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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): May 2, 2023

 

HEARTCORE ENTERPRISES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-41272   87-0913420

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

1-2-33, Higashigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

+81-3-6409-6966

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(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 obligations 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
Common Stock   HTCR   Nasdaq Capital Market

 

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.

 

On May 2, 2023, HeartCore Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into that certain Note Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and ZEROSPO. Pursuant to the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, ZEROSPO agreed to issue and sell to the Company, and the Company agreed to purchase, a promissory note in the principal amount of $300,000 (the “Note”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Note, ZEROSPO agreed to pay to the Company $300,000 and to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 8% per annum. To the extent not earlier paid, the principal amount and all accrued interest will be due and payable on the Maturity Date (as hereinafter defined) or earlier in the event of an event of default as provided in the Note. The “Maturity Date” means the earlier of:

 

(i)The date of the closing of capital-raising transactions consummated by ZEROSPO via the issuance of any debt securities or equity securities of ZEROSPO or any of its affiliates which results in gross proceeds to ZEROSPO or any of its affiliates of $300,000 or more;
(ii)The date on which ZEROSPO completes a transaction pursuant to which its ordinary shares are listed for trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or any related exchange, including the NASDAQ Global Market, or on the New York Stock Exchange or any related securities exchange, including the NYSE American; and
(iii)The date which is 180 days following May 2, 2023.

 

ZEROSPO may, at its sole option, prepay the Note and any accrued interest thereunder in whole or in part at any time. In the event that any amount due under the Note is not paid as and when due, such amounts will accrue interest at the rate of 12% per year, simple interest, non-compounding, until paid.

 

The foregoing description of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Note is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Note, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 hereto and which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
10.1   Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2023, by and between the registrant and ZEROSPO.
10.2   Promissory Note, dated as of May 2, 2023, issued by ZEROSPO in favor of the registrant.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

  HEARTCORE ENTERPRISES, INC.
     
Dated: May 8, 2023 By: /s/ Sumitaka Yamamoto
  Name: Sumitaka Yamamoto
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

Note Purchase Agreement

 

By and Among

 

HeartCore Enterprises, Inc.

 

And

 

ZEROSPO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Article I. Definitions and Interpretation 1
     
Section 1.01        Definitions. 1
Section 1.02        Interpretive Provisions. 2
   
Article II. Purchase and Sale 3
     
Section 2.01        Purchase and Sale. 3
Section 2.02        Deliverables at Closing. 3
Section 2.03        Closing. 3
   
Article III. Representations and Warranties of the Company 3
     
Section 3.01        Authorization of Transactions. 3
Section 3.02        Governmental Approvals; Non-contravention. 3
Section 3.03        Brokers. 4
   
Article IV. Representations and Warranties of Buyer 4
     
Section 4.01        Authorization of Transactions. 4
Section 4.02        Governmental Approvals; Non-contravention. 4
Section 4.03        Investment Representations. 4
Section 4.04        Brokers. 6
   
Article V. Miscellaneous 6
     
Section 5.01        Indemnification. 6
Section 5.02        Notices. 6
Section 5.03        Attorneys’ Fees 7
Section 5.04        Amendments; No Waivers; No Consequential Damages. 7
Section 5.05        Expenses. 7
Section 5.06        Further Assurances. 7
Section 5.07        Successors and Assigns; Benefit. 8
Section 5.08        Governing Law; Etc. 8
Section 5.09        Survival. 9
Section 5.10        Severability. 9
Section 5.11        Entire Agreement. 9
Section 5.12        Specific Performance. 9
Section 5.13        Construction. 9
Section 5.14        Counterparts. 9
   
Exhibit A       Promissory Note  

 

i

 

 

Note Purchase Agreement

 

Dated as of May 2, 2023

 

This Note Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the date set forth above (the “Closing Date”), by and among ZEROSPO, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “Company”) and HeartCore Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”). The Company and the Buyer may be collectively referred to herein as the “Parties” and each individually as a “Party”.

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Buyer a promissory note of the Company on the terms set forth herein and the Buyer wishes to purchase such promissory note on the terms and conditions provided for herein and the Parties desire to undertake the other actions and enter into the other agreements as set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Article I. Definitions and Interpretation

 

Section 1.01 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

 

  (a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with, the specified Person.
     
  (b) “Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in Delaware generally are authorized or required by Law or other governmental actions to close.
     
