Trust Account are invested in United States Government securities or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Purchaser has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it under, and is not in material default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default or breach thereunder. There are no claims or proceedings pending with respect to the Trust Account. Since September 14, 2021, Purchaser has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than interest income earned on the principal held in the Trust Account as permitted by the Trust Agreement). As of the Effective Time, the obligations of Purchaser to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents shall terminate, and, as of the Effective Time, Purchaser shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Purchaser by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Following the Effective Time, no stockholder of Purchaser shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such stockholder shall have elected to tender its shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock for redemption pursuant to the Redemption. The Trust Agreement is in full force and effect and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Purchaser and, to the knowledge of Purchaser, the Trustee, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The Trust Agreement has not been terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended, supplemented, or modified in any respect and no such termination, repudiation, rescission, amendment, supplement or modification is contemplated by Purchaser, or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, by the Trustee. There are no side letters and there are no Contracts, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, with the Trustee or any other Person that would (i) cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the SEC Reports to be materially inaccurate or (ii) entitle any Person (other than holders of Purchaser Class A Common Stock who shall have elected to have their shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock redeemed pursuant to the Redemption) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account.

 

3.24 Independent Investigation. The Purchaser has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Company, and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Company for such purpose. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate delivered to the Purchaser pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of the Company for the Proxy Statement; and (b) none of the Company nor its respective Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Company, or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Schedules) or in any certificate delivered to Purchaser pursuant hereto, or with respect to the information provided by or on behalf of the Company for the Proxy Statement.

 

3.25 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Purchaser expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference: (a) in any current report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority or stock exchange with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents; (b) in the Proxy Statement; or (c) in the mailings or other distributions to the Purchaser’s stockholders, the Company Stockholder and/or prospective investors with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any amendment to any of documents identified in (a) through (c), will, when filed, made available, mailed or distributed, as the case may be, 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. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Purchaser expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release and the Closing Filing will, when filed or distributed, as applicable, 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates.

 

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Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to the Purchaser on the date hereof (the “Company Disclosure Schedules”), the Section numbers of which are numbered to correspond to the Section numbers of this Agreement to which they refer, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:

 

4.1 Organization and Standing. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the DGCL and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation or other entity duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or registered and in each other jurisdiction where it does business or operates to the extent that the character of the property owned, or leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing can be cured without material cost or expense. Schedule 4.1 lists all jurisdictions in which the Company is qualified to conduct business and all names other than its legal name under which the Company does business. The Company has provided to the Purchaser accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents and the Organizational Documents of each of its Subsidiaries, each as amended to date and as currently in effect. The Company is not in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents.

 

4.2 Authorization; Binding Agreement. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is or is required to be a party, to perform the Company’s obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to obtaining the Company Stockholder Written Consent. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (a) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company’s board of directors and the Company Stockholder in accordance with the Company’s Organizational Documents, the DGCL, any other applicable Law or any Contract to which the Company or any of its stockholders is a party or by which it or its securities are bound and (b) other than the Company Stockholder Written Consent, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and any such Ancillary Document by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The Company’s board of directors, by resolutions duly adopted (i) determined that this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the Company Stockholder, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the DGCL, (iii) directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Company Stockholder for adoption and (iv) resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholder adopt this Agreement.

 

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4.3 Capitalization.

 

(a) The Company is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock, 100 of which shares are issued and outstanding. Prior to giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, all of the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock and other equity interests of the Company are set forth on Schedule 4.3(a), along with the beneficial and record owners thereof, all of which shares and other equity interests are owned free and clear of any Liens other than those imposed under the Company Certificate of Incorporation. All of the outstanding shares and other equity interests of the Company have been duly authorized, are fully paid and non-assessable and not in violation of any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, any other applicable Law, the Company Certificate of Incorporation or any Contract to which the Company is a party or by which it or its securities are bound. The Company holds no shares or other equity interests of the Company in its treasury. None of the outstanding shares or other equity interests of the Company were issued in violation of any applicable securities Laws.

 

(b) Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.3(b), there are no preemptive rights or rights of first refusal or first offer, nor are there any Contracts, commitments, arrangements or restrictions to which the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its stockholders is a party or bound relating to any equity securities of the Company, whether or not outstanding. There are no outstanding or authorized stock option, restricted stock, equity appreciation, phantom equity or similar rights with respect to the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(b), there are no voting trusts, proxies, stockholder agreements or any other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the Company’s equity interests. Except as set forth in the Company Certificate of Incorporation, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity interests or securities of the Company, nor has the Company granted any registration rights to any Person with respect to the Company’s equity securities. All of the Company’s securities have been granted, offered, sold and issued in compliance with all applicable securities Laws. As a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no equity interests of the Company are issuable and no rights in connection with any interests, warrants, rights, options or other securities of the Company accelerate or otherwise become triggered (whether as to vesting, exercisability, convertibility or otherwise).

 

(c) Except as (a) disclosed in the Company Financials since January 1, 2022, the Company has not declared or paid any distribution or dividend in respect of its equity interests and has not repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any equity interests of the Company, and the board of directors of the Company has not authorized any of the foregoing.

 

4.4 Subsidiaries. The Company has no Subsidiaries; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event of the breach of the foregoing representation and warranty, without limiting any rights or remedies available under this Agreement or applicable Law, any reference in this Agreement to the Company will include its Subsidiaries to the extent reasonably applicable. There are no Contracts to which the Company is a party or bound with respect to the voting (including voting trusts or proxies) of the equity interests of any other entity. The Company does not own or have any rights to acquire, directly or indirectly, any equity interests of, or otherwise Control, any Person. The Company is not a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person.

 

4.5 Governmental Approvals. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 4.5, no Consent of or with any Governmental Authority on the part of the Company is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than (a) such filings as are expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (b) pursuant to Antitrust Laws and (c) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

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4.6 Non-Contravention. Except as otherwise described in Schedule 4.6, the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s Organizational Documents, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 4.5 hereof, the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order or Consent applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by the Company under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Company Material Contract, except for any deviations from any of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) or (c) that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

4.7 Financial Statements.

 

(a) As used herein, the term “Company Financials” means the (i) unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company (including, in each case, any related notes thereto), consisting of the consolidated unaudited balance sheets of the Company as of August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, and the related consolidated unaudited income statements, changes in stockholder equity and statements of cash flows for the fiscal years then ended, and (ii) the unaudited financial statements, consisting of the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of February 28, 2022 (the “Interim Balance Sheet Date”) and the related consolidated income statement, changes in stockholder equity and statement of cash flows for the six (6) months then ended. True and correct copies of the Company Financials have been provided to the Purchaser. The Company Financials (i) accurately reflect the books and records of the Company as of the times and for the periods referred to therein, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied throughout and among the periods involved (except that the unaudited statements exclude the footnote disclosures and other presentation items required for GAAP), and (iii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of the operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods indicated. The Company has not been subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(b) The Company maintains accurate books and records reflecting its assets and Liabilities and maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls that provide reasonable assurance that (i) the Company does not maintain any off-the-book accounts and that the Company’s assets are used only in accordance with the Company’s management directives, (ii) transactions are executed with management’s authorization, (iii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements of the Company and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets, (iv) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization, (v) the reporting of the Company’s assets is compared with existing assets at regular intervals and verified for actual amounts, and (vi) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection of accounts, notes and other receivables on a current and timely basis. All of the financial books and records of the Company are complete and accurate in all material respects and have been maintained in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and in accordance with applicable Laws. The Company has not been subject to or involved in any material fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Company. In the past five (5) years, neither the Company nor its Representatives has received any written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of the Company or its internal accounting controls, including any material written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that the Company has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices.

 

(c) The Company does not have any Indebtedness other than the Company Line of Credit and the Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 4.7(c), which schedule sets forth the amounts (including principal and any accrued but unpaid interest or other obligations) with respect to such Indebtedness. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.7(c), no Indebtedness of the Company contains any restriction upon (i) the prepayment of any of such Indebtedness, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company, or (iii) the ability of the Company to grant any Lien on their respective properties or assets.

 

(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(d), the Company is not subject to any Liabilities or obligations (whether or not required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP), except for those that are either (i) adequately reflected or reserved on or provided for in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Interim Balance Sheet Date contained in the Company Financials or (ii) not material and that were incurred after the Interim Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (other than Liabilities for breach of any Contract or violation of any Law).

 

(e) All financial projections with respect to the Company that were delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchaser or its Representatives were prepared in good faith using assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable.

 

(f) All accounts, notes and other receivables, whether or not accrued, and whether or not billed, of the Company (the “Accounts Receivable”) arose from sales actually made or services actually performed in the ordinary course of business and represent valid obligations to the Company arising from its business. None of the Accounts Receivable are subject to any right of recourse, defense, deduction, return of goods, counterclaim, offset, or set off on the part of the obligor in excess of any amounts reserved therefore on the Company Financials. All of the Accounts Receivable are, to the Knowledge of the Company, fully collectible according to their terms in amounts not less than the aggregate amounts thereof carried on the books of the Company (net of reserves) within ninety (90) days.

 

4.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8, since December 31, 2019, the Company has (a) conducted its business only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (b) not been subject to a Material Adverse Effect and (c) has not taken any action or committed or agreed to take any action that would be prohibited by Section 6.2(b) (without giving effect to Schedule 6.2) if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of the Purchaser.

 

4.9 Compliance with Laws. The Company is not or has not been in material conflict or material non-compliance with, or in material default or violation of, nor has the Company received, since January 1, 2017, any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of any material conflict or non-compliance with, or material default or violation of, any applicable Laws by which it or any of its properties, assets, employees, business or operations are or were bound or affected.

 

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4.10 Company Permits. The Company (and its employees who are legally required to be licensed by a Governmental Authority in order to perform his or her duties with respect to his or her employment with the Company), holds all Permits necessary to lawfully conduct in all material respects its business as presently conducted and as currently contemplated to be conducted, and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties (collectively, the “Company Permits”). The Company has made available to the Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of all material Company Permits, all of which material Company Permits are listed on Schedule 4.10. All of the Company Permits are in full force and effect, and no suspension or cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened. The Company is not in violation in any material respect of the terms of any Company Permit, and the Company has not received any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of any Actions relating to the revocation or modification of any Company Permit.

 

4.11 Litigation. Except as described on Schedule 4.11, there is no (a) Action of any nature currently pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened, nor is there any reasonable basis for any Action to be made (and no such Action has been brought or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened in the past five (5) years); or (b) Order now pending or outstanding or that was rendered by a Governmental Authority in the past five (5) years, in either case of (a) or (b) by or against the Company, its current or former directors, officers or equity holders (provided, that any litigation involving the directors, officers or equity holders of the Company must be related to the Company’s business, equity securities or assets), its business, equity securities or assets. The items listed on Schedule 4.11, if finally determined adversely to the Company, will not have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect upon the Company. In the past five (5) years, none of the current or former officers, senior management or directors of the Company have been charged with, indicted for, arrested for, or convicted of any felony or any crime involving fraud.

 

4.12 Material Contracts.

 

(a) Schedule 4.12(a) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of, and the Company has made available to the Purchaser (including written summaries of oral Contracts), true, correct and complete copies of, each Contract to which the Company is a party or by which the Company, or any of its properties or assets are bound or affected (each Contract required to be set forth on Schedule 4.12(a), a “Company Material Contract”) that:

 

(i) contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company (A) to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area or to sell, or provide any service or product or solicit any Person, including any non-competition covenants, employee and customer non-solicit covenants, exclusivity restrictions, rights of first refusal or most-favored pricing clauses or (B) to purchase or acquire an interest in any other Person;

 

(ii) involves any joint venture, profit-sharing, partnership, limited liability company or other similar agreement or arrangement relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any partnership or joint venture;

 

(iii) involves any exchange traded, over the counter or other swap, cap, floor, collar, futures contract, forward contract, option or other derivative financial instrument or Contract, based on any commodity, security, instrument, asset, rate or index of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether tangible or intangible, including currencies, interest rates, foreign currency and indices

 

(iv) evidences Indebtedness (whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset) of the Company having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $100,000;

 

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(v) involves the acquisition or disposition, directly or indirectly (by merger or otherwise), of assets with an aggregate value in excess of $100,000 (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or shares or other equity interests of the Company or another Person;

 

(vi) relates to any merger, consolidation or other business combination with any other Person or the acquisition or disposition of any other entity or its business or material assets or the sale of the Company, its business or material assets;

 

(vii) by its terms, individually or with all related Contracts, calls for aggregate payments or receipts by the Company under such Contract or Contracts of at least $100,000 per year or $250,000 in the aggregate;

 

(viii) is with any Top Customer or Top Supplier;

 

(ix) obligates the Company to provide continuing indemnification or a guarantee of obligations of a third party after the date hereof in excess of $100,000;

 

(x) is between the Company and any directors, officers or employees of the Company (other than at-will employment arrangements with employees entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), including all non-competition, severance and indemnification agreements, or any Related Person;

 

(xi) obligates the Company to make any capital commitment or expenditure in excess of $100,000 (including pursuant to any joint venture);

 

(xii) relates to a material settlement entered into within three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement or under which the Company has outstanding obligations (other than customary confidentiality obligations);

 

(xiii) provides another Person (other than an Affiliate or any manager, director or officer of the Company or an Affiliate) with a power of attorney;

 

(xiv) relates to the development, ownership, licensing or use of any Intellectual Property by, to or from the Company, other than Off-the-Shelf Software;

 

(xv) that will be required to be filed with the Proxy Statement under applicable SEC requirements or would otherwise be required to be filed by the Company as an exhibit for a Form S-1 pursuant to Items 601(b)(1), (2), (4), (9) or (10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act as if the Company was the registrant; or

 

(xvi) is otherwise material to the Company and not described in clauses (i) through (xv) above.

 

(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.12(b), with respect to each Company Material Contract: (i) such Company Material Contract is valid and binding and enforceable in all respects against the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect (except, in each case, as such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions); (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any Company Material Contract; (iii) the Company is not in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a material breach or default by the Company, or permit termination or acceleration by the other party thereto, under such Company Material Contract; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to such Company Material Contract is in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a material breach or default by such other party, or permit termination or acceleration by the Company, under such Company Material Contract; (v) the Company has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of an intention by any party to any such Company Material Contract that provides for a continuing obligation by any party thereto to terminate such Company Material Contract or amend the terms thereof, other than modifications in the ordinary course of business that do not adversely affect the Company in any material respect; and (vi) the Company has not waived any rights under any such Company Material Contract.

 

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4.13 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Schedule 4.13(a)(i) sets forth: (i) all U.S. and foreign registered Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Internet Assets and applications owned or licensed by the Company or otherwise used or held for use by the Company in which the Company is the owner, applicant or assignee (“Company Registered IP”), specifying as to each item, as applicable: (A) the nature of the item, including the title, (B) the owner of the item, (C) the jurisdictions in which the item is issued or registered or in which an application for issuance or registration has been filed and (D) the issuance, registration or application numbers and dates; and (ii) all material unregistered Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company. Schedule 4.13(a)(ii) sets forth all Intellectual Property licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions (“Company IP Licenses”) (other than “shrink wrap,” “click wrap,” and “off the shelf” software agreements and other agreements for Software commercially available on reasonable terms to the public generally with license, maintenance, support and other fees of less than $20,000 per year (collectively, “Off-the-Shelf Software”), which are not required to be listed, although such licenses are “Company IP Licenses” as that term is used herein), under which the Company is a licensee or otherwise is authorized to use or practice any Intellectual Property, and describes (A) the applicable Intellectual Property licensed, sublicensed or used and (B) any royalties, license fees or other compensation due from the Company, if any. The Company owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), has valid and enforceable rights in, and has the unrestricted right to use, sell, license, transfer or assign, all Intellectual Property currently used, licensed or held for use by the Company, and previously used or licensed by the Company, except for the Intellectual Property that is the subject of the Company IP Licenses. No item of Company Registered IP that consists of a pending Patent application fails to identify all pertinent inventors, and for each Patent and Patent application in the Company Registered IP, the Company has obtained valid assignments of inventions from each inventor. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(a)(iii), all Company Registered IP is owned exclusively by the Company without obligation to pay royalties, licensing fees or other fees, or otherwise account to any third party with respect to such Company Registered IP, and the Company has recorded assignments of all material Company Registered IP.

 

(b) The Company has a valid and enforceable license to use all Intellectual Property that is the subject of the Company IP Licenses applicable to the Company, except where the failure to have the same would not, individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company. The Company IP Licenses include all of the licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions necessary to operate the Company as presently conducted. The Company has performed all obligations imposed on it in the Company IP Licenses, has made all payments required to date, and the Company is not, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any other party thereto, in breach or default thereunder, nor has any event occurred that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder. The continued use by the Company of the Intellectual Property that is the subject of the Company IP Licenses in the same manner that it is currently being used is not restricted by any applicable license of the Company. All registrations for Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Internet Assets that are owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company are valid, in force and in good standing with all required fees and maintenance fees having been paid with no Actions pending, and all applications to register any Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks are pending and in good standing, all without challenge of any kind. The Company is not party to any Contract that requires the Company to assign to any Person all of its rights in any Intellectual Property developed by the Company under such Contract.

 

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(c) Schedule 4.13(c) sets forth all licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions under which the Company is the licensor (each, an “Outbound IP License”), and for each such Outbound IP License, describes (i) the applicable Intellectual Property licensed, (ii) the licensee under such Outbound IP License, and (iii) any royalties, license fees or other compensation due to the Company, if any. The Company has performed all obligations imposed on it in the Outbound IP Licenses, and the Company is not, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any other party thereto, in breach or default thereunder, nor has any event occurred that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder.

 

(d) No Action is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company that challenges the validity, enforceability, ownership, or right to use, sell, license or sublicense, or that otherwise relates to, any Intellectual Property currently owned, licensed, used or held for use by the Company, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is there any reasonable basis for any such Action. The Company has not received any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice or claim asserting or suggesting that any infringement, misappropriation, violation, dilution or unauthorized use of the Intellectual Property of any other Person is or may be occurring or has or may have occurred, as a consequence of the business activities of the Company, nor to the Knowledge of the Company is there a reasonable basis therefor. There are no Orders to which the Company is a party or its otherwise bound that (i) restrict the rights of the Company to use, transfer, license or enforce any Intellectual Property owned by the Company, (ii) restrict the conduct of the business of the Company in order to accommodate a third Person’s Intellectual Property, or (iii) other than the Outbound IP Licenses, grant any third Person any right with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by the Company. The Company is not currently infringing, or has, in the past, infringed, misappropriated or violated any Intellectual Property of any other Person in any material respect in connection with the ownership, use or license of any Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, otherwise in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company. To the Company’s Knowledge, no third party is currently, or in the past five (5) years has been, infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property owned, licensed by, licensed to, or otherwise used or held for use by the Company (“Company IP”) in any material respect.

 

(e) To the Knowledge of the Company, no current or former officers, employees or independent contractors of the Company have claimed any ownership interest in any Intellectual Property owned by the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no violation of the Company’s policies or practices related to protection of Company IP or any confidentiality or nondisclosure Contract relating to the Intellectual Property owned by the Company. The Company has made available to the Purchaser true and complete copies of all written Contracts referenced in subsections under which employees and independent contractors assigned their Intellectual Property to the Company. To the Company’s Knowledge, none of the employees of the Company is obligated under any Contract, or subject to any Order, that would materially interfere with the use of such employee’s best efforts to promote the interests of the Company, or that would materially conflict with the business of the Company as presently conducted. The Company has taken reasonable security measures in order to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of the material Company IP.

 

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(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has obtained unauthorized access to third party information and data (including personally identifiable information) in the possession of the Company, nor has there been any other material compromise of the security, confidentiality or integrity of such information or data, and no written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral complaint relating to an improper use or disclosure of, or a breach in the security of, any such information or data has been received by the Company. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Contract requirements relating to privacy, personal data protection, and the collection, processing and use of personal information and its own privacy policies and guidelines. The operation of the business of the Company has not and does not violate any right to privacy or publicity of any third person, or constitute unfair competition or trade practices under applicable Law.

 

(g) The consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in the material breach, material modification, cancellation, termination, suspension of, or acceleration of any payments with respect to, or release of source code because of (i) any Contract providing for the license or other use of Intellectual Property owned by the Company, or (ii) any Company IP License. Following the Closing, the Company shall be permitted to exercise, directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries, all of the Company’s rights under such Contracts or Company IP Licenses to the same extent that the Company would have been able to exercise had the transactions contemplated by this Agreement not occurred, without the payment of any additional amounts or consideration other than ongoing fees, royalties or payments which the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the absence of such transactions.

 

4.14 Taxes and Returns.

 

(a) The Company has or will have timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it (taking into account all available extensions), which Tax Returns are accurate and complete in all material respects, and has paid, collected or withheld, or caused to be paid, collected or withheld, all material Taxes required to be paid, collected or withheld, other than such Taxes for which adequate reserves in the Company Financials have been established.

 

(b) There is no Action currently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

 

(c) The Company is not being audited by any Tax authority or has been notified in writing by any Tax authority that any such audit is contemplated or pending. There are no claims, assessments, audits, examinations, investigations or other Actions pending against the Company in respect of any Tax, and the Company has not been notified in writing of any proposed Tax claims or assessments against it (other than, in each case, claims or assessments for which adequate reserves in the Company Financials have been established).

 

(d) There are no Liens with respect to any Taxes upon the Company’s assets, other than Permitted Liens.

 

(e) The Company has collected or withheld all Taxes currently required to be collected or withheld by it, and all such Taxes have been paid to the appropriate Governmental Authorities or set aside in appropriate accounts for future payment when due.

