UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 333-260902
| Bubblr, Inc. |
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| Wyoming | 86-2355916 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 21 West 46th Street | ||
| New York, New York | 10036 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
| (646) 814-7184 |
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol | Name of each Exchange on which registered | ||
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer ☐ |
Smaller reporting company ☒ | |
| 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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s last completed second quarter, based upon the closing price of the common stock of $0.14 on such date is $14,426,210.
As of March 19, 2024, there were shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.01, issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Bubblr, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company,” “Bubblr,” “BBLR,” “Ethical Web.AI,” “we,” “us” or “our”) discuss future expectations, contain projections of our plan of operation or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. In this Annual Report, forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate”, and the like. Forward-looking statements involve future risks and uncertainties, and there are factors that could cause actual results or plans to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and is derived using numerous assumptions. A reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Annual Report. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from projections include, for example:
| ● | our strategies, prospects, plans, expectations, forecasts or objectives; | |
| ● | our ability to achieve marketable products and the costs and timing thereof; | |
| ● | acceptance of our products by our target market and our ability to compete in such market; | |
| ● | our ability to raise additional financing when needed and the terms and timing thereof; | |
| ● | our ability to expand, protect and maintain our intellectual property rights; | |
| ● | our future operations, financial position, revenues, costs, expenses, uses of cash, capital requirements, our need for additional financing or the period for which our existing cash resources will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements; | |
| ● | our analysis of the target market for our platform; | |
| ● | the impact of COVID-19 and/or other future pandemics and other adverse public health developments on our operations and our industry; | |
| ● | regulatory developments in the United States and other countries; | |
| ● | our compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC; | |
| ● | our ability to compete in the United States and internationally with larger and more substantial companies; | |
| ● | general economic, business, political and social conditions; | |
| ● | our reliance on and our ability to retain (and if necessary, timely recruit and replace) our officers, directors and key employees and their ability to timely and competently perform; | |
| ● | our ability to generate significant revenues and achieve profitability; | |
| ● | our ability to manage the growth of our business; | |
| ● | our commercialization of our platform and marketing capabilities and strategies; | |
| ● | our ability to expand, protect and maintain our intellectual property position; | |
| ● | the success of competing third-party platforms; | |
| ● | our ability to fully remediate our identified internal control material weaknesses; | |
| ● | our ability to comply with regulatory requirements relating to our business, and the costs of compliance with those requirements; | |
| ● | the specific risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” set forth in this Annual Report; and | |
| ● | various other matters, many of which are beyond our control. |
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. We believe the information contained in this Form 10-K to be accurate as of the date hereof. Changes may occur after that date. We will not update that information except as required by law in the normal course of our public disclosure practices. Additionally, the discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in this Form 10-K.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report to “Bubblr,” the “Company,” “Ethical Web.AI,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Bubblr, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Bubblr Limited and Bubblr Holdings Limited, which are a non-trading company and IP holding company, respectively, both formed and existing under the laws of the United Kingdom.
Overview
Bubblr, Inc., d/b/a Ethical Web.AI is an artificial intelligence or AI company that has patent protected intellectual properties. We compete with a number of large companies who include AI in their suite of product offerings – companies such as Amazon, AI Brain, C3.ai, Data Robot, Inc., Google, IBM, Open AI and Anthropic. All of those companies have far greater financial resources and more populated human assets in the development of AI technology, training data and algorithms than our Company has.
The AI industry also has numerous smaller companies that compete in the AI space without owning any protected intellectual property and that rely heavily, if not totally, on access or linkage to third party search engines and AI.
Here is a simple explanation of Generative AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating programs that can generate new, original content. This technology harnesses the power of AI to produce outputs that a human might otherwise create, ranging from written text to complex code and from stunning images to original music compositions. At its core, generative AI works by synthesizing new forms from familiar elements, drawing from a vast array of data on which it has been trained.
For the uninitiated, it might help to think of generative AI as a sophisticated assistant capable of crafting entirely new creations based on a set of learned patterns and examples. For instance, you could ask this AI to draft an essay, compose a piece of music, or even generate a computer program. It’s not just rehashing what it’s seen before; it’s creating something new from the pieces it knows.
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The concept of generative AI isn’t novel—it’s been around for some time. Consider Google Translate, which has been translating text since 2006, and Siri, Apple’s voice assistant introduced in 2011. These are early examples of generative AI in action, responding to human queries with generated language that seeks to be as close as possible to natural human speech or text. As these technologies have evolved, they have become more integrated into our daily lives, often functioning in the background and smoothing out our interactions with the digital world.
Recent advancements have been groundbreaking. OpenAI’s GPT-4, released in 2023, claimed capabilities surpassing the performance of most humans in standardized tests like the LSAT. This is a testament to how far AI has come in understanding and generating human-like text. GPT-4 can write essays, debug code, create summaries, and even compose music, demonstrating a breadth of capabilities that were once thought to be solely within the realm of human expertise.
The process that allows generative AI to perform these feats is called language modelling. This process involves the AI examining a sequence of words (the context) and predicting what comes next. This isn’t done through a simple count of word frequencies, but through the use of neural networks—complex mathematical models that can learn patterns in data. By training on a massive corpus of text data from diverse sources like Wikipedia, books, and websites, these neural networks learn to anticipate the next word in a sequence with a high degree of accuracy.
Training a generative AI model involves a careful and resource-intensive process. The AI is fed large amounts of text, and during training, it tries to predict parts of the text that are intentionally omitted. This training is iterative and can take months or even years as the model constantly refines its predictions to more closely match reality. Once trained, the model has parameters—essentially, learned weights and biases that guide its predictions. These parameters are fine-tuned through additional training to specialize the AI for particular tasks, a process known as fine-tuning.
Despite the impressive capabilities of generative AI, there are significant considerations and challenges. The technology’s rapid development has sparked discussions about its energy usage, potential to displace jobs, and ability to perpetuate or even create biases and misinformation. For example, the training of large models like GPT-4 requires substantial computational resources, which translates to significant energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. Moreover, as generative AI continues to excel at tasks traditionally performed by humans, there’s concern over job displacement, particularly in fields like customer service, content creation, and programming.
Generative AI also raises questions about the authenticity of content and the propagation of biases. Since the AI learns from existing data, any historical biases present in that data can be reflected in the AI’s outputs. This has led to the development of methods to align AI’s behavior with ethical standards and societal values. OpenAI, for instance, has focused on making GPT helpful, honest, and harmless by fine-tuning it with human feedback to avoid toxic, biased, or offensive content.
In sum, generative AI is a transformative technology with the potential to change how we interact with machines and automate the creation of content. It’s a field that’s evolving rapidly, offering tremendous benefits while also posing new challenges that society must address responsibly. As we continue to harness its power, it’s crucial to balance innovation with ethical considerations, ensuring that generative AI serves as a tool for positive change rather than a source of harm.
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Finally, it is not cheap. Building the training data for Chat GPT 4 was estimated to cost $100 million. It costs even more to process the queries. It is not Skynet, and it will not take over the world. It is simply an incredibly powerful tool to massively enhance productivity for most office-based professionals.
Our Current Business
Bubblr, Inc., d/b/a Ethical Web.AI, stands at the forefront of a technological revolution committed to remedying the fragmented landscape of the current Internet through its advanced, ethically-focused artificial intelligence software platforms. Our Company, fortified by robust patent protections, embodies integrity and innovation in technology, aspiring to mend the dysfunctional aspects of online experiences while promoting digital wellness and ethical engagement.
Our product ecosystem, at the heart of our value proposition, features two trailblazing solutions poised to redefine user interaction within the digital realm:
| 1. | Community-Centric Super App Platform: Our innovative SaaS open-source platform empowers communities to conceive and customize their local ‘super apps.’ Our platform’s distinguishing architecture is a testament to our commitment to consumer privacy and local economic enrichment. These super apps, beyond safeguarding user anonymity, emerge as cost-effective marketing conduits for local businesses and as crucial revenue engines for communities. This expansive platform, nearing its full operational capacity, anticipates its commercial launch shortly, with substantial revenue contributions forecasted for 2024. | |
| 2. | AI Seek: AI Seek is our transformative generative AI application that surpasses the capabilities of existing technologies such as Chat GPT-4. AI Seek champions user anonymity and affordability, being 25% more cost-efficient. Initially introduced to the consumer market, our strategic roadmap encompasses licensing this technology to academic institutions. This initiative not only diversifies universities’ revenue streams, but also arms them with sophisticated tools to authenticate student submissions by detecting AI-generated content, thereby safeguarding academic integrity. |
Ethical Web AI thrives on a business model characterized by low operational costs, yet significant revenue and margin potential, reflective of the SaaS open-source framework’s inherent scalability and profitability. In comparison to peer entities, many of which boast market capitalizations exceeding $1 billion, our Company signifies a compelling investment proposition given our ethical technology differentiation, robust intellectual property suite, and foreseeable market demand.
Mission
At Ethical Web AI, our mission transcends the norms of technological advancement; we are dedicated to fostering a new era of the internet, rooted in the principles of ethical engagement, consumer privacy, and communal prosperity. We champion these ideals by demonstrating the commercial viability and success of our products, which are designed not merely as tools of technology but as extensions of community values and enablers of equitable digital ecosystems.
Our suite of heavily patent-protected products upholds the sanctity of user anonymity, standing as testaments to the possibility of achieving commercial success without relying on invasive online advertising tactics. These offerings are emblematic of our commitment to real decentralization, a principle that forms the bedrock of our design philosophy and operational paradigm.
We endeavor to decentralize profits and authority, channeling control back into the hands of local communities that engage with our technology. This approach disrupts traditional power structures in the digital economy, dismantling monopolistic barriers and facilitating an environment where businesses, irrespective of their scale, can compete fairly and thrive collectively. Such a landscape not only contributes to local economic vibrancy, but also empowers communities, providing them with substantial new revenue streams, thereby promoting self-sufficiency and innovation at a grassroots level.
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Our mission then, in essence, is to promulgate the principles of the ethical web throughout the digital world. By showcasing the success of our business model, we intend to inspire a ripple effect, catalyzing an industry-wide shift towards practices that honor consumer privacy, champion true decentralization, and promote equitable access and opportunity for all entities within the digital space.
In this journey, we remain steadfast in our belief that technology should be a force for communal good, a platform for fair economic participation, and a space that respects and protects individual privacy. Through our innovative products and their principled underpinnings, Ethical Web AI is pioneering this transformative vision for a balanced and conscientious digital future.
The AI Seek App
In the dynamic realm of artificial intelligence, the advent of generative AI applications has marked a significant milestone, challenging even formidable industry giants like Google. One such revelation has been the emergence of Chat GPT models, which, despite their advanced capabilities, have shown certain limitations in adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and data contemporaneity. Ethical Web AI, leveraging its innovative spirit and strategic intellectual property assets, has introduced AI Seek, a state-of-the-art generative AI app crafted to transcend these limitations and offer a superior, consumer-friendly alternative.
Technological Edge and Consumer Anonymity
AI Seek, built on the foundations of our proprietary patents, presents a significant upgrade over existing technologies such as Chat GPT-4. Our version stands out not only in terms of enhanced performance but also in its cost structure, being 25% more affordable. Upholding our commitment to user privacy, AI Seek operates with complete consumer anonymity. This commitment is reflected in its no-registration process, absence of cookies, and a staunch policy against behavioral data tracking, setting a new standard for user privacy in the AI space.
Contemporaneous Data Integration
One of AI Seek’s ground breaking features is its patented ability to incorporate up-to-date information beyond the constraints of the app’s initial training data. This functionality starkly contrasts with models like Chat GPT-4, which possesses data only up until September 2021. Especially for queries requiring current financial figures or trending data, AI Seek proves invaluable, offering precise, real-time insights. This feature significantly enriches the user experience, particularly for professionals and entities requiring the latest information.
Dynamically generated hypertext links
Another groundbreaking feature of AI Seek, which is patented and unique, is that each prompt query result is delivered in a unique web page which includes dynamically generated hypertext links. These hypertext links may include multimedia such as videos and images along with text links to other salient web pages, making it a far superior research tool.
Commercial Strategy and University Collaboration
While AI Seek’s initial phase focuses on direct consumer engagement, our strategic vision extends to licensing partnerships with educational institutions. The plan involves universities adopting a branded version of AI Seek, thereby opening a new revenue channel by offering this advanced tool to their students, faculty and benefactors. Furthermore, this strategy assists academic institutions in maintaining integrity standards by enabling them to assess the extent of AI-generated content in student submissions, thereby limiting the possibility of plagiarism and misattribution.
Revenue Generation and User Feedback
AI Seek, though in its infancy, has already begun to generate revenue, with a small dedicated user base of individuals. The continuous engagement and constructive feedback from these early adopters have been instrumental in refining the app’s functionalities. With a marketing campaign set to launch this year, we anticipate a significant uptick in adoption, forecasting that each app instance could contribute at least $15 monthly.
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In conclusion, AI Seek represents not just a product but a pivotal step toward reshaping the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence. By balancing superior technology with ethical practices and user empowerment, AI Seek is poised to lead the new wave of generative AI applications, carving a niche for itself in the market.
The licensed version will just take 20% of the net margin generated by each University. Our initial estimate indicates this will remain very significant.
Ethical Web AI Licensed Open Source Platform
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Ethical Web AI is pioneering a transformative approach to online interactions and transactions with its Licensed Open Source Platform. This platform, a direct innovation from our first granted patent, US Patent No. 10977387, entitled “Internet Search Mechanism,” stands as a beacon of technological advancement and community empowerment.
Innovation Valuation and Global Recognition
Our unique internet search mechanism, granted by the USPTO in April 2021, has not only been recognized in the United States but has also been awarded patents in four other key territories. In an independent valuation, the potential of this patented technology was highlighted, estimating its worth at an impressive $4.7 billion in a hypothetical acquisition scenario by an internet conglomerate. This value underscores the platform’s transformative potential in reshaping the internet’s commercial landscape.
Technological Advancement and Open Source Capabilities
The complexity and breadth of the platform are testament to recent advancements in technology, enabling its rich feature set and extensive scalability. At its core, the platform offers open-source app templates, allowing licensees to construct community-centric super apps tailored to their local needs and economic contexts. Unlike conventional single-purpose applications like Uber Eats or Hotels.com, these super apps present a comprehensive marketplace, accommodating an unlimited array of products and services within a single digital ecosystem.
Revolutionizing Commercial Interactions
What distinguishes our platform further is its revolutionary approach to e-commerce. Businesses, rather than surrendering a high percentage of their transaction value, are charged a fixed monthly listing fee determined by the community licensees. This structure not only fosters a fair, competitive environment for smaller enterprises but also ensures that more revenue remains within local economies.
Anonymity, User Control, and the Future of Search
These community super apps are set to redefine internet search and e-commerce, areas that have seen little fundamental change in the past quarter-century. One of the platform’s innovative features is the “concierge search,” where users can anonymously leave requests for goods or services not immediately available, enabling future transaction fulfilment.
Furthermore, Ethical Web AI takes user privacy and control seriously. Our platform ensures user anonymity and places consumers in full control of communication channels, transforming the way they interact with online marketplaces.
Community Impact and Invitation to Explore
Beyond commercial benefits, our platform represents a new avenue for significant community revenue, fostering local development and self-sustainability. We invite interested parties to explore the diverse potential of our platform through five distinct use-case scenarios detailed on our website. Each illustrates the platform’s versatility and its adaptability to various market sectors.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ethical Web AI Licensed Open Source Platform is more than a technological breakthrough; it’s a new paradigm for online commerce, community growth, and digital privacy. By decentralizing the Internet marketplace, we are building a more equitable, prosperous digital future for communities and especially small businesses alike.
Intellectual Property
We have created a new search mechanism, “AN INTERNET-BASED SEARCH MECHANISM,” which has been granted a patent in South Africa (2016/06947), New Zealand (725014), the United States of America (‘Utility Patent No. US 10977387), Canada (2962520), and we have patents pending on the same processes in Australia (2015248619), the European Union (15723990.6) and the United Kingdom (PCT/GB2015/051130), creating an alternative economic ecosystem to tackle the current broken model and better serve all main participant groups. This utility patent defines a profoundly different way for internet users to search the internet for goods or services rather than text-based search engine solutions. The technical manifestation of this utility patent is the Ethical Web ATI Open-Source Platform.
We have filed a sister patent that is specifically for searching for information rather than goods or services. US Patent Application No. 17/980298 was filed in the USA in November 2022. It is titled “Contextual enveloping via dynamically generated hypertext links.” This utility patent defines a radically different way for consumers to search for information only, which again is radically different from traditional search engines. The technical manifestation of this patent is the AI Seek AI LLM (Large Language Model) as it works exceptionally well with AI LLMs such as Chat GPT 4 and Claude 2. It is the confident opinion of our patent agents, Murgatroyd’s, that this patent will be granted in November 2024.
We have also recently filed another patent with the U.S. Patent Office (application number 18/376,101), which currently has a generic title of “computer-implemented method and system.” Again, this is a utility patent that resolves a very significant issue with existing foundation AI LLM, such as Chat GPT and Claude 2, whereby they are unable to provide information that needs contemporaneous data. This is because the established AI LLMs have a training data database that is limited to some point in the past. For example, Chat GPT’s training data only goes up to September 2021. Claude 2 will be updating their training data to January 2023. This utility patent uses an internally trained AI LLM that identifies those search prompts that require contemporaneous data (for example, stock prices and sports data) and augments the prompt with the necessary contemporaneous data to radically improve AI LLM’s output to include references to the necessary contemporaneous data. The technical manifestation of this patent is delivered in version 4 and beyond of our AI Seek consumer app.
Competition
The space for online marketplaces and ad networks is rapidly evolving. The Advertising Technology (Ad-tech) industry includes all kinds of tools, software platforms (Google, Facebook), agencies, data-brokers, etc. It facilitates targeted advertisements that have become exponentially more invasive over the past decade due to massive amounts of personal data collection. It’s a complex and opaque ecosystem that tracks, profiles, discriminates (both personal and business) and manipulates for profit. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that is now facing litigation, investigations, and new regulations to curb its practices.