  (c) “Control” means (a) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to vote 10% or more of the securities or other equity interests of a Person having ordinary voting power, (b) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, by contractor otherwise, or (c) being a director, officer, executor, trustee or fiduciary (or their equivalents) of a Person or a Person that controls such Person.
     
  (d) “Governmental Entity” means any federal, state, municipal, local or foreign government and any court, tribunal, arbitral body, administrative agency, department, subdivision, entity, commission or other governmental, government appointed, quasi-governmental or regulatory authority, reporting entity or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational.
     
  (e) “Law” means any applicable foreign, federal, state or local law (including common law), statute, treaty, rule, directive, regulation, ordinances and similar provisions having the force or effect of law or an Order of any Governmental Entity.
     
  (f) “Liabilities” means liabilities, obligations or responsibilities of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, matured or un-matured, fixed or unfixed, known or unknown, asserted or un asserted, choate or inchoate, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, absolute, contingent or otherwise, including any direct or indirect indebtedness, guaranty, endorsement, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, cost or expense.

 

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  (g) “Lien” means, with respect to any property or asset, any lien, security interest, mortgage, pledge, charge, claim, lease, agreement, right of first refusal, option, limitation on transfer or use or assignment or licensing, restrictive easement, charge or any other restriction of any kind, and any conditional sale or voting agreement or proxy, and including any restriction on the ownership, use, voting, transfer, possession, receipt of income or other exercise of any attributes of ownership, in respect of such property or asset, and any agreement to give any of the foregoing.
     
  (h) “Order” means any judgment, writ, decree, determination, award, compliance agreement, settlement agreement, injunction, ruling, charge, judicial or administrative order, determination or other restriction of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator.
     
  (i) “Person” means a natural person, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
     
  (j) “Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulation promulgated thereunder.
     
  (k) “Transactions” means the purchase and sale of the Note and the other transactions contemplated under the Transaction Documents.
     
  (l) “Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Note and any other agreement, document, certificate or writing delivered or to be delivered in connection with this Agreement and any other document related to the Transactions related to the forgoing, including, without limitations, those delivered at the Closing.

 

Section 1.02 Interpretive Provisions. Unless the express context otherwise requires, the words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa; the terms “Dollars” and “$” mean United States Dollars, unless otherwise specified herein; references herein to a specific Section, Subsection, Recital or Exhibit shall refer, respectively, to Sections, Subsections, Recitals or Exhibits of this Agreement; wherever the word “include,” “includes,” or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; references herein to any gender shall include each other gender; references herein to any Person shall include such Person’s heirs, executors, personal representatives, administrators, successors and assigns; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 1.02 is intended to authorize any assignment or transfer not otherwise permitted by this Agreement; references herein to a Person in a particular capacity or capacities shall exclude such Person in any other capacity; references herein to any contract or agreement (including this Agreement) mean such contract or agreement as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; with respect to the determination of any period of time, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”; references herein to any Law or any license mean such Law or license as amended, modified, codified, reenacted, supplemented or superseded in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time; and references herein to any Law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Article II. Purchase and Sale

 

Section 2.01 Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined below), the Company shall issue and sell to Buyer a promissory note of the Company in the form as attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000, for a purchase price equal to such aggregate principal amount (the “Purchase Price”).

 

Section 2.02 Deliverables at Closing.

 

  (a) At the Closing, the Buyer shall:

 

  (i) Pay the Purchase Price to the Company, pursuant to the wire transfer instructions as provided by the Company to Buyer; and
     
  (ii) Deliver to the Company a copy of the Note, duly executed by the Buyer.

 

  (b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Buyer a copy of the Note, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company.

 

Section 2.03 Closing. On the terms set forth herein, the closing of the Transactions (the “Closing”) shall take place on the Closing Date by conference call and electronic communication (i.e., emails/pdf) and exchange of the executed Transaction Documents.

 

Article III. Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

The Company represents and warrants to Buyer that the following representations and warranties contained in this Article III are true and correct as of the Closing Date:

 

Section 3.01 Authorization of Transactions. The Company is an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and has the requisite power and capacity to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the applicable Transaction Documents and the consummation of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Company. The Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by The Company. Each Transaction Document to which the Company is a party constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and conditions, except to the extent enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights or by the principles governing the availability of equitable remedies.

 

Section 3.02 Governmental Approvals; Non-contravention.

 

  (a) No consent, Order, action or non-action of, or filing, notification, declaration or registration with, any Governmental Entity or Person is necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party.