 

(f) The Company has no outstanding waivers or extensions of any applicable statute of limitations to assess any amount of Taxes. There are no outstanding requests by the Company for any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return or within which to pay any Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return.

 

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(g) The Company has not (i) made any change in accounting method (except as required by a change in Law); (ii) used an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior the Closing; (iii) entered into an installment sale or open transaction prior to the Closing; (iv) received a prepaid amount prior to the Closing; or (v) received a ruling from, or signed an agreement with, any taxing authority, which, in any case, would reasonably be expected to have a material impact on its Taxes following the Closing.

 

(h) The Company has not participated in, or sold, distributed or otherwise promoted, any “reportable transaction,” as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4.

 

(i) The Company has no Liability or potential Liability for the Taxes of another Person (other than an Affiliate) that are not adequately reflected in the Company Financials (i) under any applicable Tax Law, (ii) as a transferee or successor, or (iii) by contract, indemnity or otherwise (excluding commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes).

 

(j) The Company is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes (including advance pricing agreement, closing agreement or other agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Authority) that will be binding on the Company with respect to any period following the Closing Date.

 

(k) The Company has not requested, or is it the subject of or bound by any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar ruling, memorandum or agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, nor is any such request outstanding.

 

(l) The Company has not constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in connection with a distribution described in Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as it relates to Section 355 of the Code).

 

(m) The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

 

(n) The Company is not aware of any fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

4.15 Real Property. Schedule 4.15 contains a complete and accurate list of all premises currently leased or subleased or otherwise used or occupied by the Company for the operation of the business of the Company, and of all current leases, lease guarantees, agreements and documents related thereto, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof or waivers thereto (collectively, the “Company Real Property Leases”). The Company Real Property Leases are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or both or the happening or occurrence of any other event) would constitute a default on the part of the Company or any other party under any of the Company Real Property Leases, and the Company has not received notice of any such condition. The Company does not own and, since April 1998, has never owned any real property or any interest in real property (other than the leasehold interests in the Company Real Property Leases).

 

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4.16 Personal Property. Each item of Personal Property owned, used or leased by the Company as of February 28, 2021 with a book value or fair market value of greater than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) is set forth on Schedule 4.16, along with, to the extent applicable, a list of lease agreements, lease guarantees, security agreements and other agreements related thereto, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof or waivers thereto (“Company Personal Property Leases”). Except as set forth in Schedule 4.16, all such items of Personal Property are in good operating condition and repair (reasonable wear and tear excepted consistent with the age of such items), and are suitable for their intended use in the business of the Company. The operation of the Company’s business as it is now conducted or presently proposed to be conducted is not dependent upon the right to use the Personal Property of Persons other than an Affiliate, except for such Personal Property that is owned, leased or licensed by or otherwise contracted to the Company. The Company has provided to the Purchaser a true and complete copy of each of the Company Personal Property Leases, and in the case of any oral Company Personal Property Lease, a written summary of the material terms of such Company Personal Property Lease. The Company Personal Property Leases are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or both or the happening or occurrence of any other event) would constitute a default on the part of the Company or any other party under any of the Company Personal Property Leases, and the Company has not received notice of any such condition.

 

4.17 Title to and Sufficiency of Assets. The Company has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, all of its assets, free and clear of all Liens other than (a) Permitted Liens, (b) the rights of lessors under leasehold interests, (c) Liens specifically identified on the balance sheet as of the Interim Balance Sheet Date included in the Company Financials, (d) Liens set forth on Schedule 4.17 and (e) where such failure to have good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, free and clear of all Liens would not reasonably be expected to, individually, or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The assets (including Intellectual Property rights and contractual rights) of the Company constitute all of the assets, rights and properties that are used in the operation of the business of the Company as it is now conducted and presently proposed to be conducted or that are used or held by the Company for use in the operation of the business of the Company, and taken together, are adequate and sufficient for the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.

 

4.18 Employee Matters.

 

(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18(a), the Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other similar Contract covering any group of employees, labor organization or other bargaining representative of any of the employees of the Company, and the Company has no Knowledge of any pending activities of any labor union or other party to organize or represent such employees.

 

(b) In the past three (3) years, there have been no strikes, slow-downs, picketing, work-stoppages, or other similar material labor disputes affecting the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such actions are currently threatened.

 

(c) No current executive officer of the Company has provided the Company with written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of his or her plan to terminate his or her employment with the Company.

 

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(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18(d), to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company (i) is and for the past three (3) years has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, health and safety and wages and hours, and other Laws relating to discrimination, disability, labor relations, hours of work, payment of wages and overtime wages, pay equity, immigration, workers compensation, working conditions, employee scheduling, occupational safety and health, family and medical leave, and employee terminations (collectively, “Labor and Employment Laws”), and has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice that there is any pending Action alleging that the Company has engaged in any unfair labor practice, (ii) is not liable for any material past due arrears of wages or any material penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing, and (iii) is not liable for any material payment to any Governmental Authority with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for employees, independent contractors or consultants (other than routine payments to be made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice).

 

(e) There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company alleging that the Company has violated any Labor and Employment Law, or alleging breach of any contract of employment, wrongful termination of employment, or breach of any contract between the Company and an independent contractor.

 

(f) Schedule 4.18(f) hereto sets forth a complete and accurate list as of March 28, 2022 of all employees of the Company showing for each as of such date (i) the employee’s name, job title or description, employer, location, salary level (including any bonus, commission, deferred compensation or other remuneration payable (other than any such arrangements under which payments are at the discretion of the Company)), (ii) any bonus, commission or other remuneration other than salary paid during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, and (iii) any wages, salary, bonus, commission or other compensation due and owing to each employee during or for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.

 

(g) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(f), (A) no employee is a party to a written employment Contract with the Company and each is employed “at will”, (B) the Company has paid in full to all their employees all wages, salaries, commission, bonuses and other compensation due to their employees, including overtime compensation, and (C) the Company has no obligation or Liability (whether or not contingent) with respect to severance payments to any such employees under the terms of any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral agreement.

 

(h) Schedule 4.18(h) contains a list of all independent contractors (including consultants) currently engaged by the Company, along with the position, the entity engaging such Person, date of retention and rate of remuneration, most recent increase (or decrease) in remuneration and amount thereof, for each such Person. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(h), all of such independent contractors are a party to a written Contract with the Company. For the purposes of applicable Law, including the Code, all independent contractors who are currently, or within the last three (3) years have been, engaged by the Company have been correctly classified as independent contractors. Each independent contractor is terminable on fewer than thirty (30) days’ notice, without any obligation of the Company to pay severance or a termination fee.

 

4.19 Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Set forth on Schedule 4.19(a) is a true and complete list of each material Benefit Plan of the Company (each, a “Company Benefit Plan”). With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, there are no funded benefit obligations for which contributions have not been made or properly accrued and there are no unfunded benefit obligations that have not been accounted for by reserves, or otherwise properly footnoted in accordance with GAAP on the Company Financials. No statement, either written or oral, has been made by the Company to any Person with regard to any Company Benefit Plan that was not in accordance with the Company Benefit Plan in any material respect.

 

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(b) Each Company Benefit Plan is and has been operated at all times in compliance with all applicable Laws in all material respects, including ERISA and the Code. Each Company Benefit Plan which is intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has been determined by the IRS to be so qualified (or is based on a prototype plan which has received a favorable opinion letter) during the period from its adoption to the date of this Agreement and (ii) its related trust has been determined to be exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code or the Company has requested an initial favorable IRS determination of qualification and/or exemption within the period permitted by applicable Law. No fact exists which could adversely affect the qualified status of such Company Benefit Plans or the exempt status of such trusts.

 

(c) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan which covers any current or former officer, director, consultant or employee (or beneficiary thereof) of the Company, the Company has provided to Purchaser accurate and complete copies, if applicable, of: (i) all Company Benefit Plan texts and agreements and related trust agreements or annuity Contracts (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto); (ii) all summary plan descriptions and material modifications thereto; (iii) the three (3) most recent Forms 5500, if applicable, and annual report, including all schedules thereto; (iv) the most recent annual and periodic accounting of plan assets; (v) the three (3) most recent nondiscrimination testing reports; (vi) the most recent determination letter received from the IRS, if any; (vii) the most recent actuarial valuation; and (viii) all material communications with any Governmental Authority.

 

(d) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan: (i) such Company Benefit Plan has been administered and enforced in all material respects in accordance with its terms, the Code and ERISA; (ii) no breach of fiduciary duty has occurred; (iii) no Action is pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened (other than routine claims for benefits arising in the ordinary course of administration); (iv) no prohibited transaction, as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administration exemption; and (v) all contributions and premiums due through the Closing Date have been made in all material respects as required under ERISA or have been fully accrued in all material respects on the Company Financials.

 

(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(e), no Company Benefit Plan is a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Code), a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) or a “multiple employer plan” (as described in Section 413(c) of the Code) or is otherwise subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, and the Company has not incurred any Liability or otherwise could have any Liability, contingent or otherwise, under Title IV of ERISA and no condition presently exists that is expected to cause such Liability to be incurred. The Company does not currently maintain and has never maintained, and is not required currently and has ever been required to contribute to or otherwise participate in, a multiple employer welfare arrangement or voluntary employees’ beneficiary association as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.

 

(f) There is no arrangement under any Company Benefit Plan with respect to any employee that would result in the payment of any amount that by operation of Sections 280G or 162(m) of the Code would not be deductible by the Company and no arrangement exists pursuant to which the Company will be required to “gross up” or otherwise compensate any person because of the imposition of any excise tax on a payment to such person.

 

(g) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan which is a “welfare plan” (as described in Section 3(1) of ERISA): (i) no such plan provides medical or death benefits with respect to current or former employees of the Company beyond their termination of employment (other than coverage mandated by Law, which is paid solely by such employees); and (ii) there are no reserves, assets, surplus or prepaid premiums under any such plan. The Company has complied with the provisions of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code.

 

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(h) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents will not: (i) entitle any individual to severance pay, unemployment compensation or other benefits or compensation; (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of any compensation due, or in respect of, any individual; or (iii) result in or satisfy a condition to the payment of compensation that would, in combination with any other payment, result in an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. The Company has not incurred any Liability for any Tax imposed under Chapter 43 of the Code or civil liability under Section 502(i) or (l) of ERISA.

 

(i) Except to the extent required by Section 4980B of the Code or similar state Law, the Company neither provides health or welfare benefits to any former or retired employee nor is it obligated to provide such benefits to any active employee following such employee’s retirement or other termination of employment or service.

 

(j) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(j), all Company Benefit Plans can be terminated at any time as of or after the Closing Date without resulting in any Liability to the Surviving Corporation or Purchaser or their respective Affiliates for any additional contributions, penalties, premiums, fees, fines, excise taxes or any other charges or liabilities.

 

(k) Each Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code (each, a “Section 409A Plan”) as of the Closing Date is indicated as such on Schedule 4.19(k). No Company Options or other equity-based awards have been issued or granted by the Company that are, or are subject to, a Section 409A Plan. Each Section 409A Plan has been administered in compliance, and is in documentary compliance, with the applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code, the regulations thereunder and other official guidance issued thereunder. The Company has no obligation to any employee or other service provider with respect to any Section 409A Plan that may be subject to any Tax under Section 409A of the Code. No payment to be made under any Section 409A Plan is, or to the Knowledge of the Company will be, subject to the penalties of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. There is no Contract or plan to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound to compensate any employee, consultant or director for penalty taxes paid pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

4.20 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.20:

 

(a) The Company is and, to the Company’s Knowledge, has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining in good standing, and complying in all material respects with all Permits required for its business and operations by Environmental Laws (“Environmental Permits”), no Action is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened to revoke, modify, or terminate any such Environmental Permit, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no facts, circumstances, or conditions currently exist that could adversely affect such continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits or require capital expenditures to achieve or maintain such continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits.

 

(b) The Company is not the subject of any outstanding Order or Contract with any Governmental Authority or other Person in respect of any (i) Environmental Laws, (ii) Remedial Action, or (iii) Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material. The Company has not assumed, contractually or by operation of Law, any Liabilities or obligations under any Environmental Laws.

 

(c) No Action has been made or is pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any assets of the Company alleging either or both that the Company may be in material violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit or may have any material Liability under any Environmental Law.

 

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(d) The Company has not manufactured, treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, generated, handled or Released any Hazardous Material, or owned or operated any property or facility, in a manner that has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Liability or obligation under applicable Environmental Laws. No fact, circumstance, or condition exists in respect of the Company or any property currently or formerly owned, operated, or leased by the Company or any property to which the Company arranged for the disposal or treatment of Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to result in the Company incurring any material Environmental Liabilities.

 

(e) There is no investigation of the business, operations, or currently owned, operated, or leased property of the Company or, to the Company’s Knowledge, previously owned, operated, or leased property of the Company pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened that could lead to the imposition of any Liens under any Environmental Law or material Environmental Liabilities.

 

(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, there is not located at any of the properties of the Company any (i) underground storage tanks, (ii) asbestos-containing material, or (iii) equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls.

 

(g) The Company has provided to the Purchaser all environmentally related site assessments, audits, studies, reports, analysis and results of investigations that have been performed in the past three (3) years in respect of the currently owned, leased, or operated properties of the Company.

 

4.21 Transactions with Related Persons. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates, nor any officer, director, manager, employee, trustee or beneficiary of the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor any immediate family member of any of the foregoing (whether directly or indirectly through an Affiliate of such Person) (each of the foregoing, a “Related Person”) is presently, or in the past three (3) years, has been, a party to any transaction with the Company, including any Contract or other arrangement (a) providing for the furnishing of services by (other than as officers, directors or employees of the Company), (b) providing for the rental of real property or Personal Property from or (c) otherwise requiring payments to (other than for services or expenses as directors, officers or employees of the Company in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) any Related Person or any Person in which any Related Person has an interest as an owner, officer, manager, director, trustee or partner or in which any Related Person has any direct or indirect interest (other than the ownership of securities representing no more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding voting power or economic interest of a publicly traded company). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, the Company has no outstanding Contract or other arrangement or commitment with any Related Person, and no Related Person owns any real property or Personal Property, or right, tangible or intangible (including Intellectual Property) which is used in the business of the Company. The assets of the Company do not include any receivable or other obligation from a Related Person, and the liabilities of the Company do not include any payable or other obligation or commitment to any Related Person.

 

4.22 Insurance.

 

(a) Schedule 4.22(a) identifies all insurance policies relating to the Company or its business, properties, assets, directors, officers and employees. All premiums due and payable under all such insurance policies have been timely paid and the Company is otherwise in material compliance with the terms of such insurance policies. Each such insurance policy (i) is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect and (ii) will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect on identical terms following the Closing. The Company has no self-insurance or co-insurance programs. In the past five (5) years, the Company has not received any notice from, or on behalf of, any insurance carrier relating to or involving any adverse change or any change other than in the ordinary course of business, in the conditions of insurance, any refusal to issue an insurance policy or non-renewal of a policy.

 

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(b) Schedule 4.22(b) identifies each individual insurance claim in excess of $50,000 made by the Company in the past five (5) years. The Company has reported to its insurers all claims and pending circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim, except where such failure to report such a claim would not be reasonably likely to be material to the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that would reasonably be expected to (with or without notice or lapse of time) give rise to or serve as a basis for the denial of any such insurance claim. The Company has not made any claim against an insurance policy as to which the insurer is denying coverage.

 

4.23 Books and Records. All of the financial books and records of the Company are complete and accurate in all material respects and have been maintained in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and in accordance with applicable Laws.

 

4.24 Top Customers and Suppliers. Schedule 4.24 lists, by dollar volume received or paid, as applicable, (1) as of February 28, 2022 the ten (10) largest customers of the Company (the “Top Customers”) and (2) as of February 28, 2021, the ten largest suppliers of goods or services to the Company (the “Top Suppliers”), along with the amounts of such dollar volumes. The relationships of the Company with such suppliers and customers are good commercial working relationships and (i) no Top Supplier or Top Customer within the last twelve (12) months has cancelled or otherwise terminated, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, intends to cancel or otherwise terminate, any material relationships of such Person with the Company, (ii) no Top Supplier or Top Customer has during the last twelve (12) months decreased materially or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened to stop, decrease or limit materially, or intends to modify materially its material relationships with the Company or intends to stop, decrease or limit materially its products or services to the Company or its usage or purchase of the products or services of the Company, (iii) to the Company’s Knowledge, no Top Supplier or Top Customer intends to refuse to pay any amount due to the Company or seek to exercise any remedy against the Company, (iv) the Company has not within the past two (2) years been engaged in any material dispute with any Top Supplier or Top Customer, and (v) to the Company’s Knowledge, the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents will not adversely affect the relationship of the Company with any Top Supplier or Top Customer.

 

4.25 Certain Business Practices.

 

(a) Neither the Company, nor any of their respective Representatives acting on their behalf has (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees, to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other local or foreign anti-corruption or bribery Law or (iii) made any other unlawful payment. Neither the Company, nor any of their respective Representatives acting on their behalf has directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any unlawful gift or similar benefit in any material amount to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to help or hinder the Company or assist the Company in connection with any actual or proposed transaction.

 

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(b) The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with money laundering statutes in all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority, and no Action involving the Company with respect to any of the foregoing is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(c) Neither the Company nor any of its directors or officers, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Representative acting on behalf of the Company is currently identified on the specially designated nationals or other blocked person list or otherwise currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, and the Company has not in the last five (5) fiscal years, directly or indirectly, used any funds, or loaned, contributed or otherwise made available such funds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, in connection with any sales or operations in Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar or any other country sanctioned by OFAC or for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to, or otherwise in violation of, any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

4.26 RESERVED.

 

4.27 Investment Company Act. The Company is not an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company” or required to register as an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

4.28 Finders and Brokers . Except as set forth in Schedule 4.28, the Company has not incurred or will incur any Liability for any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.29 Independent Investigation. The Company has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Purchaser and Merger Sub, and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Purchaser and Merger Sub for such purpose. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub set forth in Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate delivered to the Company pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser for the Proxy Statement; and (b) none of the Purchaser, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Purchaser, Merger Sub or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) or in any certificate delivered to the Company pursuant hereto, or with respect to the information provided by or on behalf of the Company for the Proxy Statement.

 

4.30 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference: (a) in any current report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority or stock exchange with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents; (b) in the Proxy Statement; or (c) in the mailings or other distributions to the Purchaser’s stockholders and/or prospective investors with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any amendment to any of documents identified in (a) through (c), will, when filed, made available, mailed or distributed, as the case may be, 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. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release and the Closing Filing will, when filed or distributed, as applicable, 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of the Purchaser or its Affiliates.

 

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Article V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY STOCKHOLDER

 

Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Section numbers of which are numbered to correspond to the Section numbers of this Agreement to which they refer, the Company Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:

 

5.1 Organization and Standing. The Company Stockholder is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

5.2 Authorization; Binding Agreement. The Company Stockholder has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is or is required to be a party, to perform the Company Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which the Company Stockholder is or is required to be a party shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company Stockholder and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and any such Ancillary Document by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company Stockholder, enforceable against the Company Stockholder in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

5.3 Ownership. The Company Stockholder owns good, valid and marketable title to all of the Company Stock, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than those imposed by applicable securities Laws or the Company’s Organizational Documents). There are no proxies, voting rights, shareholders’ agreements or other agreements or understandings, to which the Company Stockholder is a party or by which the Company Stockholder is bound, with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Company Stockholder’s Company Common Stock other than this Agreement. Upon delivery of the shares of Company Common Stock to the Purchaser on the Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement, the entire legal and beneficial interest in the Company Common Stock and good, valid and marketable title to the Company Common Stock, free and clear of all Liens (other than those imposed by applicable securities Laws or those incurred by Purchaser), will pass to Purchaser.

 

5.4 Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery by the Company Stockholder of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company Stockholder is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound, and the consummation by the Company Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance by the Company Stockholder with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company Stockholder’s Organizational Documents, (b) conflict with or violate any Law or Order applicable to the Company Stockholder or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by the Company Stockholder under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon the shares of the Company’s capital stock, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which the Company Stockholder is a party or its properties or assets are otherwise bound, except for any deviations from any of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) or (c) that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company Stockholder.

 

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5.5 No Litigation. There is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company Stockholder, threatened, nor any Order is outstanding, against or involving the Company Stockholder, whether at law or in equity, before or by any Governmental Authority, which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company Stockholder to consummate the transactions contemplated by, and discharge its obligations under, this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Company Stockholder is or is required to be a party.