We face intense competition from companies with much larger capital resources than us, and, as a result, we could struggle to attract users and gain market share. Many of our existing or future competitors have greater financial resources and greater brand name recognition than we do and, as a result, may be better positioned to adapt to changes in the industry or the economy as a whole. We will strive to advance our technology in each of these sectors ahead of our competitors to gain market share. We also face intense competition in attracting and retaining qualified employees. Our ability to continue to compete effectively will depend upon our ability to attract new employees, retain and motivate our existing employees and to compensate employees competitively. We face significant competition in several aspects of our business, and such competition might increase, particularly in the market for networks and online marketplaces. A key advantage against better resourced competitors is provisioning our technology and related acquisitions as an Open Source SAAS platform. This pushes all of the consumer and merchant marketing responsibility to the registered partners.
Our competitors may announce new products, services or enhancements that better address changing industry standards or the needs of users, such as mobile access or different market focus. Any such increased competition could cause pricing pressure, loss of business or decreased user activity, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.
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We believe that we have competitive strengths and protection via our IP which is defensible under the umbrella protection of our granted patents.
Government Regulation
We are subject to a number of foreign and domestic laws and regulations that affect companies conducting business online, many of which are evolving and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. In the United States and abroad, laws and regulations relating to the liability of providers of online services for activities of their users and other third parties are being tested by a number of claims, including actions based on invasion of privacy and other torts, unfair competition, copyright and trademark infringement, and other theories based on the nature and content of the materials searched, or the content provided by users. Further, some countries impose regulations regarding or require licenses to conduct various aspects of our business, including employee recruiting and news related services. Any court ruling or other governmental action that imposes liability on providers of online services for the activities of their users or other third parties could harm our business. In addition, rising concern about the use of social networking technologies for illegal conduct, such as the unauthorized dissemination of national security information, money laundering or supporting terrorist activities, may in the future produce legislation or other governmental action that could require changes to our website platform, restrict or impose additional costs upon the conduct of our business or cause users to abandon material aspects of our platform.
In the area of information security and data protection, most states have enacted laws and regulations requiring notification to users when there is a security breach of personal data or requiring the adoption of minimum information security standards that are often vaguely defined and difficult to practically implement. The costs of compliance with these laws and regulations may increase in the future as a result of amendments or changes in interpretation. Furthermore, any failure on our part to comply with these laws and regulations may subject us to significant liabilities.
We are also subject to federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations regarding privacy and protection of data. Our privacy policies describe our practices concerning the use, storage, transmission and disclosure of personal information, including visitor and user data. Any failure by us to comply with these terms or privacy-related laws and regulations could result in proceedings against us by governmental authorities or others, which could harm our business. In addition, the interpretation of privacy and data protection laws and regulations and their application to online services are unclear, evolving and in a state of flux. For example, in October 2015, the highest court in the European Union invalidated reliance on the US-EU Safe Harbor regime as one of the legally recognized mechanisms under which the personal data of European citizens could be transferred to the United States. There is a risk that these laws and regulations may be interpreted and applied in conflicting ways from state to state, country to country, or region to region, and in a manner that is not consistent with our current data protection practices or that new laws or regulations will be enacted. In addition, because our platform will be accessible worldwide, certain foreign governments may claim that we are required to comply with their laws and regulations, including with respect to the storage, use and disclosure of user information, even in jurisdictions where we have no local entity, employees, or infrastructure. Complying with these varying domestic and international requirements could cause us to incur additional costs and change our business practices. Further, any failure by us to adequately protect our users’ privacy and data could result in a loss of user confidence in our services and ultimately in a loss of users, which could adversely affect our business.
Employees
As of March 19, 2024, we have 5 full-time employees. Our employees are not represented by any labor union.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to any legal proceedings that we believe to be material or which, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation if determined adversely to us.
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Smaller Reporting Company
The Company is a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. There are certain exemptions available to us as a smaller reporting company, including: (1) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act; (2) scaled executive compensation disclosures; and (3) the requirement to provide only two years of audited financial statements, instead of three years. As long as we maintain our status as a “smaller reporting company,” these exemptions will continue to be available to us.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 or “JOBS Act.”
As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of reduced or “scaled” disclosure requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These reduced or scaled disclosure requirements include, but are not limited to:
| 1. | being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report; | |
| 2. | not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended; | |
| 3. | being able to take advantage of the reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and | |
| 4. | being exempt from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
We elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations in this Annual Report and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in our future filings with the SEC. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards. We have irrevocably elected to not avail ourselves of this exemption and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
Compliance after Termination of Emerging Growth Company Status
After our emerging growth company status is terminated, we will not be able to take advantage of the reduced or scaled disclosure requirements described in subparagraphs 1. and 4., above. However, in the event we are a “smaller reporting company,” as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after our emerging growth company status has terminated, we will still be able to take advantage of the reduced or scaled disclosure requirements described in subparagraphs 2. and 3., above, for as long as we continue to have smaller reporting company status.
Available Information
We make available, free of charge, on or through our website, at www.ethicalweb.ai, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes our audited financial statements, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website that contains these reports and other information at www.sec.gov. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be, and are not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks before investing in our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, as well as other risks not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In assessing the risks below, you should also refer to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the related notes, before deciding to purchase or hold any of our securities.
Risk Related to Covid 19
A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019 and subsequently declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. As a result of the outbreak, many companies have experienced disruptions in their operations and in the markets served. The Company has instituted some and may take additional temporary precautionary measures intended to help ensure the well-being of its employees and minimize business disruption. The Company considered the impact of COVID-19 on the assumptions and estimates used and determined that there were no material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Most of the restrictions imposed by governments worldwide have now been relaxed. The Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require an update to its estimates or judgments or a revision of the carrying value of its assets or liabilities at the date of issuance of these financial statements.
If there is a re-occurrence of government restrictions due to a new Covid-19 outbreak that may cause many companies to experience disruptions in their operations and in markets served, there is a risk that these estimates may change, as new events occur, and additional information is obtained.
Risk Factors Related to the Financial Condition of the Company
Because our auditor has issued a going concern opinion regarding our company, there is an increased risk associated with an investment in our company.
We have continually operated at a loss with an accumulated deficit of $496,125 as of December 31, 2023. We have not generated significant revenues and are dependent upon obtaining financing to continue operations for the next twelve months. Our future is dependent upon our ability to obtain financing or upon future profitable operations. We reserve the right to seek additional funds through private placements of our common stock, public offerings of our common stock and/or through debt financing.
Because we have a limited operating history, you may not be able to accurately evaluate our operations.
We have had limited operations to date. Therefore, we have a limited operating history upon which to evaluate the merits of investing in our company. Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the operations that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to operate our business and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. We expect to continue to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. We recognize that if the effectiveness of our business plan is not forthcoming, we will not be able to continue business operations. There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and it is doubtful that we will generate any significant operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.
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Risk Factors Related to Business of the Company
Our operating results may fluctuate, which could have a negative impact on our ability to grow our client base, establish sustainable revenues and succeed overall.
Our results of operations may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control including but not limited to:
| ● | General economic conditions in the geographies and industries where we sell our services and conduct operations; legislative policies where we sell our services and conduct operations; | |
| ● | The budgetary constraints of our customers; | |
| ● | The success of our strategic growth initiatives; | |
| ● | Costs associated with the launching or integration of new or acquired businesses; | |
| ● | Timing of new product introductions by us, our partners and our competitors; product and service mix, availability, utilization and pricing; | |
| ● | The mix, by state and country, of our revenues, personnel and assets; | |
| ● | Movements in interest rates or tax rates; | |
| ● | Protection of or intellectual property assets; | |
| ● | Changes in the regulations applicable to us; and | |
● |
Litigation matters. |
As a result of these factors, we may not succeed in our business, and we could go out of business.
If the market for our open-source platform does not experience significant growth or if our projects do not achieve broad acceptance, we will not be able to sustain or grow our revenues.
We hope to achieve revenues from our open-source partnerships. We cannot accurately predict, however, future growth rates or the size of the market for application in the United States, United Kingdom and other markets we engage in. Demand for our platform and IP may not occur as anticipated, or may decrease, either generally or in specific geographic markets, during particular time periods. The expansion of our mobile application in the market depends on a number of factors, such as:
| ● | The cost, performance and appearance of our mobile application offered by our competitors; | |
| ● | Public perceptions regarding our mobile application and the effectiveness and value of it; | |
| ● | Customer satisfaction with our mobile application; and | |
| ● | Marketing efforts and publicity regarding the needs for application and the public demand for it. |
Even if our platform gains wide market acceptance, we may not adequately address market requirements and may not be able to expand market acceptance. If our products do not achieve wide market acceptance, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth, we may not achieve revenues and results of operations would suffer.
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If we are unable to gauge trends and react to changing partners preferences in a timely manner, our sales will decrease, and our business may fail.
We believe our success depends in substantial part on our ability to offer our intellectual property and our supporting platform that reflect current needs and anticipate, gauge and react to changing partner and consumer demands in a timely manner. Our business is vulnerable to changes in partner and consumer preferences. If we misjudge their needs for our platform, our ability to generate sales could be impaired resulting in the failure of our business. There are no assurances that our mobile application will be successful, and in that regard, any unsuccessful consumer reaction could also adversely affect our business.
If we are unable to successfully manage growth, our operations could be adversely affected.
Our progress is expected to require the full utilization of our management, financial and other resources, which to date has occurred with limited working capital. Our ability to manage growth effectively will depend on our ability to improve and expand operations, including our financial and management information systems, and to recruit, train and manage sales personnel. There can be no absolute assurance that management will be able to manage growth effectively.
If we do not properly manage the growth of our business, we may experience significant strains on our management and operations and disruptions in our business. Various risks arise when companies and industries grow quickly. If our business or industry grows too quickly, our ability to meet customer demand in a timely and efficient manner could be challenged. We may also experience development delays as we seek to meet increased demand for our products. Our failure to properly manage the growth that we or our industry might experience could negatively impact our ability to execute on our operating plan and, accordingly, could have an adverse impact on our business, our cash flow and results of operations, and our reputation with our current or potential customers.
Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to develop and commercialize our open-source platform without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties.
Our commercial success will depend, in part, on operating our business without infringing the trademarks or proprietary rights of third parties. Third parties that believe we are infringing on their rights could bring actions against us claiming damages and seeking to enjoin the development, marketing and distribution of our products. If we become involved in any litigation, it could consume a substantial portion of our resources, regardless of the outcome of the litigation. If any of these actions are successful, we could be required to pay damages and/or to obtain a license to continue to develop or market our products, in which case we may be required to pay substantial royalties. However, any such license may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Ultimately, we could be prevented from commercializing a product or forced to cease some aspect of our business operations as a result of patent infringement claims, which would harm our business.
A decline in general economic conditions could lead to reduced consumer/business adoption and could negatively impact our business operation and financial condition, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operating and financial performance may be adversely affected by a variety of factors that influence the general economy. Consumer search habits are affected by, among other things, prevailing economic conditions, levels of unemployment, salaries and wage rates, prevailing interest rates, income tax rates and policies, consumer confidence and consumer perception of economic conditions. In addition, consumer purchasing patterns may be influenced by consumers’ disposable income. In the event of an economic slowdown, consumer search habits could be adversely affected and we could experience lower net sales than expected on a quarterly or annual basis which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our reputation and brand.
We believe that our reputation in the online marketplace is of significant importance to the success of our business. A well-recognized brand is critical to increasing our customer base and, in turn, increasing our revenue. Since the industry is highly competitive, our ability to remain competitive depends to a large extent on our ability to maintain and enhance our reputation and brand, which could be difficult and expensive. To maintain and enhance our reputation and brand, we need to successfully manage many aspects of our business, such as cost-effective marketing campaigns to increase brand recognition and awareness in a highly competitive market. We will continue to conduct various marketing and brand promotion activities. We cannot assure you, however, that these activities will be successful and achieve the brand promotion goals we expect. If we fail to maintain and enhance our reputation and brand, or if we incur excessive expenses in our efforts to do so, our business, financial conditions and results of operations could be adversely affected.
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We use artificial intelligence in our business, and challenges with properly managing its use could result in reputational harm, competitive harm, and legal liability, and adversely affect our results of operations.
We will incorporate artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions into our platform, offerings, services and features, and these applications may become increasingly important in our operations over time. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI into their products more quickly or more successfully than us, which could impair our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, if the content, analyses or recommendations that our AI applications assist in producing are or are alleged to be deficient, inaccurate or biased, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The use of AI applications has resulted in, and may in the future result in, cybersecurity incidents that implicate the personal data of end users of such applications. Any such cybersecurity incidents related to our use of AI applications could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations. AI also presents emerging ethical issues and if our use of AI becomes controversial, we may experience brand or reputational harm, competitive harm or legal liability. The rapid evolution of AI, including potential government regulation of AI, will require significant resources to develop, test and maintain our platform, offerings, services and features to help us implement AI ethically in order to minimize unintended, harmful impact.
One of the major risks associated with AI is the potential for bias in the data used to train AI systems. If the algorithms data sets we use to train our AI system is biased, the resulting model may make inaccurate or unfair decisions, leading to negative consequences for customers, employees and other stakeholders. If we fail to protect the data we use to train our AI against bias, then our business, brand, reputation, financial condition and results of operations may by adversely affected.
Reliance on information technology means a significant disruption could affect our communications and operations.
We increasingly rely on information technology systems for our internal communications, controls, reporting and relations with customers and suppliers and information technology is becoming a significantly important tool for our sales staff. Our marketing and distribution strategy are dependent upon our ability to closely monitor consumer and market trends on a highly specified level, for which we are reliant on our highly sophisticated data tracking systems, which are susceptible to disruption or failure. In addition, our reliance on information technology exposes us to cyber-security risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete. Security and privacy breaches may expose us to liability and cause us to lose customers or may disrupt our relationships and ongoing transactions with other entities with whom we contract throughout our supply chain. The failure of our information systems to function as intended, or the penetration by outside parties’ intent on disrupting business processes, could result in significant costs, loss of revenue, assets or personal or other sensitive data and reputational harm.
Security and privacy breaches may expose us to liability and cause us to lose customers.
Federal and state laws require us to safeguard our wholesalers’ and retailers’ financial information, including credit information. Although we have established security procedures to protect against identity theft and the theft of our customers’ and distributors’ financial information, our security and testing measures may not prevent security breaches and breaches of privacy may occur and could harm our business. Typically, we rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to enhance transmission security of confidential information in relation to financial and other sensitive information that we have on file. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, inadequate facility security or other developments may result in a compromise or breach of the technology used by us to protect customer data. Any compromise of our security could harm our reputation or financial condition and, therefore, our business. In addition, a party who is able to circumvent our security measures or exploit inadequacies in our security measures, could, among other effects, misappropriate proprietary information, cause interruptions in our operations or expose customers and other entities with which we interact to computer viruses or other disruptions. Actual or perceived vulnerabilities may lead to claims against us. To the extent the measures we have taken prove to be insufficient or inadequate, we may become subject to litigation or administrative sanctions, which could result in significant fines, penalties or damages and harm to our reputation.
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We may be unable to support our technology to further scale our operations successfully.
Our plan is to grow rapidly through further integration of our technology in partnerships in with our open-source platform and other partnership electronic platforms. Our growth will place significant demands on our management and technology development, as well as our financial, administrative and other resources. We cannot guarantee that any of the systems, procedures and controls we put in place will be adequate to support the commercialization of our operations. Our operating results will depend substantially on the ability of our officers and key employees to manage changing business conditions and to implement and improve our financial, administrative and other resources. If we are unable to respond to and manage changing business conditions, or the scale of our products, services and operations, then the quality of our services, our ability to retain key personnel and our business could be harmed.
Developing and implementing new and updated applications, features and services for our portals may be more difficult than expected, may take longer and cost more than expected and may not result in sufficient increases in revenue to justify the costs.
Attracting and retaining partner developers and users of our open-source platform requires us to continue to improve the technology underlying those portals and to continue to develop new and updated applications, features and services. If we are unable to do so on a timely basis or if we are unable to implement new applications, features and services without disruption to our existing ones, we may lose potential users and clients. The costs of development of these enhancements may negatively impact our ability to achieve profitability.
We rely on a combination of internal development, strategic relationships, licensing and acquisitions to develop our open-source platform, portals and related applications, features and services. Our development and/or implementation of new technologies, applications, features and services may cost more than expected, may take longer than originally expected, may require more testing than originally anticipated and may require the acquisition of additional personnel and other resources. There can be no assurance that the revenue opportunities from any new or updated technologies, applications, features or services will justify the amounts spent.
Our success is dependent in part on obtaining, maintaining and enforcing our proprietary rights and our ability to avoid infringing on the proprietary rights of others.
We seek patent protection for those inventions and technologies for which we believe such protection is suitable and is likely to provide a competitive advantage to us. A Patent on our Internet-Search Mechanism (“IBSM”) has been granted in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The patent is currently pending in the European Union and United Kingdom. Because patent applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until either the patent application is published or a patent is issued, we may not be aware of third-party patents, patent applications and other intellectual property relevant to our products that may block our use of our intellectual property or may be used in third-party products that compete with our products and processes. In the event a competitor or other party successfully challenges our products, processes, patents or licenses or claims that we have infringed upon their intellectual property, we could incur substantial litigation costs defending against such claims, be required to pay royalties, license fees or other damages or be barred from using the intellectual property at issue, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We also rely substantially on trade secrets, proprietary technology, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements, and technical measures to protect our technology, application, design, and manufacturing know-how, and work actively to foster continuing technological innovation to maintain and protect our competitive position. We cannot assure you that steps taken by us to protect our intellectual property and other contractual agreements for our business will be adequate, that our competitors will not independently develop or patent substantially equivalent or superior technologies or be able to design around patents that we may receive, or that our intellectual property will not be misappropriated.
Our business will suffer if our network systems, or open-source platform fails or become unavailable.
A reduction in the performance, reliability and availability of our network infrastructure would harm our ability to distribute our products to our users, as well as our reputation and ability to attract and retain customers. Our systems and operations could be damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, Internet breakdown, earthquake and similar events. Our systems could also be subject to viruses, break-ins, sabotage, acts of terrorism, acts of vandalism, hacking, cyber-terrorism and similar misconduct. We might not carry adequate business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur from a system outage. Any system error or failure that causes interruption in availability of our product or an increase in response time could result in a loss of potential customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we suffer sustained or repeated interruptions, then our products and services could be less attractive to our users and our business would be materially harmed.