 

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  (b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party, and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, do not (i) violate or conflict with any Law or Order to which the Company may be subject, (ii) constitute a violation or breach of, be in conflict with, constitute or create (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, modification, cancellation or acceleration) of any obligation under any contract to which the Company is a party or to which the Company is subject or by which the Company’s properties, assets or rights are bound or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company.

 

Section 3.03 Brokers. The Company has not engaged, or caused to be incurred any Liability or obligation to, any investment banker, finder, broker or sales agent or any other Person in connection with the origin, negotiation, execution, delivery or performance of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or the Transactions.

 

Article IV. Representations and Warranties of Buyer

 

Buyer represents and warrants to the Company that the following statements contained in this Article IV are true and correct as of the Closing Date:

 

Section 4.01 Authorization of Transactions. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized and in good standing in the State of Delaware and has the requisite power and capacity to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is are a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of the applicable Transaction Documents and the consummation of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action on the part of Buyer. The Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer. Each Transaction Document to which Buyer is a party constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms and conditions, except to the extent enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights or by the principles governing the availability of equitable remedies.

 

Section 4.02 Governmental Approvals; Non-contravention.

 

  (a) No consent, Order, action or non-action of, or filing, notification, declaration or registration with, any Governmental Entity is necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by Buyer of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which Buyer is a party.
     
  (b) The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of the Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party, and the consummation by Buyer of the Transactions, do not violate any Laws or Orders to which Buyer is subject or violate, breach or conflict with any provision of Buyer’s organizational documents.

 

Section 4.03 Investment Representations.

 

  (a) Buyer understands and agrees that the consummation of this Agreement including the delivery of the Note as contemplated hereby constitute the offer and sale of securities under the Securities Act and applicable state statutes and that the Note is being acquired for Buyer’s own account and not with a present view towards the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted from registration under the Securities Act.

 

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  (b) Buyer is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
     
  (c) Buyer understands that the Note is being offered and sold to Buyer in reliance upon specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities Laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and Buyer’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of Buyer set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of Buyer to acquire the Note.
     
  (d) At no time was Buyer presented with or solicited by any leaflet, newspaper or magazine article, radio or television advertisement, or any other form of general advertising or solicited or invited to attend a promotional meeting otherwise than in connection and concurrently with such communicated offer. Buyer is not purchasing the Note acquired by Buyer hereunder as a result of any “general solicitation” or “general advertising,” as such terms are defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act, which includes, but is not limited to, any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Note acquired by Buyer hereunder published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or on the internet or broadcast over television, radio or the internet or presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general advertisement.
     
  (e) Buyer is acquiring the Note for Buyer’s own account as principal, not as a nominee or agent, for investment purposes only, and not with a view to, or for, resale, distribution or fractionalization thereof in whole or in part and no other person has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in the Note. Further, Buyer does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to the Note.
     
  (f) Buyer, either alone or together with Buyer’s representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Note, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment.
     
  (g) Buyer understands that until such time as the Note have been registered under the Securities Act or may be sold pursuant to any applicable exemption without any restriction as to the number of securities as of a particular date that can then be immediately sold, the Note may bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of the certificates for such Note):

 

“NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THIS NOTE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH COUNSEL SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE HOLDER), IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION UNDER SAID ACT.”

 

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  (h) Buyer understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other governmental or state agency has passed on or made recommendations or endorsement of the Note or the suitability of the investment in the Note nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the transactions set forth herein.

 

Section 4.04 Brokers. Buyer has not engaged any investment banker, finder, broker or sales agent or any other Person in connection with the origin, negotiation, execution, delivery or performance of any Transaction Document to which it is a party, or the Transactions.

 

Article V. Miscellaneous

 

Section 5.01 Indemnification. In the event either Party is subject to any action, claim or proceeding resulting from the other’s gross negligence or intentional breach of this Agreement or the Note, the Party at fault agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other Party to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law from any such action, claim or proceeding. Indemnification shall include all fees, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees that the indemnified Party may incur. In claiming indemnification hereunder, the indemnified Party shall promptly provide the indemnifying Party written notice of any claim that the indemnified Party reasonably believes falls within the scope of this Agreement. The indemnified Party may, at its expense, assist in the defense if it so chooses, provided that the indemnifying Party shall control such defense, and all negotiations relative to the settlement of any such claim. Any settlement intended to bind the indemnified Party shall not be final without the indemnified Party’s written consent. Any liability of a Party pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not exceed the Purchase Price plus any interest due and payable on the Note at such time.