 

5.6 Investment Representations. The Company Stockholder: (a) is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act; (b) is acquiring the Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any, for itself for investment purposes only, and not with a view towards any resale or distribution of such Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any; (c) has been advised and understands that the Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any (i) are being issued in reliance upon one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities Laws, (ii) have not been and shall not be registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities Laws and, therefore, must be held indefinitely and cannot be resold unless such Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any, are registered under the Securities Act and all applicable state securities Laws, unless exemptions from registration are available and (iii) are subject to additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreement; (d) is aware that an investment in Purchaser is a speculative investment and is subject to the risk of complete loss; and (e) acknowledges that except as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Purchaser is under no obligation hereunder to register the Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any, under the Securities Act. The Company Stockholder does not have any Contract with any Person to sell, transfer, or grant participations to such Person, or to any third Person, with respect to the Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any. By reason of The Company Stockholder’s business or financial experience, or by reason of the business or financial experience of the Company Stockholder’s “purchaser representatives” (as that term is defined in Rule 501(h) under the Securities Act), the Company Stockholder is capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the Purchaser and of protecting its interests in connection with this investment. The Company Stockholder has carefully read and understands all materials provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser, or its Representatives to the Company Stockholder or the Company Stockholder’s Representatives pertaining to an investment in the Purchaser and has consulted, as the Company Stockholder has deemed advisable, with its own attorneys, accountants or investment advisors with respect to the investment contemplated hereby and its suitability for the Company Stockholder. The Company Stockholder acknowledges that the Merger Consideration Shares and the Earnout Payments, if any, are subject to dilution for events not under the control of the Company Stockholder. The Company Stockholder has completed its independent inquiry and has relied fully upon the advice of its own legal counsel, accountant, financial and other Representatives in determining the legal, tax, financial and other consequences of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the suitability of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby for the Company Stockholder and its particular circumstances, and, except as set forth herein, has not relied upon any representations or advice by the Purchaser, Purchaser or their respective Representatives. The Company Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that, except as set forth in Article III (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules), no representations or warranties have been made by the Purchaser, Merger Sub, or any of their respective Representatives, and that the Company Stockholder has not been guaranteed or represented to by any Person, (i) any specific amount or the event of the distribution of any cash, property or other interest in the Purchaser (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the Merger Consideration and Earnout Payments if any, the Company Stockholder is entitled to pursuant to this Agreement and Annex I hereto) or (ii) the profitability or value of the Merger Consideration Shares and Earnout Payments, if any, in any manner whatsoever. The Company Stockholder: (A) has been represented by independent counsel (or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel and has declined to do so); (B) has had the full right and opportunity to consult with the Company Stockholder’s attorneys and other advisors and has availed itself of this right and opportunity; (C) has carefully read and fully understands this Agreement in its entirety and has had it fully explained to it or him by such counsel; (D) is fully aware of the contents hereof and the meaning, intent and legal effect thereof; and (E) is competent to execute this Agreement and has executed this Agreement free from coercion, duress or undue influence.

 

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5.7 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company Stockholder expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference: (a) in any current report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority (including the SEC) or stock exchange with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents; (b) in the Proxy Statement; or (c) in the mailings or other distributions to the Purchaser’s stockholders and/or prospective investors with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any amendment to any of documents identified in (a) through (c), will, when filed, made available, mailed or distributed, as the case may be, 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. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company Stockholder expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release and the Closing Filing will, when filed or distributed, as applicable, 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company Stockholder makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of the Purchaser or its Affiliates.

 

5.8 Independent Investigation. The Company Stockholder has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Purchaser and Merger Sub, and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Purchaser and Merger Sub for such purpose. The Company Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate delivered to the Company Stockholder pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser for the Proxy Statement; and (b) none of the Purchaser, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Purchaser, Merger Sub or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Schedules) or in any certificate delivered to the Company Stockholder pursuant hereto, or with respect to the information provided by or on behalf of the Company Stockholder for the Proxy Statement.

 

5.9 Finders and Brokers. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.28, the Company Stockholder has not incurred nor will incur any Liability for any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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Article VI
COVENANTS

 

6.1 Access and Information.

 

(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 or the Closing (the “Interim Period”), subject to Section 6.14, the Company shall give, and shall cause its Representatives to give, the Purchaser and its Representatives, at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable intervals and notice, reasonable access to all offices and other facilities and to all employees, properties, Contracts, agreements, commitments, books and records, financial and operating data and other information (including Tax Returns, internal working papers, client files, client Contracts and director service agreements), of or pertaining to the Company, as the Purchaser or its Representatives may reasonably request regarding the Company and its businesses, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects, operations, management, employees and other aspects (including unaudited quarterly financial statements, including a consolidated quarterly balance sheet and income statement, a copy of each material report, schedule and other document filed with or received by a Governmental Authority pursuant to the requirements of applicable securities Laws, and independent public accountants’ work papers (subject to the consent or any other conditions required by such accountants, if any)) and cause each of the Company’s Representatives to reasonably cooperate with the Purchaser and its Representatives in their investigation; provided, however, that the Purchaser and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Company.

 

(b) During the Interim Period, subject to Section 6.14, the Purchaser shall give, and shall cause its Representatives to give, the Company and its Representatives, at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable intervals and notice, reasonable access to all offices and other facilities and to all employees, properties, Contracts, agreements, commitments, books and records, financial and operating data and other information (including Tax Returns, internal working papers, client files, client Contracts and director service agreements), of or pertaining to the Purchaser or its Subsidiaries, as the Company or its Representatives may reasonably request regarding the Purchaser, its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects, operations, management, employees and other aspects (including unaudited quarterly financial statements, including a consolidated quarterly balance sheet and income statement, a copy of each material report, schedule and other document filed with or received by a Governmental Authority pursuant to the requirements of applicable securities Laws, and independent public accountants’ work papers (subject to the consent or any other conditions required by such accountants, if any)) and cause each of the Purchaser’s Representatives to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its Representatives in their investigation; provided, however, that the Company and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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6.2 Conduct of Business of the Company.

 

(a) Unless the Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, if consent is withheld, Purchaser must notify the Company in writing within five (5) Business Days of the request or such failure to so notify shall be considered the equivalent of prior consent), during the Interim Period, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, as required by applicable Law, or as set forth on Schedule 6.2, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct their respective businesses, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) comply with all Laws applicable to the Company and its businesses, assets and employees, and (iii) take all commercially reasonable measures necessary or appropriate to preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective business organizations, to keep available the services of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees and consultants, and to preserve the possession, control and condition of their respective material assets, all as consistent with past practice.

 

(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.2(a) and except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents (including as contemplated by any Company Reorganization), as required by applicable Law, or as set forth on Schedule 6.2, during the Interim Period, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, if consent is withheld, Purchaser must notify the Company in writing within five (5) Business Days of the request or such failure to so notify shall be considered the equivalent of prior consent), the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to not:

 

(i) amend, waive or otherwise change, in any respect, its Organizational Documents, except as required by applicable Law;

 

(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, grant, sell, pledge, dispose of or propose to issue, grant, sell, pledge or dispose of any of its equity securities or any options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities, including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its shares or other equity securities or securities of any class and any other equity-based awards, or engage in any hedging transaction with a third Person with respect to such securities;

 

(iii) split, combine, recapitalize or reclassify any of its shares or other equity interests or issue any other securities in respect thereof or pay or set aside any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its equity interests, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to acquire any of its securities, except ordinary course distributions to the Company Stockholder for purposes of servicing its pro rata portion of Indebtedness of the Company Stockholder;

 

(iv) incur, create, assume, prepay or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise) other than the Company Line of Credit in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, make a loan or advance to or investment in any third party (other than advancement of expenses to employees in the ordinary course of business), or guarantee or endorse any Indebtedness, Liability or obligation of any Person in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate;

 

(v) increase the wages, salaries or compensation of its employees other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and in any event not in the aggregate by more than five percent (5%), or make or commit to make any bonus payment (whether in cash, property or securities) to any employee other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or materially increase other benefits of employees generally, or enter into, establish, materially amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan with, for or in respect of any current consultant, officer, manager director or employee, in each case other than as required by applicable Law, pursuant to the terms of any Company Benefit Plans or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(vi) make or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, settle any claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes, file any amended Tax Return or claim for refund, or make any material change in its accounting or Tax policies or procedures, in each case except as required by applicable Law or in compliance with GAAP;

 

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(vii) transfer or license to any Person or otherwise extend, materially amend or modify, permit to lapse or fail to preserve any material Company Registered IP, Company Licensed IP or other Company IP (excluding non-exclusive licenses of Company IP to the Company customers in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or disclose to any Person who has not entered into a confidentiality agreement any Trade Secrets;

 

(viii) terminate, or waive or assign any material right under, any Company Material Contract or enter into any Contract that would be a Company Material Contract, in any case outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(ix) fail to maintain its books, accounts and records in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(x) establish any Subsidiary or enter into any new line of business;

 

(xi) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in force insurance policies or replacement or revised policies providing insurance coverage with respect to its assets, operations and activities in such amount and scope of coverage substantially similar to that which is currently in effect;

 

(xii) revalue any of its material assets or make any material change in accounting methods, principles or practices, except to the extent required to comply with GAAP and after consulting with the Company’s outside auditors;

 

(xiii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that involve only the payment of monetary damages (and not the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by, the Company or its Affiliates) not in excess of $100,000 (individually or in the aggregate), or otherwise pay, discharge or satisfy any Actions, Liabilities or obligations, unless such amount has been reserved in the Company Financials;

 

(xiv) close or materially reduce its activities, or effect any layoff or other personnel reduction or change, at any of its facilities other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xv) acquire, including by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any other form of business combination, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division thereof, or any material amount of assets outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xvi) make capital expenditures in excess of $500,000 (individually for any project (or set of related projects) or $1,000,000 in the aggregate);

 

(xvii) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;

 

(xviii) voluntarily incur any Liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate (excluding the incurrence of any Expenses) other than pursuant to the terms of a Company Material Contract or Company Benefit Plan;

 

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(xix) sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise pledge or encumber (including securitizations), or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its properties, assets or rights other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx) enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company;

 

(xxi) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair the obtaining of any Consents of any Governmental Authority to be obtained in connection with this Agreement;

 

(xxii) accelerate the collection of any trade receivables or delay the payment of trade payables or any other liabilities other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xxiii) enter into, amend, waive or terminate (other than terminations in accordance with their terms) any transaction with any Related Person (other than compensation and benefits and advancement of expenses, in each case, provided in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice); or

 

(xxiv) authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing actions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing nothing in this Section ‎6.2, shall prevent the Company from taking any COVID-19 Measures or any reasonable action that is taken in good faith in response to COVID-19.

 

6.3 Conduct of Business of the Purchaser.

 

(a) Unless the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, if consent is withheld, the Company must notify the Purchaser in writing within five (5) Business Days of the request or such failure to so notify shall be considered the equivalent of prior consent), during the Interim Period, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, as required by applicable Law or as set forth on Schedule 6.3, the Purchaser shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct their respective businesses, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) comply with all Laws applicable to the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses, assets and employees, and (iii) take all commercially reasonable measures necessary or appropriate to preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective business organizations, to keep available the services of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees and consultants, and to preserve the possession, control and condition of their respective material assets, all as consistent with past practice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.3, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Purchaser from extending, in accordance with Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and the IPO Prospectus, the deadline by which it must complete its Business Combination (an “Extension”), and no consent of any other Party shall be required in connection therewith.

 

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(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.3(a) and except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents (including as contemplated by any PIPE Investment), as required by applicable Law or as set forth on Schedule 6.3, during the Interim Period, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, if consent is withheld, the Company must notify the Purchaser in writing within five (5) Business Days of the request or such failure to so notify shall be considered the equivalent of prior consent), the Purchaser shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to not:

 

(i) amend, waive or otherwise change, in any respect, its Organizational Documents except as required by applicable Law;

 

(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, grant, sell, pledge, dispose of or propose to issue, grant, sell, pledge or dispose of any of its equity securities or any options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities, including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its equity securities or other security interests of any class and any other equity-based awards, or engage in any hedging transaction with a third Person with respect to such securities;

 

(iii) split, combine, recapitalize or reclassify any of its shares or other equity interests or issue any other securities in respect thereof or pay or set aside any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its shares or other equity interests, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to acquire any of its securities;

 

(iv) incur, create, assume, prepay or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, make a loan or advance to or investment in any third party, or guarantee or endorse any Indebtedness, Liability or obligation of any Person (provided, that this Section 6.3(b)(iv) shall not prevent the Purchaser from borrowing funds necessary to finance its ordinary course administrative costs and expenses and Expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any PIPE Investment and the costs and expenses necessary for an Extension (such expenses, “Extension Expenses”), up to aggregate additional Indebtedness during the Interim Period of $1,000,000);

 

(v) make or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, settle any claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes, file any amended Tax Return or claim for refund, or make any material change in its accounting or Tax policies or procedures, in each case except as required by applicable Law or in compliance with GAAP;

 

(vi) amend, waive or otherwise change the Trust Agreement in any manner adverse to the Purchaser;

 

(vii) terminate, waive or assign any material right under any Purchaser Material Contract;

 

(viii) fail to maintain its books, accounts and records in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(ix) establish any Subsidiary or enter into any new line of business;

 

(x) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in force insurance policies or replacement or revised policies providing insurance coverage with respect to its assets, operations and activities in such amount and scope of coverage substantially similar to that which is currently in effect;

 

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(xi) revalue any of its material assets or make any material change in accounting methods, principles or practices, except to the extent required to comply with GAAP and after consulting the Purchaser’s outside auditors;

 

(xii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that involve only the payment of monetary damages (and not the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by, the Purchaser or its Subsidiary) not in excess of $100,000 (individually or in the aggregate), or otherwise pay, discharge or satisfy any Actions, Liabilities or obligations, unless such amount has been reserved in the Purchaser Financials;

 

(xiii) acquire, including by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any other form of business combination, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division thereof, or any material amount of assets outside the ordinary course of business;

 

(xiv) make capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 individually for any project (or set of related projects) or $250,000 in the aggregate (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, incurring any Expenses);

 

(xv) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization (other than with respect to the Merger);

 

(xvi) voluntarily incur any Liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate (excluding the incurrence of any Expenses) other than pursuant to the terms of a Contract in existence as of the date of this Agreement or entered into in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with the terms of this Section 6.3 during the Interim Period;

 

(xvii) sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise pledge or encumber (including securitizations), or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its properties, assets or rights;

 

(xviii) enter into any agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to the voting of Purchaser Securities;

 

(xix) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair the obtaining of any Consents of any Governmental Authority to be obtained in connection with this Agreement; or

 

(xx) authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing actions.

 

6.4 Annual and Interim Financial Statements. During the Interim Period, within thirty (30) calendar days following the end of each calendar month, each three-month quarterly period and each fiscal year, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser an unaudited consolidated income statement and an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the period from the Interim Balance Sheet Date through the end of such calendar month, quarterly period or fiscal year and the applicable comparative period in the preceding fiscal year, in each case accompanied by a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to the effect that all such financial statements fairly present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company as of the date or for the periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and excluding footnotes. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, the Company will also promptly deliver to the Purchaser copies of any audited consolidated financial statements of the Company that the Company’s certified public accountants may issue.

 

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6.5 Purchaser Public Filings. During the Interim Period, the Purchaser will keep current and timely file all of its public filings with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with applicable securities Laws and shall use its reasonable best efforts prior to the Closing to maintain the listing of the Purchaser Public Units, the shares of Purchaser Common Stock and the Purchaser Public Warrants on Nasdaq; provided, that the Parties acknowledge and agree that from and after the Closing, the Parties intend to list on Nasdaq only the Purchaser Common Stock and the Purchaser Public Warrants. Prior to the Closing, Purchaser shall apply for a mutually agreed upon new ticker symbol with Nasdaq that reflects the name “United Gear & Assembly, Inc.” contingent on obtaining Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval. On or prior to the Closing, if Purchaser receives any written notice from Nasdaq that Purchaser has failed to meet the Nasdaq listing requirements as of the Closing for any reason, then Purchaser shall provide prompt written notice to the Company, including a copy of any written notice received from Nasdaq.

 

6.6 No Solicitation.

 

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) an “Acquisition Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer, or any indication of interest in making an offer or proposal, from any Person or group at any time relating to an Alternative Transaction, and (ii) an “Alternative Transaction” means (A) with respect to the Company and its Affiliates, a transaction (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) concerning the sale of (x) all or any material part of the business or assets of the Company (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or (y) any of the shares or other equity interests or profits of the Company, in any case, whether such transaction takes the form of a sale of shares or other equity interests, assets, merger, consolidation, issuance of debt securities, management Contract, joint venture or partnership, or otherwise and (B) with respect to the Purchaser and its Affiliates, a transaction (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) concerning a Business Combination involving Purchaser.

 

(b) During the Interim Period, in order to induce the other Parties to continue to commit to expend management time and financial resources in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall not, and shall cause its Representatives to not, without the prior written consent of the Company and the Purchaser, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, assist, initiate or facilitate the making, submission or announcement of, or intentionally encourage, any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) furnish any non-public information regarding such Party or its Affiliates or their respective businesses, operations, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects or employees to any Person or group (other than a Party to this Agreement or their respective Representatives) in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engage or participate in discussions or negotiations with any Person or group with respect to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) approve, endorse or recommend, or publicly propose to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, (v) negotiate or enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement related to any Acquisition Proposal, or (vi) release any third Person from, or waive any provision of, any confidentiality agreement to which such Party is a party.

 

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(c) Each Party shall notify the others as promptly as practicable (and in any event within 48 hours) in writing of the receipt by such Party or any of its Representatives of (i) any bona fide inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations regarding or constituting any Acquisition Proposal or any bona fide inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations that could be expected to result in an Acquisition Proposal, and (ii) any request for non-public information relating to such Party or its Affiliates in connection with any Acquisition Proposal, specifying in each case, the material terms and conditions thereof (including a copy thereof if in writing or a written summary thereof if oral) and the identity of the party making such inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information. Each Party shall keep the others promptly informed of the status of any such inquiries, proposals, offers or requests for information with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. During the Interim Period, each Party shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and shall, and shall direct its Representatives to, cease and terminate any such solicitations, discussions or negotiations.

 

6.7 No Trading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it is aware, and that the Company’s Affiliates are aware (and each of their respective Representatives is aware or, upon receipt of any material nonpublic information of the Purchaser, will be advised) of the restrictions imposed by U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq promulgated thereunder or otherwise (the “Federal Securities Laws”) and other applicable foreign and domestic Laws on a Person possessing material nonpublic information about a publicly traded company. The Company hereby agrees that, while it is in possession of such material nonpublic information, it shall not purchase or sell any securities of the Purchaser (other than to engage in the Merger in accordance with Article I), communicate such information to any third party, take any other action with respect to the Purchaser in violation of such Laws, or cause or encourage any third party to do any of the foregoing.

 

6.8 Notification of Certain Matters. During the Interim Period, each Party shall give prompt notice to the other Parties if such Party or its Affiliates: (a) fails to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it or its Affiliates hereunder in any material respect; (b) receives any notice or other communication in writing from any third party (including any Governmental Authority) alleging (i) that the Consent of such third party is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) any non-compliance with any Law by such Party or its Affiliates; (c) receives any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (d) discovers any fact or circumstance that, or becomes aware of the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which, would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII not being satisfied or the satisfaction of those conditions being materially delayed; or (e) becomes aware of the commencement or threat, in writing, of any Action against such Party or any of its Affiliates, or any of their respective properties or assets, or, to the Knowledge of such Party, any officer, director, partner, member or manager, in his, her or its capacity as such, of such Party or of its Affiliates with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No such notice shall constitute an acknowledgement or admission by the Party providing the notice regarding whether or not any of the conditions to the Closing have been satisfied or in determining whether or not any of the representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement have been breached.

 

6.9 Efforts.

 

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, and shall cooperate fully with the other Parties, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the receipt of all applicable Consents of Governmental Authorities) and to comply as promptly as practicable with all requirements of Governmental Authorities applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of Section 6.9(a), to the extent required under any Laws that are designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade (“Antitrust Laws”), each Party hereto agrees to make any required filing or application under Antitrust Laws, with each of the Purchaser and the Company bearing fifty percent (50%) of the costs and expenses of any such filing or application, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable, to supply as promptly as reasonably practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be reasonably requested pursuant to Antitrust Laws and to take all other actions reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under Antitrust Laws as soon as practicable, including by requesting early termination of the waiting period provided for under the Antitrust Laws. Each Party shall, in connection with its efforts to obtain all requisite approvals and authorizations for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any Antitrust Law, use its commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) cooperate in all respects with each other Party or its Affiliates in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private Person; (ii) keep the other Parties reasonably informed of any communication received by such Party or its Representatives from, or given by such Party or its Representatives to, any Governmental Authority and of any communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) permit a Representative of the other Parties and their respective outside counsel to review any communication given by it to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting or conference with, any Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, with any other Person, and to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority or other Person, give a Representative or Representatives of the other Parties the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and conferences; (iv) in the event a Party’s Representative is prohibited from participating in or attending any meetings or conferences, the other Parties shall keep such Party promptly and reasonably apprised with respect thereto; and (v) use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in the filing of any memoranda, white papers, filings, correspondence or other written communications explaining or defending the transactions contemplated hereby, articulating any regulatory or competitive argument, and/or responding to requests or objections made by any Governmental Authority.

 

(c) As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other and use (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to use) their respective commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with Governmental Authorities requests for approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have such Governmental Authorities approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Party shall give prompt written notice to the other Parties if such Party or any of its Representatives receives any notice from such Governmental Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall promptly furnish the other Parties with a copy of such Governmental Authority notice. If any Governmental Authority requires that a hearing or meeting be held in connection with its approval of the transactions contemplated hereby, whether prior to the Closing or after the Closing, each Party shall arrange for Representatives of such Party to be present for such hearing or meeting. If any objections are asserted with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any applicable Law or if any Action is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by any applicable Governmental Authority or any private Person challenging any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document as violative of any applicable Law or which would otherwise prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any such objections or Actions so as to timely permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, including in order to resolve such objections or Actions which, in any case if not resolved, could reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. In the event any Action is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by a Governmental Authority or private Person challenging the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any Ancillary Document, the Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, reasonably cooperate with each other and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to contest and resist any such Action 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 or the Ancillary Documents.

 

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(d) Prior to the Closing, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any Consents of Governmental Authorities or other third Persons as may be necessary for the consummation by such Party or its Affiliates of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or required as a result of the execution or performance of, or consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement by such Party or its Affiliates, and the other Parties shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with such efforts.