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We face significant competition for developers, users, advertisers, and distributors.
Our intellectual property can face significant competition from online search engines, sites offering integrated internet products and services, social media and networking sites, e-commerce sites, companies providing analytics, monetization and marketing tools for mobile and desktop developers, and digital, broadcast and print media. A number of these competitors are significantly larger than we are and have access to vastly greater financial resources. Additionally, in a number of international markets, we face substantial competition from local Internet service providers and other entities that offer search, communications, and other commercial services.
A number of our competitors offer products and services that directly compete for users of our platform offerings. Further, emerging start-ups may be able to innovate and provide new products and services faster than we can. In addition, competitors may consolidate or collaborate with each other, and new competitors may enter the market. Some of our competitors in international markets have a substantial competitive advantage over us because they have dominant market share in their territories, have greater local brand recognition, are focused on a single market, are more familiar with local tastes and preferences, or have greater regulatory and operational flexibility due to the fact that we may be subject to both U.S. and foreign regulatory requirements.
If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing and deploying compelling products or in attracting and retaining users, developers, or distributors, our users and growth rates could decline.
Changes in regulations or user concerns regarding privacy and protection of user data, or any failure to comply with such laws, could adversely affect our business.
Federal, state, and international laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, disclosure, sharing and security of data that we receive from and about our users. The use of consumer data by online service providers is a topic of active interest among federal, state, and international regulatory bodies, and the regulatory environment is unsettled. Many states have passed laws requiring notification to users where there is a security breach for personal data, such as California’s Information Practices Act. We face similar risks in international markets where our products and services are offered. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with or make effective modifications to our policies, or to comply with any applicable federal, state, or international privacy, data-retention or data-protection-related laws, regulations, orders or industry self-regulatory principles could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, a loss of user confidence, damage to our business and brand, and a loss of users, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.
In addition, various federal, state and foreign legislative or regulatory bodies may enact new or additional laws and regulations concerning privacy, data retention, data transfer and data protection issues, including laws or regulations mandating disclosure to domestic or international law enforcement bodies, which could adversely impact our business, our brand or our reputation with users. For example, some countries are considering or have enacted laws mandating that user data regarding users in their country be maintained in their country. In addition, there currently is a data protection regulation applicable to member states of the European Union that includes operational and compliance requirements that are different than those currently in place and that also includes significant penalties for non-compliance.
The interpretation and application of privacy, data protection, data transfer and data retention laws and regulations are often uncertain and in flux in the United States and internationally. These laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices, complicating long-range business planning decisions. If privacy, data protection, data transfer or data retention laws are interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our current policies and practices, we may be fined or ordered to change our business practices in a manner that adversely impacts our operating results. Complying with these varying international requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business and operating results.
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We may be subject to legal liability associated with providing online services or content.
We host and provide a wide variety of services and technology products that enable and encourage individuals and businesses to exchange information; upload or otherwise generate photos, videos, text, and other content; advertise products and services; conduct business; and engage in various online activities both domestically and internationally. The law relating to the liability of providers of online services and products for activities of their users is currently unsettled both within the United States and internationally. We may be subject to domestic or international actions alleging that certain content we have generated or third-party content that we have made available within our services violates laws in domestic and international jurisdictions.
It is also possible that if any information provided directly by us contains errors or is otherwise wrongfully provided to users, third parties could make claims against us. For example, we offer web-based e-mail services, which expose us to potential risks, such as liabilities or claims, by our users and third parties, resulting from unsolicited e-mail, lost or misdirected messages, illegal or fraudulent use of e-mail, alleged violations of policies, property interests, or privacy protections, including civil or criminal laws, or interruptions or delays in e-mail service. We may also face purported consumer class actions or state actions relating to our online services, including our fee-based services. In addition, our customers, third parties, or government entities may assert claims or actions against us if our online services or technologies are used to spread or facilitate malicious or harmful code or applications.
Investigating and defending these types of claims are expensive, even if the claims are without merit or do not ultimately result in liability and could subject us to significant monetary liability or cause a change in business practices that could negatively impact our ability to compete.
Our business depends on continued and unimpeded access to the Internet by us and our users. Internet access providers may be able to block, degrade, or charge for access to certain of our products and services, which could lead to additional expenses and the loss of users and advertisers.
Our products and services depend on the ability of our users to access the Internet, and certain of our products require significant bandwidth to work effectively. Currently, this access is provided by companies that have significant market power in the broadband and internet access marketplace, including incumbent telephone companies, cable companies, mobile communications companies, and government-owned service providers. Some of these providers may take, or have stated that they may take, measures that could degrade, disrupt, or increase the cost of user access to certain of our products by restricting or prohibiting the use of their infrastructure to support or facilitate our offerings, or by charging increased fees to us or our users to provide our offerings. Such interference could result in a loss of existing users and advertisers, and increased costs, and could impair our ability to attract new users and advertisers, thereby harming our revenues and growth. The adoption of any laws or regulations that limit access to the Internet by blocking, degrading or charging access fees to us or our users for certain services could decrease the demand for, or the usage of, our products and services, increase our cost of doing business and adversely affect our operating results.
Risks Related with Management and Control Persons
We are dependent on the continued services of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Technology Officer, and if we fail to keep them or fail to attract and retain qualified senior executive and key technical personnel, our business will not be able to expand.
We are dependent on the continued availability of Stephen Morris, our interim Chief Technology Officer, Timothy Burks, our Chief Executive Officer, and David Chetwood, our Chief Financial Officer, and the availability of new skilled employees to implement our business plans. The market for skilled employees is highly competitive, especially for employees in our industry. Although we expect that our planned compensation programs will be intended to attract and retain the employees required for us to be successful, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain the services of all our key employees or a sufficient number to execute our plans, nor can there be any assurance we will be able to continue to attract new employees as required.
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Our personnel may voluntarily terminate their relationship with us at any time, and competition for qualified personnel is intense. The process of locating additional personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategy could be lengthy, costly and disruptive.
If we lose the services of key personnel or fail to replace the services of key personnel who depart, we could experience a severe negative effect on our financial results and stock price. The loss of the services of any key personnel, marketing or other personnel or our failure to attract, integrate, motivate and retain additional key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating and financial results and stock price.
Our officers and directors have limited experience managing a public company.
Our officers and directors have limited experience managing a public company. Consequently, we may not be able to raise any funds or run our public company successfully. Our executive’s officer’s and director’s lack of experience of managing a public company could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Risks Related to the Market for our Stock
We will likely conduct further offerings of our equity securities in the future, in which case your proportionate interest may become diluted.
We will likely be required to conduct equity offerings in the future to finance our current projects or to finance subsequent projects that we decide to undertake. If our common stock shares are issued in return for additional funds, the price per share could be lower than that paid by our current shareholders. We anticipate continuing to rely on equity sales of our shares of common stock in order to fund our business operations. If we issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into shares of our common stock, your percentage interest in us could become diluted.
We have the right to issue additional common stock and preferred stock without consent of stockholders. This would have the effect of diluting investors’ ownership and could decrease the value of their investment.
We have additional authorized, but unissued shares of our common stock that may be issued by us for any purpose without the consent or vote of our stockholders that would dilute stockholders’ percentage ownership of our company.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of shares of preferred stock and/or the conversion of existing outstanding preferred stock into common stock, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of which may be set by the Board of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation has authorized issuance of up 3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, in the discretion of our Board.
The shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock may be issued upon Board of Directors approval; no further stockholder action is required. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of such preferred stock would be set by our Board and could operate to the disadvantage of the outstanding common stock. Such terms could include, among others, preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Our stock price is subject to a number of factors, including:
| ● | Technological innovations or new products and services by us or our competitors; | |
| ● | Government regulation of our products and services; | |
| ● | The establishment of partnerships with other ethical web companies; | |
| ● | Intellectual property disputes; | |
| ● | Additions or departures of key personnel; | |
| ● | Sales of our common stock; | |
| ● | Our ability to integrate operations, technology, products and services; | |
| ● | Our ability to execute our business plan; | |
| ● | Operating results below or exceeding expectations | |
| ● | Whether we achieve profits or not; | |
| ● | Loss or addition of any strategic relationship; | |
| ● | Industry developments; | |
| ● | Economic and other external factors; and | |
| ● | Period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results. |
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Our stock price may fluctuate widely as a result of any of the above. In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Because we are subject to the “Penny Stock” rules, the level of trading activity in our stock may be reduced.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which generally define “penny stock” to be any listed, trading equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock, the broker-dealer make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules which may increase the difficulty Purchasers may experience in attempting to liquidate such securities.
We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock.
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting it at such time as the board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will occur only if our stock price appreciates.
General Risks
We are a development stage company with a limited operating history, making it difficult for you to evaluate our business and your investment.
Our operations are subject to all of the risks inherent in the establishment of a new business enterprise, including, but not limited to, the absence of any meaningful operating history, lack of fully-developed or commercialized products, insufficient capital, expected substantial and continual losses for the foreseeable future, limited experience in dealing with regulatory issues, lack of manufacturing and marketing experience, need to rely on third parties for the development and commercialization of our existing and proposed products, a competitive environment characterized by well-established and well-capitalized competitors and reliance on key personnel.
We may not be successful in carrying out our business objectives. The revenue and income potential of our proposed business and operations are unproven as the lack of operating history makes it difficult to evaluate the future prospects of our business. There is nothing at this time on which to base an assumption that our business operations will prove to be successful or that we will ever be able to operate profitably. Accordingly, we have no track record of successful business activities, strategic decision-making by management, fund-raising ability, and other factors that would allow an investor to assess the likelihood that we will be successful in our business. There is a substantial risk that we will not be successful in fully implementing our business plan, or if initially successful, in thereafter generating material operating revenues or in achieving profitable operations.
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We are an “emerging growth company” and any decision on our part to comply with certain reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make shares of our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emergency growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Investors could find our shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a result of any choice to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.
For as long as we are an “emerging growth company,” our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation.
If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, or if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting when and if required, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our securities could be negatively affected, and the we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, if any, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either: (i) the market value of our shares com common stock held by non-affiliates does not equal or exceed $250 million as of the prior June 30th, or (ii) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make the comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (which we refer to as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (which we refer to as the Dodd-Frank Act), the rules of the marketplace we area on, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer a “smaller reporting company.” The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may need to hire more employees in the future or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.
In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.
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As a smaller reporting company we are exempt from certain disclosure requirements, which could make our Common Stock less attractive to potential investors.
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act defines a “smaller reporting company” as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:
| ● | had a public float of less than $250 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of our voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market for the common equity; or | |
| ● | in the case of an initial registration statement under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, for shares of our common equity, had a public float of less than $250 million as of a date within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of such shares held by non-affiliates before the registration plus, in the case of a Securities Act registration statement, the number of such shares included in the registration statement by the estimated public offering price of the shares; or | |
| ● | in the case of an issuer whose public float as calculated under paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition was zero, had annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available. |
As a smaller reporting company, we will not be required and may not include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in our proxy statements; we will provide only two years of financial statements; and we need not provide the table of selected financial data. We also will have other “scaled” disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting companies which could make our Common Stock less attractive to potential investors, which could make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will, to some extent, depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.
Foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial results.
Sales and purchases in currencies other than the United States dollar expose us to fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the United States dollar and may adversely affect our financial results. Increased strength of the United States dollar increases the effective price of our products sold in United States dollars into other countries, which may require us to lower its prices or adversely affect sales to the extent we do not increase local currency prices. Decreased strength of the United States dollar could adversely affect the cost of materials, products and services we purchase from non-United States denominated locations. Sales and expenses of our non-United States businesses are also translated into United States dollars for SEC reporting purposes and the strengthening or weakening of the United States dollar could result in unfavorable translation effects. We also face exchange rate risk from our investments in subsidiaries owned and operated in foreign countries.
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Current economic and political conditions make tax rules in any jurisdiction subject to significant change.
We are subject to income taxes as well as non-income based taxes, in both the U.S. and ultimately various jurisdictions outside the U.S. where we intend to operate. We cannot predict the overall impact that changes or revisions to any such tax laws and regulations, whether in in the United States or in jurisdictions outside the United States, may have on our business. We may be subject to ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions, and the tax authorities conducting such audits may disagree with certain taxation positions we have taken and assess additional taxes. Although we intend to regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits in order to determine the appropriateness of our tax obligations, there can be no assurance that we will accurately predict the outcomes of these audits, and the actual outcomes of these audits could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and business operations.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
We own no property.
The Company rents on a month-to-month basis virtual space at 21 West 46th St, New York, NY 10036. The monthly rate is $200. This lease is exempt from ASC 842 lease accounting due to its short term.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We may from time to time be involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature we believe are normal and incidental to our business. These matters may include product liability, intellectual property, employment, personal injury cause by our employees, and other general claims. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
The Company’s Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “BBLR.” The OTCQB is operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc., an electronic inter-dealer quotation medium for equity securities; The market for the Company’s Common Stock is limited, volatile and sporadic and the price of the Company’s Common Stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in operating results, news announcements, trading volume, sales of Common Stock by officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company, general market trends, changes in the supply and demand for the Company’s shares, and other factors. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for each quarter relating to the Company’s Common Stock for the last two fiscal years. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without retail mark-up, markdown, or commissions, and may not reflect actual transactions.
| Fiscal 2023 | High | Low | ||||||
| First Quarter(1) | $ | 0.400 | $ | 0.120 | ||||
| Second Quarter (1) | $ | 0.198 | $ | 0.095 | ||||
| Third Quarter(1) | $ | 0.150 | $ | 0.033 | ||||
| Fourth Quarter (1) | $ | 0.113 | $ | 0.030 | ||||
| Fiscal 2022 | High | Low | ||||||
| First Quarter(1) | $ | 1.820 | $ | 0.300 | ||||
| Second Quarter(1) | $ | 0.420 | $ | 0.180 | ||||
| Third Quarter(1) | $ | 0.295 | $ | 0.160 | ||||
| Fourth Quarter (1) | $ | 0.270 | $ | 0.101 | ||||
| (1) | This represents the closing bid information for the stock on the OTCQB. The bid and ask quotations represent prices between dealers and do not include retail markup, markdown or commission. They do not represent actual transactions and have not been adjusted for stock dividends or splits. |
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require: (i) that a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks and (ii) the broker or dealer receive from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased. In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must (i) obtain financial information and investment experience and objectives of the person; and (ii) make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and that person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks. The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form, (i) sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination and (ii) that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction. Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading, and about commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.
Shareholders should be aware that, according to SEC Release No. 34-29093 dated April 17, 1991, the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include (1) control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; (2) manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; (3) boiler room practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; (4) excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differential and markups by selling broker dealers; and (5) the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the resulting inevitable collapse of those prices and with consequent investor losses. The occurrence of these patterns or practices could increase the volatility of our share price.
Our management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market.
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Holders
As of March 19, 2024, we had 159,690,447 shares of our common stock outstanding, and there were approximately 2,400 stockholders of record of our common stock. There were 903 shares of preferred stock outstanding as of the same date, and two shareholders held the shares.
Common Stock
Our authorized common stock consists of 3,000,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. As of March 19, 2024, 159,690,447 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.
Preferred Stock
Our authorized preferred stock consists of 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. As of March 19, 2024, 903 shares of our preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock
We have a designated class of preferred stock known as Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock. The holders of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote 60% of all votes (including, but not limited to, Common Stock, and Preferred Stock (including on an as converted basis)) entitled to vote at each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (and written actions of stockholders in lieu of meetings) with respect to any and all matters presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration.
On September 6, 2022, we entered into an agreement with Bubblr Limited and Mr. Morris to add £52,088 ($60,000) to the principal of a loan in exchange for Mr. Morris canceling his Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock, which has super voting rights. As of September 6, 2022, there are no outstanding shares of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On March 4, 2022, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, which established Two Thousand (2,000) shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, having such designations, rights and preferences as set forth therein.
Below is a summary description of the material rights, designations and preferences of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (all capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have that definition assigned to it as per the Certificate of Designation).
The Company has the right to redeem the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, in accordance with the following schedule:
| ● | If all of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are redeemed within ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock upon three (3) business days’ of written notice at a price equal to one hundred and fifteen percent (115%) of the Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends. |
| ● | If all of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are redeemed after ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock upon three (3) business days of written notice at a price equal to one hundred and twenty percent (120%) of the Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends; and |
The Stated Value of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is $1,200 per share.
The Company shall pay a dividend of eight percent (8%) per annum on the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Dividends shall be paid quarterly, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Dividend shall be deemed to accrue from the date of issuance of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock whether or not earned or declared and whether or not there are profits, surplus or other funds of the Company legally available for the payment of dividends.
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The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will vote together with the common stock on an as-converted basis subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitations (as set forth in the Certificate of Designation).
Each share of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after the issuance at the option of the Holder thereof, into that number of shares of Common Stock (subject to Beneficial Ownership Limitations) determined by dividing the Stated Value of such share by the Conversion Price (as set forth in the Certificate of Designation).
There are also Purchase Rights and Most Favored Nation Provisions.
As of March 19, 2024, there were 903 outstanding shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding.
Options and Warrants
On March 4, 2022, we issued warrants to purchase 941,599 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.3404 per share.
On March 9, 2022, we issued warrants to purchase 472,923 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.3404 per share.
On April 25, 2022, we issued warrants to purchase 562,149 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.3505 per share.
On May 25, 2022, we issued warrants to purchase 281,074 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.2170 per share.
On June 25, 2022, we issued warrants to purchase 281,074 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.2236 per share.