 

Section 5.02 Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing. Notices may be served by certified or registered mail, postage paid with return receipt requested; by private courier, prepaid; by other reliable form of electronic communication; or personally. Mailed notices shall be deemed delivered five (5) days after mailing, properly addressed. Couriered notices shall be deemed delivered on the date that the courier warrants that delivery will occur. Electronic communication notices shall be deemed delivered when receipt is either confirmed by confirming transmission equipment or acknowledged by the addressee or its office. Personal delivery shall be effective when accomplished. Any Party may change its address by giving notice, in writing, stating its new address, to the other Party. Subject to the forgoing, notices shall be sent as follows:

 

if to the Company, to:

 

ZEROSPO

Attn: Yoshio Ukaji

5-19-9-3, Higashioi, Shinagawa

Tokyo 140-0011 Japan

Email: ukaji@moveaction.co.jp

 

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If to the Buyer, to:

 

HeartCore Enterprises, Inc.

Attn: Sumitaka Yamamoto

848 Jordan Ave. Apt G

Los Altos CA 94022

Email: kanno@heartcore.co.jp

 

Section 5.03 Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any Party institutes any action or suit to enforce this Agreement or to secure relief from any default hereunder or breach hereof, the prevailing Party shall be reimbursed by the losing Party for all costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred in connection therewith and in enforcing or collecting any judgment rendered therein.

 

Section 5.04 Amendments; No Waivers; No Consequential Damages.

 

  (a) This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, terminated or cancelled, and any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by both of the Parties.
     
  (b) Every right and remedy provided herein shall be cumulative with every other right and remedy, whether conferred herein, at law, or in equity, and may be enforced concurrently herewith, and no waiver by any Party of the performance of any obligation by another Party shall be construed as a waiver of the same or any other default then, theretofore, or thereafter occurring or existing.
     
  (c) Neither any failure or delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder or in requiring satisfaction of any condition herein nor any course of dealing shall constitute a waiver of or prevent any Party from enforcing any right or remedy or from requiring satisfaction of any condition. No notice to or demand on a Party waives or otherwise affects any obligation of that Party or impairs any right of the Party giving such notice or making such demand, including any right to take any action without notice or demand not otherwise required by this Agreement. No exercise of any right or remedy with respect to a breach of this Agreement shall preclude exercise of any other right or remedy, as appropriate to make the aggrieved Party whole with respect to such breach, or subsequent exercise of any right or remedy with respect to any other breach.
     
  (d) Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, no Party shall seek, nor shall any Party be liable for, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, under any tort, contract, equity, or other legal theory, with respect to any breach (or alleged breach) of this Agreement or any provision hereof or any matter otherwise relating hereto or arising in connection herewith.

 

Section 5.05 Expenses. Unless otherwise contemplated or stipulated by a Transaction Document, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring such cost or expense.

 

Section 5.06 Further Assurances. At and following the Closing, each Party shall execute and deliver such documents and other papers and take such further action as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions of the Transaction Documents.

 

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Section 5.07 Successors and Assigns; Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party shall have any power or any right to assign or transfer, in whole or in part, this Agreement, or any of its rights or any of its obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, any right to pursue any claim for damages pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein, or to pursue any claim for any breach or default of this Agreement, or any right arising from the purported assignor’s due performance of its obligations hereunder, including by merger, consolidation, operation of law, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other Party and any such purported assignment in contravention of the provisions herein shall be null and void and of no force or effect. Other than as specifically set forth herein, including in Section 5.01, nothing in this Agreement shall confer on any Person other than the Parties, and their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations, or Liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.08 Governing Law; Etc.

 

  (a) This Agreement, and all matters based upon, arising out of or relating in any way to the Transactions or the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, tort claims, statutory claims and contract claims, shall be interpreted, construed, governed and enforced under and in accordance with the substantive and procedural Laws of the State of Delaware in each case as in effect from time to time and as the same may be amended from time to time, and as applied to agreements performed wholly within the State of Delaware.
     
  (b) ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN SHALL BE INSTITUTED SOLELY IN EITHER (1) THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, OR (2) THE TOKYO DISTRICT COURT AND EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. SERVICE OF PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR OTHER DOCUMENT BY MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT. THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR ANY PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE AND AGREE NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

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  (c) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS, THE PERFORMANCE THEREOF OR THE FINANCINGS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE 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 5.08(c). Each of the Parties acknowledge that each has been represented in connection with the signing of the waiver above by independent legal counsel selected by the respective Party and that such Party has discussed the legal consequences and import of this waiver with legal counsel. Each of the Parties further acknowledge that each has read and understands the meaning of such waiver and grants this waiver knowingly, voluntarily, without duress and only after consideration of the consequences of this waiver with legal counsel.