 

6.10 Tax Matters.

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Party shall pay fifty percent (50%) of all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added, or other similar Taxes incurred in connection with the Merger. The Party required by applicable Law shall, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns with respect to all such Taxes, and, if required by applicable Law, or the other Parties will join in the execution of any such Tax Returns.

 

(b) Each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. None of the Parties shall (and each of the Parties shall cause their respective Subsidiaries not to) take any action, or fail to take any action, that could reasonably be expected to cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. The Parties intend to report and, except as otherwise required by a determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, shall report, for federal income tax purposes, the Merger as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Each of the Parties agrees to promptly notify all other Parties of any challenge to the intended tax treatment described in this Section 6.10(b) by any Governmental Authority.

 

(c) The Company Stockholder, at its own expense, shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all income Tax Returns for the Company (IRS Form 1120 and any corresponding state or local income Tax Return) for all taxable periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date (the “Company Returns”). All such Company Returns shall be prepared and filed in a manner consistent with the past practice unless otherwise required by applicable Law. The Company Stockholder shall submit each of the state or local Company Returns to the Purchaser no later than fifteen (15) days prior to filing for its review and comment, and the Company Stockholder shall consider in good faith all reasonable revisions requested by the Purchaser. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Stockholder shall not be required to provide any income Tax Returns of the Company Stockholder or its other subsidiaries not party to the Merger and the Purchaser shall have no right to review any Tax Returns of the Company Stockholder or its other subsidiaries not party to the Merger. The Company Stockholder shall pay all Taxes required to be paid with the Company Returns.

 

(d) The Purchaser shall prepare or cause to be prepared and timely file or cause to be timely filed all Tax Returns (other than Company Returns) for the Company for all taxable periods that include but do not end on the Closing Date (“Straddle Period”) filed after the Closing Date (the “Purchaser Returns”). All such Purchaser Returns shall be prepared and filed in a manner consistent with the past practice unless otherwise required by applicable Law. The Purchaser shall submit each of the Purchaser Returns to the Company Stockholder no later than fifteen (15) days prior to filing for its review and comment, and the Purchaser shall consider in good faith all reasonable revisions requested by the Company Stockholder. No later than 5 days prior to the due date of any Purchaser Return, the Company Stockholder shall pay to the Purchaser the amount of Taxes with respect to taxable periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date (including the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period).

 

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(i) Whenever it may be necessary to allocate Taxes arising in a Straddle Period: except as provided in clause (ii) below, the allocation of such Taxes between the Pre-Closing Tax Period and the post-Closing Tax period shall be made on the basis of an interim closing of the books as of the end of the Closing Date; and

 

(ii) In the case of any Taxes based on capitalization, debt or shares of stock authorized, issued or outstanding, or any real property, personal property or similar ad valorem Taxes that are payable for a Straddle Period, the portion of such Tax which relates to the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date shall be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire Straddle Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Straddle Period ending on (and including) the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire Straddle Period. However, any such Taxes attributable to any property that was owned by the Company at some point in the Pre-Closing Tax Period, but is not owned as of the Closing Date, shall be allocated entirely to the Pre-Closing Tax Period.

 

(e) Each Party will promptly notify the other Parties in writing upon receipt by such Party (or any of its Affiliates) of a notice of any pending or threatened audit, examination or Tax proceeding by a Governmental Authority related to the Company for the Pre-Closing Tax Period (a “Pre-Closing Tax Claim”). The Company Stockholder, may at its own expense, participate in, and upon written notice to the Purchaser, assume the defense of relating to such Pre-Closing Tax Claim. The Company Stockholder will have the right to participate jointly with the Purchaser in representing the interests of the Company in any pending or threatened audit, examination or Tax proceeding by a Governmental Authority relating to a Straddle Period, if and to the extent that such period includes any Pre-Closing Tax Period, and to employ counsel of its choice at its expense. The parties agree to cooperate in the defense of any such claim in such proceeding.

 

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company Stockholder shall be entitled to control in all respects, and neither the Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates shall be entitled to participate in, any Tax proceeding with respect to (A) any Tax Return of the Company Stockholder or (B) any Tax Return of a consolidated, combined or unitary group that includes a subsidiary of the Company Stockholder that is not party to the Merger.

 

(g) Neither the Purchaser nor its Affiliates may settle, compromise or resolve any Tax claim for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (including the pre-Closing portion of a Straddle Period), without the consent of the Company Stockholder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

(h) From and after the Closing, neither Purchaser nor its Affiliates may cause or permit the Company to (i) file an amended Tax Return for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (including the pre-Closing portion of a Straddle Period) or (ii) agree to extend the statute of limitations with respect to a Pre-Closing Tax Period (including the pre-Closing portion of a Straddle Period), in each case, without the consent of the Company Stockholder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

(i) The amount of any refund (including any interest paid or credits with respect thereto and whether in cash or as a credit against or offset of any Tax) that is received by the Purchaser, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the Company for Taxes paid for any Pre-Closing Tax Period shall be the property of the Company Stockholder.

 

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(j) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall survive for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof) plus sixty (60) days.

 

6.11 Further Assurances. The Parties hereto shall further cooperate with each other and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, necessary, proper or advisable on their part under this Agreement and applicable Laws to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable, including preparing and filing as soon as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings.

 

6.12 The Proxy Statement.

 

(a) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, the Purchaser shall prepare with the reasonable assistance of the Company, and file with the SEC a proxy statement (as amended, the “Proxy Statement”) for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Purchaser stockholders for the matters to be acted upon at the Purchaser Special Meeting and providing the Public Stockholders an opportunity in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and the IPO Prospectus to have their shares of Purchaser Common Stock redeemed (the “Redemption”) in conjunction with the stockholder vote on the Purchaser Stockholder Approval Matters. The Proxy Statement shall include proxy materials for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Purchaser stockholders to vote, at a special meeting of Purchaser stockholders to be called and held for such purpose (the “Purchaser Special Meeting”), in favor of resolutions approving (i) the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or referred to herein, including the Merger (and, to the extent required, the issuance of any shares in connection with the PIPE Investment), by the holders of shares of Purchaser Common Stock in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, the Act, the DCGL and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, (ii) the change of name of the Purchaser (iii) the appointment of the members of the Post-Closing Purchaser Board in accordance with Section 6.16 hereof, (iv) such other matters as the Company and Purchaser shall hereafter mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate in order to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the approvals described in foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), collectively, the “Purchaser Stockholder Approval Matters”), and (v) the adjournment of the Purchaser Special Meeting, if necessary or desirable in the reasonable determination of Purchaser. If on the date for which the Purchaser Special Meeting is scheduled, Purchaser has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares to obtain the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, Purchaser may make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Purchaser Special Meeting. In connection with the Proxy Statement, Purchaser will file with the SEC financial and other information about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with applicable Law and applicable proxy solicitation rules set forth in the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, the Act, the DGCL and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Purchaser shall cooperate and provide the Company (and its counsel) with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto prior to filing the same with the SEC. The Company shall provide Purchaser with such information concerning the Company and its stockholders, officers, directors, employees, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), business and operations that may be required or appropriate for inclusion in the Proxy Statement, or in any amendments or supplements thereto, which information provided by the Company shall be true and correct and not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.

 

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(b) Purchaser shall take any and all reasonable and necessary actions required to satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable Laws in connection with the Proxy Statement, the Purchaser Special Meeting and the Redemption. Each of Purchaser and the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make their respective directors, officers and employees, upon reasonable advance notice, available to the Company, Purchaser and, after the Closing, the Purchaser Representative, and their respective Representatives in connection with the drafting of the public filings with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Proxy Statement, and responding in a timely manner to comments from the SEC. Each Party shall promptly correct any information provided by it for use in the Proxy Statement (and other related materials) if and to the extent that such information is determined to have become false or misleading in any material respect or as otherwise required by applicable Laws. Purchaser shall amend or supplement the Proxy Statement and cause the Proxy Statement, as so amended or supplemented, to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to Purchaser stockholders, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable Laws and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents.

 

(c) Purchaser, with the assistance of the other Parties, shall promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Proxy Statement and shall otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to “clear” comments from the SEC. Purchaser shall provide the Company with copies of any written comments, and shall inform the Company of any material oral comments, that Purchaser or its Representatives receive from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement, the Purchaser Special Meeting and the Redemption promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall give the Company a reasonable opportunity under the circumstances to review and comment on any proposed written or material oral responses to such comments.

 

(d) As soon as practicable following the Proxy Statement “clearing” comments from the SEC, Purchaser shall distribute the definitive Proxy Statement to Purchaser’s stockholders, and, pursuant thereto, shall call the Purchaser Special Meeting in accordance with the Act for a date no later than thirty (30) days following the filing of the definitive Proxy Statement.

 

(e) Purchaser shall comply with all applicable Laws, any applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq, the SEC, Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and this Agreement in the preparation, filing and distribution of the Proxy Statement, any solicitation of proxies thereunder, the calling and holding of the Purchaser Special Meeting and the Redemption.

 

6.13 Public Announcements.

 

(a) The Parties agree that during the Interim Period no public release, filing or announcement concerning this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be issued by any Party or any of their Affiliates without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except as such release or announcement may be required by applicable Law or the rules or regulations of any securities exchange, in which case the applicable Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow the other Parties reasonable time to comment on, and arrange for any required filing with respect to, such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.

 

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(b) The Parties shall mutually agree upon and, as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter), issue a press release announcing the execution of this Agreement (the “Signing Press Release”). Promptly after the issuance of the Signing Press Release, the Purchaser shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Signing Filing”) with the Signing Press Release and a description of this Agreement as required by Federal Securities Laws, which the Company shall review, comment upon and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to filing (with the Company reviewing, commenting upon and approving such Signing Filing in any event no later than the third (3rd) Business Day after the execution of this Agreement). The Parties shall mutually agree upon and, as promptly as practicable after the Closing (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter), issue a press release announcing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing Press Release”). Promptly after the issuance of the Closing Press Release, the Purchaser shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Closing Filing”) with the Closing Press Release and a description of the Closing as required by Federal Securities Laws which the Company Stockholder and the Purchaser Representative shall review, comment upon and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to filing. In connection with the preparation of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Filing, the Closing Press Release, or any other report, statement, filing notice or application made by or on behalf of a Party to any Governmental Authority or other third party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall, upon request by any other Party, furnish the Parties with all information concerning themselves, their respective directors, officers and equity holders, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or any other report, statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of a Party to any third party and/ or any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

6.14 Confidential Information.

 

(a) The Company and the Company Stockholder hereby agree that during the Interim Period and, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, they shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to: (i) treat and hold in strict confidence any Purchaser Confidential Information, and will not use for any purpose (except in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, performing their obligations hereunder or thereunder, enforcing their rights hereunder or thereunder, or in furtherance of their authorized duties on behalf of the Purchaser or its Subsidiaries), nor directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, publish, disseminate or otherwise make available to any third party any of the Purchaser Confidential Information without the Purchaser’s prior written consent; and (ii) in the event that the Company, the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Representatives, during the Interim Period or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, becomes legally compelled to disclose any Purchaser Confidential Information, (A) provide the Purchaser to the extent legally permitted with prompt written notice of such requirement so that the Purchaser or an Affiliate thereof may seek, at Purchaser’s cost, a protective Order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 6.14(a), and (B) in the event that such protective Order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Purchaser waives compliance with this Section 6.14(a), furnish only that portion of such Purchaser Confidential Information which is legally required to be provided as advised in writing by outside counsel and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded such Purchaser Confidential Information. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, the Company and the Company Stockholder shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, promptly deliver to the Purchaser or destroy (at Purchaser’s election) any and all copies (in whatever form or medium) of Purchaser Confidential Information and destroy all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon; provided, however, that the Company and the Company Stockholder and their respective Representatives shall be entitled to keep any records required by applicable Law or bona fide record retention policies; and provided, further, that any Purchaser Confidential Information that is not returned or destroyed shall remain subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(b) The Purchaser hereby agrees that during the Interim Period and, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, it shall, and shall cause its Representatives to: (i) treat and hold in strict confidence any Company Confidential Information, and will not use for any purpose (except in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, performing its obligations hereunder or thereunder or enforcing its rights hereunder or thereunder), nor directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, publish, disseminate or otherwise make available to any third party any of the Company Confidential Information without the Company’s prior written consent; and (ii) in the event that the Purchaser or any of its Representatives, during the Interim Period or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, becomes legally compelled to disclose any Company Confidential Information, (A) provide the Company to the extent legally permitted with prompt written notice of such requirement so that the Company may seek, at the Company’s sole expense, a protective Order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 6.14(b) and (B) in the event that such protective Order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with this Section 6.14(b), furnish only that portion of such Company Confidential Information which is legally required to be provided as advised in writing by outside counsel and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded such Company Confidential Information. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, the Purchaser shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, promptly deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Purchaser’s election) any and all copies (in whatever form or medium) of Company Confidential Information and destroy all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon; provided, however, that the Purchaser and its Representatives shall be entitled to keep any records required by applicable Law or bona fide record retention policies; and provided, further, that any Company Confidential Information that is not returned or destroyed shall remain subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser and its Representatives shall be permitted to disclose any and all Company Confidential Information to the extent required by the Federal Securities Laws.

 

6.15 Documents and Information. After the Closing Date, the Purchaser and the Company shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date, retain all books, records and other documents pertaining to the business of the Company in existence on the Closing Date and make the same available for inspection and copying by the Purchaser Representative during normal business hours of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, upon reasonable request and upon reasonable notice. No such books, records or documents shall be destroyed after the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date by the Purchaser or its Subsidiaries (including the Company) without first advising the Purchaser Representative in writing and giving the Purchaser Representative a reasonable opportunity to obtain possession thereof.

 

6.16 Post-Closing Board of Directors and Executive Officers.

 

(a) The Parties shall take all necessary action, including causing the directors of the Purchaser to resign, so that effective as of the Effective Time, the Purchaser’s board of directors (the “Post-Closing Purchaser Board”) will consist of seven (7) individuals. Effective as of the Effective Time, the Parties shall take all necessary action to designate and appoint to the Post-Closing Purchaser Board (i) four (4) persons that are designated by the Company prior to the Closing (the “Company Directors”), and (ii) three (3) persons mutually agreed upon by the Parties (collectively, the “Independent Directors”), which such persons shall be required to qualify as an “independent director” (as defined under Nasdaq rules).

 

(b) At or prior to the Closing, the Purchaser will provide each of the Company Directors and the Independent Directors with a customary director indemnification agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such individuals.

 

(c) The Parties shall take all action necessary, including causing the executive officers of Purchaser to resign, so that the individuals serving as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively, of Purchaser immediately after the Closing will be the same individuals (in the same office) as that of the Company immediately prior to the Closing (unless, at its sole discretion, the Company desires to appoint another qualified person to either such role, in which case, such other person identified by the Company shall serve in such role).

 

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(d) The board of directors of the Surviving Corporation and the executive officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Closing shall be the same as the board of directors and executive officers of the Company immediately prior to the Closing.

 

6.17 Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Tail Insurance.

 

(a) The Parties agree that all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses existing in favor of the current or former directors and officers of the Company, the Purchaser or Merger Sub and each Person who served as a director, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise at the request of the Company, the Purchaser or Merger Sub (the “D&O Indemnified Persons”) as provided in their respective Organizational Documents or under any indemnification, employment or other similar agreements between any D&O Indemnified Person and the Company, the Purchaser or Merger Sub, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms to the extent permitted by applicable Law. For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, the Purchaser shall cause the Organizational Documents of the Company, the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation to contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation and indemnification of and advancement of expenses to D&O Indemnified Persons than are set forth as of the date of this Agreement in the Organizational Documents of the Company, the Purchaser and Merger Sub to the extent permitted by applicable Law. The provisions of this Section 6.17 shall survive the consummation of the Merger and are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Persons and their respective heirs and representatives.

 

(b) For the benefit of the Purchaser’s and Merger Sub’s directors and officers, the Purchaser shall be permitted prior to the Effective Time to obtain and fully pay the premium for a “tail” insurance policy that provides coverage for up to a six-year period from and after the Effective Time for events occurring prior to the Effective Time (the “D&O Tail Insurance”) that is substantially equivalent to and in any event not less favorable in the aggregate than the Purchaser’s existing policy or, if substantially equivalent insurance coverage is unavailable, the best available coverage. If obtained, the Purchaser shall maintain the D&O Tail Insurance in full force and effect, and continue to honor the obligations thereunder, and the Purchaser shall timely pay or cause to be paid all premiums with respect to the D&O Tail Insurance.

 

(c) In the event, after the Effective Time, the Purchaser or the 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 entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Purchaser or the Company (or their respective successors and assigns), as applicable, assume in writing the obligations set forth in this Section 6.17.

 

6.18 Trust Account Proceeds. The Parties agree that after the Closing, the funds in the Trust Account, after taking into account payments for the Redemption, and any proceeds received by Purchaser from any PIPE Investment shall first be used to pay (i) the Purchaser’s and the Company’s accrued and unpaid Expenses, (ii) the Purchaser’s deferred Expenses (including cash amounts payable to the IPO Underwriter and any legal fees) of the IPO (iii) any loans owed by the Purchaser to the Sponsor for any Expenses (including deferred Expenses), other administrative costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Purchaser or Extension Expenses and (iv) any other Liabilities of the Purchaser as of the Closing, including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of the Cash Consideration. Such Expenses, as well as any Expenses that are required to be paid by delivery of the Purchaser’s securities, will be paid at the Closing. Any remaining cash will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation.

 

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6.19 Company Stockholder Written Consent. Within one (1) Business Day after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company Stockholder shall deliver to the Purchaser the written consent of the Company Stockholder authorizing and approving this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, duly executed by the Company Stockholder (the “Company Stockholder Written Consent”).

 

6.20 PIPE Investment. Without limiting anything to the contrary contained herein, during the Interim Period, Purchaser may, but shall not be required to, enter into and consummate subscription agreements with investors relating to a private equity investment in Purchaser to purchase shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock or Purchaser Common Stock (or other equity securities of the Purchaser) in connection with a private placement, and/or enter into backstop arrangements with potential investors, in either case on terms and for amounts mutually agreeable to the Company and Purchaser, acting reasonably (a “PIPE Investment”), and, if Purchaser elects to seek a PIPE Investment, Purchaser and the Company shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, cooperate with each other and their respective Representatives in connection with such PIPE Investment and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such PIPE Investment to occur (including having the Company’s senior management participate in any investor meetings and roadshows as reasonably requested by Purchaser).

 

6.21 Purchaser Fairness Opinion. Purchaser will obtain within thirty (30) days of the date hereof, a written opinion from its financial advisor to the effect that, based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations set forth therein, the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to the holders of Purchaser Common Stock from a financial point of view and that the Company’s fair market value is at least 80% of the value of the Trust Account, excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account, at the time of the signing of this Agreement (the “Purchaser Fairness Opinion”).

 

6.22 Company Line of Credit. Promptly after the date of this Agreement, the Company, shall enter into a credit facility with a well-regarded commercial banking institution (the “Company Line of Credit”), to provide sufficient working capital and liquidity, as reasonably determined by the Company and the Purchaser, for the continued operation of the business of the Company post-Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Line of Credit and any associated debt shall become an obligation of and be assumed by the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time.

 

6.23 Employment Agreements. The Purchaser and Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain employment agreements duly executed by the parties thereto, in each case effective as of the Closing, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Purchaser, between each of the persons set forth Schedule 6.23 hereto and Company or the Purchaser, as noted in Schedule 6.23.

 

6.24 Management Services Agreement. As soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, the Company Stockholder, the Company and Purchaser, shall enter into a mutually agreeable management services agreement (the “Management Services Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company Stockholder shall continue to provide after the Closing such administrative, human resources and other operational support services provided by the Company Stockholder to the Company prior to the Closing.

 

6.25 Amended and Restated Purchaser Organizational Documents. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, Purchaser shall file the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D; provided, however, that Purchaser shall have no obligation to file the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation until each of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.3 have been satisfied or irrevocably waived (other than those conditions that by their nature cannot be satisfied until the Closing, but subject to such conditions being reasonably expected to be satisfied at the Closing).

 

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Article VII

CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

7.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The obligations of each Party to consummate the Merger and the other transactions described herein shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where permissible) by the Company and the Purchaser of the following conditions:

 

(a) Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval. The Purchaser Stockholder Approval Matters that are submitted to the vote of the stockholders of the Purchaser at the Purchaser Special Meeting in accordance with the Proxy Statement shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Purchaser at the Purchaser Special Meeting in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, applicable Law and the Proxy Statement (the “Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval”).

 

(b) Company Stockholder Written Consent. The Company Stockholder Witten Consent shall have been obtained.

 

(c) Antitrust Laws. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of this Agreement under any Antitrust Laws shall have expired or been terminated.

 

(d) Requisite Regulatory Approvals. All Consents required to be obtained from or made with any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained or made.

 

(e) Requisite Consents. The Consents required to be obtained from or made with any third Person (other than a Governmental Authority) in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are set forth in Schedule 7.1(e) shall have each been obtained or made.

 

(f) No Adverse Law or Order. No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or Order that is then in effect and which has the effect of making the transactions or agreements contemplated by this Agreement illegal or which otherwise prevents or prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(g) Net Tangible Assets Test. Upon the Closing, after giving effect to the Redemption and any PIPE Investment, the Purchaser shall have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001.

 

(h) Appointment to the Board. The members of the Post-Closing Purchaser Board shall have been elected or appointed as of the Closing consistent with the requirements of Section 6.16.