A summary of activity during the year ended December 31, 2023, is as follows:
| Warrants Outstanding | Weighted Average | |||||||||||
| Number of | Weighted Average | Remaining life | ||||||||||
| Warrants | Exercise Price | (years) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2021 | - | $ | - | - | ||||||||
| Granted | 2,358,101 | 0.32 | 4.27 | |||||||||
| Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Forfeited/canceled | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2022 | 2,358,101 | $ | 0.32 | 4.27 | ||||||||
| Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Forfeited/canceled | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 | 2,358,101 | 0.32 | 3.27 | |||||||||
| Exercisable, December 31, 2023 | 2,538,101 | $ | 0.32 | 3.27 | ||||||||
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The following table summarizes information relating to outstanding and exercisable warrants as of December 31, 2023:
| Warrants Outstanding | Warrants Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||
| Number of | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life | Weighted Average | Number of | Weighted Average | ||||||||||||||
| Warrants | (in years) | Exercise Price | Shares | Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||
| 941,599 | 3.18 | 0.34 | 941,599 | 0.34 | ||||||||||||||
| 472,205 | 3.19 | 0.34 | 472,205 | 0.34 | ||||||||||||||
| 562,149 | 3.32 | 0.35 | 562,149 | 0.35 | ||||||||||||||
| 281,074 | 3.40 | 0.22 | 281,074 | 0.22 | ||||||||||||||
| 281,074 | 3.48 | 0.22 | 281,074 | 0.22 | ||||||||||||||
| 2,538,101 | 3.27 | 0.32 | 5,538,101 | 0.32 | ||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2023, the intrinsic value of the warrants is $0, as the price of the Company’s stock was below the warrant exercise price.
Debt Securities
In January 2021 the Company commenced an offering for a convertible promissory note. The offering closed June 30, 2021. Funds raised during the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $2,112,150, less an original issuance discount of $104,572. The notes matured after eighteen (18) months from issue or on the following events:
Voluntary Conversion. Investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non- assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share.
Mandatory Conversion. Upon sixty (60) days from the date the Company files a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note shall automatically convert into fully paid and non- assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share.
Interest at the rate equal to 2% per annum, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days will be due on all outstanding notes.
Interest accrual and debt discount amortization commenced July 1, 2021 upon the closing of the convertible promissory note offering.
In November 2021 the Company commenced an offering for a convertible promissory note. The offering closed November 30, 2021. Funds raised as of November 30, 2021 was $175,630. The notes matured after eighteen (18) months from issue or on the following events:
Voluntary Conversion. Investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non- assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share.
Mandatory Conversion. Upon sixty (60) days from the date the Company files a Form 10 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note shall automatically convert into fully paid and non- assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share.
Interest at the rate equal to 2% per annum, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days will be due on all outstanding notes.
Interest accrual commenced December 1, 2021 upon the closing of the convertible promissory note offering.
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On September 1, 2022, the note holders of the convertible promissory notes issued June 30, 2021 and November 30, 2021 passed, by a majority an amendment to Section 6 of the notes. After the amendment, Section 6 of each of the notes read as follows:
Voluntary Conversion. Investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non- assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share (the “Conversion Price”). A notice of Conversion is included as Exhibit “A.” If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after issuance of this Note, effect a stock split of the outstanding common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the issuance of this Note, combine the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this Section 6 shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.
On December 15, 2022, the note holders of the convertible promissory notes issued June 30, 2021 and November 30, 2021 passed, by a majority another amendment to Section 6 of the notes. After the amendment, Section 6 of each of the notes now read as follows:
Voluntary Conversion. Investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at the conversion price of $0.50 per share (the “Conversion Price”). A notice of Conversion is included as Exhibit “A.” If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after issuance of this Note, effect a stock split of the outstanding common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the issuance of this Note, combine the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this Section 6 shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.”
On December 15, 2022, the note holders of the convertible promissory note issued June 30, 2021 and November 30, 2021 issued to the Company their request to convert the promissory notes held, plus any accrued interest to common shares. As a result, the Company issued 4,076, 096 common shares for total note and interest conversion of $2,353,048.
Dividends
The Company has not declared any cash dividends on Common Stock since inception and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends is within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other relevant factors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as any Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, the Company shall not pay or declare any dividend unless each holder of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, dividends on shares of Preferred Stock equal to (on an as-if-converted-to- Common-Stock basis) and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the Common Stock.
The Company is required to pay a dividend of eight percent (8%) per annum on the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Dividends shall be paid quarterly, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Dividend shall be deemed to accrue from the date of issuance of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock whether or not earned or declared and whether or not there are profits, surplus or other funds of the Company legally available for the payment of dividends.
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Equity Compensation Plans
On May 25, 2022, our board of directors and majority shareholders approved the adoption of the Bubblr, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Equity Incentive Plan”) and, unless earlier terminated, will continue until May 25, 2032. A total of 28,400,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan aims to foster and promote our long-term financial success and increase stockholder value by motivating performance through incentive compensation. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to encourage participants to acquire and maintain ownership interests in our company and to attract and retain the services of talented individuals upon whose judgment and special efforts the successful conduct of our business is mainly dependent.
If the participant is terminated, the participant will forfeit non-vested Restricted Stock Units awarded to date.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued pursuant to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, a total of 8,400,000 shares of common stock to two Company executives as restricted stock units pursuant to their employment agreements. On January 31, 2023, the executives forfeited the award of 8,400,000 shares of common stock upon termination.
The shares were valued at $2,259,600, based on the market price of the common stock on the respective dates of the agreements, which was $0.269 per share and amortized over their two-year vesting period on a straight-line basis. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $659,052 and had unamortized deferred stock compensation of $1,600,548 as of December 31, 2022.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company granted options for purchasing our Common stock to certain employees and non-employees as consideration for services rendered. The terms of the stock option grants are determined by our Board of Directors consistent with our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, which the Board adopted on May 22, 2022. Our stock option grant general policy is options vest 40% on the Grant Date, which is 90 days after commencement of service, and the remaining vest monthly over two years and has a maximum term of ten years. Two executives with long-term service over two years and nine months were 100% vested on the Grant Date.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
In the two years preceding the filing of this annual report, we have issued and sold the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended:
On February 2, 2022, we issued 103,000 shares of common stock to White Lion Capital LLC for an equity incentive.
On February 23, 2022, we issued 147,960 shares of common stock for Services.
On March 4, 2022, we issued 587,039 shares of common stock for an Equity incentive to GHS Investments, LLC.
On March 17, 2022, we issued 19,250 shares of common stock for investor relations services, as per the contract signed on July 1, 2021.
On March 22, 2022, we issued 103,000 shares of common stock in connection with a Termination and Release Agreement that terminated the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with White Lion Capital LLC.
In March 2022, we issued 503 Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shares.
On April 21, 2022, we issued 200 Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shares.
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On May 1, 2022, we issued 21,807 shares of common stock for investor relations services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021.
On May 25, 2022, we issued 100 Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shares.
On June 24, 2022, we issued 26,022 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021.
On June 24, 2022, we issued 7,597,244 shares of common stock in connection with Consultancy as per the contract signed on June 15, 2019.
On June 24, 2022, we issued 100 Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shares.
On July 29, 2022, we issued 29,045 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021
On August 23, 2022, we issued 33,333 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021
On September 2, 2022, we issued 345,220 shares of common stock as compensation 345,220 shares as compensation for a loan waiver under the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock share purchase agreement.
On September 2, 2022, we issued 34,146 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021
On October 20, 2022, we issued 36,939 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021
On November 28, 2022, we issued 175,000 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2021
On December 15, 2022, we issued 4,706,096 shares of common stock as per the voluntary conversion of promissory notes issued on June 30, 2021, and November 5, 2021
On December 21, 2022, we issued 166,799 shares of common stock as payment of dividend of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, declared September 30, 2022
On December 21, 2022, we issued 41,322 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2022
On January 23, 2023, we issued 58,091 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2022
On February 24, 2023, 46,574 shares of common stock valued at $7,000 were issued to a consultant for investor relation services, as per the contract signed on March 25, 2022
On February 24, 2023, we issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed February 14, 2023
On February 24, 2023, we issued 312,500 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on February 23, 2023
On June 16, 2023, we issued 500,000 shares of common stock for Legal services, as per the contract signed on June 14, 2023.
On June 16, 2023, we issued 127,483 shares of common stock for Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends.
On August 2, 2023, we issued 312,500 shares of common stock for Investor Relation services, as per the contract signed on February 23, 2023
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On December 27, 2023, we issued 2,489,186 shares of common stock for a Loan Resolution Agreement, as signed December 27, 2023
The offers, sales, and issuances of the securities described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S, Section 4.(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each recipient of securities in these transactions was an accredited or sophisticated person and had adequate access, through employment, business, or other relationships, to information about us.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED].
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our discussion includes forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operation for Years Ended December 31, 2023, and 2022
Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 2,620 | $ | - | $ | 2,620 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 2,620 | $ | - | $ | 2,620 | 100 | % | ||||||||
In 2023, revenues were $2,620. We did not achieve revenues from operations in 2022. We will not achieve higher revenues unless we can develop, market, support, and deliver our products and service offerings. There can be no assurances that we can achieve significant revenues despite our efforts.
Operating Expenses
Our operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 are outlined below:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 1,859,969 | $ | 736,775 | $ | 1,123,194 | 152 | % | ||||||||
| Professional Fees | 288,176 | 2,879,759 | (2,591,653 | ) | (90 | %) | ||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 514,911 | 198,455 | 316,456 | 159 | % | |||||||||||
| Amortization and depreciation | 197,322 | 387,302 | (189,980 | ) | (49 | %) | ||||||||||
| Research and development | 61,106 | 94,645 | (33,539 | ) | (35 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total operating expense | $ | 2,921,414 | $ | 4,296,936 | $ | (1,375,522 | ) | (32 | %) | |||||||
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General and administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and costs associated with non-specific costs of running the business. These include, but are not limited to, office costs, computer software, and telecoms
The increase in general and administrative costs was primarily due to accrued compensation, stock options, and director fees for new executives, offset by the forfeiture of restricted stock units.
Professional fees
Professional fees consist of costs concerning legal, accounting, and consulting services.
The decrease in professional fees was primarily due to issuing shares of common stock valued at $1,993,081 in 2022 for consulting services.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing costs are costs incurred for investor relations, advertising, marketing, press releases, and public relations.
The cost increase is primarily due to new investor relations services contracts paid for by issuing shares of common stock.
Amortization and depreciation
Amortization and depreciation costs are primarily from the amortization of patents and intellectual property. Most of the patents and intellectual property are held in the UK subsidiary, Bubblr Ltd.
The reduction in costs is primarily due to lower amortization of Intellectual Property as IP added in 2016 of $1.68m (£1.3m) is fully amortized.
Research and Development
The costs incurred concerning the research and development of the Company’s platform and products include costs associated with development staff and specialist software for product development and deployments.
Other Income (Expenses)
Our other income for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 are outlined below:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Other income | $ | 71,975 | $ | 142,212 | $ | (70,237 | ) | (49 | %) | |||||||
| Interest income | 104 | 1,553 | (1,449 | ) | (93 | %) | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (13,476 | ) | (575,777 | ) | 562,301 | ) | (98 | %) | ||||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability | 159,363 | 494,753 | (335,390 | ) | (68 | %) | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss | 50,178 | (191,454 | ) | 241,632 | (126 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | $ | 268,144 | $ | (128,713 | ) | $ | 396,857 | (308 | %) | |||||||
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Other Income
Other income consists primarily of R&D tax credits of $78,497 and $142,212 in 2023 and 2022 respectively.
Interest Income
The Company earns interest income from its cash reserves, which decreased during the year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists primarily of interest the Company has to pay on its borrowings, vehicle financing, and convertible notes.
The decrease in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, is due to the Company converting its convertible notes issued in 2021. On December 15, 2022, noteholders approved a second amendment to the convertible notes for the conversion price to be reduced to $0.50 from $1.15 and immediately elected to voluntarily request that their notes be converted to common shares at a conversion rate of $0.50. As a result, the company issued 4,706,096 shares of common shares.
Gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability
The Company analyzed the warrants issued concerning the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock for derivative accounting consideration under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. ASC 815 requires us to assess the fair market value of derivative liability at the end of each reporting period and recognize any change in the fair market value as other income or expense items.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the estimated fair values of the warrant liabilities measured on a recurring basis are as follows:
| Year Ended | ||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Expected term | 1.59 - 2.50 years | |||
| Expected average volatility | 177 - 220% | |||
| Expected dividend yield | 8.33% | |||
| Risk-free interest rate | 1.50 – 5.46% | |||
The following table summarizes the changes in the warrant liabilities during the period ended December 31, 2023:
The market price of the common stock has decreased from the initial award of warrants in the period ending March 31, 2022. If the warrants were exercised on December 31, 2023, at their respective exercise price determined at issue, the Company would realize a gain due to the difference between the cash received on conversion and the issue cost to the Company of $0.033 per share, the fair value market price of the common stock at December 31, 2023.
Net Loss
We finished the year ended December 31, 2023, with a net loss of $2,650,650 as compared to a loss of $4,425,649 during the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
The following table provides selected financial data about our company as of December 31, 2023, and 2022.
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Current Assets | $ | 95,171 | $ | 42,417 | $ | 52,754 | 124 | % | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities | 1,487,471 | $ | 595,856 | $ | 891,615 | 150 | % | |||||||||
| Working Capital Deficit | $ | (1,392,300 | ) | $ | (553,439 | ) | $ | (838,861 | ) | 152 | % | |||||
Current Assets
Current assets consist of cash and other receivables.
The decrease in current assets was primarily due to a decrease in cash.
Current Liabilities
Current Liabilities consist of accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and loans.
The increase in current liabilities was primarily due to increases of $141,817 in accounts payable, $90,000 in accrued director fees, $519,242 in accrued wages and salaries, $166,986 for a settlement agreement with former executives, offset by a reduction of $237,361 in additional related-party loans.
Working Capital Deficit
The working capital deficit increased by $838,861.
Liquidity
During the last two years, and through the date of this Report, we have faced an increasingly challenging liquidity situation that has limited our ability to execute our operating plan. We will need to obtain capital to continue operations. There is no assurance that we can secure such funding on acceptable terms.
As minimal revenues are generated from our current operations, we will require additional debt or capital to continue operating and expanding our business. Sources of additional financing or arrangements with third parties may include equity or debt financing, bank loans, related-party loans, or revolving credit facilities. We may not successfully secure financing or obtain the capital we require by other means. Unless we can attract additional investment, our operating as a going concern is in doubt.
We voluntarily file annual, quarterly, and current reports with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) and the rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) have imposed various requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities of ours more time-consuming and costly. To meet the needs to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, we will need an investment of capital.
If we are unable to obtain sufficient additional capital, we may have to cease filing our SEC reports and cease operations completely. If we obtain additional funds by selling any of our equity securities or by issuing common stock to pay current or future obligations, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced, and stockholders may experience additional dilution, or the equity securities may have rights preferences or privileges senior to the common stock.
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Cash Flow
| Year ended 31 December, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
| Cash provided by/(used) in Operating Activities | $ | 565,886 | $ | (1,169,701 | ) | $ | 1,735,587 | |||||
| Cash used in Investing Activities | $ | (248,371 | ) | $ | (237,666 | ) | $ | (10,705 | ) | |||
| Cash (used) in/provided by Financing Activities | $ | (302,187 | ) | $ | 1,196,849 | $ | (1,499,036 | ) | ||||
| Cash on Hand | $ | 7,668 | $ | 32,533 | $ | (24,865 | ) | |||||
Operating Activities
The decrease in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to increased accrued liabilities.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was on Patents and Trademarks.
Financing Activities
The reduction in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to $789,000 received in 2022 from Series C Preferred Stock issuance.
Cash on Hand
The reduction of cash on hand was primarily due to a reduction in fundraising in 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Preparing these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, we believe that the following accounting policies are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates.
We believe our most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to the following:
| ● | Foreign Currency Translations | |
| ● | Intangible Assets | |
| ● | Long-lived Assets | |
| ● | Income Taxes |
Foreign Currency Translations
The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is generally their local currency of Great British pounds (GBP). Local currency assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates on the balance sheet date, and local currency revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average rates of exchange during the period. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into accumulated other comprehensive income.
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Intangible Assets
The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed straight-line over the estimated periods benefited. Patents, technology, and other intangibles with contractual terms are generally amortized over their respective legal or contractual lives. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, an impairment assessment is performed, and lives of intangible assets with determinable lives may be adjusted.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on comparing the undiscounted future cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. The asset is written down to its estimated fair value if an impairment is indicated.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The asset and liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For discussion of recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements, please see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, included herein.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023, there were no off-balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules appearing on pages F-1 to F-29 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
On March 17, 2023, we dismissed Pinnacle Accountancy Group of Utah, a DBA of the PCAOB-registered firm Heaton & Company, PLLC (the “Former Accountant”) as our independent registered public accounting firm and we engaged BF Borgers CPA PC (the “New Accountant”) as our independent registered public accounting firm. The engagement of the New Accountant was approved by our Board of Directors.
We filed a Form 8-K on March 17, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the change in our independent accounting firm.
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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e), promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is 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 our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with the participation of our interim CEO, who acts as our principal executive officer, and our CFO, who acts as our principal financial officer, evaluated our company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of December 31, 2023. The ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures was due to material weaknesses, which we identified in our report on internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Our management, including our CEO, who acts as our principal executive officer, and our CFO, who acts as our principal financial officer, are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Our management’s evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting was based on the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective.
Our financial reporting was ineffective due to a lack of adequate segregation of duties, internal controls, and accounting functions, resulting from our limited resources.
A material weakness is a deficiency or a combination of control deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our CEO, who acts as our principal executive officer, and our CFO, who acts as our principal financial officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. No matter how well conceived and operated, a control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the reality that decision-making judgments can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additional controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to SEC rules that permit us to provide only management’s report on internal control over financial reporting in this annual report on Form 10-K.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the year ended December 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect materially, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
ITEM 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The following information sets forth our current directors and executive officers’ names, ages, and positions.
| Name | Age | Positions and Offices Held | ||
| Stephen Morris | 68 | Chief Technical Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director | ||
| Timothy Burks | 56 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
| David Chetwood | 62 | Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
| Paul Morrissey | 71 | Director |
Set forth below is a brief description of the background and business experience of each of our current executive officers and directors.
Stephen Morris
Prior to founding Bubblr in 2015 and working on it full-time, Mr. Morris also worked as an agile coach and scrum master consultant at various companies. From July 2017 to June 2018 – he worked at the Royal London Group in Edinburgh, Scotland. From 2016 to February 2017, he worked for Accenture in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. From January 2016 to October 2016, he worked at Sky Broadcasting in Livingstone, Scotland.