 

Section 5.09 Survival. The representations and warranties in this Agreement shall survive the Closing for a period of 12 months from the Closing Date, and no claim for indemnification may be made after such time. All covenants and agreements in this Agreement, and such provisions herein as required to give effect to the same, will survive until fully performed; provided, however, that, nothing herein shall prevent a Party from making any claim hereunder, or relieve any other Party from any liability hereunder, after such time for any breach thereof.

 

Section 5.10 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the extent possible.

 

Section 5.11 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

Section 5.12 Specific Performance.

 

Each Party agrees that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that each Party shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the terms hereof in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity.

 

Section 5.13 Construction. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between language or amounts contained in the body of this Agreement and language or amounts contained in the Exhibits attached hereto, the language or amounts in the body of the Agreement shall control. References to Articles or Sections shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or clause of or Exhibit to this Agreement.

 

Section 5.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall be but a single instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

9

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the Closing Date.

 

HeartCore Enterprises, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Sumitaka Yamamoto
  Name: Sumitaka Yamamoto
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  ZEROSPO
   
  By: /s/ Yoshio Ukaji
  Name: Yoshio Ukaji
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

10

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH COUNSEL SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE HOLDER), IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT.

 

Principal Amount: $300,000.00 Issue Date: May 2, 2023

 

ZEROSPO

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Holder: HeartCore Enterprises, Inc.

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Promissory Note (this “Note”), ZEROSPO, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to the order of the holder named above, or registered assigns (the “Holder”), on the Maturity Date (as defined below) or earlier as may be required herein, the principal amount as set forth above (the “Principal Amount”), and to pay interest on the outstanding Principal Amount at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum, simple interest, in each case to the extent that this Note and the Principal Amount and any accrued interest hereunder (the “Indebtedness”) has not been earlier repaid, and subject to the limitations herein. Interest shall commence accruing on the date hereof (the “Issue Date”), computed on the basis of a 365-day year and the actual number of days elapsed, and shall be payable as set forth herein. The Holder and the Company may be referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

This Note is entered into pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the Holder dated as of the Issue Date (the “Agreement”) and is subject to the terms and conditions thereof. This Note will rank senior in right of payment to the Company’s capital stock. This Note is not a certificate of deposit or similar obligation of, and is not guaranteed or insured by, any depository institution, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or any other governmental or private fund or entity.

 

The following terms shall apply to this Note:

 

Section 1. Definitions. Defined terms used herein without definition have the meanings given them in the Agreement.

 

Section 2. Interest; Payment and Prepayment.

 

(a) Interest on this Note shall accrue on a simple interest, non-compounded basis, and shall be added to the outstanding Principal Amount on the Maturity Date or such earlier date as the Indebtedness may be payable or paid hereunder or may be due hereunder pursuant to the terms herein.

 

 

 

 

(b) To the extent not earlier paid, all Indebtedness shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date or earlier in the event of an Event of Default (as defined below) pursuant to Section 3. The “Maturity Date” shall be the earlier of:

 

  (i) The date of the closing of capital-raising transactions consummated by the Company via the issuance of any debt securities or equity securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates which results in gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Affiliates of $300,000 or more;
     
  (ii) The date on which the Company completes a transaction pursuant to which its ordinary shares are listed for trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or any related exchange, including the NASDAQ Global Market, or on the New York Stock Exchange or any related securities exchange, including the NYSE American; and
     
  (iii) The date which is 180 days following the Issue Date.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company may, at its sole option, elect to prepay all or any part of the Indebtedness at any time.

 

(d) In the event that any amount due hereunder is not paid as and when due, such amounts shall accrue interest at the rate of 12% per year, simple interest, non-compounding, until paid.

 

Section 3. Default.

 

(a) Event of Default. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Agreement to the contrary, it shall be an event of default hereunder (an “Event of Default”) if, at any time prior to full repayment of all the Indebtedness:

 

  (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries shall: (1) apply for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property or assets; (2) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (3) commence a voluntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic); (4) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (5) acquiesce in writing to any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic); (6) issue a notice of bankruptcy or winding down of its operations or issue a press release regarding same; or (7) take any action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing; or

 

 

 

 

  (ii) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the Company or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries, without its application or consent, in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking: (1) the liquidation, reorganization, moratorium, dissolution, winding up, or composition or readjustment of its debts; (2) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial part of its assets in connection with the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries; or (3) similar relief in respect of it under any law providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or case described in clause (1), (2) or (3) shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of forty-five (45) days or any order for relief shall be entered in an involuntary case under United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) against the Company or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries or action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries and shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect for a period of forty-five (45) days

 

(b) Remedies Upon an Event of Default.