 

(i) Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement shall have cleared comments by the SEC.

 

(j) Purchaser Fairness Opinion. The Purchaser shall have obtained the Purchaser Fairness Opinion.

 

(k) Company Line of Credit. The Company shall have entered into the Company Line of Credit.

 

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7.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. In addition to the conditions specified in Section 7.1, the obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (by the Company) of the following conditions:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Purchaser or Merger Sub pursuant hereto shall be true and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date, except for (i) those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been true and correct as of such date), and (ii) any failures to be true and correct that (without giving effect to any qualifications or limitations as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on, or with respect to, the Purchaser.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have performed in all material respects all of the Purchaser’s and Merger Sub’s, as applicable, obligations and complied in all material respects with all of the Purchaser’s and Merger Sub’s, as applicable, agreements and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) No Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred with respect to the Purchaser or Merger Sub since the date of this Agreement which is continuing and uncured.

 

(d) SEC Compliance. Immediately prior to the Closing, Purchaser shall be in compliance in all material respects with the reporting requirements applicable to it under the Exchange Act.

 

(e) Trust Account. (i) Purchaser shall have made all reasonably necessary and appropriate arrangements with the Trustee to have all of the funds contained in the Trust Account disbursed to Purchaser, and all such funds shall be available to Purchaser in respect of the (A) the Purchaser’s and the Company’s accrued and unpaid Expenses, (B) the Purchaser’s deferred Expenses (including cash amounts payable to the IPO Underwriter and any legal fees) of the IPO (C) any loans owed by the Purchaser to the Sponsor for any Expenses (including deferred Expenses), other administrative costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Purchaser or Extension Expenses and (D) any other Liabilities of the Purchaser as of the Closing, including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of the Cash Consideration. The balance of the assets in the Trust Account and any proceeds received from any PIPE Investment, if any, after payment of the amounts required under the foregoing clauses (A)-(D), to be disbursed to Purchaser to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation after the Effective Time and (ii) there shall be no actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations or mediations pending or threatened by any Person (not including the Company and its Affiliates) with respect to or against the Trust Account that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser.

 

(f) Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement shall be in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof as of the Closing.

 

(g) Sponsor Agreement. Each of the covenants of the Sponsor required under the Sponsor Agreement to be performed as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed in all material respects.

 

(h) Management Services Agreement. The Management Services Agreement shall be in full force and effect and shall not have been terminated.

 

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(i) Outstanding Shares. The shares of Purchaser Common Stock comprising the Merger Consideration Shares shall represent a majority of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock that will be outstanding or issuable as of immediately following the Effective Time (including the Merger Consideration Shares, any shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable in connection with the PIPE Investment and any shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities that will be outstanding immediately following the Effective Time, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable to the Company Stockholder in connection with any Earnout Payments).

 

(j) Closing Deliveries.

 

(i) Officer Certificate. The Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of the Purchaser and Merger Sub in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 7.2(a), 7.2(b), 7.2(c), 7.1(h) and 7.2(i).

 

(ii) Secretary Certificate. The Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have delivered to the Company a certificate from its secretary or other executive officer certifying as to the validity and effectiveness of, and attaching, (A) copies of the Purchaser’s and Merger Sub’s Organizational Documents as in effect as of the Closing Date (immediately prior to the Effective Time), (B) the resolutions of the Purchaser’s and Merger Sub’s board of directors authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (C) evidence that the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval has been obtained and (D) the incumbency of officers authorized to execute this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to which the Purchaser or Merger Sub is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.

 

(iii) Good Standing. The Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company a good standing certificate (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for the Purchaser certified as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Authority of the Purchaser’s jurisdiction of organization.

 

(iv) Cash Consideration. The Company shall have received contemporaneously with the Closing, the full amount of the Cash Consideration and, if necessary, the Promissory Note in favor of the Company Stockholder for the Cash Shortfall Amount.

 

(v) Resignations. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.16, the Company shall have received written resignations, effective as of the Closing, of each of the directors and executive officers of the Purchaser.

 

(vi) Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall have received the Registration Rights Agreement from the Purchaser and Sponsor, duly executed by the Purchaser and Sponsor.

 

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7.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser. In addition to the conditions specified in Section 7.1, the obligations of the Purchaser and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (by the Purchaser) of the following conditions:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Company Stockholder set forth in this Agreement and in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Company or the Company Stockholder pursuant hereto shall be true and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date, except for (i) those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been true and correct as of such date), and (ii) any failures to be true and correct that (without giving effect to any qualifications or limitations as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on, or with respect to, the Company, taken as a whole.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations and complied in all material respects with all of its agreements and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) No Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred with respect to the Company taken as a whole since the date of this Agreement which is continuing and uncured.

 

(d) Certain Ancillary Documents. The Lock-Up Agreement and Non-Competition Agreement shall be in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof as of the Closing.

 

(e) Closing Deliveries.

 

(i) Officer Certificate. The Purchaser shall have received a certificate from the Company, dated as the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of the Company in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 7.3(a), 7.3(b) and 7.3(c)

 

(ii) Secretary Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser a certificate executed by the Company’s secretary certifying as to the validity and effectiveness of, and attaching, (A) copies of the Company’s Organizational Documents as in effect as of the Closing Date (immediately prior to the Effective Time), (B) the resolutions of the Company’s board of directors authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party or bound, and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (C) the incumbency of officers of the Company authorized to execute this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party or otherwise bound.

 

(iii) Good Standing. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser good standing certificates (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for the Company certified as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Authority of the Company’s jurisdiction of organization.

 

(iv) Certified Charter. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser a copy of the Company Certificate of Incorporation, as in effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a date no more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

(v) Non-Competition Agreements. The Purchaser shall have received the Non-Competition Agreement from the Company Stockholder, duly executed by the Company Stockholder and the Company.

 

(vi) Lock-Up Agreement. The Purchaser shall have received the Lock-Up Agreement from the Company Stockholder, duly executed by the Company Stockholder.

 

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(vii) Termination of Certain Contracts. The Purchaser shall have received evidence reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser that the Contracts involving the Company and/or the Company Stockholder or other Related Persons set forth on Schedule 7.3(e)(vii) shall have been terminated with no further obligation or Liability of the Company thereunder.

 

7.4 Frustration of Conditions. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Party may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article VII to be satisfied if such failure was caused by the failure of such Party or its Affiliates (or with respect to the Company, the Company or Company Stockholder) failure to comply with or perform any of its covenants or obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

Article VIII

TERMINATION AND EXPENSES

 

8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

 

(a) by mutual written consent of the Purchaser and the Company;

 

(b) by written notice by the Purchaser or the Company if any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII have not been satisfied or waived by December 17, 2022 (the “Outside Date”) (provided, that if Purchaser seeks and obtains an Extension, Purchaser shall have the right by providing written notice thereof to the Company to extend the Outside Date for an additional period equal to the shortest of (i) three (3) additional months, (ii) the period ending on the last date for Purchaser to consummate its Business Combination pursuant to such Extension and (iii) such period as determined by Purchaser); provided, however, the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to a Party if the breach or violation by such Party or its Affiliates of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement was the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Outside Date;

 

(c) by written notice by either the Purchaser or the Company if a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an Order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such Order or other action has become final and non-appealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(c) shall not be available to a Party if the failure by such Party or its Affiliates to comply with any provision of this Agreement has been a substantial cause of, or substantially resulted in, such action by such Governmental Authority;

 

(d) by written notice by the Company to Purchaser, if (i) there has been a breach by the Purchaser or Merger Sub of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Purchaser or Merger Sub shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) or Section 7.2(b) to be satisfied (treating the Closing Date for such purposes as the date of this Agreement or, if later, the date of such breach), and (ii) the breach or inaccuracy is incapable of being cured or is not cured within the earlier of (A) twenty (20) days after written notice of such breach or inaccuracy is provided to the Purchaser or (B) the Outside Date; provided, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(d) if at such time the Company is in material uncured breach of this Agreement;

 

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(e) by written notice by the Purchaser to the Company, if (i) there has been a breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Company shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.3(b) to be satisfied (treating the Closing Date for such purposes as the date of this Agreement or, if later, the date of such breach), and (ii) the breach or inaccuracy is incapable of being cured or is not cured within the earlier of (A) twenty (20) days after written notice of such breach or inaccuracy is provided to the Company or (B) the Outside Date; provided, that the Purchaser shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) if at such time the Purchaser is in material uncured breach of this Agreement;

 

(f) by written notice by the Purchaser to the Company, if there shall have been a Material Adverse Effect on the Company taken as a whole following the date of this Agreement which is uncured and continuing;

 

(g) by written notice by the Company to the Purchaser, if there shall have been a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser following the date of this Agreement which is uncured and continuing;

 

(h) by written notice by either the Purchaser or the Company to the other, if the Purchaser Special Meeting is held (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) and has concluded, the Purchaser’s stockholders have duly voted, and the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval was not obtained; provided, that, the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(h) shall not be available to Purchaser if, at the time of such termination, Purchaser is in material breach of Section 6.12; or

 

(i) by written notice by the Purchaser to the Company, if the Company Stockholder Written Consent from the Company Stockholder shall not have been delivered to Purchaser within one (1) Business Day after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or if such Company Stockholder Written Consent shall thereafter be rescinded, revoked or otherwise become ineffective; provided, however, that the termination rights under this Section 8.1(i) shall expire and Purchaser shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(i) if the Company Stockholder Written Consent has been obtained and delivered to Purchaser prior to the time that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 8.1(i).

 

8.2 Effect of Termination. This Agreement may only be terminated in the circumstances described in Section 8.1 and pursuant to a written notice delivered by the applicable Party to the other applicable Parties, which sets forth the basis for such termination, including the provision of Section 8.1 under which such termination is made. In the event of the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no Liability on the part of any Party or any of their respective Representatives, and all rights and obligations of each Party shall cease, except: (i) Sections 6.13, 6.14, 8.3, 9.1, Article X and this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any Party from Liability for any willful breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement or any Fraud Claim against such Party, in either case, prior to termination of this Agreement (in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, subject to Section 9.1). Without limiting the foregoing, and except as provided in Sections 8.3 and this Section 8.2 (but subject to Section 9.1) and subject to the right to seek injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief in accordance with Section 10.7, the Parties’ sole right prior to the Closing with respect to any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement by another Party or with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be the right, if applicable, to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1.

 

8.3 Fees and Expenses. Subject to Sections 6.18, 9.1, and 10.14 all Expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such expenses. As used in this Agreement, “Expenses” shall include all out-of-pocket expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, financial advisors, financing sources, brokers, finders, experts and consultants to a Party hereto or any of its Affiliates) incurred by a Party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Document related hereto and all other matters related to the consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. With respect to the Purchaser, Expenses shall include any and all deferred expenses (including fees or commissions payable to the underwriters and any legal fees) of the IPO upon consummation of a Business Combination and any Extension Expenses.

 

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Article IX

waiver Of Claims against trust

 

9.1 Waiver of Claims Against Trust. Reference is made to the IPO Prospectus. The Company and the Company Stockholder each hereby represents and warrants that it has read the IPO Prospectus and understands that Purchaser has established the Trust Account containing the proceeds of the IPO and the overallotment shares acquired by the Purchaser’s underwriters and from certain private placements occurring simultaneously with the IPO (including interest accrued from time to time thereon) for the benefit of Purchaser’s public stockholders (including overallotment shares acquired by the Purchaser’s underwriters) (the “Public Stockholders”) and that, except as otherwise described in the IPO Prospectus, Purchaser may disburse monies from the Trust Account only: (a) to the Public Stockholders in the event they elect to redeem their shares of Purchaser Common Stock in connection with the consummation of its initial business combination (as such term is used in the IPO Prospectus) (“Business Combination”) or in connection with an amendment to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents to extend Purchaser’s deadline to consummate a Business Combination, (b) to the Public Stockholders if the Purchaser fails to consummate a Business Combination within 18 months after the closing of the IPO, subject to extension by amendment to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, (c) with respect to any interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, amounts necessary to pay for any taxes, and (d) to Purchaser after or concurrently with the consummation of a Business Combination. For and in consideration of Purchaser entering into this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, each of the Company and the Company Stockholder hereby agrees on behalf of itself and its Affiliates that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, none of the Company or the Company Stockholder nor any of their respective Affiliates do now or shall at any time hereafter have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account or distributions therefrom, or make any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom), regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, this Agreement or any proposed or actual business relationship between Purchaser or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and the Company, the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Representatives, on the other hand, or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (collectively, the “Released Claims”). Each of the Company and the Company Stockholder on behalf of itself and its Affiliates hereby irrevocably waives any Released Claims that any such Party or any of its Affiliates may have against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) now or in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Purchaser or its Representatives and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) for any reason whatsoever (including for an alleged breach of this Agreement or any other agreement with Purchaser or its Affiliates). The Company and the Company Stockholder each agrees and acknowledges that such irrevocable waiver is material to this Agreement and specifically relied upon by Purchaser and its Affiliates to induce Purchaser to enter in this Agreement, and each of the Company and the Company Stockholder further intends and understands such waiver to be valid, binding and enforceable against such Party and each of its Affiliates under applicable Law. To the extent that the Company or the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Affiliates commences any Action based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of any matter relating to Purchaser or its Representatives, which proceeding seeks, in whole or in part, monetary relief against Purchaser or its Representatives, each of the Company and the Company Stockholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that its and its Affiliates’ sole remedy shall be against funds held outside of the Trust Account and that such claim shall not permit such Party or any of its Affiliates (or any Person claiming on any of their behalves or in lieu of them) to have any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) or any amounts contained therein. In the event that the Company or the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Affiliates commences Action based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of any matter relating to Purchaser or its Representatives which proceeding seeks, in whole or in part, relief against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) or the Public Stockholders, whether in the form of money damages or injunctive relief, Purchaser and its Representatives, as applicable, shall be entitled to recover from the Company, the Company Stockholder and their respective Affiliates, as applicable, the associated legal fees and costs in connection with any such Action, in the event Purchaser or its Representatives, as applicable, prevails in such Action. This Section 9.1 shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason and continue indefinitely.

 

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Article X

miscellaneous

 

10.1 Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by facsimile or other electronic means (including email), with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable Party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

 

If to the Purchaser or Merger Sub at or prior to the Closing, to:

 

Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.
515 Madison Ave, Suite 8078

New York NY 10022
Attn: Suren Ajjarapu, CEO
Telephone No.: (813) 601-3533
Email: suren@aestherhealthcarespac.com

 

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10105
Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889
Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300
Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

 

 

If to the Purchaser Representative, to:

 

Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC

515 Madison Ave, Suite 8078

New York, NY 10022

Attn: Mr. Suren Ajjarapu

Telephone No.: (813) 601-3533

Email: suren@aestherhealthcarespac.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10105
Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889
Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300
Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

 

 

If to the Company, the Surviving Corporation or Company Stockholder, to:

 

United Gear & Assembly, Inc.
1700 Livingstone Road

Hudson, WI 54016
Attn: David Schmitt
Telephone No.: (608) 368-4607
Email: dschmitt@ustars.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

 

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Joseph T. Ceithaml
Telephone No.: (612) 354-7425
Email: joseph.ceithaml@bfkn.com

   

 

If to the Purchaser after the Closing, to:

 

EVGT LTD
1700 Livingstone Road

Hudson, WI 54016

Attn: David Schmitt

Telephone No.: (608) 368-4607

Email: dschmitt@ustars.com

and

 

the Purchaser Representative

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Joseph T. Ceithaml
Telephone No.: (612) 354-7425
Email: joseph.ceithaml@bfkn.com

and

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10105
Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889
Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300
Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

 

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10.2 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of Law or otherwise without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and the Company (and after the Closing, the Purchaser Representative and the Company Stockholder); provided, however, that the Company Stockholder may assign this Agreement in connection with any Company Reorganization and the assignee thereto shall become Company Stockholder for purposes of this Agreement subsequent to any such Company Reorganization., and any assignment without such consent shall be null and void; provided that no such assignment shall relieve the assigning Party of its obligations hereunder.

 

10.3 Third Parties. Except for the rights of the D&O Indemnified Persons set forth in Section 6.17, which the Parties acknowledge and agree are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any Person that is not a Party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a Party.

 

10.4 Arbitration. Any and all disputes, controversies and claims (other than applications for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction or other equitable relief or application for enforcement of a resolution under this Section 10.4,) arising out of, related to, or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (a “Dispute”) shall be governed by this Section 10.4. A party must, in the first instance, provide written notice of any Disputes to the other parties subject to such Dispute, which notice must provide a reasonably detailed description of the matters subject to the Dispute. The parties involved in such Dispute shall seek to resolve the Dispute on an amicable basis within ten (10) Business Days of the notice of such Dispute being received by such other parties subject to such Dispute (the “Resolution Period”); provided, that if any Dispute would reasonably be expected to have become moot or otherwise irrelevant if not decided within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Dispute, then there shall be no Resolution Period with respect to such Dispute. Any Dispute that is not resolved during the Resolution Period may immediately be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration pursuant to the then-existing Expedited Procedures (as defined in the AAA Procedures) of the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “AAA Procedures”) of the AAA. Any party involved in such Dispute may submit the Dispute to the AAA to commence the proceedings after the Resolution Period. To the extent that the AAA Procedures and this Agreement are in conflict, the terms of this Agreement shall control. The arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator nominated by the AAA promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after the submission of the Dispute to the AAA and reasonably acceptable to each party subject to the Dispute, which arbitrator shall be a commercial lawyer with substantial experience arbitrating disputes under acquisition agreements. The arbitrator shall accept his or her appointment and begin the arbitration process promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after his or her nomination and acceptance by the parties subject to the Dispute. The proceedings shall be streamlined and efficient. The arbitrator shall decide the Dispute in accordance with the substantive law of the state of Delaware. Time is of the essence. Each party subject to the Dispute shall submit a proposal for resolution of the Dispute to the arbitrator within twenty (20) days after confirmation of the appointment of the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall have the power to order any party to do, or to refrain from doing, anything consistent with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and applicable Law, including to perform its contractual obligation(s); provided, that the arbitrator shall be limited to ordering pursuant to the foregoing power (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall order) the relevant party (or parties, as applicable) to comply with only one or the other of the proposals. The arbitrator’s award shall be in writing and shall include a reasonable explanation of the arbitrator’s reason(s) for selecting one or the other proposal. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York County, State of New York. The language of the arbitration shall be English.

 

10.5 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Subject to Section 10.4, all Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in 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, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (provided that if aforementioned courts are closed as a result of a force majeure event, then the Parties hereby agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, if it is open) (the “Specified Courts”). Subject to Section 10.4, each Party hereto hereby (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party hereto and (b) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other Action relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such Party at the applicable address set forth in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Section 10.5 shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law.

 

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10.6 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.6.

 

10.7 Specific Performance. Each Party acknowledges that the rights of each Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are unique, recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by any Party, money damages may be inadequate and the non-breaching Parties may have not adequate remedy at law, and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by an applicable Party in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each Party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to seek to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security or to prove that money damages would be inadequate, this being in addition to any other right or remedy to which such Party may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.

 

10.8 Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.

 

10.9 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only by execution of a written instrument signed by the Purchaser, the Company, the Purchaser Representative and the Company Stockholder.

 

10.10 Waiver. The Purchaser on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, the Company on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, and the Company Stockholder on behalf of itself, may in its sole discretion (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of any other non-Affiliated Party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties by such other non-Affiliated Party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance by such other non-Affiliated Party with any covenant or condition contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the Party or Parties to be bound thereby (including by the Purchaser Representative or the Company Stockholder in lieu of such Party to the extent provided in this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement after the Closing shall also require the prior written consent of the Purchaser Representative.

 

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10.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents or instruments referred to herein, including any exhibits and schedules attached hereto, which exhibits and schedules are incorporated herein by reference, together with the Ancillary Documents, embody the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein or the documents or instruments referred to herein, which collectively supersede all prior agreements and the understandings among the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein.

 

10.12 Interpretation. The table of contents and the Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the Parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) any pronoun used shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and words in the singular, including any defined terms, include the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity; (c) any accounting term used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document has the meaning assigned to such term in accordance with GAAP; (d) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding or succeeding such term and shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (f) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (g) the term “or” means “and/or”; (h) any reference to the term “ordinary course” or “ordinary course of business” shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “consistent with past practice”; (i) any agreement, instrument, insurance policy, Law or Order defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument, insurance policy, Law or Order as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes, regulations, rules or orders) by succession of comparable successor statutes, regulations, rules or orders and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein; (j) except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to the words “Section,” “Article”, “Schedule” and “Exhibit” are intended to refer to Sections, Articles, Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement; and (k) the term “Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars. Any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s directors shall include any member of such Person’s governing body and any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s officers shall include any Person filling a substantially similar position for such Person. Any reference in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to a Person’s shareholders or stockholders shall include any applicable owners of the equity interests of such Person, in whatever form, including with respect to the Purchaser its stockholders under the DGCL, as then applicable, or its Organizational Documents. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly 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. To the extent that any Contract, document, certificate or instrument is represented and warranted to by the Company to be given, delivered, provided or made available by the Company, in order for such Contract, document, certificate or instrument to have been deemed to have been given, delivered, provided and made available to the Purchaser or its Representatives, such Contract, document, certificate or instrument shall have been posted to the electronic data site maintained on behalf of the Company for the benefit of the Purchaser and its Representatives and the Purchaser and its Representatives have been given access to the electronic folders containing such information.