Aside from that provided above, Mr. Morris does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
On May 30, 2022, Mr. Stephen Morris resigned as a member of the board of directors.
On January 25, 2023, Mr. Stephen Morris was appointed to the Board of Directors and Chief Platform Officer.
On February 2, 2023, Mr. Stephen Morris was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer.
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On February 12, 2023, Mr. Stephen Morris was appointed as Chairman of our Board of Directors.
On April 1, 2023, Mr. Stephen Morris was appointed as Chief Technical Officer.
Mr. Morris is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors because of his experience and expertise as the Bubblr concept and Ethos creator and the founder of Bubblr Ltd in 2014, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bubblr Inc.
Timothy Burks
Prior to joining Bubblr on April 1, 2023, Tim was CEO of Santech Solutions, a boutique consulting company focused on helping customers create new products and services in the IT, telecommunications, and data center fields. Prior to Santech, Tim was COO of Telecom Asset Management, a global Telecom and Data Center Infrastructure Advisory firm. Prior to joining TAM, Tim was a Partner with Accenture, where he led both organic and acquisition-based new business launches. He also served as the COO for Accenture Marketing Sciences and Managing Director of Accenture Business Resilience Services. Prior to joining Accenture, Tim co-founded and served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for London-based CityReach International, Ltd, a Pan-European provider of complex data center facilities management and managed IT hosting services. Mr. Burks held international leadership positions with internet pioneers PSINet and ANS Communications, the networking division of America-On-Line. his early career was spent in the U.S. Army as an Electronic Warfare and Communications Systems Specialist in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Aside from that provided above, Mr. Burks does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
David Chetwood
Mr. Chetwood joined Bubblr on February 10, 2023. Mr. Chetwood retired in 2016. From 2004 to 2016 he was CFO and Secretary for Westmont Industries Group in California. From 1999 to 2004, he worked at Compass Aerospace and his final position was EVP Finance. From 1977 to 1999, he worked at several divisions of GKN Aerospace and his final role was CFO of GKN Aerospace North America.
Aside from that provided above, Mr. Chetwood does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Professor Paul Morrissey
Professor Morrissey joined Bubblr on April 6, 2023. He is a Globally renowned figure in the world of Telecommunications and Media. He is a serial technology entrepreneur and a visiting Professor at some of the leading Universities in Europe, including Liverpool John Moores University, where he is the ‘Entrepreneur in Residence.’ The Professor is also the Global Ambassador for AI, Big Data Analytics, and Customer Experience at TM Forum, the Global Standards body for Telecommunications. He is also an active advisory board member at the industry-agnostic entity AI Forum and has recently been appointed to the inaugural Board of the World Broad-Band Association (WBBA). In 2022, he was appointed to the Advisory Board of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) at the UK House of Lords, overseeing policy directives for the safe use of Web3.0 and the Metaverse. He also sits on the advisory board of EXFO, the Canadian Fibre Monitoring company.
Aside from that provided above, Professor Morrissey does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Term of Office
Our directors are appointed for a one-year term to hold office until our shareholders’ next annual general meeting or until removed from the office per our bylaws. Our board of directors appoints our officers and hold office until removed by the board, subject to their respective employment agreements.
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Significant Employees
We have no significant employees other than our officers and directors.
Family Relationships
No family relationships exist between or among the directors, executive officers, or persons nominated or chosen by us to become directors or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
During the past 10 years, none of our current directors, nominees for directors or current executive officers has been involved in any legal proceeding identified in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K, including:
| 1. | Any petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer was appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he or she was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he or she was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing; | |
| 2. | Any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being named a subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); | |
| 3. | Being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him or her from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities: |
| a. | Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity; | |
| b. | Engaging in any type of business practice; or | |
| c. | Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of Federal or State securities laws or Federal commodities laws; |
| 4. | Being subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any type of business regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, securities, investment, insurance or banking activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity; | |
| 5. | Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any Federal or State securities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated; | |
| 6. | Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated; |
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| 7. | Being subject to, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated relating to an alleged violation of: |
| a. | Any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; or | |
| b. | Any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or | |
| c. | Any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity or |
| 8. | Being subject to, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member. |
Committees of the Board
Our company currently does not have nominating, compensation or audit committees or committees performing similar functions nor does our company have a written nominating, compensation or audit committee charter. Historically, our directors believed that it is not necessary to have such committees because the functions of such committees can be adequately performed by the board of directors.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to, among other persons, our principal executive officers, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. The Code of Business Conduct is available on our website at www.bubblr.com. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the Code of Conduct, and our board of directors must approve any waivers of the Code of Conduct. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Conduct.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The table below summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our former or current executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022.
| Name and principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | All Other Compensation ($) (1)(2) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rik Willard(1) | 2022 | 120,750 | - | 423,676 | - | - | 544,426 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CEO and Director | 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Steven Saunders(2) | 2022 | 257,567 | - | 235,376 | - | - | 492,943 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CCO and Director | 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stephen Morris(3) | 2022 | 122,643 | - | - | - | - | 122,643 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CTO and Director | 2023 | - | - | - | 628,320 | - | 628,320 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Neeta Shah(4) | 2022 | 15,000 | - | - | - | - | 15,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CFO | 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Timothy Burks | 2022 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CEO and Director | 2023 | - | - | - | 649,440 | - | 649,440 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| David Chetwood | 2022 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CFO and Director | 2023 | - | - | - | 546,000 | - | 546,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | On January 23, 2023, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Willard. | |
| (2) | On January 23, 2023, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Saunders. | |
| (3) | Mr. Morris resigned as a Director on May 30, 2022. This allowed Mr. Morris to concentrate all of his abilities on the creation of the ethical web platform. On January 25, 2023, Mr. Morris was appointed to the Board of Directors. On February 2, 2023, Mr. Morris was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer. On February 10, 2023, Mr. Morris was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors. On April 1, 2023, Mr. Morris resigned as Interim Chief Executive Officer. | |
| (4) | On January 29, 2022, the Company dismissed Ms. Nita Shah. |
| 40 |
Management Compensation
On July 1, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Stephen Morris, our Founder and Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Morris is to receive cash compensation of $144,000 annually. This compensation will be increased to $180,000 annually if $5,000,000 in debt or equity funding has been received.
On January 31, 2023, the Company entered into Separation Agreements with Steven Saunders, our then-Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Saunders is no longer an officer or director of our Company, and all prior agreements are terminated in their entirety. To satisfy all amounts due, Mr. Saunders and the Company agreed to a settlement total sum of $116,000. On December 31, 2023, the amount due to Mr. Saunders was $79,250.
On January 31, 2023, the Company entered into Separation Agreements with Rik Willard, our then-Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Willard is no longer an officer or director of our Company, and all prior agreements are terminated in their entirety. To satisfy all amounts due, Mr. Willard and the Company agreed to a settlement total sum of $112,418. On December 31, 2023, the amount due to Mr. Willard was $86,811.
On February 10, 2023, the Company entered into an employment agreement with David Chetwood, our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Chetwood is to receive cash compensation of $180,000 annually. This compensation will be increased to $360,000 annually if $5,000,000 in debt or equity funding has been received. After 90 days service, Mr. Chetwood is entitled to receive 102,540 shares of common stock and will be eligible to participate in our 2022 Incentive Plan.
On April 1, 2023, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Timothy Burks, our Chief Executive Officer. The Company will compensate Mr. Burks $600,000 per annum with payments reduced by 60% to $240,000 per annum until the Company has secured $5,000,000 in debt or equity financing. The Company also agreed to grant Mr. Burks an option to purchase 4,800,000 shares of common stock at $0.1353 per share ($649,440), with 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% vesting monthly over the following two years, under the 2022 Incentive Plan.
On April 1, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with David Chetwood, our Chief Financial Officer. The Company will compensate Mr. Chetwood $450,000 per annum with payments reduced by 60% to $180,000 per annum until the Company has secured $5,000,000 in debt or equity financing. The Company also agreed to grant Mr. Chetwood an option to purchase 3,360,000 shares of common stock at $0.1625 per share ($546,000), with 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% vesting monthly over the following two years, under the 2022 Incentive Plan.
On April 1, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with Stephen Morris, our Chief Technical Officer. The Company will compensate Mr. Morris $450,000 per annum with payments reduced by 60% to $180,000 per annum until the Company has secured $5,000,000 in debt or equity financing. The Company also agreed to grant Mr. Morris an option to purchase 3,360,000 shares of common stock at $0.187 per share ($628,320), with 100% vesting, under the 2022 Incentive Plan.
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with Timothy Burks, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Burks agreed to reduce his base pay from $600,000 to $240,000 per annum and forfeit $270,000 of deferred compensation.
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with David Chetwood, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Chetwood agreed to reduce his base pay from $450,000 to $180,000 per annum and forfeit $236,200 of deferred compensation.
| 41 |
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into a Second Amended Employment Agreement with Stephen Morris, our Founder, Chief Technology Officer and Chair. Mr. Morris agreed to reduce his base pay from $450,000 to $90,000 per annum and forfeit $270,000 of deferred compensation.
Equity incentive Plan
On May 25, 2022, our board of directors and majority shareholders approved the adoption of the Bubblr, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Equity Incentive Plan”) and, unless earlier terminated, will continue until May 25, 2032. A total of 28,400,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan through the grant of non-qualified options (the “Non-qualified Options”), incentive options (the “Incentive Options” and together with the Non-qualified Options, the “Options”) and restricted stock (the “Restricted Stock”) restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and other equity-based awards to directors, officers, consultants, attorneys, advisors and employees. The purpose of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is to foster and promote our long-term financial success and increase stockholder value by motivating performance through incentive compensation. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to encourage participants to acquire and maintain ownership interests in our company and to attract and retain the services of talented individuals upon whose judgment and special efforts the successful conduct of our business is largely dependent.
During the year ending December 31, 2023, the Company issued under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan a total of 14,400,000 stock options to Company executives and employees according to their employment agreements.
The shares were valued at $2,246,736, based on the common stock’s market price on the agreements’ respective dates, which ranged from $0.1870 to $0.1353 per share. The options vest at 40% after 90 days of service and 60% monthly over two years.
Compensation of Directors
All Directors shall receive reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses incurred to attend Board and Committee meetings.
Pension, Retirement or Similar Benefit Plans
There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement, or similar benefits to our directors or executive officers. We have no material bonus or profit-sharing plans pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation is or may be paid to our directors or executive officers, except that stock options may be granted at the discretion of the board of directors or a committee thereof.
Health Insurance costs were accrued in 2023 for Timothy Burks and David Chetwood.
Indebtedness of Directors, Senior Officers, Executive Officers and Other Management
None of our directors or executive officers or any associate or affiliate of our company during the last two fiscal years is or has been indebted to our company by way of guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar agreement or understanding currently outstanding.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The following table sets forth, as March 19, 2024, certain information as to shares of our voting stock owned by (i) each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding voting stock, (ii) each of our directors, and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of voting stock, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. Unless otherwise indicated below, and for security purposes, each entity or person listed below maintains an address of 21 West 46th Street, New York, New York 10036.
| 42 |
The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules promulgated by the SEC. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting or investment power and any shares as to which the individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days through the exercise of any stock option, warrant or other right. The inclusion in the following table of those shares, however, does not constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner.
| Common Stock | ||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Owned (1) | Percent of Class (2) | ||||||
| Stephen Morris | 30,867,159 | 19.33 | % | |||||
| Timothy Burks | 300,000 | 0.19 | % | |||||
| David Chetwood | 4,035,000 | (3) | 2.53 | % | ||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (3 persons) | 35,202,159 | 22.05 | % | |||||
| Common Stock | ||||||||
| 5% Holders | Number of Shares Owned (1) | Percent of Class (2) | ||||||
| Stephen Morris | 30,867,159 | 19.33 | % | |||||
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s spouse) with respect to all shares of voting stock listed as owned by that person or entity. | |
| (2) | Pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, including upon exercise of common shares purchase options or warrants. The percent of class is based on 159,690,487 voting shares as of March 19, 2024. | |
| (3) | These shares are held of record by The Chetwood Revocable Living Trust, of which David Chetwood has sole voting and dispositive power and control |
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Other than described below or the transactions described under the heading “Executive Compensation,” there have not been, and there is not currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any director, executive officer, holder of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
We have two loans from Stephen Morris, our Founder, totaling $678,549.
The first loan of $374,018 at December 31, 2021 (December 31, 2021: $428,177).
| 43 |
On December 27, 2023, Stephen Morris converted $821,431.87 in principal amount of promissory notes payable and due to him from the Company into 2,489,186 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.33 per share.
On September 7, 2022, our wholly owned subsidiary, Bubblr Limited, entered into a new loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Mr. Morris for $552,639 (£434,060) The Loan Agreement is unsecured, carries no interest, is non-convertible and is due upon maturity, which is 3 years after the date of the agreement.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors is currently composed of four members. One of them qualifies as independent in accordance with the published listing requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market. The NASDAQ independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the Director is not, and has not been for at least three years, one of the Company’s employees and that neither the Director, nor any of his family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us.
Indemnification
Our Articles of Incorporation contain provisions that eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to our Company and shareholders. Our bylaws also require us to indemnify our officers and directors. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under our agreements with our directors, officers and employees. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in our company incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors, officers and employees that we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and resulting costs may also discourage our company from bringing a lawsuit against directors, officers and employees for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our shareholders against our directors, officers and employees even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit our Company and shareholders.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
On March 17, 2023, our Board of Directors agreed to dismiss the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Pinnacle Accountancy Group of Utah, a DBA of the PCAOB-registered firm Heaton & Company, PLLC (the “Former Accountant”), effective as of March 17, 2023. Also on March 17, 2023, the Company engaged the accounting firm of BF Borgers CPA PC (the “New Accountant”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm. The Board approved the dismissal of the Former Accountant and the engagement of the new Accountant.
The following table sets forth the fees billed to our company for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firms:
| Fees | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||
| Audit Fees | $ | 50,000 | $ | 50,600 | ||||
| Audit-Related Fees | - | - | ||||||
| Tax Fees | - | - | ||||||
| All Other Fees | 3,750 | - | ||||||
| Total | $ | 53,750 | $ | 55,660 | ||||
| 44 |
Audit Fees
Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual financial statements and for review of our quarterly financial statements during the 2023 and 2022 fiscal years. The audit fee for our December 31, 2023 financial statements was $30,000.
Audit-related Fees
This category consists of assurance and related services by the independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees”.
Tax Fees
As our independent registered public accountants did not provide any services to us for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, no tax fees were billed or paid during those fiscal years.
All Other Fees
The Former Accountants reviewed all Form S-1’s prior to submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company during the 2022 fiscal year.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our board of directors, which acts as our audit committee, pre-approves all services provided by our independent auditors. All of the above services and fees were reviewed and approved by our board of directors before the respective services were rendered.
Our board of directors has considered the nature and amount of fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm and believe that the provision of services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining their respective independence.