 

  (i) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Company shall, as promptly as possible but in any event within one (1) Business Day of such Event of Default, notify the Holder of the occurrence of such Event of Default, describing the event or factual situation giving rise to the Event of Default and specifying the relevant subsection or subsections of Section 3(a) hereof under which such Event of Default has occurred.

 

  (ii) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Holder may at any time at its option (1) declare the Indebtedness due and payable, and thereupon, the same shall be accelerated and so due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice, all of which are hereby expressly unconditionally and irrevocably waived by the Company and (2) exercise all other rights and remedies available to it under the Transaction Documents; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 3(a)(ii), the Indebtedness shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company.

 

Section 4. Transfers to Comply with the Agreement. This Note may not be sold or transferred other than in compliance with the Agreement and all applicable securities laws.

 

Section 5. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Notices. Any notice or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

(b) Absolute Obligation. Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Note shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal and damages, as applicable, on this Note at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. No remedy conferred hereby shall be exclusive of any other remedy referred to herein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. No course of delay on the part of the Holder shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice the rights of the Holder.

 

 

 

 

(c) Lost or Mutilated Note. If this Note shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated Note, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed Note, a new Note so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of this Note, and of the ownership hereof reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

 

(d) Governing Law; etc.

 

  (i) This Note, and all matters based upon, arising out of or relating in any way to this Note or the transactions contemplated herein, including, without limitation, tort claims, statutory claims and contract claims, shall be interpreted, construed, governed and enforced under and in accordance with the substantive and procedural Laws of the State of Delaware in each case as in effect from time to time and as the same may be amended from time to time, and as applied to agreements performed wholly within the State of Delaware.
     
  (ii) ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS NOTE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN SHALL BE INSTITUTED SOLELY IN EITHER (1) THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, OR (2) THE TOKYO DISTRICT COURT AND EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. SERVICE OF PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR OTHER DOCUMENT BY MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT. THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR ANY PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE AND AGREE NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

 

 

 

  (iii) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, THE PERFORMANCE THEREOF OR THE FINANCINGS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE 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 5(d)(iii). Each of the Parties acknowledge that each has been represented in connection with the signing of the waiver above by independent legal counsel selected by the respective Party and that such Party has discussed the legal consequences and import of this waiver with legal counsel. Each of the Parties further acknowledge that each has read and understands the meaning of such waiver and grants this waiver knowingly, voluntarily, without duress and only after consideration of the consequences of this waiver with legal counsel.

 

(e) Waiver. Any waiver by the Company or Holder of a breach of any provision of this Note shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Note or a waiver by any other Holders. The failure of the Company or Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Note on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that Party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Note on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Company or Holder must be in writing.

 

(f) Severability. If any provision of this Note is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Note shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law.

 

(g) Next Business Day. Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(h) Entire Agreement. This Note (including any recitals hereto) and the Agreement set forth the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall not be modified or affected by any offer, proposal, statement or representation, oral or written, made by or for any party in connection with the negotiation of the terms hereof, and may be modified only by instruments signed by both Parties.

 

(i) Assignment. No Party shall have any power or any right to assign or transfer, in whole or in part, this Note, or any of its rights or any of its obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, any right to pursue any claim for damages pursuant to this Note or the transactions contemplated herein, or to pursue any claim for any breach or default of this Note, or any right arising from the purported assignor’s due performance of its obligations hereunder, including by merger, consolidation, operation of law, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other Party and any such purported assignment in contravention of the provisions herein shall be null and void and of no force or effect. This Note shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

(j) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Note and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

(k) Currency. All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars.

 

(l) Counterparts. This Note may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall be but a single instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Note as of the Issue Date.

 

  ZEROSPO
   
  By: /s/ Yoshio Ukaji
  Name: Yoshio Ukaji
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Agreed and accepted:  
   
HeartCore Enterprises, Inc.  
   
By: /s/ Sumitaka Yamamoto  
Name: Sumitaka Yamamoto  
Title: Chief Executive Officer