 

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10.13 Counterparts. This Agreement and each Ancillary Document may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different Parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

10.14 Purchaser Representative.

 

(a) The Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, successors and assigns, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, hereby irrevocably appoints Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, in its capacity as the Purchaser Representative, as each such Person’s agent, attorney-in-fact and representative, with full power of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of such Person, to act on behalf of such Person from and after the Closing in connection with: (i) terminating, amending or waiving on behalf of such Person any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser Representative is a party or otherwise has rights in such capacity (together with this Agreement, the “Purchaser Representative Documents”); (ii) signing on behalf of such Person any releases or other documents with respect to any dispute or remedy arising under any Purchaser Representative Documents; (iii) employing and obtaining the advice of legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors as the Purchaser Representative, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or advisable in the performance of its duties as the Purchaser Representative and to rely on their advice and counsel; (iv) incurring and paying reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including fees of brokers, attorneys and accountants incurred pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, and any other out-of-pocket fees and expenses allocable or in any way relating to such transaction; and (viii) otherwise enforcing the rights and obligations of any such Persons under any Purchaser Representative Documents, including giving and receiving all notices and communications hereunder or thereunder on behalf of such Person; provided, that the Parties acknowledge that the Purchaser Representative is specifically authorized and directed to act on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the holders of Purchaser Securities (other than the holders of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and their respective successors and assigns). All decisions and actions by the Purchaser Representative, including any agreement between the Purchaser Representative and the Company and the Company Stockholder, shall be binding upon the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, successors and assigns, and neither they nor any other Party shall have the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. The provisions of this Section 10.14 are irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Purchaser Representative hereby accepts its appointment and authorization as the Purchaser Representative under this Agreement

 

(b) The Purchaser Representative shall not be liable for any act done or omitted under any Purchaser Representative Document as the Purchaser Representative while acting in good faith and without willful misconduct or gross negligence, and any act done or omitted pursuant to the advice of counsel shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith. The Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser Representative from and against any and all Losses incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Purchaser Representative (in its capacity as such) and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Purchaser Representative’s duties under any Purchaser Representative Document, including the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel retained by the Purchaser Representative. In no event shall the Purchaser Representative in such capacity be liable under or in connection with any Purchaser Representative Document for any indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages. The Purchaser Representative shall be fully protected in relying upon any written notice, demand, certificate or document that it in good faith believes to be genuine, including facsimiles or copies thereof, and no Person shall have any Liability for relying on the Purchaser Representative in the foregoing manner. In connection with the performance of its rights and obligations hereunder, the Purchaser Representative shall have the right at any time and from time to time to select and engage, at the cost and expense of the Purchaser, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, advisors, consultants and clerical personnel and obtain such other professional and expert assistance, maintain such records and incur other out-of-pocket expenses, as the Purchaser Representative may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time. All of the indemnities, immunities, releases and powers granted to the Purchaser Representative under this Section 10.14 shall survive the Closing and continue indefinitely.

 

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(c) The Person serving as the Purchaser Representative may resign upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the Purchaser and the Company Stockholder, provided, that the Purchaser Representative appoints in writing a replacement Purchaser Representative. Each successor Purchaser Representative shall have all of the power, authority, rights and privileges conferred by this Agreement upon the original Purchaser Representative, and the term “Purchaser Representative” as used herein shall be deemed to include any such successor Purchaser Representatives.

 

10.15 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company, the Company Stockholder, the Purchaser and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company, the Company Stockholder, the Purchaser or Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive the Closing, and from and after the Closing, the Company, the Company Stockholder, the Purchaser and Merger Sub and their respective Representatives shall not have any further obligations, nor shall any claim be asserted or action be brought against the Company, the Company Stockholder, the Purchaser, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives with respect thereto. The covenants and agreements made by the Company and the Purchaser in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such covenants or agreements, shall not survive the Closing, except for those covenants and agreements contained herein and therein that by their terms apply or are to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing (which such covenants shall survive the Closing and continue until fully performed in accordance with their terms).

 

10.16 Legal Representation. The Parties agree that, notwithstanding the fact that EGS may have, prior to Closing, jointly represented the Purchaser, Merger Sub, the Purchaser Representative and/or the Sponsor in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and has also represented the Purchaser and/or its Affiliates in connection with matters other than the transaction that is the subject of this Agreement, EGS will be permitted in the future, after Closing, to represent the Sponsor, the Purchaser Representative or their respective Affiliates in connection with matters in which such Persons are adverse to the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, including any disputes arising out of, or related to, this Agreement. The Company and the Company Stockholder, who are or have the right to be represented by independent counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, hereby agree, in advance, to waive (and to cause their Affiliates to waive) any actual or potential conflict of interest that may hereafter arise in connection with EGS’s future representation of one or more of the Sponsor, the Purchaser Representative or their respective Affiliates in which the interests of such Person are adverse to the interests of the Purchaser, the Company and/or the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Affiliates, including any matters that arise out of this Agreement or that are substantially related to this Agreement or to any prior representation by EGS of the Purchaser, Merger Sub, the Sponsor, the Purchaser Representative or any of their respective Affiliates. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, for the purposes of the attorney-client privilege, the Sponsor and the Purchaser Representative shall be deemed the clients of EGS with respect to the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents. All such communications shall remain privileged after the Closing and the privilege and the expectation of client confidence relating thereto shall belong solely to the Sponsor and the Purchaser Representative, shall be controlled by the Sponsor and the Purchaser Representative and shall not pass to or be claimed by Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation; provided, further, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including, after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation and its Affiliates) of any applicable privileges or protections that can or may be asserted to prevent disclosure of any such communications to any third party.

 

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Article XI

DEFINITIONS

 

11.1 Certain Definitions. For purpose of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

AAA” means the American Arbitration Association or any successor entity conducting arbitrations.

 

Accounting Principles” means in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the date of the financial statement to which it refers or if there is no such financial statement, then as of the Closing Date, using and applying the same accounting principles, practices, procedures, policies and methods (with consistent classifications, judgments, elections, inclusions, exclusions and valuation and estimation methodologies) used and applied by the Company in the preparation of the latest audited Company Financials.

 

Action” means any notice of noncompliance or violation, or any claim, demand, charge, action, suit, litigation, audit, settlement, complaint, stipulation, assessment or arbitration, or any request (including any request for information), inquiry, hearing, proceeding or investigation, by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, Sponsor shall be deemed to be an Affiliate or the Purchaser prior to the Closing

 

Ancillary Documents” means each agreement, instrument or document attached hereto as an Exhibit, and the other agreements, certificates and instruments to be executed or delivered by any of the Parties hereto in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Benefit Plans” of any Person means any and all deferred compensation, executive compensation, incentive compensation, equity purchase or other equity-based compensation plan, employment or consulting, severance or termination pay, holiday, vacation or other bonus plan or practice, hospitalization or other medical, life or other insurance, supplemental unemployment benefits, profit sharing, pension, or retirement plan, program, agreement, commitment or arrangement, and each other employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, including each “employee benefit plan” as such term is defined under Section 3(3) of ERISA, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by a Person for the benefit of any employee or terminated employee of such Person, or with respect to which such Person has any Liability, whether direct or indirect, actual or contingent, whether formal or informal, and whether legally binding or not.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized to close for business, excluding as a result of “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems, including for wire transfers, of commercially banking institutions in New York, New York are generally open for use by customers on such day.

 

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Closing Purchaser Cash” means, as of the Reference Time, the aggregate cash and cash equivalents of the Purchaser on hand or in bank accounts (including any funds in the Trust Account), including deposits in transit, minus the aggregate amount of outstanding and unpaid checks issued by or on behalf of the Purchaser as of such time.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code shall include such section and any valid treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.

 

Company Certificate of Incorporation” means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and effective under the DGCL, prior to the Effective Time.

 

Company Common Stock means the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company.

 

Company Confidential Information” means all confidential or proprietary documents and information concerning the Company or any of its respective Representatives, furnished in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that Company Confidential Information shall not include any information which, (i) at the time of disclosure by the Purchaser or its Representatives, is generally available publicly and was not disclosed in breach of this Agreement or (ii) at the time of the disclosure by the Company or its Representatives to the Purchaser or its Representatives was previously known by such receiving party without violation of Law or any confidentiality obligation by the Person receiving such Company Confidential Information.

 

Company Reorganization” means any transfer of one hundred percent (100%) of the Company Common Stock from the sole stockholder of the Company to United Stars Investments, Inc.

 

Consent” means any consent, approval, waiver, authorization or Permit of, or notice to or declaration or filing with any Governmental Authority or any other Person.

 

Contracts” means all contracts, agreements, binding arrangements, bonds, notes, indentures, mortgages, debt instruments, purchase order, licenses (and all other contracts, agreements or binding arrangements concerning Intellectual Property), franchises, leases and other instruments or obligations of any kind, written or oral (including any amendments and other modifications thereto).

 

Control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. “Controlled”, “Controlling” and “under common Control with” have correlative meanings. Without limiting the foregoing a Person (the “Controlled Person”) shall be deemed Controlled by (a) any other Person (i) owning beneficially, as meant in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, securities entitling such Person to cast ten percent (10%) or more of the votes for election of directors or equivalent governing authority of the Controlled Person or (ii) entitled to be allocated or receive ten percent (10%) or more of the profits, losses, or distributions of the Controlled Person; (b) an officer, director, general partner, partner (other than a limited partner), manager, or member (other than a member having no management authority that is not a Person described in clause (a) above) of the Controlled Person; or (c) a spouse, parent, lineal descendant, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, or brother-in-law of an Affiliate of the Controlled Person or a trust for the benefit of an Affiliate of the Controlled Person or of which an Affiliate of the Controlled Person is a trustee.

 

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Copyrights” means any works of authorship, mask works and all copyrights therein, including all renewals and extensions, copyright registrations and applications for registration and renewal, and non-registered copyrights.

 

COVID-19” means SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions thereof or any other epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks.

 

COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or any other Law, directive, guidelines or recommendations by any Governmental Authority (including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization or an industry group) in relation to, arising out of, in connection with or in response to an epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including COVID-19), or any change in such Law, directive, guideline, recommendation or interpretation thereof.

 

Environmental Law” means any Law in any way relating to (a) the protection of human health and safety, (b) the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment and natural resources (including air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), or (c) the exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 USC. Section 9601 et. seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 USC. Section 6901 et. seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC. Section 2601 et. seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC. Section 1151 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 USC. Section 7401 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 USC. Section 111 et. seq., Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 USC. Section 651 et. seq. (to the extent it relates to exposure to Hazardous Substances), the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, 15 USC. Section 2601 et. seq., the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 USC. Section 300f et. seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and analogous state acts.

 

Environmental Liabilities” means, in respect of any Person, all Liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Actions, Losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements, and expenses of counsel, experts, and consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any other Person or in response to any violation of Environmental Law, whether known or unknown, accrued or contingent, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, to the extent based upon, related to, or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit, Order, or Contract with any Governmental Authority or other Person, that relates to any environmental, health or safety condition, violation of Environmental Law, or a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials.

 

ERISA” means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fraud Claim” means any claim based in whole or in part upon fraud, willful misconduct or intentional misrepresentation.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental, quasi-governmental or administrative body, instrumentality, department or agency or any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel, commission, or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body.

 

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Hazardous Material” means any waste, gas, liquid or other substance or material that is defined, listed or designated as a “hazardous substance”, “pollutant”, “contaminant”, “hazardous waste”, “regulated substance”, “hazardous chemical”, or “toxic chemical” (or by any similar term) under any Environmental Law, or any other material regulated, or that could result in the imposition of Liability or responsibility, under any Environmental Law, including petroleum and its by-products, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, mold, and urea formaldehyde insulation.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest), (b) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business), (c) any other indebtedness of such Person that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, credit agreement or similar instrument, (d) all obligations of such Person under leases that should be classified as capital leases in accordance with GAAP, (e) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any line or letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, guarantee or similar credit transaction, in each case, that has been drawn or claimed against, (f) all obligations of such Person in respect of acceptances issued or created, (g) all interest rate and currency swaps, caps, collars and similar agreements or hedging devices under which payments are obligated to be made by such Person, whether periodically or upon the happening of a contingency, (h) all obligations secured by a Lien on any property of such Person, including, with respect to the Company, any Liens in connection with the Company Line of Credit (and any associated debt), (i) any premiums, prepayment fees or other penalties, fees, costs or expenses associated with payment of any Indebtedness of such Person and (j) all obligation described in clauses (a) through (i) above of any other Person which is directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or which such Person has agreed (contingently or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire or in respect of which it has otherwise assured a creditor against loss.

 

Intellectual Property” means all of the following as they exist in any jurisdiction throughout the world: Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, Internet Assets, Software and other intellectual property, and all licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions related to the preceding property.

 

Internet Assets” means any and all domain name registrations, web sites and web addresses and related rights, items and documentation related thereto, and applications for registration therefor.

 

IPO” means the initial public offering of Purchaser Public Units pursuant to the IPO Prospectus.

 

IPO Prospectus” means the final prospectus of the Purchaser, dated as of September 14, 2021, and filed with the SEC on September 16, 2021 (File No. 333-258012).

 

IPO Underwriter” means EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC.

 

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or any successor Governmental Authority).

 

Knowledge” means, with respect to (i) the Company, the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of Todd Romanoski, David Schmitt, Rich Van Lanen and Mike Wodarck or (ii) the Purchaser, the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of Suren Ajjarapu and Howard Doss.

 

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Law” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, legislation, principle of common law, ordinance, code, edict, decree, proclamation, treaty, convention, rule, regulation, directive, requirement, writ, injunction, settlement, Order or Consent that is or has been issued, enacted, adopted, passed, approved, promulgated, made, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.

 

Liabilities” means any and all liabilities, Indebtedness, Actions or obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown, whether direct or indirect, whether matured or unmatured, whether due or to become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet under GAAP or other applicable accounting standards), including Tax liabilities due or to become due.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, attachment, right of first refusal, option, proxy, voting trust, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), restriction (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise), any subordination arrangement in favor of another Person, or any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar Law.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any specified Person, any fact, event, occurrence, change or effect that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect upon (a) the business, assets, Liabilities, results of operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries on a timely basis to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party or bound or to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder; provided, however, that for purposes of clause (a) above, any changes or effects directly or indirectly attributable to, resulting from, relating to or arising out of the following (by themselves or when aggregated with any other, changes or effects) shall not be deemed to be, constitute, or be taken into account when determining whether there has or may, would or could have occurred a Material Adverse Effect: (i) general changes in the financial or securities markets or general economic or political conditions in the countries or regions in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries do business; (ii) changes, conditions or effects that generally affect the industries in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries principally operate; (iii) changes in GAAP or other applicable accounting principles or mandatory changes in the regulatory accounting requirements applicable to any industry in which such Person and its Subsidiaries principally operate; (iv) conditions caused by acts of God, terrorism, war (whether or not declared), natural disaster or other force majeure events; (v) any failure in and of itself by such Person and its Subsidiaries to meet any internal or published budgets, projections, forecasts or predictions of financial performance for any period (provided that the underlying cause of any such failure may be considered in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur to the extent not excluded by another exception herein) (vi) with respect to the Purchaser, the consummation and effects of the Redemption (or any redemption in connection with the Extension) and (vii) any global or national health emergency, pandemic or epidemic, including COVID-19 or any COVID-19 Measures; provided further, however, that any event, occurrence, fact, condition, or change referred to in clauses (i) - (vii) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the extent that such event, occurrence, fact, condition, or change has a disproportionate effect on such Person or any of its Subsidiaries compared to other participants in the industries in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries primarily conducts its businesses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Purchaser, the amount of the Redemption (or any redemption in connection with the Extension, if any) or the failure to obtain the Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval shall not be deemed to be a Material Adverse Effect on or with respect to the Purchaser.

 

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Merger Sub Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Merger Sub.

 

Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Order” means any order, decree, ruling, judgment, injunction, writ, determination, binding decision, verdict, judicial award or other action that is or has been made, entered, rendered, or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.

 

Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person that is an entity, its certificate of incorporation or formation, bylaws, operating agreement, memorandum and articles of association or similar organizational documents, in each case, as amended.

 

Patents” means any patents, patent applications and the inventions, designs and improvements described and claimed therein, patentable inventions, and other patent rights (including any divisionals, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, substitutions, or reissues thereof, whether or not patents are issued on any such applications and whether or not any such applications are amended, modified, withdrawn, or refiled).

 

Per Share Price” means $10.00 per share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock (as equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like after the Closing).

 

Permits” means all federal, state, local or foreign or other third-party permits, grants, easements, consents, approvals, authorizations, exemptions, licenses, franchises, concessions, ratifications, permissions, clearances, confirmations, endorsements, waivers, certifications, designations, ratings, registrations, qualifications or orders of any Governmental Authority or any other Person.

 

Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens for Taxes or assessments and similar governmental charges or levies, which either are (i) not delinquent or (ii) being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and adequate reserves have been established with respect thereto, (b) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property entered into in the ordinary course of business, (c) Liens securing any Indebtedness of the Company as of the date hereof or in connection with the Company Line of Credit (and any associated debt), (d) other Liens imposed by operation of Law arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts which are not due and payable and as would not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of, or materially adversely interfere with the use of, the property subject thereto, (e) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with social security, (f) Liens on goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business, or (g) Liens arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership (including a general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government, domestic or foreign, or political subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

Personal Property” means any machinery, equipment, tools, vehicles, furniture, leasehold improvements, office equipment, plant, parts and other tangible personal property.

 

Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable period beginning before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable period ending on and including the Closing Date.

 

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Purchaser Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Purchaser.

 

Purchaser Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Purchaser.

 

Purchaser Common Stock” means (i) prior to the filing of the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation, the shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and Purchaser Class B Common Stock, collectively, and (ii) from and after the filing of the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation, shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Purchaser.

 

Purchaser Confidential Information” means all confidential or proprietary documents and information concerning the Purchaser or any of its Representatives; furnished in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, provided, however, that Purchaser Confidential Information shall not include any information which, (i) at the time of disclosure by the Company, the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Representatives, is generally available publicly and was not disclosed in breach of this Agreement or (ii) at the time of the disclosure by the Purchaser or its Representatives to the Company, the Company Stockholder or any of their respective Representatives, was previously known by such receiving party without violation of Law or any confidentiality obligation by the Person receiving such Purchaser Confidential Information. For the avoidance of doubt, from and after the Closing, Purchaser Confidential Information will include the confidential or proprietary information of the Company.

 

Purchaser Preferred Stock” means shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Purchaser.

 

Purchaser Private Warrants” means one whole warrant, issued in a private placement concurrently with the IPO, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share.

 

Purchaser Public Units” means the units issued in the IPO (including overallotment units acquired by the IPO Underwriter) consisting of one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock and one half (1/2) of one Purchaser Public Warrant.

 

Purchaser Public Warrants” means one half (1/2) of one whole warrant that was included in as part of each Purchaser Public Unit, entitling the holder of one (1) whole warrant to purchase one (1) share of Purchaser Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share.

 

Purchaser Securities” means the Purchaser Public Units, the Purchaser Common Stock, the Purchaser Preferred Stock and the Purchaser Warrants, collectively.

 

Purchaser Warrants” means Purchaser Private Warrants and Purchaser Public Warrants, collectively.

 

Reference Time” means the close of business of the Company on the Closing Date (but without giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any payments by Purchaser hereunder to occur at the Closing, but treating any obligations in respect of Indebtedness or other liabilities that are contingent upon the consummation of the Closing as currently due and owing without contingency as of the Reference Time).

 

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Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, or leaching into the indoor or outdoor environment, or into or out of any property.

 

Remedial Action” means all actions to (i) clean up, remove, treat, or in any other way address any Hazardous Material, (ii) prevent the Release of any Hazardous Material so it does not endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (iii) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care, or (iv) correct a condition of noncompliance with Environmental Laws.

 

Representatives” means, as to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective managers, directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, consultants, advisors (including financial advisors, counsel and accountants), agents and other legal representatives of such Person or its Affiliates.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor Governmental Authority).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Software” means any computer software programs, including all source code, object code, and documentation related thereto and all software modules, tools and databases.

 

SOX” means the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

 

Sponsor” means Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons will be allocated a majority of partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or will be or control the managing director, managing member, general partner or other managing Person of such partnership, association or other business entity. A Subsidiary of a Person will also include any variable interest entity which is consolidated with such Person under applicable accounting rules.

 

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, information return or other documents (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information) filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Taxes or the administration of any Laws or administrative requirements relating to any Taxes.

 

Taxes” means (a) all direct or indirect federal, state, local, foreign and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, value-added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, social security and related contributions due in relation to the payment of compensation to employees, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, alternative minimum, estimated, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts with respect thereto, (b) any Liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) whether as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period or otherwise through operation of law and (c) any Liability for the payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax group, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement with, or any other express or implied agreement to indemnify, any other Person.

 

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Trade Secrets” means any trade secrets, confidential business information, concepts, ideas, designs, research or development information, processes, procedures, techniques, technical information, specifications, operating and maintenance manuals, engineering drawings, methods, know-how, data, mask works, discoveries, inventions, modifications, extensions, improvements, and other proprietary rights (whether or not patentable or subject to copyright, trademark, or trade secret protection).

 

Trademarks” means any trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, brand names, internet domain names, designs, logos, or corporate names (including, in each case, the goodwill associated therewith), whether registered or unregistered, and all registrations and applications for registration and renewal thereof.

 

Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Purchaser Common Stock are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Purchaser Common Stock are then traded.

 

Trust Account” means the trust account established by Purchaser with the proceeds from the IPO pursuant to the Trust Agreement in accordance with the IPO Prospectus.