| 45 |
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) 1. Financial Statements
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 46 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the board of directors of Bubblr, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bubblr, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company’s operating losses raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/S/ BF Borgers CPA PC
BF Borgers CPA PC (PCAOB ID 5041)
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023
Lakewood, CO
March 20, 2024
| F-1 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BUBBLR INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2023 and 2022
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 7,668 | $ | 32,533 | ||||
| Other receivables | 87,503 | 9,884 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 95,171 | 42,417 | ||||||
| Non-current Assets: | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 31,302 | 47,956 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 1,456,628 | 1,325,995 | ||||||
| Total non-current assets | 1,487,930 | 1,373,951 | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 1,583,101 | $ | 1,416,368 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 373,606 | $ | 141,605 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | 943,007 | 50,094 | ||||||
| Loan payable, current portion | 12,611 | 11,987 | ||||||
| Loan payable - related party | 158,247 | 392,170 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 1,487,471 | 595,856 | ||||||
| Non-current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Loan payable, non-current portion | 10,465 | |||||||
| Loan payable – related party, non-current portion | 552,639 | 525,291 | ||||||
| Warrant derivative liability | 39,116 | 198,479 | ||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 591,755 | 734,235 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 2,079,226 | 1,330,091 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||
| Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, $ par value, authorized, and shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023, and 2022 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Common stock, $ par value, shares authorized; and shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023, and 2022 | 1,596,904 | 1,543,093 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 13,168,915 | 11,006,607 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (15,612,775 | ) | (12,875,437 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 350,830 | 412,013 | ||||||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | (496,125 | ) | 86,277 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | $ | 1,583,101 | $ | 1,416,368 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-2 |
BUBBLR INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,620 | $ | |||||
| Cost of sales | ||||||||
| Gross Profit | 2,620 | |||||||
| Operating Expenses | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,859,969 | 736,775 | ||||||
| Professional fees | 288,106 | 2,879,759 | ||||||
| Sales and marketing | 514,911 | 198,455 | ||||||
| Amortization and depreciation | 197,322 | 387,302 | ||||||
| Research and development | 61,106 | 94,645 | ||||||
| Total operating expense | 2,921,414 | 4,296,936 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (2,918,794 | ) | (4,296,936 | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||
| Other income | 71,975 | 142,212 | ||||||
| Interest income | 104 | 1,553 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (13,476 | ) | (575,777 | ) | ||||
| Gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability | 159,363 | 494,753 | ||||||
| Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss | 50,178 | (191,454 | ) | |||||
| Total other income (expense) | 268,144 | (128,713 | ) | |||||
| Net loss before income tax | (2,650,650 | ) | (4,425,649 | ) | ||||
| Provision for income tax | ||||||||
| Net loss after income tax | $ | (2,650,650 | ) | $ | (4,425,649 | ) | ||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation (loss) gain | (61,183 | ) | 34,769 | |||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | (61,183 | ) | 34,769 | |||||
| Net comprehensive loss | $ | (2,711,833 | ) | $ | (4,390,880 | ) | ||
| Net loss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | ) | $ | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-3 |
BUBBLR INC.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
2019 Series A Preferred Stock | Series B Preferred Stock | Series C Convertible Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Total Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Shares | Amount | Number of Shares | Amount | Number of Shares | Amount | Number of Shares | Amount | Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Income (Loss) | Equity (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2021 | 1 | $ | $ | $ | $ | 140,186,096 | 1,401,861 | 5,478,801 | $ | (8,385,496 | ) | $ | 377,244 | $ | (1,127,590 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for Services - -Executive Board | — | — | — | 147,960 | 1,480 | 73,980 | 75,460 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for Services – Consulting | — | — | — | 7,874,108 | 78,741 | 1,965,320 | 2,044,061 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for Equity Finance Agreement Incentive | — | — | — | 793,039 | 7,930 | 371,884 | 379,814 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for debt conversion | — | — | — | 140,000 | 1,400 | 26,600 | 28,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for loan waiver | — | — | — | 345,220 | 3,452 | 68,251 | 71,703 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for note conversion | — | — | — | 4,706,096 | 47,061 | 2,305,987 | 2,353,048 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for Series C Preferred Shares Dividend | — | — | — | 116,799 | 1,168 | 20,965 | 22,133 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Series C Preferred Shares | — | — | 903 | 1 | — | 95,767 | 95,768 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase and cancellation of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock via issuance of related party note payable | (1 | ) | — | — | — | (60,000 | ) | (60,000 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock units | — | — | — | — | 659,052 | 659,052 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series C Preferred Shares Dividend | — | — | — | — | (64,292 | ) | (64,292 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | (4,425,649 | ) | (4,425,649 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | 34,769 | 34,769 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance -December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | 903 | $ | 1 | 154,309,318 | $ | 1,543,093 | $ | 11,006,607 | $ | (12,875,437 | ) | $ | 412,013 | $ | 86,277 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for investor relations | — | — | — | 1,455,784 | 14,557 | 270,780 | 285,337 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for consultancy | — | — | — | 625,000 | 6,250 | 93,750 | 100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for professional services | — | — | — | 500,000 | 5,000 | 60,000 | 65,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares Series C Preference Share Dividends | — | — | — | 311,159 | 3,112 | 40,693 | 43,805 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan resolution | — | — | — | 2,489,186 | 24,892 | 796,540 | 821,432 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeit restrictive stock units | — | — | — | — | (659,052 | ) | (659,052 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of share options | — | — | — | — | 1,559,597 | 1,559,597 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series C Preferred Shares Dividend | — | — | — | — | (86,688 | ) | (86,688 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | (2,650,650 | ) | (2,650,650 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | (61,183 | ) | (61,183 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance -December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | 903 | $ | 1 | 159,690,447 | $ | 1,596,904 | $ | 13,168,915 | $ | (15,612,775 | ) | $ | 350,830 | $ | (496,125 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-4 |
Bubblr Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cashflows
For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (2,650,650 | ) | $ | (4,425,649 | ) | ||
| Adjustments for: | ||||||||
| Net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 450,338 | 2,119,521 | ||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock units | 1,559,598 | 659,052 | ||||||
| Stock issued for payment of debt | 821,432 | |||||||
| Forfeit of deferred stock compensation | (659,052 | ) | ||||||
| Stock based finance incentive | 451,517 | |||||||
| Disposal of fixed assets | 90 | |||||||
| Impairment of fixed assets | 6,367 | |||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability | (159,363 | ) | (494,753 | ) | ||||
| Amortization of debt discount | 69,714 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible asset | 184,626 | 372,976 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 12,696 | 14,326 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in other receivables | (75,358 | ) | 2,637 | |||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | 227,244 | 8,727 | ||||||
| Increase in accrued liabilities | 847,917 | 52,231 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used) in operating activities | 565,886 | (1,169,701 | ) | |||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from repayment of advances receivable | 1,231 | |||||||
| Purchase of intangible assets | (248,371 | ) | (238,897 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (248,371 | ) | (237,666 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Increase in dividends payable | (42,883 | ) | (20,026 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from loans payable | 15,000 | |||||||
| Payment of loans payable | (10,759 | ) | (29,943 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from loans payable – related party | 572,617 | 520,758 | ||||||
| Repayment of loans payable – related party | (821,162 | ) | (77,940 | ) | ||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of Series C Preferred Stock and associated warrants | 789,000 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | (302,187 | ) | 1,196,849 | |||||
| Effects of exchange rate changes on cash | (40,193 | ) | 180,084 | |||||
| Net Change in Cash | (24,865 | ) | (30,434 | ) | ||||
| Cash – Beginning of Period | 32,533 | 62,967 | ||||||
| Cash – End of Period | $ | 7,668 | $ | 32,533 | ||||
| Supplemental information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | 13,039 | $ | 7,556 | ||||
| Cash paid for taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-5 |
BUBBLR, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2023 and 2022
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS AND LIQUIDITY
Organization and Operations
On March 26, 2020, Bubblr Holdings Ltd. (a UK company formed on February 18, 2016) merged into U.S. Wireless Online, Inc. (“UWRL”), a Wyoming corporation formed on October 22, 2019, and became a 100% subsidiary of UWRL. On March 30, 2021, the Company’s corporate name was changed to Bubblr, Inc. (“the Company”).
Bubblr, Inc. is an application software company that is currently developing its disruptive Ethical Web platform. This WEB.Ɛ platform will provide a holistic view of progress in developing digital products, services, and teams — designed to inform our ability to use our in-house code and that of our partners, lead advances in development criteria, and respond quickly to shifts in trends and applications.
Going Concern Matters
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which contemplates the Company’s continuation as a going concern. The Company incurred a net comprehensive loss of $2,711,833 during the year ended December 31, 2023, and has an accumulated deficit of $15,612,775 as of December 31, 2023. In addition, current liabilities exceed current assets by $1,375,522 as of December 31, 2023.
Management intends to raise additional operating funds through equity and debt offerings. However, there can be no assurance management will be successful in its endeavors.
There are no assurances that the Company will be able to either (1) achieve a level of revenues adequate to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or (2) obtain additional financing through either private placement, public offerings, or bank financing necessary to support its working capital requirements. To the extent that funds generated from operations and any private placements, public offerings, and bank financing are insufficient, the Company will have to raise additional working capital. No assurance can be given that additional financing will be available, or if available, will be on terms acceptable to the Company. If adequate working capital is unavailable to the Company, it may be required to curtail or cease its operations.
Due to uncertainties related to these matters, substantial doubt exists about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability or classification of asset-carrying amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s fiscal year-end is December 31.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Bubblr Holdings Ltd., Bubblr Ltd., and Bubblr CLN Ltd. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
| F-6 |
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Some of these judgments can be subjective and complex, and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Convertible Financial Instruments
The Company bifurcates conversion options from their host instruments and accounts for them as free-standing derivative financial instruments if certain criteria are met. The criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not remeasured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur, and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument. The Company uses the Black Scholes Options Pricing Model to estimate the value of its derivative liabilities and measure them at each reporting period.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Quoted prices in non-active markets or in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, observable inputs other than quoted prices, and inputs that are not directly observable but are corroborated by observable market data;
Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
The carrying value of the Company’s current assets and liabilities are deemed to be their fair value due to the short-term maturity and realization. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company acquired warrant derivative liabilities, which are Level 3 financial instruments that are adjusted to fair market value on reporting dates. At December 31, 2023, the warrant liabilities balance was $39,116. There were no changes in the fair value hierarchy leveling during the year ended December 31, 2023, or 2022.
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation–Stock Compensation,” which prescribes accounting and reporting standards for all share-based payment transactions in which employee and non-employee services are acquired. Share-based payments to employees and non-employees, including grants of stock options, are recognized as compensation expenses in the financial statements based on the fair values of the stock awards on the grant date. That expense is recognized over the period required to provide services in exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) issued as compensation in accordance with the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (see Note 13 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)) are deemed to be unissued until fully vested. RSU compensation is recognized as expense over the vesting period, with any unrecognized compensation expensed immediately upon forfeiture of the award due to unfulfillment of obligations, such as termination of employment, before the award is fully vested.
| F-7 |
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Derivative Financial Instruments
Common stock purchase warrants and other derivative financial instruments are classified as equity if the contracts (1) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (2) give the Company a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). Contracts which (1) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company), (2) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement), or (3) that contain reset provisions that do not qualify for the scope exception are classified as liabilities. The Company assesses the classification of its common stock purchase warrants and other derivatives at each reporting date to determine whether a change in classification between equity and liabilities is required.
Pursuant to ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share,” basic net income and net loss per share are computed by dividing the net income and net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income and net loss per share is the same as basic net income and net loss per share when their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect due to our continuing net losses.
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 (Shares) | 2022 (Shares) | |||||||
| Series C Preferred Stock | 3,384,135 | 3,384,135 | ||||||
| Warrants | 2,358,101 | 2,358,101 | ||||||
| Total | 5,742,236 | 5,742,236 | ||||||
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, operating lease liabilities – current, and operating lease liabilities – noncurrent on the balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, other current liabilities, and other long-term liabilities in our balance sheets.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated interest rate for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at the commencement date. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. The expense for lease payments is recognized straight-line over the lease term.
The Company leases office space that meets the definition of a short-term lease because the lease term is 12 months or less. Consequently, consistent with the Company’s accounting policy election, the Company does not recognize the right-of-use asset and the lease liability arising from this lease.
Intangible Assets
The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited. Patents, technology, and other intangibles with contractual terms are generally amortized over their respective legal or contractual lives. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, an impairment assessment is performed and lives of intangible assets with determinable lives may be adjusted.
| F-8 |
Research and Development
Research and Development costs are evaluated by the Company to determine if they meet the requirements to be capitalized as intellectual property. The criteria the Company uses to determine the treatment of research and development are:
| ● | There is a clearly defined project | |
| ● | Expenditure is separately identifiable | |
| ● | The project is commercially viable | |
| ● | The project is technically feasible | |
| ● | Project income is expected to outweigh the cost | |
| ● | Resources are available to complete the project |
Any research and development costs that do not meet the requirements are expensed in the period in which they occur.
United Kingdom tax incentive reduces company Research and Development costs by offering tax offsets for eligible Research and Development expenditures. Eligible companies with a turnover of less than $20 million receive a refundable tax offset, allowing the benefit to be paid as a cash refund if they are in a tax loss position.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company received other income of $80,405, and $142,212 with respect to the refundable tax offset.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on comparing the undiscounted future cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. The asset is written down to its estimated fair value if impairment is indicated.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. The depreciation and amortization methods are designed to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives, in years, of the respective assets as follows:
| Computer equipment | 3 years |
| Fixtures and Furniture | 5 years |
| Vehicles | 10 years |
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Improvements of a major nature are capitalized. At the time of retirement or other disposition of property and equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in other income.
| F-9 |
Beneficial Conversion Feature
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, ASC Subtopic 470-20 “Debt—Debt with “Conversion and Other Options” and ASC subtopic 815-40 “Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity.” The standard reduced the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception from derivative accounting; and, (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in capital. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company early-adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2021. As the result of the adoption of this ASU, no beneficial conversion feature was recorded on convertible notes described in Note 8 – Convertible Notes Payable.
Foreign Currency Translations
The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is generally their local currency of Great British pounds (GBP). Local currency assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date, and local currency revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average rates of exchange during the period. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into accumulated other comprehensive income.
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Year-end GBP£:US$ exchange rate | 1.2731 | 1.2101 | ||||||
| Annual average GBP£:US$ exchange rate | 1.2441 | 1.2430 | ||||||
Aggregate transaction gains or losses, including gains or losses related to foreign-denominated cash and cash equivalents and the re-measurement of certain inter-company balances, are included in the statement of operations as other income and expense. Losses on foreign exchange transactions totaled $50,178 and gains of $34,769 were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The asset and liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not have any amounts recorded pertaining to uncertain tax positions.
UK Taxes
We do not consider ourselves to be engaged in a trade or business in the UK and, as such, do not expect to be subject to UK corporate income taxation. We have subsidiaries based in the UK that are subject to the tax laws of that country. Under current law, those subsidiaries are taxed at the applicable corporate income tax rates. Should any UK subsidiaries be deemed to undertake business activities in the US, they would be subject to US corporate income tax in respect of their US activities only. Relief would then be available against the UK tax liabilities in respect of the overseas taxes arising from US activities. At present, this is not applicable as our UK subsidiaries only undertake activities in the UK. Our UK subsidiaries file separate UK income tax returns.
| F-10 |
UK Tax Risk
Companies which are incorporated outside the UK may become subject to UK taxes in a number of circumstances, including circumstances in which (1) they are deemed resident in the UK for tax purposes by reason of their central management and control being exercised from the UK or (2) they are treated as carrying on a trade, investing or carrying on any other business activity in the UK, whether or not through a UK Permanent Establishment (“PE”).
In addition, the Finance Act 2015 introduced a new tax known as the diverted profits tax (“DPT”) which is charged at 25% of any “taxable diverted profits.” The DPT has had effect since April 1, 2015 and may apply in circumstances including: (1) where arrangements are designed to ensure that a non-UK resident company does not carry on a trade in the UK through a PE; and (2) where a tax reduction is obtained through the involvement of entities or transactions lacking economic substance. We intend to operate in such a manner that none of our companies should be subject to the UK DPT and that none of our companies (other than those companies incorporated in the UK) should: (1) be treated as resident in the UK for tax purposes; (2) carry on a trade, invest or carry on any other business activity in the UK (whether or not through a UK PE).
However, this result is based on certain legal and factual determinations, and since the scope and the basis upon which the DPT will be applied by HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) in the UK remains uncertain and since applicable law and regulations do not conclusively define the activities that constitute conducting a trade, investment or business activity in the UK (whether or not through a UK PE), and since we cannot exclude the possibility that there will be a change in law that adversely affects the analysis, HMRC might successfully assert a contrary position. The terms of an income tax treaty between the UK and the home country of the relevant Bubblr subsidiary, if any, could contain additional protections against UK tax.
Any arrangements between UK-resident entities of Bubblr and other entities of Bubblr are subject to the UK transfer pricing regime. Consequently, if any agreement between a UK resident entity of Bubblr and any other Bubblr entity (whether that entity is resident in or outside of the UK) is found not to be on arm’s length terms and as a result a UK tax advantage is being obtained, an adjustment will be required to compute UK taxable profits as if such an agreement were on arm’s length terms. Any transfer pricing adjustment could adversely impact the tax charge incurred by the relevant UK resident entities of Bubblr.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has reviewed all recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements and does not believe the future adoption of any such pronouncements may be expected to cause a material impact on our financial statements.
NOTE 3 – OTHER RECEIVABLES
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, other receivables consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Deposit | $ | 200 | $ | 200 | ||||
| UK R&D Credit | 80,205 | |||||||
| UK VAT receivable | 7,098 | 9,684 | ||||||
| Total other receivables | $ | 87,503 | $ | 9,884 | ||||
| F-11 |
NOTE 4 – ADVANCES RECEIVABLE
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, cash advances receivable consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Advance receivable – G | $ | $ | 58,606 | |||||
| Advance receivable – J | 21,643 | |||||||
| Repayment received | (1,231 | ) | ||||||
| Interest due | 1,891 | |||||||
| Assignment of receivable | (71,540 | ) | ||||||
| Effects of Currency translation | (9,369 | |||||||
| Total advances receivable | $ | $ | ||||||
The advance labeled Advance principal receivable-G carries an interest rate of 3%. The advance principal labeled Advance receivable -J is non-interest bearing. Repayment of $1,231 and $0 was received from G during the year to December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
On December 20, 2022, our founder, Mr. Stephen Morris, came to an agreement with the Company to have all risks and responsibilities in connection to the collection of the advances assigned to him. As a result, the loan payable to Mr. Morris was reduced by the same amount of $71,540. (See Note 10 – Related Party Transactions).
NOTE 5 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, property and equipment consisted of the following:
Motor Vehicles | Computer Equipment | Office Equipment | Total | |||||||||||||
| Cost | ||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 56,875 | $ | 28,179 | $ | 563 | $ | 85,617 | ||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||
| Disposals | (592 | ) | (592 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Impairment | (6,367 | ) | (6,367 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Effects of currency translation | 2,962 | 1,467 | 29 | 4,458 | ||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 53,470 | $ | 29,646 | $ | $ | 83,116 | |||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 18,659 | $ | 18,636 | $ | 366 | $ | 37,661 | ||||||||
| Disposals | (502 | ) | (522 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | 6,367 | 6,211 | 118 | 12,696 | ||||||||||||
| Effects of currency translation | 971 | 970 | 18 | 1,959 | ||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 25,997 | $ | 25,817 | $ | $ | 51,814 | |||||||||
| Net book value | ||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 27,473 | $ | 3,829 | $ | $ | 31,302 | |||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 38,216 | $ | 9,543 | $ | 197 | $ | 47,956 | ||||||||
During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recorded purchases of $ and $0, respectively, and depreciation expenses of $12,696, and $14,326, respectively. There was no impairment or disposal of property and equipment.
| F-12 |
NOTE 6 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Patents
A Patent on the Internet-Search Mechanism (“IBSM”) has been granted in the United States, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand. And Australia. The patent is currently pending in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
A Patent entitled “Contextual Enveloping Via Dynamically Generated Hyperlinking.” (US Patent Application No. 17/980,298) has been filed. This will define an alternative mobile search system purely for information rather than goods and services, which our original patent covers.
A Patent
Patents are reported at cost, less accumulated amortization, and accumulated impairment loss. Costs include expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Once a patent provides economic benefit to the Company, amortization is provided on a straight-line basis on all patents over their expected useful lives of 20 years.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property represents capitalized costs of the Company’s qualifying internal research and developments. Intellectual property is amortized over its useful life of 7 years and reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss.