 

Trust Agreement” means that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2021, as it may be amended, by and between the Purchaser and the Trustee, as well as any other agreements entered into related to or governing the Trust Account.

 

Trustee” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in its capacity as trustee under the Trust Agreement.

 

11.2 Section References. The following capitalized terms, as used in this Agreement, have the respective meanings given to them in the Section as set forth below adjacent to such terms:

 

Term Section
AAA Procedures 10.4
Accounts Receivable 4.7(f)
Acquisition Proposal 6.6(a)
Act Recitals
Amended and Restated Purchaser Bylaws 1.7
Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation 1.7
Agreement Preamble
Alternative Transaction 6.6(a)
Antitrust Laws 6.9(b)
Business Combination 9.1
Cash Consideration 1.8(b)(i)
Cash Shortfall Amount 1.8(b)(i)
Certificate of Merger 1.2
Class I Directors 6.16(b)
Class II Directors 6.16(b)
Class III Directors 6.16(b)
Closing 2.1
Closing Date 2.1
Closing Filing   6.13(b)
Closing Press Release   6.13(b)
Company Preamble
Company Benefit Plan 4.19(a)
Company Certificates 1.10(a)
Company Directors 6.16(a)
Company Disclosure Schedules Article IV
Company Financials 4.7(a)
Company IP 4.13(d)
Company IP Licenses 4.13(a)
Company Line of Credit 6.24
Company Material Contracts 4.12(a)
Company Permits 4.10
Company Personal Property Leases 4.16
Company Real Property Leases 4.15
Company Registered IP 4.13(a)
Company Returns 6.10(c)
Company Stockholder Preamble
Company Stockholder Written Consent 6.19
D&O Indemnified Persons 6.17(a)
D&O Tail Insurance 6.17(b)
DCGL Recitals
Dispute 10.4
Effective Time 1.2
EGS 2.1
Enforceability Exceptions 3.2
Environmental Permits 4.20(a)
Expenses 8.3
Extension 6.3(a)
Extension Expenses 6.3(a)(iv)
Federal Securities Laws 6.7
Independent Directors 6.16(a)
Interim Balance Sheet Date 4.7(a)
Interim Period 6.1(a)
Labor and Employment Laws 4.18(d)

 

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Term Section
Lock-Up Agreement Recitals
Lost Certificate Affidavit 1.10(c)
Management Services Agreement 6.24
Merger Recitals
Merger Consideration 1.8(a)

Merger Consideration

Share Amount

1.8(b)(ii)1.

8(b)(i)(ii)

Merger Sub Preamble
Non-Competition Agreement Recitals
OFAC 3.21(c)
Off-the-Shelf Software 4.13(a)
Outbound IP License 4.13(c)
Outside Date 8.1(b)
Party(ies) Preamble
PIPE Investment   6.20
Post-Closing Purchaser Board 6.16(a)
Pre-Closing Tax Claim 6.10(e)
Promissory Note 1.8(b)(i)
Proxy Statement 6.12(a)
Public Certifications 3.6(a)
Public Stockholders 9.1
Purchaser Preamble
Purchaser Disclosure Schedules Article III
Purchaser Fairness Opinion 6.23
Purchaser Financials 3.6(b)
Purchaser Material Contract 3.14(a)
Purchaser Representative Preamble

Purchaser Representative Documents

10.14(a)
Purchaser Returns 6.10(d)

Purchaser Stockholder Approval Matters

6.12(a)
Purchaser Special Meeting 6.12(a)
Redemption 6.12(a)
Proxy Statement 6.12(a)
Registration Rights Agreement Recitals
Related Person 4.21
Released Claims 9.1
Required Purchaser Stockholder Approval 7.1(a)
Resolution Period 10.4
SEC Reports 3.6(a)
Section 409A Plan 4.19(k)
Signing Filing   6.13(b)
Signing Press Release   6.13(b)
Specified Courts 10.5
Sponsor Agreement Recitals
Straddle Period 6.10(d)
Surviving Corporation 1.1
Top Customers 4.24
Top Suppliers 4.24
Transmittal Documents 1.10(a)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Agreement and Plan of Merger to be signed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  The Purchaser:
     
  AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Surendra Ajjarapu
  Name: Surendra Ajjarapu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  The Purchaser Representative:
     
  AESTHER HEALTHCARE SPONSOR, LLC, solely in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative hereunder
     
  By: /s/ Surendra Ajjarapu
  Name: Surendra Ajjarapu
  Title: Managing Member
     
  Merger Sub:
     
  AHAC MERGER SUB INC.
     
  By: /s/ Surendra Ajjarapu
  Name: Surendra Ajjarapu
  Title: President
     
  The Company:
     
  UNITED GEAR & ASSEMBLY, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Roger W. West
  Name: Roger W. West
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
     
  The Company Stockholder:
     
  UNITED STARS HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Roger W. West
  Name: Roger W. West
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Final Form

 

FORM OF NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is being executed and delivered as of May 26, 2022, by [_____________________] (the “Subject Party”) in favor of and for the benefit of Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. a Delaware corporation, which will be known after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as defined below) as “EVGT LTD” (including any successor entity thereto, the “Purchaser”), United Gear & Assembly, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company”), and each of the Purchaser’s and/or the Company’s respective present and future Affiliates, successors and direct and indirect Subsidiaries (collectively with the Purchaser and the Company, the “Covered Parties”). Any capitalized term used, but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, (i) the Purchaser, (ii) AHAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (Merger Sub”), (iii) Aesther Healthcare Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative under the Merger Agreement, (iv) the Company, and (v) United Stars Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole stockholder of the Company (“United Stars”), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”), and with the Company’s sole stockholder receiving the Merger Consideration;

 

WHEREAS, the Company manufactures and supplies precision metal gears, shafts, and related assemblies to global automotive and equipment manufacturers (the “Business”). For purposes of this Agreement the term “Business” shall not include the business and operations, as presently conducted and consistent with past practices, of GearTec, Inc., a Delaware corporation or Precision Gears, Inc., a Delaware corporation, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Stars;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with, and as a condition to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby (the “Transactions”), and to enable the Purchaser to secure more fully the benefits of the Transactions, including the protection and maintenance of the goodwill and confidential information of the Company, the Purchaser has required that the Subject Party enter into this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Subject Party is entering into this Agreement in order to induce the Purchaser and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, pursuant to which the Subject Party will directly or indirectly receive a material benefit; and

 

WHEREAS, the Subject Party, as a current stockholder, director, officer or senior employee of the Company, has contributed to the value of the Company and has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge and confidential information concerning the business of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Purchaser to consummate the Transactions, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Subject Party hereby agrees as follows:

 

 
 

 

1. Restriction on Competition.

 

(a) Restriction. The Subject Party hereby agrees that during the period from the Closing until the two (2) year anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Termination Date”, and such period from the Closing until the Termination Date, the “Restricted Period”), the Subject Party will not, and will cause its Affiliates not to, without the prior written consent of Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), anywhere in the United States or in any other markets in which the Covered Parties are engaged, or are actively contemplating to become engaged, in the Business as of the Closing Date or during the Restricted Period (the “Territory”), directly or indirectly engage in the Business (other than through a Covered Party) or own, manage, finance or control, or participate in the ownership, management, financing or control of, or become engaged or serve as an officer, director, member, partner, employee, agent, consultant, advisor or representative of, a business or entity (other than a Covered Party) that engages in the Business (a “Competitor”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subject Party and its Affiliates may own passive investments of no more than five percent (5%) of any class of outstanding equity interests in a Competitor that is publicly traded, so long as the Subject Party and his, her or its Affiliates and immediate family members are not involved in the management or control of such Competitor (“Permitted Ownership”).

 

(b) Acknowledgment. The Subject Party acknowledges and agrees, based upon the advice of legal counsel and/or the Subject Party’s experience, that (i) the Subject Party possesses knowledge of confidential information of the Company and the Business, (ii) the Subject Party’s execution of this Agreement is a material inducement to Purchaser to consummate the Transactions and to realize the goodwill of the Company, for which the Subject Party and/or his, her or its Affiliates will receive a substantial direct or indirect financial benefit, and that the Purchaser would not enter into the Merger Agreement or consummate the Transactions but for the Subject Party’s agreements set forth in this Agreement; (iii) it would impair the goodwill of the Company and reduce the value of the assets of the Company and cause serious and irreparable injury if the Subject Party were to use his, her or its ability and knowledge by engaging in the Business in competition with a Covered Party, and/or to otherwise breach the obligations contained herein and that the Covered Parties would not have an adequate remedy at law because of the unique nature of the Business, (iv) the Subject Party and his, her or its Affiliates have no intention of engaging in the Business (other than through the Covered Parties) during the Restricted Period other than through Permitted Ownership, (v) the relevant public policy aspects of restrictive covenants, covenants not to compete and non-solicitation provisions have been discussed, and every effort has been made to limit the restrictions placed upon the Subject Party to those that are reasonable and necessary to protect the Covered Parties’ legitimate interests, (vi) the Covered Parties conduct and intend to conduct the Business everywhere in the Territory and compete with other businesses that are or could be located in any part of the Territory, (vii) the foregoing restrictions on competition are fair and reasonable in type of prohibited activity, geographic area covered, scope and duration, (viii) the consideration provided to the Subject Party under this Agreement and the Merger Agreement is not illusory, and (ix) such provisions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of the Covered Parties.

 

2. No Solicitation; No Disparagement.

 

(a) No Solicitation of Employees and Consultants. The Subject Party agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Subject Party will not, and will not permit his, her or its Affiliates to, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), either on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Person (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Subject Party’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) hire or engage as an employee, independent contractor, consultant or otherwise any Covered Personnel (as defined below); (ii) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Personnel to leave the service (whether as an employee, consultant or independent contractor) of any Covered Party; or (iii) in any way interfere with or attempt to interfere with the relationship between any Covered Personnel and any Covered Party; provided, however, the Subject Party and its Affiliates will not be deemed to have violated this Section 2(a) if any Covered Personnel voluntarily and independently solicits an offer of employment from the Subject Party or his, her or its Affiliate (or other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) by responding to a general advertisement or solicitation program conducted by or on behalf of the Subject Party or his, her or its Affiliate (or such other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) that is not targeted at such Covered Personnel or Covered Personnel generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “Covered Personnel” shall mean any Person who is or was an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Covered Parties, as of the Closing Date, at any time during the Restricted Period or during the six (6) month period preceding the Closing Date.

 

2
 

 

(b) Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. The Subject Party agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Subject Party and his, her or its Affiliates will not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), individually or on behalf of any other Person (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Subject Party’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Customer (as defined below) to (A) cease being, or not become, a client or customer of any Covered Party with respect to the Business or (B) reduce the amount of business of such Covered Customer with any Covered Party, or otherwise alter such business relationship in a manner adverse to any Covered Party, in either case, with respect to or relating to the Business; (ii) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt) the contractual relationship with respect to the Business between any Covered Party and any Covered Customer; (iii) divert any business with any Covered Customer relating to the Business from a Covered Party; (iv) solicit for business, provide services to, engage in or do business with, any Covered Customer for products or services that are part of the Business; or (v) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt), any Person that was a vendor, supplier, distributor, agent or other service provider of a Covered Party at the time of such interference or disruption, for a purpose competitive with a Covered Party as it relates to the Business. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Covered Customer” shall mean any Person who is or was an actual customer or client (or prospective customer or client with whom a Covered Party actively marketed or made or has taken specific action to make a proposal to, in each such case to which the Subject Party is aware) of a Covered Party, as of the Closing Date, at any time during the Restricted Period or during the six (6) month period preceding the Closing Date.

 

(c) Non-Disparagement. The Subject Party agrees that from and after the Closing until end of the Restricted Period, the Subject Party and its Affiliates will not, directly or indirectly engage in any conduct that involves the making or publishing (including through electronic mail distribution or online social media) of any written or oral statements or remarks (including the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) that are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or good will of one or more Covered Parties or their respective management, officers, employees, independent contractors or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to Section 3 below, the provisions of this Section 2(c) shall not restrict the Subject Party from providing truthful testimony or information in response to a subpoena or investigation by a Governmental Authority or in connection with any legal action by the Subject Party against any Covered Party under this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Document that is asserted by the Subject Party in good faith.

 

3
 

 

3. Confidentiality. From and after the Closing Date, the Subject Party will, and will cause its Representatives to, keep confidential and not (except, if applicable, in the performance of the Subject Party’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties) directly or indirectly use, disclose, reveal, publish, transfer or provide access to, any and all Covered Party Information without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion). As used in this Agreement, “Covered Party Information” means all material and information relating to the business, affairs and assets of any Covered Party, including material and information that concerns or relates to such Covered Party’s bidding and proposal, technical, computer hardware or software, administrative, management, operational, data processing, financial, marketing, sales, human resources, business development, planning and/or other business activities, regardless of whether such material and information is maintained in physical, electronic, or other form, that is: (A) gathered, compiled, generated, produced or maintained by such Covered Party through its Representatives, or provided to such Covered Party by its suppliers, service providers or customers; and (B) intended and maintained by such Covered Party or its Representatives, suppliers, service providers or customers to be kept in confidence. The obligations set forth in this Section 3 will not apply to any Covered Party Information where the Subject Party can prove that such material or information: (i) is known or available through other lawful sources not known by the Subject Party to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other confidentiality obligation to, any Covered Party; (ii) is or becomes publicly known through no violation of this Agreement or other non-disclosure obligation of the Subject Party or any of its Representatives; (iii) is already in the possession of the Subject Party as of the Closing Date through lawful sources not bound by a confidentiality agreement or other confidentiality obligation to any Covered Party as evidenced by the Subject Party’s documents and records; or (iv) is required to be disclosed pursuant to an order of any administrative body or court of competent jurisdiction (provided that (A) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the applicable Covered Party is given reasonable prior written notice, (B) the Subject Party cooperates (and causes its Representatives to cooperate) with any reasonable request of any Covered Party to seek to prevent or narrow such disclosure and (C) if after compliance with clauses (A) and (B) such disclosure is still required, the Subject Party and its Representatives only disclose such portion of the Covered Party Information that is expressly required by such order, as it may be subsequently narrowed).

 

4. Representations and Warranties. The Subject Party hereby represents and warrants, to and for the benefit of the Covered Parties as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, that: (a) the Subject Party has full power and capacity to execute and deliver, and to perform all of the Subject Party’s obligations under, this Agreement; and (b) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Subject Party’s obligations hereunder will result directly or indirectly in a violation or breach of any agreement or obligation by which the Subject Party is a party or otherwise bound. By entering into this Agreement, the Subject Party certifies and acknowledges that the Subject Party has carefully read all of the provisions of this Agreement, and that the Subject Party voluntarily and knowingly enters into this Agreement.

 

5. Remedies. The covenants and undertakings of the Subject Party contained in this Agreement relate to matters which are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of the terms of this Agreement may cause irreparable injury to the Covered Parties, the amount of which may be impossible to estimate or determine and which cannot be adequately compensated. The Subject Party agrees that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by the Subject Party of any covenant or obligation contained in this Agreement, each applicable Covered Party will be entitled to seek the following remedies (in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy at law or in equity or pursuant to the Merger Agreement or the other Ancillary Documents that may be available to the Covered Parties, including monetary damages), and a court of competent jurisdiction may award: (i) an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief restraining or preventing such breach or threatened breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting bond or security, which the Subject Party expressly waives; and (ii) recovery of the Covered Party’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in enforcing the Covered Party’s rights under this Agreement. The Subject Party hereby consents to the award by a court of competent jurisdiction of any of the above remedies to the applicable Covered Party in connection with any such breach or threatened breach by the Subject Party.

 

6. Survival of Obligations. The expiration of the Restricted Period will not relieve the Subject Party of any obligation or liability arising from any breach by the Subject Party of this Agreement during the Restricted Period. The Subject Party further agrees that the time period during which the covenants contained in Section 1 and Section 2 of this Agreement will be effective will be computed by excluding from such computation any time during which the Subject Party is in violation of any provision of such Sections.

 

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7. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by facsimile or other electronic means, with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

 

If to the Purchaser prior to the Closing, to:

 

Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.
515 Madison Ave, Suite 8078

New York NY 10022
Attn: Suren Ajjarapu, CEO
Telephone No.: (813) 601-3533
Email: suren@aestherhealthcarespac.com

 

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10105
Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889
Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300
Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

 

 

If to the Company prior to the Closing, to:

 

United Gear & Assembly, Inc.
1700 Livingstone Road

Hudson, WI 54016
Attn: David Schmitt
Telephone No.: (608) 368-4607
Email: dschmitt@ustars.com

 

with a copy (that will not constitute notice) to:

 

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Joseph T. Ceithaml
Telephone No.: (612) 354-7425
Email: joseph.ceithaml@bfkn.com

   

 

If to Purchaser (or any other Covered Party),after the Closing to:

 

EVGT LTD
1700 Livingstone Road,

Hudson, WI 54016

Attn: David Schmitt

Telephone No.: (608) 368-4607

Email: dschmitt@ustars.com

 

and

 

Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC

515 Madison Ave, Suite 8078

New York, NY 10022

Attn: Mr. Suren Ajjarapu

Telephone No.: (813) 601-3533

Email: suren@aestherhealthcarespac.com

 

with a copy (that will not constitute notice) to:

 

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Joseph T. Ceithaml
Telephone No.: (612) 354-7425
Email: joseph.ceithaml@bfkn.com

 

and

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10105
Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889
Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300
Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

   
If to the Subject Party, to:
the address below the Subject Party’s name on the signature page to this Agreement.

 

5
 

 

(b) Integration and Non-Exclusivity. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the other Ancillary Documents to which the Subject Party is a party contain the entire agreement between the Subject Party and the Covered Parties concerning the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties under this Agreement are not exclusive of or limited by any other rights or remedies which they may have, whether at law, in equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which will be cumulative (and not alternative). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties, and the obligations and liabilities of the Subject Party and its Affiliates, under this Agreement, are in addition to their respective rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities (i) under the laws of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, or other requirements of statutory or common law, or any applicable rules and regulations and (ii) otherwise conferred by contract, including the Merger Agreement and any other written agreement between the Subject Party or its Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties. Nothing in the Merger Agreement will limit any of the obligations, liabilities, rights or remedies of the Subject Party or the Covered Parties under this Agreement, nor will any breach of the Merger Agreement or any other agreement between the Subject Party or its Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties limit or otherwise affect any right or remedy of the Covered Parties under this Agreement. If any term or condition of any other agreement between the Subject Party or its Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the more restrictive terms will control as to the Subject Party, the Covered Parties or their respective Affiliates, as applicable.

 

(c) Severability; Reformation. Each provision of this Agreement is separable from every other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is found or held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction, then (i) such provision will be deemed amended to conform to applicable laws so as to be valid, legal and enforceable to the fullest possible extent, (ii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision under any other circumstances or in any other jurisdiction, and (iii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of such provision or the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The Subject Party and the Covered Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision. Without limiting the foregoing, if any court of competent jurisdiction determines that any part hereof is unenforceable because of the duration, geographic area covered, scope of such provision, or otherwise, such court will have the power to reduce the duration, geographic area covered or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable. The Subject Party will, at a Covered Party’s reasonable request, join such Covered Party in requesting that such court take such action.

 

(d) Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any respect, except by a written agreement executed by the Subject Party, the Purchaser and the Purchaser Representative (or their respective permitted successors or assigns). No waiver will be effective unless it is expressly set forth in a written instrument executed by the waiving party (and if such waiving party is a Covered Party, the Purchaser Representative) and any such waiver will have no effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. Any delay or omission by a party in exercising its rights under this Agreement, or failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement will not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, condition or right, nor will any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power under this Agreement at any time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.

 

6
 

 

(e) Dispute Resolution. Any dispute, difference, controversy or claim arising in connection with or related or incidental to, or question occurring under, this Agreement or the subject matter hereof (other than applications for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction or other equitable relief or application for enforcement of a resolution under this Section 7(e)) (a “Dispute”) shall be governed by this Section 7(e). A party must, in the first instance, provide written notice of any Disputes to the other parties subject to such Dispute, which notice must provide a reasonably detailed description of the matters subject to the Dispute. Any Dispute that is not resolved may at any time after the delivery of such notice immediately be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration pursuant to the then-existing Expedited Procedures of the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “AAA Procedures”) of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”). Any party involved in such Dispute may submit the Dispute to the AAA to commence the proceedings after the Resolution Period. To the extent that the AAA Procedures and this Agreement are in conflict, the terms of this Agreement shall control. The arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator nominated by the AAA promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after the submission of the Dispute to the AAA and reasonably acceptable to each party subject to the Dispute, which arbitrator shall be a commercial lawyer with substantial experience arbitrating disputes under acquisition agreements. The arbitrator shall accept his or her appointment and begin the arbitration process promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after his or her nomination and acceptance by the parties subject to the Dispute. The proceedings shall be streamlined and efficient. The arbitrator shall decide the Dispute in accordance with the substantive law of the State of Delaware. Time is of the essence. Each party shall submit a proposal for resolution of the Dispute to the arbitrator within twenty (20) days after confirmation of the appointment of the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall have the power to order any party to do, or to refrain from doing, anything consistent with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and applicable Law, including to perform its contractual obligation(s); provided, that the arbitrator shall be limited to ordering pursuant to the foregoing power (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall order) the relevant party (or parties, as applicable) to comply with only one or the other of the proposals. The arbitrator’s award shall be in writing and shall include a reasonable explanation of the arbitrator’s reason(s) for selecting one or the other proposal. The seat of arbitration shall be in New York County, State of New York. The language of the arbitration shall be English.