Trademarks
The Company has the following trademarks.
| Mark | Category | Proprietor | Country | Class(es) | Status | Reg. Date. | File No. | |||||||
| CITIZENS JOURNALIST | Words | Bubblr Limited | European Union | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 16-Nov-2019 | 206382.EM.01 | |||||||
| CITIZENS JOURNALIST | Word | Bubblr Limited | United Kingdom | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 05-Jul-2019 | 206382.GB.01 | |||||||
| CITIZENS JOURNALIST | Words | Bubblr Limited | United Kingdom | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 16-Nov-2019 | 206382.GB.02 | |||||||
| CITIZENS JOURNALIST | Word | Bubblr Limited | United States | 9 38 41 42 | REGD-DEC USE | 08-Feb-2022 | 206382.US.01 | |||||||
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Words and Color Device | Bubblr Limited | European Union | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 16-Nov-2019 | 206383.EM.01 | |||||||
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Series of Logos | Bubblr Limited | United Kingdom | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 05-Jul-2019 | 206383.GB.01 | |||||||
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Words and Color Device | Bubblr Limited | United Kingdom | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 16-Nov-2019 | 206383.GB.02 | |||||||
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Words and Device | Bubblr Limited | United States | 9 38 41 42 | ACCEPTED | 206383.US.01 | ||||||||
| BAU NOT OK/BAU Not OK | Series of Marks | Bubblr Limited | United Kingdom | 9 38 | REGISTERED | 11-Oct-2019 | 208674.GB.01 | |||||||
| NEWZMINE/NewzMine | Series of Marks | Bubblr Limited | United Kingdom | 9 38 42 | REGISTERED | 25-Dec-2020 | 227753.GB.01 |
The Company capitalizes trademark costs where the likelihood of acceptance is expected. Each trademark has been determined to have an infinite useful life and is assessed each reporting period for impairment. If there has been a reduction in the value of the trademark or if the trademark is not successfully registered, the asset will be impaired and charged to expense in the period of impairment.
| F-13 |
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, trademarks consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Trademarks: | ||||||||
| NewzMineTM | $ | 12,994 | $ | 9,920 | ||||
| Citizens Journalist™ | 25,367 | 25,367 | ||||||
| Effects of currency translation | (1,804 | ) | (3,461 | |||||
| $ | 36,557 | $ | 31,826 | |||||
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, intangible assets consisted of the following:
| Cost | Patents | Trademarks | Intellectual Property | Capitalized Acquisition Costs | Total | |||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 168,300 | $ | 31,826 | $ | 2,764,198 | $ | 45,745 | $ | 3,010,069 | ||||||||||
| Additions | 43,865 | 3,075 | 201,431 | 248,371 | ||||||||||||||||
| Effects of currency translation | 8,761 | 1,657 | 143,911 | 154,329 | ||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 220,926 | $ | 36,558 | $ | 3,109,540 | $ | 45,745 | $ | 3,412,769 | ||||||||||
| Less accumulated amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 4,947 | $ | $ | 1,674,551 | $ | 2,288 | $ | 1,684,074 | |||||||||||
| Amortization expense | 3,333 | 179,005 | 2,288 | 184,626 | ||||||||||||||||
| Effects of currency translation | 261 | 87,180 | 87,441 | |||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 8,541 | $ | $ | 1,940,736 | $ | 4,576 | $ | 1,956,141 | |||||||||||
| Net book value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 212,385 | $ | 36,558 | $ | 1,168,804 | $ | 38,881 | $ | 1,456,628 | ||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 163,353 | $ | 31,826 | $ | 1,089,647 | $ | 41,169 | $ | 1,325,995 | ||||||||||
During the year ended December 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company purchased $248,371 and $238,897, respectively, in intangible assets, and recorded amortization expense of $184,626 and $372,976, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, impairment of $0 and $0 was recorded. Based on the carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2023, we estimate our amortization expense for the next five years will be as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | Patents | Intellectual Property | Capitalized Acquisition Costs | Total | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | 3,333 | $ | 198,693 | $ | 2,228 | $ | 204,314 | ||||||||
| 2025 | 3,333 | 198,693 | 2,228 | 204,314 | ||||||||||||
| 2026 | 3,333 | 198,693 | 2,228 | 204,314 | ||||||||||||
| 2027 | 3,333 | 198,693 | 2,228 | 204,314 | ||||||||||||
| 2028 | 3,333 | 198,693 | 2,228 | 204,314 | ||||||||||||
| Thereafter | 195,720 | 175,339 | 27,441 | 398,500 | ||||||||||||
| $ | 212,385 | $ | 1,168,804 | $ | 38,881 | $ | 1,420,070 | |||||||||
NOTE 7 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Auditor fees | $ | 42,731 | $ | |||||
| Director fees | 90,000 | |||||||
| Dividends payable | 65,016 | 22,133 | ||||||
| Interest | 3,143 | |||||||
| Other accruals | 34,214 | |||||||
| Settlement payable | 166,986 | |||||||
| Wages and salaries | 544,060 | 24,818 | ||||||
| Total accrued liabilities | $ | 943,007 | $ | 50,094 | ||||
| F-14 |
NOTE 8 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
In January 2021, the Company commenced offering a convertible promissory note. The offering closed on June 30, 2021. Funds raised during the six months ended June 30, 2021, totaled $2,112,150, less an original issuance discount of $104,572, resulting in net proceeds of $2,007,578. The notes mature after eighteen (18) months from issue or on the following events:
| ● | Voluntary Conversion. The investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share. | |
| ● | Mandatory Conversion. Upon sixty (60) days from the date the Company files a Form 10 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note shall automatically convert into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share. | |
| ● | Interest at the rate equal to 2% per annum, computed based on the actual number of days elapsed, and a year of 365 days will be due on all outstanding notes. | |
| ● | Interest accrual and debt discount amortization commenced on July 1, 2021, upon closing the convertible promissory note offering. |
In November 2021 the Company commenced an offering for a convertible promissory note. The offering closed on November 5, 2021. Funds raised as of November 5, 2021, totaled $175,630. The notes mature after eighteen (18) months from issue or on the following events:
| ● | Voluntary Conversion. The investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share. | |
| ● | Mandatory Conversion. Upon sixty (60) days from the date the Company files a Form 10 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note shall automatically convert into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share. | |
| ● | Interest at the rate equal to 2% per annum, computed based on the actual number of days elapsed, and a year of 365 days will be due on all outstanding notes. | |
| ● | Interest accrual commenced on December 1, 2021, upon closing the convertible promissory note offering. |
On September 1, 2022, the noteholders of the convertible promissory note issued June 30, 2021, and November 5, 2021, passed, by a majority, an amendment of Section 6 of the Notes.
Section 6 of each of the Notes is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
Voluntary Conversion. The investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at the conversion price of $1.15 per share (the “Conversion Price”). A notice of Conversion is included as Exhibit “A.” If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after issuance of this Note, effect a stock split of the outstanding common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the issuance of this Note, combine the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this Section 6 shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.
| F-15 |
On December 15, 2022, the noteholders of the convertible promissory note issued June 30, 2021, and November 5, 2021, passed, by a majority, an amendment of Section 6 of the Notes.
Section 6 of each of the Notes is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
Voluntary Conversion. The investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at the conversion price of $0.50 per share (the “Conversion Price”). A notice of Conversion is included as Exhibit “A.” If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after issuance of this Note, effect a stock split of the outstanding common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the issuance of this Note, combine the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this Section 6 shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.”
There were no accounting ramifications as a result of the above amendments.
At December 31, 2023, and 2022, convertible notes consisted of the following.
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Promissory notes – issued in the fiscal year | $ | $ | 2,287,780 | |||||
| Total convertible notes payable | 2,287,780 | |||||||
| Less: unamortized debt discount | ||||||||
| Less: notes converted to common stock | (2,287,780 | ) | ||||||
| Less: current portion of convertible notes | ||||||||
| Long-term convertible notes | $ | $ | ||||||
During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recorded interest expense of $11,725 and $575,777, respectively, and debt discount amortization of $6,954 and $69,714, respectively. On December 15, 2022, all note holders requested voluntary conversion of the notes to common shares at $0.50, resulting in $0 and in accrued interest at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and common shares issued.
NOTE 9 – LOAN PAYABLE
On February 4, 2022, the Company issued a promissory note for the principal sum of $20,000 to White Lion Capital, LLC, a Nevada company. The note had an original issue discount of 25%. The principal of $20,000 was repaid in full on April 26, 2022. The net proceeds received by the Company totaled $15,000, and the $5,000 debt discount was amortized to interest expense during the period the loan was outstanding.
The Company has purchased a vehicle under a capital finance arrangement. The term of this loan is 5 years, and the annual interest rate is 6.90%. At December 31, 2023, and 2022, loan payable obligations included in current liabilities were $, and $, respectively, and loan payable obligations included in long-term liabilities were $, and $, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company made $12,324, and $9,943, respectively, in loan payments.
At December 31, 2023, remaining payments in 2024 are $12,611.
| F-16 |
NOTE 10 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Loans from Related Parties
The Company has a loan from our founder, Stephen Morris, with a balance of $678,549 and $899,309 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Loan 1 Stephen Morris, Founder, CTO and Chair.
On May 23, 2022, the Company entered an amendment to the Loan Agreement between Bubblr Limited and Mr. Morris to change the loan from a demand loan to have a maturity date on the earlier of (i) the completion of an offering by Bubblr, Inc., in the amount of no less than $7,500,000 in a public offering, or (ii) two years from the date of the amendment.
In addition, on a date no later than five (5) business days from the completion of bridge financing of no less than $1.5 million USD, the Company shall pay to Mr. Morris an amount equal to £115,000 GBP as an installment payment on the principal of the Loan, and the balance of the principal of the Loan shall be paid at the Maturity Date
On September 6, 2022, the Company entered into a second amendment (the “Amendment”) with Bubblr Limited and Mr. Morris to add $60,000 (£52,088) to the principal of the loan in exchange for Mr. Morris canceling his Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock, which has super-voting rights.
On December 20, 2022, the Company entered into a third amendment (the “Amendment”) with Bubblr Limited and Mr. Morris to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the loan by $71,540 (£59,543) in exchange for the Company assigning advances receivables of $71,540 (£59,543) whereon Mr. Morris is entitled to amounts received pursuant to such receivables and will bear the risk of non-payment with respect to such receivables. After this assignment, the Company will have no right to receive any amounts collected with respect to such receivables and will have no liability for non-payment of the receivables or any collections costs.
On December 27, 2023, Stephen Morris converted $821,431.87 in principal amount of promissory notes payable and due to him from the Company into shares of Common Stock. The conversion price for the Common Stock was $0.33 per share.
At December 31, 2023, and 2022, loan payable obligations included in current liabilities were $125,910, and $374,018, respectively, and loan payable obligations included in long-term liabilities were $0, and $10,465, respectively.
Loan 2 Stephen Morris, Founder, CTO and Chair.
On September 7, 2022, our wholly owned subsidiary, Bubblr Limited, entered into a new loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Mr. Morris for $501,049 (£434,060). The Loan Agreement is unsecured, carries no interest, is non-convertible and is due upon maturity, which is 3 years after the date of the agreement.
The Company received $501,049 in 2022 and made $0 and $0 during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The loan principal due was decreased by $11,540 and $66,000 during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, in regards the sale of the Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock to Mr. Morris in 2021, and the Company’s subsequent repurchase and cancellation of preferred stock and the assignment of debt during 2022.
At December 31, 2023, and 2022, loan payable obligations included in non-current liabilities were $552,639, and $525,291
| F-17 |
Activity on related party loans during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 is as follows:
| Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Beginning balance – related party loans | $ | 899,309 | $ | 428,177 | ||||
| Current: | ||||||||
| Beginning balance – current | 374,018 | 428,177 | ||||||
| Effects of currency translation | 62,356 | (42,619 | ) | |||||
| Conversions from (into) preferred stock | 60,000 | |||||||
| Additions | 510,968 | |||||||
| Interest | ||||||||
| Assignment of advances receivable | (71,540 | ) | ||||||
| Loan resolution agreement – Stephen Morris | (821,432 | ) | ||||||
| Ending balance Loan 1 (current) | 125,910 | 374,018 | ||||||
| Non-current: | ||||||||
| Beginning balance | 525,291 | |||||||
| Additions | 501,049 | |||||||
| Effects of currency translation | 27,348 | 24,242 | ||||||
| Ending balance non-current | 552,639 | 525,291 | ||||||
| Ending balance – related party loans | $ | 678,549 | $ | 899,309 | ||||
On December 31, 2021, the Company received a loan from minority shareholders totaling $. The loan is non-interest-bearing and due for repayment on . An agreement was reached to extend repayment of the loan to April 30, 2022, with no penalties. All outstanding amounts were paid by this date.
On February 15, 2022, the Company received a loan from a minority shareholder for $. The loan bears interest at a rate of % and is due for repayment on . All amounts outstanding were paid on that date.
Paul Morrissey, Director
On September 8, 2022, the Company entered into a new loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Professor Paul Morrissey for $32,337 (£25,401). The Loan Agreement is unsecured, carries a fixed interest rate of 25%, is non-convertible, and was payable in 4 weeks after the date of the agreement.
NOTE 11 – WARRANT LIABILITY
The Company analyzed the warrants issued in connection with the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (see Note 13) for derivative accounting consideration under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and determined that the instrument should be classified as a liability due to reset provisions and variability in exercise price resulting in there being no fixed value or explicit limit to the number of shares to be delivered upon exercise.
ASC 815 requires us to assess the fair market value of derivative liability at the end of each reporting period and recognize any change in the fair market value as other income or expense items.
The Company determined our warrant liabilities to be a Level 3 fair value measurement during the year based on management’s estimate of the expected future cash flows required to settle the liabilities and used the Black Scholes pricing model to calculate the fair value as of December 31, 2022. The Black Scholes model requires six basic data inputs: the exercise or strike price, time to expiration, the risk-free interest rate, the current stock price, the estimated volatility of the stock price in the future, and the dividend rate. Changes to these inputs could produce a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The fair value of each warrant is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
| F-18 |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the estimated fair values of the warrant liabilities measured on a recurring basis are as follows:
| Year Ended | ||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Expected term | 1.59 – 2.50 years | |||
| Expected average volatility | 177 – 220% | |||
| Expected dividend yield | 8.33% | |||
| Risk-free interest rate | 1.50 – 5.46% | |||
The following table summarizes the changes in the warrant liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2022:
| Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||
| Warrant liability as of December 31, 2021 | $ | |||
| Addition of new warrant liabilities | 721,275 | |||
| Day-one loss | (28,043 | ) | ||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | (494,753 | ) | ||
| Warrant liability as of December 31, 2022 | 198,479 | |||
| Addition of new warrant liabilities | ||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | (159,363 | ) | ||
| Warrant liability as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 39,116 | ||
NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
The Company provides for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Under the asset and liability method of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and the tax rates in effect when these differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for certain deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize tax assets through future operations.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the local (“United States of America”) and foreign components of loss before income taxes were comprised of the following:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Tax jurisdiction from: | ||||||||
| - Local | $ | (1,928,146 | ) | $ | (3,589,034 | ) | ||
| - Foreign | (630,823 | ) | (836,615 | ) | ||||
| Loss before income taxes | $ | (2,558,969 | ) | $ | (4,425,649 | ) | ||
| F-19 |
The components of the Company’s deferred tax asset and reconciliation of income taxes computed at the statutory rate to the income tax amount recorded as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, are as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net Operating loss carryforward | $ | 2,650,650 | $ | 4,425,649 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 21 | % | 21 | % | ||||
| Deferred tax asset | 537,383 | 929,386 | ||||||
| Foreign taxes | (256,668 | ) | (594,740 | |||||
| Less: valuation allowance | (280,715 | ) | (334,646 | |||||
| Net deferred tax asset | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company has provided for a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets, on the expected future tax benefits from the net operating loss carryforwards, as the management believes it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized in the future. The valuation allowance decreased by $53,931 and $414,168 during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
United States of America
Bubblr, Inc. is registered in the State of Wyoming and is subject to the tax laws of United States of America at a standard tax rate of 21%. Due to a change of control, the Company will not be able to carryover net operating losses (“NOL”) generated before August 13, 2020, to offset future income.
As of December 31, 2023, the operations in the United States of America incurred approximately $8,182,343 of cumulative NOL’s which can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future taxable income.
The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by United States tax authorities beginning with the year ended December 31, 2018.
United Kingdom
The Company’s subsidiaries operating in the United Kingdom (“UK”) are subject to tax at a standard income tax rate of 19% on the assessable income arising in the UK during its tax year.
As of December 31, 2022, the operations in the UK incurred approximately $6,352,644 of cumulative NOLs which can be carried forward to offset future taxable income indefinitely. The Company has provided for a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets of $6,352,644 on the expected future tax benefits from the net operating loss carryforwards as the management believes it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized in the future.
The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by HM Revenue & Customs, for the years ended 2023 and 2022.
NOTE 13 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Preferred Stock
The Company has authorized preferred shares with a par value of $ per share. The Board of Directors is authorized to divide the authorized shares of Preferred Stock into one or more series, each of which shall be so designated as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes.
Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock
The Company has designated one () share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $.
On March 12, 2021, the Company amended the designation of the Special 2019 Series A Preferred shares and removed the right of the holder to convert the Special 2019 Series A Preferred share to 500,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company.
| F-20 |
The holder of the Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to 60% of all votes entitled to vote at each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (and written actions of stockholders in lieu of meetings) with respect to any and all matters presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration.
On September 6, 2022, the Company repurchased $60,000 and canceled the Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock held by Mr. Morris via the issuance of a related party note payable (see Note 10 - Related Party Transactions).
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had shares of 2019 Series A Preferred stock issued and outstanding, respectively.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On March 4, 2022, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, establishing shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, with a stated value of $ per share.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company declared dividends of $64,292, of which $22,133 was paid via the issuance of shares of common stock, $20,026 was paid in cash, and $22,133 remained declared but unpaid at December 31, 2022.
The Company has the right to redeem the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with the following schedule:
| ● | If all of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are redeemed within 90 calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock upon three business days of written notice at a price equal to 115% of the Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends. | |
| ● | If all of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is redeemed after 90 calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock upon three business days of written notice at a price equal to 120% of the Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends; and | |
| ● | The Company shall pay an 8% per annum dividend on the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Dividends shall be paid quarterly, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. The dividend shall be deemed to accrue from the date of issuance of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock whether or not earned or declared and whether or not there are profits, surplus, or other funds of the Company legally available for the payment of dividends. |
The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock will vote together with the common stock on an as-converted basis subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitations (as set forth in the Certificate of Designation).
Each share of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after the issuance at the option of the Holder thereof, into that number of shares of Common Stock (subject to Beneficial Ownership Limitations) determined by dividing the Stated Value of $1,200 of such share by the Conversion Price of $0.3202.