 

(f) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Subject to Section 7(e), all Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in 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, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (provided that if aforementioned courts are closed as a result of a force majeure event, then the Parties hereby agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, if it is open) (the “Specified Courts”). Subject to Section 7(e), each party hereto hereby (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, (b) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court and (c) waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or in equity. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such party at the applicable address set forth in Section 7(a). Nothing in this Section 7(f) shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law.

 

7
 

 

(g) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7(g). ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 7(g) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(h) Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement will be binding upon the Subject Party and the Subject Party’s estate, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Covered Parties, and their respective successors and assigns. Each Covered Party may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, at any time, in whole or in part, to any Person which acquires, in one or more transactions, at least a majority of the equity securities (whether by equity sale, merger or otherwise) of such Covered Party or all or substantially all of the assets of such Covered Party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, without obtaining the consent or approval of the Subject Party. The Subject Party agrees that the obligations of the Subject Party under this Agreement are personal and will not be assigned by the Subject Party without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and Purchaser Representative; provided, however, that the Subject Party may assign this Agreement in connection with any Company Reorganization and the assignee thereto shall become the Subject Party for purposes of this Agreement subsequent to any such Company Reorganization. Each of the Covered Parties are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and will be considered parties under and for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(i) Authority to Act on Behalf of Covered Parties. The parties acknowledge and agree that from and after the Closing, the Disinterested Independent Directors, by a majority of the Disinterested Independent Directors, are authorized and shall have the sole right to act on behalf of the Covered Parties under this Agreement, including the right to enforce the Covered Parties’ rights and remedies under this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Disinterested Independent Director” means an independent director serving on the Purchaser’s board of directors at the applicable time of determination that is disinterested in this Agreement (i.e., such independent director is not the Subject Party, an Affiliate of the Subject Party, or an officer, director, manager, employee, trustee or beneficiary of the Subject Party or such Affiliate, nor an immediate family member of any of the foregoing). Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Subject Party serves as a director, officer, employee or other authorized agent of a Covered Party, the Subject Party shall have no authority, express or implied, to act or make any determination on behalf of a Covered Party in connection with this Agreement or any dispute or Action with respect hereto.

 

8
 

 

(j) Construction. The Subject Party acknowledges that the Subject Party has been represented by counsel, or had the opportunity to be represented by counsel of the Subject Party’s choice. Any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party will not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. Neither the drafting history nor the negotiating history of this Agreement will be used or referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The headings and subheadings 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: (i) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (ii) the definitions contained herein are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms; (iii) whenever required by the context, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (iv) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (v) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (vi) the term “or” means “and/or”; and (vii) any agreement or instrument defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement or instrument as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by waiver or consent and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein.

 

(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. A photocopy, faxed, scanned and/or emailed copy of this Agreement or any signature page to this Agreement, shall have the same validity and enforceability as an originally signed copy.

 

(l) Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Subject Party upon the Subject Party’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective and the Subject Party’s obligations hereunder shall only begin upon the consummation of the Transactions. In the event that the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Transactions, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void, and the parties shall have no obligations hereunder.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

9
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  Subject Party:
   
  [_______________________________________________]

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  Address for Notice:
     
  Address:  
   
   
  Facsimile No.:  
  Telephone No.:  
  Email:  

 

{Signature Page to Non-Competition Agreement}

 

 
 

 

Acknowledged and accepted as of the date first written above:

 

The Purchaser:  
     
AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.  
     
By:                   
Name:    
Title:    
     
The Company:  
     
UNITED GEAR & ASSEMBLY, INC.  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
The Purchaser Representative:  
     
AESTHER HEALTHCARE SPONSOR, LLC  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

{Signature Page to Non-Competition Agreement}

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

Final Form

 

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 26, 2022 by and between (i) Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, which will be known after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as defined below) as “EVGT LTD” (including any successor entity thereto, the “Purchaser”), (ii) Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in the capacity under the Merger Agreement as the Purchaser Representative (including any successor Purchaser Representative appointed in accordance the Merger Agreement, the “Purchaser Representative”), and (iii) the undersigned (“Holder”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, (i) the Purchaser, (ii) AHAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (Merger Sub”), (iii) the Purchaser Representative, (iv) United Gear & Assembly, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”) and (v) United Stars Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole stockholder of the Company, entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”), and as a result of which, (a) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”), shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, in exchange for the Merger Consideration, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the of the Delaware General Corporation Law (as amended, the “DGCL”);

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Holder is a holder of Company Common Stock, in such amounts as set forth underneath Holder’s name on the signature page hereto; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and in view of the valuable consideration to be received by Holder thereunder, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Merger Consideration received by Holder in the Merger (all securities received as Merger Consideration at the Closing, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the Restricted Securities) shall become subject to limitations on disposition as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

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1. Lock-Up Provisions.

 

(a) Holder hereby agrees not to, during the period commencing from the Closing and ending on the earliest of (x) six (6) month anniversary of the date of the Closing, (y) the date after the Closing on which the Purchaser consummates a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party that results in all of Purchaser’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Purchaser Common Stock for cash, securities or other property, and (z) the date on which the closing sale price of the Purchaser Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period commencing at least seventy five (75) days after the Closing (the “Lock-Up Period”): (i) lend, offer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, donate, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Securities, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Restricted Securities, or (iii) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, whether any such transaction described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Restricted Securities or other securities, in cash or otherwise (any of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Prohibited Transfer”). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the transfer of any or all of the Restricted Securities owned by Holder (I) by gift, will or intestate succession upon the death of Holder, (II) to any Permitted Transferee (defined below) or (III) pursuant to a court order or settlement agreement related to the distribution of assets in connection with the dissolution of marriage or civil union; provided, however, that in any of cases (I), (II) or (III) it shall be a condition to such transfer that the transferee executes and delivers to the Purchaser and the Purchaser Representative an agreement stating that the transferee is receiving and holding the Restricted Securities subject to the provisions of this Agreement applicable to Holder, and there shall be no further transfer of such Restricted Securities except in accordance with this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term “Permitted Transferee” shall mean: (1) the members of Holder’s immediate family (for purposes of this Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean with respect to any natural person, any of the following: such person’s spouse or domestic partner, the siblings of such person and his or her spouse or domestic partner, and the direct descendants and ascendants (including adopted and step children and parents) of such person and his or her spouses or domestic partners and siblings), (2) any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of Holder or the immediate family of Holder, (3) if Holder is a trust, to the trustor or beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (4) in the case of an entity, partners, members or stockholders of such entity that receive such transfer as a distribution, including, for the avoidance of doubt, distributions upon the liquidation and dissolution of Holder (if Holder is an entity), (5) to any affiliate of Holder, and (6) any transferee whereby there is no change in beneficial ownership. Holder further agrees to execute such agreements as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.

 

(b) If any Prohibited Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such purported Prohibited Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and Purchaser shall refuse to recognize any such purported transferee of the Restricted Securities as one of its equity holders for any purpose. In order to enforce this Section 1, Purchaser may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Restricted Securities of Holder (and Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of the Lock-Up Period.

 

(c) During the Lock-Up Period, each certificate evidencing any Restricted Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 26, 2022, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”), A CERTAIN REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ISSUER NAMED THEREIN AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

(d) For the avoidance of any doubt, Holder shall retain all of its rights as a stockholder of the Purchaser during the Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Restricted Securities.

 

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2. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Termination of Merger Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon Holder upon Holder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective and Holder’s obligations hereunder shall only begin upon the Closing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the Closing, this Agreement and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.

 

(b) Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. This Agreement and all obligations of Holder are personal to Holder and may not be transferred or delegated by Holder at any time without the prior written consent of Purchaser and Purchaser Representative; provided, however, that the Holder may assign this Agreement in connection with any Company Reorganization and the assignee thereto shall become the Holder for purposes of this Agreement subsequent to any such Company Reorganization. The Purchaser may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any successor entity (whether by merger, consolidation, equity sale, asset sale or otherwise) without obtaining the consent or approval of Holder (but from and after the Closing, the consent of the Purchaser Representative shall be required). If the Purchaser Representative is replaced in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, the replacement Purchaser Representative shall automatically become a party to this Agreement as if it were the original Purchaser Representative hereunder.

 

(c) Third Parties. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any person or entity that is not a party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a party.

 

(d) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement and any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof. All Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in 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, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (provided that if aforementioned courts are closed as a result of a force majeure event, then the Parties hereby agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, if it is open) (the “Specified Courts”). Each party hereto hereby (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto and (ii) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such party at the applicable address set forth in Section 2(g). Nothing in this Section 2(d) shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

 

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(e) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 2(d).

 

(f) Interpretation. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (ii) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding or succeeding such term and shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (iii) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision of this Agreement; and (iv) the term “or” means “and/or”. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly 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.

 

(g) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by facsimile or other electronic means, with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

 

 

If to Purchaser, prior to the Closing, to:

 

Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.

515 Madison Ave, Suite 8078

New York NY 1002

Attn: Suren Ajjarapu, CEO

Telephone No.: (646) 908-2658

Email: suren@aestherhealthcarespac.com

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10105

Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.

Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889

Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300

Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

   

 

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If to the Purchaser Representative, to:

 

Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC

515 Madison Ave, Suite 8078

New York NY 1002

Attn: Suren Ajjarapu

Telephone No.: (646) 908-2658

Email: suren@aestherhealthcarespac.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10105

Attn: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.

Facsimile No.: (212) 370-7889

Telephone No.: (212) 370-1300

Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

 

   

If to the Purchaser from and after the Closing, to:

 

EVGT LTD

1700 Livingstone Road,

Hudson, WI 54016

Attn: David Schmitt

Telephone No.: (608) 368-4607

Email: dschmitt@ustars.com

 

With copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP

200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Joseph T. Ceithaml

Telephone No.: (612) 354-7425

Email: joseph.ceithaml@bfkn.com

 

and

 

the Purchaser Representative (and its copy for notices hereunder)

   
   
If to Holder, to: the address set forth below Holder’s name on the signature page to this Agreement.

 

 

 

(h) Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Purchaser, the Purchaser Representative and Holder. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition, or provision of this Agreement, 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.

 

(i) Authorization on Behalf of the Purchaser. The parties acknowledge and agree that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any and all determinations, actions or other authorizations under this Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser, including enforcing the Purchaser’s rights and remedies under this Agreement, or providing any waivers with respect to the provisions hereof, shall solely be made, taken and authorized by the Purchaser Representative. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that Holder or its Affiliate serves as a director, officer, employee or other authorized agent of the Purchaser or any of its current or future Affiliates, Holder and/or its Affiliate shall have no authority, express or implied, to act or make any determination on behalf of the Purchaser or any of its current or future Affiliates in connection with this Agreement or any dispute or Action with respect hereto.

 

(j) Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.

 

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(k) Specific Performance. Holder acknowledges that its obligations under this Agreement are unique, recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Holder, money damages will be inadequate and Purchaser (and the Purchaser Representative on behalf of the Purchaser) will have no adequate remedy at law, and agrees that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by Holder in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of the Purchaser and the Purchaser Representative shall be entitled to seek an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement by Holder and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security or to prove that money damages would be inadequate, this being in addition to any other right or remedy to which the Purchaser may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.

 

(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties under the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Purchaser and the Purchaser Representative or any of the obligations of Holder under any other agreement between Holder and the Purchaser or the Purchaser Representative or any certificate or instrument executed by Holder in favor of the Purchaser or the Purchaser Representative, and nothing in any other agreement, certificate or instrument shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Purchaser or the Purchaser Representative or any of the obligations of Holder under this Agreement.

 

(m) Further Assurances. From time to time, at another party’s request and without further consideration (but at the requesting party’s reasonable cost and expense), each party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(n) Counterparts; Facsimile. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature or by email in portable document format in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]

 

6
 

 

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

 

  Purchaser:
     
  Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  The Purchaser Representative:
     
  AESTHER HEALTHCARE SPONSOR, LLC, solely in its capacity under the Merger Agreement as the Purchaser Representative
     
  By:                    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

{Additional Signature on the Following Page}

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

 

 
 

 

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

 

Holder:  
     
Name of Holder: [  ]  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Number of Shares of Company Common Stock:  
     
Company Stock:    
   
     
Address for Notice:  
     
Address:    
   
   
Facsimile No.:    
Telephone No.:    
Email: :  

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

Final Form

 

FORM OF SPONSOR AGREEMENT

 

This SPONSOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 26, 2022, is made by and among Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Class B Holder”), Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., a Delaware Corporation (“Purchaser”), and United Gear & Assembly, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Class B Holder, Purchaser and the Company shall be referred to herein from time to time collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, the Class B Holder, Purchaser, the Company and certain other Persons party thereto intend to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger concurrently with the Parties entry into this Agreement (as it may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Class B Holder is currently, and as of immediately prior to the Closing will be, the record owner of 2,625,000 shares of Purchaser Class B Common Stock and 5,411,000 Purchaser Private Warrants (collectively, the “Sponsor Shares”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Parties will enter into this Agreement concurrently with the entry into the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, (a) the Class B Holder will vote in favor of approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Merger and the amendment and restatement of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Purchaser, dated September 10, 2021 (the “Charter”)) and (b) the Class B Holder will agree to waive any adjustment to the Initial Conversion Ratio (as defined in the Charter) set forth in Section 4.3(b) of the Charter with respect to the Purchaser Class B Common Stock related to any issuance of Purchaser Class A Common Stock or Equity-linked Securities (as defined in the Charter) in connection with any PIPE Investment or otherwise as contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Agreement to Vote. The Class B Holder hereby agrees to appear in person (including, if applicable, by means of remote communication) or by proxy and vote, or otherwise cause to be voted, at each meeting of the stockholders of Purchaser, all of the Purchaser Class B Common Stock (together with any other voting Purchaser Securities of Purchaser that the Class B Holder holds of record or beneficially, as of the date of this Agreement, or acquires record or beneficial ownership after the date hereof, collectively, the “Subject Purchaser Securities”), and if requested by the Company, to adopt a written consent of the holders of the Subject Purchaser Securities voting the Subject Purchaser Securities, in each case (a) in favor of each Purchaser Stockholder Approval Matter, (b) in favor of the approval of the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation, and (c) against any action, proposal, agreement or transaction that could reasonably be expected to (i) result in a material breach of any representation or warranty or covenant of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, or (ii) result in any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3 of the Merger Agreement failing to be fulfilled on or prior to the Outside Date.
   
2. Binding Effect; Merger Agreement. The Class B Holder hereby acknowledges that it has read the Merger Agreement and this Agreement and has had the opportunity to consult with its tax and legal advisors. The Class B Holder shall be bound by and comply with Section 6.6 of the Merger Agreement (and any relevant definitions contained in any such section) as if the Class B Holder (in such capacity) was an original signatory to the Merger Agreement with respect to such provision (and, for clarity, as if references to Representatives of Purchaser in Section 6.6 of the Merger Agreement also applies to Representatives of the Class B Holder).

 

 
 

 

3. Waiver of Anti-Dilution Protection. The Class B Holder hereby (a) waives, subject to, and conditioned upon, the occurrence of the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted by Law and the Purchaser Organizational Documents, (b) agrees not to assert or perfect any rights to adjustment or other anti-dilution protections with respect to the rate that the Purchaser Class B Common Stock held by it converts into Purchaser Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 4.3(b) of the Charter that arises in connection with the approval or filing of the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation, the issuance of Purchaser Class A Common Stock in connection with any PIPE Investment or otherwise as contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Document, and (c) agrees not to assert or perfect any dissenter’s, appraisal or similar rights with respect to the approval or filing of the Amended and Restated Purchaser Certificate of Incorporation.
   
4. Transfer of Shares. The Class B Holder hereby agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, or permit any other Person to, directly or indirectly, (a) sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), suffer any lien on, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber any of the Subject Purchaser Securities or otherwise agree to do any of the foregoing (each, a “Transfer”), (b) deposit any of the Subject Purchaser Securities into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect to any of the Subject Purchaser Securities that conflicts with any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, (c) enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect acquisition or sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law) or other disposition of any of the Subject Purchaser Securities, (d) redeem, elect to redeem or tender or submit any of the Subject Purchaser Securities for redemption in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated under the Merger Agreement, (e) engage in any hedging or other transaction which is designed to, or which would (either alone or in connection with one or more events, developments or events (including the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions precedent)), lead to or result in a sale or disposition of the Subject Purchaser Securities, or (f) take any action that would have the effect of preventing, restricting, interfering with, or materially delaying the performance of its obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any Transfer (i) to Purchaser’s officers or directors, any Affiliates or family member of any of Purchaser’s officers or directors, any members or partners of the Class B Holder or their Affiliates, any Affiliates of the Class B Holder, or any employees of such Affiliates; or (ii) by virtue of the Class B Holder’s Organizational Documents upon liquidation or dissolution of the Class B Holder; provided, that any transferee of any Transfer of the type set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) must enter into a written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company agreeing to be bound by this Agreement prior to the occurrence of such Transfer.

 

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5. Representations and Warranties. The Class B Holder represents and warrants to Purchaser and the Company as follows: (i) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, formed, organized or constituted, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the Class B Holder’s limited liability company powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company actions on the part of the Class B Holder; (ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Class B Holder and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the Class B Holder, enforceable against the Class B Holder in accordance with the terms hereof (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity); (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Class B Holder does not, and the performance by the Class B Holder of its obligations hereunder will not, (A) conflict with or result in a violation of the Organizational Documents of the Class B Holder, or (B) require any consent or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any third party, in each case, to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Class B Holder of its obligations under this Agreement; (iv) there are no Actions pending against the Class B Holder or, to the knowledge of the Class B Holder, threatened against the Class B Holder, before (or, in the case of threatened Actions, that would be before) any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Class B Holder of its obligations under this Agreement; (v) the Class B Holder has not entered into any agreement that would restrict, limit or interfere with the performance of the Class B Holder’s obligations hereunder and (vi) the Class B Holder is the sole record and beneficial owner (other than Suren Ajjarapu, to the extent he would be deemed a beneficial owner by virtue of his positions with the Class B Holder) of (x) all outstanding shares of Purchaser Class B Common Stock and (y) Purchaser Private Warrants entitling it to acquire an aggregate of 5,411,000 shares of Purchaser Class A Common Stock, in each case free and clear of all Liens, other than those arising pursuant to (A) this Agreement, (B) the Charter, (C) the bylaws of the Purchaser, (D) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Purchaser, the Class B Holder and the other parties thereto, (E) the Merger Agreement, (F) the Ancillary Documents, (G) the Securities Subscription Agreement, dated June 30, 2021, between Purchaser and the Class B Holder, or (H) any applicable securities laws.
   
6. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without any notice or other action by any Party, and be void ab initio upon the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms prior to the Effective Time. Upon termination of this Agreement as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, none of the Parties shall have any further obligations or liabilities under, or with respect to, this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the termination of this Agreement shall not affect any liability on the part of any Party for a breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination, (ii) Sections 1, 2, shall each survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 6, and (iii) Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

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7. No Recourse. Except for claims pursuant to a breach of the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Document by any party(ies) thereto against any other party(ies) thereto, each Party agrees that (a) this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any action for breach of this Agreement may only be made against, the Parties, and no Actions of any nature whatsoever (whether in contract or tort, in Law or in equity or granted by statute or otherwise) that may be based upon, be in respect of, arise under, out or by reason of, be connected with or relate in any manner to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in this Agreement) shall be asserted against any Company Non-Party Affiliate or any Purchaser Non-Party Affiliate (other than the Class B Holder, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein), and (b) none of the Company Non-Party Affiliates or the Purchaser Non-Party Affiliates (other than the Class B Holder, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein) shall have any Liability, including with respect to causes of action (whether in contract or tort, in Law or in equity or granted by statute or otherwise), that may be based upon, be in respect of, arise under, out or by reason of, be connected with or relate in any manner to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished in connection with this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. For the purpose of this Section 7, (x) “Purchaser Non-Party Affiliate” means (i) any officer, director, employee, partner, member, manager, direct or indirect equityholder or Affiliate of either Purchaser or the Class B Holder (other than for the avoidance of doubt Purchaser or the Class B Holder) and (ii) each of the former, current or future Affiliates, Representatives, successors or permitted assigns of any of the Persons in clause (i) (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser or the Class B Holder) and (y) “Company Non-Party Affiliate” means (i) any officer, director, employee, partner, member, manager, direct or indirect equityholder or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), or any family member of the foregoing Persons and (ii) each of the former, current or future Affiliates, Representatives, successors or permitted assigns of any of the Persons in clause (i) (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).
   
8. Fiduciary Duties. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Class B Holder makes no agreement or understanding herein in any capacity other than in the Class B Holder’s capacity as a record holder and beneficial owner of the Subject Purchaser Securities.
   
9. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give any Person, other than the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever by reason of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall constitute the Parties, partners or participants in a joint venture.
   
10. Incorporation by Reference. Sections 10.2 (Binding Effect, Assignment), 10.4 (Arbitration), 10.5 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction), 10.6 (Waiver of Jury Trial), 10.7 (Specific Performance), 10.8 (Severability), 10.9 (Amendment), 10.10 (Waiver), 10.11 (Entire Agreement), 10.12 (Interpretation), 10.13 (Counterparts), and 10.15 (Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties ) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein and shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Class B Holder:
     
  AESTHER HEALTHCARE SPONSOR, LLC,
     
  By:  
  Name: Surendra Ajjarapu
  Title: Managing Member
     
  Purchaser:
     
  AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By:  
  Name: Surendra Ajjarapu
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  Company:
     
  UNITED GEAR & ASSEMBLY, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Roger W. West
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Sponsor Agreement]