On March 4, 2022, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “GHS Securities Purchase Agreement”) with GHS Investments, LLC (“GHS”), whereby GHS agreed to purchase, in tranches, up to $700,000 of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.
On March 4, 2022, the Company issued to GHS the first tranche of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, as well as commitment shares of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and warrant shares (the “GHS Warrant”). Warrant shares represent 75% of the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “GHS Warrant Shares”). The Company agreed to register the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and the GHS Warrant Shares.
| F-21 |
GHS delivered gross proceeds of $266,000 to the Company (excluded were legal fees and a transaction fee charged by Spartan Capital).
On March 9, 2022, the Company entered a Securities Purchase Agreement with Proactive Capital Partners LP (“Proactive”), whereby Proactive agreed to purchase Series C Preferred Stock shares.
The Company agreed to issue Proactive commitment shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shares and warrant shares (the “Warrant”). Warrant shares represent 75% of the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Warrant Shares”). The Company agreed to register the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and the Warrant Shares.
On March 9, 2022, the Company issued shares of Series C Convertible Preferred stock to Proactive Capital Partners LP as per the Securities Purchase Agreement. Proactive delivered gross proceeds of $155,000 to the Company (excluded were legal fees).
On April 24, 2022, the Company issued the second tranche of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and warrant shares as per its Securities Purchase Agreement (the “GHS Securities Purchase Agreement”) with GHS Investments, LLC (“GHS”), of March 4, 2022. GHS delivered gross proceeds of $184,000 to the Company (excluded were legal fees and a transaction fee charged by Spartan Capital).
On May 25, 2022, the Company issued the third tranche of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and warrant shares as per its Securities Purchase Agreement (the “GHS Securities Purchase Agreement”) with GHS Investments, LLC (“GHS”), of March 4, 2022. GHS delivered gross proceeds of $92,000 to the Company (excluded were legal fees and a transaction fee charged by Spartan Capital).
On June 24, 2022, the Company issued the fourth tranche of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and warrant shares as per its Securities Purchase Agreement (the “GHS Securities Purchase Agreement”) with GHS Investments, LLC (“GHS”), of March 4, 2022. GHS delivered gross proceeds of $92,000 to the Company (excluded were legal fees and a transaction fee charged by Spartan Capital).
On September 7, 2022, our wholly owned subsidiary, Bubblr Limited, entered into a new loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Mr. Morris for £434,060 (US$525,291 at December 31, 2022). To enter into the new loan, GHS Investments, LLC agreed to waive a prohibition on borrowing over $200,000 found in our Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock, in exchange for our company issuing shares of common stock: shares of common stock to GHS and shares of common stock to Proactive. The resulting common shares were valued at $71,703, which was recorded as interest expense.
As a result of the above transactions, the Company received total net proceeds of $789,000, of which $721,275 has been allocated to the warrants and Series C Preferred Stock based on the warrants’ fair market values on each contract date, with the residual loss of $28,043 allocated to day-one loss on warrant liability associated with the March 2022 issuances, and excess proceeds of $95,768 allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock associated with the April, May, and June 2022 issuances. As at December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company had of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The Company has authorized common shares with a par value of $ per share. Each common share entitles the holder to one vote, in person or proxy, on any matter on which action of the corporation’s stockholders is sought.
| F-22 |
During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company issued common shares as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2022
| ● | shares for Executive Board Chair services valued at $75,460. | |
| ● | shares for Investor Relations and Consulting services valued at $2,044,061. | |
| ● | shares for Debt conversion of Investor Relations fee valued at $28,000. | |
| ● | shares as commitment shares under the Equity Financing Agreement valued at $379,814. | |
| ● | shares as compensation for loan waiver under Series C Preferred Stock share purchase agreement valued at $. | |
| ● | shares for conversion of convertible notes issued in 2021 valued at $2,353,048. | |
| ● | shares for dividend due on Series C Preferred Stock to September 30, 2022, valued at $22,133. |
Year ended December 31, 2023
| ● | shares for Investor Relations valued at $285,338 | |
| ● | shares for Consulting Services valued at $89,063 | |
| ● | shares for Professional Services valued at $65,000 | |
| ● | shares for Series C Preference Share Dividends valued at $43,805. | |
| ● | shares for Loan Resolution Agreement valued at $821,431 |
As at December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company had and shares, respectively, of common stock issued and outstanding.
Warrants
The Company identified conversion features embedded within warrants issued during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company has determined that the conversion feature of the Warrants represents an embedded derivative since the conversion price includes a reset provision, which could cause adjustments in redemption value and number of shares issued upon exercise (see Note 11 - Warrant Liability).
A summary of activity during the period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 follows:
| Warrants Outstanding | ||||||||||||
| Number of | Weighted Average | Weighted Average Remaining life | ||||||||||
| Warrants | Exercise Price | (years) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2021 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Granted | 2,538,101 | 0.32 | ||||||||||
| Exercised | — | |||||||||||
| Forfeited/canceled | — | |||||||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2022 | 2,538,101 | 0.32 | ||||||||||
| Granted | — | |||||||||||
| Exercised | — | |||||||||||
| Forfeited/canceled | — | |||||||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 | 2,538,101 | $ | 0.32 | |||||||||
| F-23 |
The following table summarizes information relating to outstanding and exercisable warrants as of December 31, 2023:
| Warrants Outstanding | Warrants Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||
Number of Warrants | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life (in years) | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||
| 941,599 | $ | 0.34 | 941,599 | $ | 0.34 | |||||||||||||
| 472,205 | 0.34 | 472,205 | 0.34 | |||||||||||||||
| 562,149 | 0.35 | 562,149 | 0.35 | |||||||||||||||
| 281,074 | 0.22 | 281,074 | 0.22 | |||||||||||||||
| 281,074 | 0.22 | 281,074 | 0.22 | |||||||||||||||
| 2,538,101 | $ | 0.32 | 2,538,101 | $ | 0.32 | |||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2023 the intrinsic value of the warrants is $, as the price of the Company’s stock was below the warrant exercise price.
Equity Incentive Plan
On May 25, 2022, our board of directors and majority shareholders approved the adoption of the Bubblr, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Equity Incentive Plan”) and, unless earlier terminated, will continue until May 25, 2032. A total of shares of common stock may be issued under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.
The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan aims to foster and promote our long-term financial success and increase stockholder value by motivating performance through incentive compensation. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to encourage participants to acquire and maintain ownership interests in our company and to attract and retain the services of talented individuals upon whose judgment and special efforts the successful conduct of our business is mainly dependent.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued pursuant to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company elected to award RSUs to two Company executives pursuant to their employment agreements, with % vesting on June 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024.
The executives forfeited the award of RSUs upon their termination of employment on January 31, 2023.
On April 1, 2023, the Company granted options for purchasing our Common stock to executives, management, and a non-executive director as consideration for time served. The terms of the stock option grants are determined by our Board of Directors and consistent with our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.
Our stock option grant general policy is that options vest 40% after 90 days of service, and the remaining options vest monthly over two years. The maximum term is ten years.
Number of Shares | Weighted-Average Exercise Price (per share) | |||||||
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | 14,400,000 | 0.1560 | ||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 14,400,000 | $ | 0.1560 | |||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2023 | 10,032,000 | |||||||
| Weighted-average fair value of options granted in the period | $ | 0.1518 | ||||||
| F-24 |
The total intrinsic value of options on December 31, 2023, is zero because the closing stock price was below the weighted average exercise value. The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during 2023 was based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions. See below for reference to the Company’s valuation methodologies for these grants.
| Year Ended | ||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Expected life in years | ||||
| Risk-free interest rate | % | |||
| Annual forfeiture rate | % | |||
| Volatility | % | |||
| Expected dividend yield | % | |||
| Number of Shares | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | |||||||
| Non-vested as of December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | 14,400,000 | 0.1560 | ||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ||||||||
| Vested | (10,032,000 | ) | 0.1560 | |||||
| Non-vested as of December 31, 2023 | 4,368,000 | $ | 0.1560 | |||||
| Options | Options | |||||||
| Outstanding | Exercisable | |||||||
| Number of shares | ||||||||
| Weighted-average contractual life in years | ||||||||
| Weighted-average exercise price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Intrinsic value | $ | $ | ||||||
As of December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $1,559,598 in compensation costs. There were $626,773 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options, which we will recognize over the next 18 months.
Equity Financing Agreements
On February 1, 2022, Bubblr, Inc. entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) and Registration Rights Agreement with White Lion Capital LLC (“WLC”). Pursuant to the SPA, the Company had the right, but not the obligation, to cause WLC to purchase up to $10 million of our common stock during the period beginning on February 1, 2022, and ending on the earlier of (i) the date on which the WLC had purchased $10 million of our common stock pursuant to the SPA, or (ii) December 31, 2022.
In consideration of entering into the SPA, on February 1, 2022, the Company issued shares of common stock to WLC valued at $93,792.
| F-25 |
On March 22, 2022, the Company entered into a Termination and Release Agreement with WLC to extinguish the SPA and Registration Rights Agreement in exchange for the issuance of shares of common stock. The stock was issued on March 22, 2022, and was valued at $51,500.
On March 4, 2022, the Company entered into an Equity Financing Agreement (“EFA”) and Registration Rights Agreement with GHS Investments LLC (“GHS”). Under the terms of the EFA, GHS agreed to provide the Company with up to $15 million upon effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The registration statement on Form S-1 was effective as of June 24, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, GHS has provided $0 under the EFA.
In consideration for entering into the EFA, on March 4, 2022, the Company issued shares of common stock to GHS valued at $234,522.
NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease
The Company rents on a month-to-month basis virtual space at 21 West 46th St, New York, NY 10036. The monthly rate is $200. This lease is exempt from ASC 842 lease accounting due to its short term.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company paid $2,400 and $1,000 for use of premises in New York, New York. The 12-month agreement was signed in August 2021 for twelve months, after which it became a rolling monthly contract at a monthly rate of $200 and is exempt from ASC 842 lease accounting due to its short term.
Investor Relations
On February 14, 2023, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Beyond Media SEZC. The term of the agreement is twelve months. Beyond Media will receive $ monthly in cash and will be issued shares of common stock valued at $180,000 for entrance into the agreement.
On June 15, 2023, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Launchpad LLC. The term of the agreement is six months. Launchpad LLC will receive $3,000 in cash per month.
Steven Saunders, Former Chief Commercial Officer and Director
On May 31, 2022, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with Stephen Saunders. The Company will compensate Mr. Willard with a $144,000 base salary per annum. When the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing base salary will be increased to $180,000 per annum. When the Company receives $10 million in debt or equity the base salary will be $240,000 per annum.
On May 31, 2022, the Company agreed to further compensate Mr. Saunders with restricted stock units, which vests on June 1, 2023, and 2024, under the Equity Incentive Plan.
On January 31, 2023, the Company entered into Separation Agreements with Steven Saunders. He is no longer an officer or director of our Company, and all prior agreements are terminated in their entirety. To satisfy all amounts due, Mr. Saunders and the Company agreed to a settlement total sum of $116,000. As of December 31, 2023, the amount due to Mr. Saunders was $79,250.
| F-26 |
Rik Willard, Former Chief Executive Officer and Director
On August 15, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Rik Willard, Chief Executive Officer and Director. The term is 1 year commencing. Mr. Willard will receive monthly cash compensation of $15,000 reduced by $3,000 until at least $5,000,000 funding has been received through the S-1 offering. Mr. Willard was also granted a signing bonus of restricted shares, which were issued in June 2021.
On May 25, 2022, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with Rik Willard. The Company will compensate Mr. Willard with a $144,000 base salary per annum. When the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing base salary will be increased to $180,000 per annum. When the Company receives $10 million in debt or equity the base salary will be $240,000 per annum.
On May 25, 2022, the Company agreed to further compensate Mr. Willard with restricted stock units, which vests on June 1, 2023, and 2024, under the Equity Incentive Plan.
On January 31, 2023, the Company entered into Separation Agreements with Rik Willard, our then-Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Willard is no longer an officer or director of our Company, and all prior agreements are terminated in their entirety. To satisfy all amounts due, Mr. Willard and the Company agreed to a settlement total sum of $112,418. As of December 31, 2023, the amount due to Mr. Willard was $86,811.
Stephen Morris, Founder, Chief Technical Officer and Director
On April 1, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with Stephen Morris, Founder, Chief Technical Officer, and Chair. The Company will compensate Mr. Morris $450,000 base pay per annum with payments reduced by 60% to $180,000 per annum until the Company has secured $5,000,000 in debt or equity financing.
On April 1, 2023, the . The options were fully vested as Mr. Morris completed over two years and three months of service
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into a Second Amended Employment Agreement with Stephen Morris to reduce his base pay from $ to $ per annum and forfeit $270,000 of deferred compensation.
David Chetwood, Chief Financial Officer and Director
On April 1, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement, effective February 10, 2023, with David Chetwood, Chief Financial Officer and Director. The Company will compensate Mr. Chetwood $450,000 per annum base pay with payments reduced by 60% to $180,000 per annum until the Company has secured $5,000,000 in debt or equity financing.
On May 12, 2023, the , under the 2022 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2023, there were non-vested share options, which we will recognize over the next 16 months.
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into a Second Amended Employment Agreement with David Chetwood to reduce his base pay from $ to $ per annum and forfeit $236,200 of deferred compensation.
Timothy Burks, Chief Executive Officer and Director
On April 1, 2023, the
On July 1, 2023, the , under the 2022 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2023, there were $ non-vested share options, which we will recognize over the next 18 months.
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with Timothy Burks to reduce his base pay from $ to $ per annum and forfeit $270,000 of deferred compensation.
Paul Morrissey, Director
On April 6, 2023, the
On July 6, 2023, the , under the 2022 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2023, there were $ non-vested share options, which we will recognize over the next 18 months.
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Non-Executive Director Agreement with Morrissey to reduce his director fee from $ to $ per annum and forfeit $270,000 of deferred compensation.
NOTE 15 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 20, 2024 when the financial statements were available to be issued. The Company has concluded no subsequent events have occurred that require disclosure.
| F-27 |
2. Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) are either not required under the related instructions, are not applicable (and therefore have been omitted), or the required disclosures are contained in the financial statements included herein.
3. Exhibits (including those incorporated by reference).
(b) The following exhibits are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
| 47 |
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.
None.
| 48 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| March 20, 2024 | Bubblr, Inc. | |
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | |
| Timothy Burks | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Timothy Burks | Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and Director | March 20, 2024 | ||
| Timothy Burks | ||||
| /s/ David Chetwood | Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer | March 20, 2024 | ||
| David Chetwood | ||||
| /s/ Stephen Morris | Chief Technology Officer and Director | March 20, 2024 | ||
| Stephen Morris |
| 49 |
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
BUBBLR, INC.
____________________________
ARTICLE I — OFFICES
Section 1.1 Principal Office. The principal office and place of business of BUBBLR, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be at such location as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Section 1.2 Other Offices. Other offices and places of business either within or without the State of Wyoming may be established from time to time by resolution of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) or as the business of the Corporation may require. The street address of the Corporation’s resident agent is the registered office of the Corporation in Wyoming.
ARTICLE II — STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other business may be transacted as may be properly brought before the meeting.
Section 2.2 Special Meetings.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, if any, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the chair of the board, if any, or the chief executive officer, if any, or, the president,, if any, and shall be called by the secretary upon the written request of at least a majority of the authorized number of directors or by the holders of at least ten percent (10%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting. Stockholders shall have no right to request or call a special meeting.
(b) No business shall be acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders except as set forth in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.3 Place of Meetings. Any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be held at the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Wyoming or at such other place within or without of the State of Wyoming and United States as may be designated in the notice of meeting. A waiver of notice signed by all stockholders entitled to vote may designate any place for the holding of such meeting.
Section 2.4 Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice.
(a) The chair of the Board, president, chief executive officer, if any, a vice president, the secretary, an assistant secretary or any other individual designated by the Board of Directors shall sign and deliver or cause to be delivered to the stockholders written notice of any stockholders’ meeting not less than ten (10) days, but not more than sixty (60) days, before the date of such meeting. The notice shall state the place, date and time of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. The notice shall contain or be accompanied by such additional information as may be required by the Wyoming Business Corporation Act (“WBCA”).
(b) In the case of an annual meeting, subject to Section 2.13 below, any proper business may be presented for action, except that (i) if a proposed plan of merger, conversion or exchange is submitted to a vote, the notice of the meeting must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the plan of merger, conversion or exchange and must contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan; and (ii) if a proposed action creating appraisal rights is to be submitted to a vote, the notice of the meeting must state that the stockholders are or may be entitled to assert appraisal rights under WBCA 17-16-1301 to 17-16-1340, inclusive, and be accompanied by a copy of those sections.
(c) A copy of the notice shall be personally delivered or mailed postage prepaid to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting at the address appearing on the records of the Corporation. Upon mailing, service of the notice is complete, and the time of the notice begins to run from the date upon which the notice is deposited in the mail. If the address of any stockholder does not appear upon the records of the Corporation or is incomplete, it will be sufficient to address any notice to such stockholder at the registered office of the Corporation.
(d) The written certificate of the individual signing a notice of meeting, setting forth the substance of the notice or having a copy thereof attached, the date the notice was mailed or personally delivered to the stockholders and the addresses to which the notice was mailed, shall be prima facie evidence of the manner and fact of giving such notice.
(e) Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting by a signed writing, either before or after the meeting. Such waiver of notice shall be deemed the equivalent of the giving of such notice.
Section 2.5 Determination of Stockholders of Record.
(a) For the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any distribution or the allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, if applicable.
(b) If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders: (i) entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (ii) for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting and must fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 60 days later than the date set for the original meeting.
Section 2.6 Quorum; Adjourned Meetings.
(a) Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide for a different proportion, stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power of the Corporation’s capital stock, represented in person or by proxy (regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters), are necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting. If, on any issue, voting by classes or series is required by the laws of the State of Wyoming, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at least a majority of the voting power, represented in person or by proxy (regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters), within each such class or series is necessary to constitute a quorum of each such class or series.
(b) If a quorum is not represented, a majority of the voting power represented or the person presiding at the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted as originally called. When a stockholders’ meeting is adjourned to another time or place hereunder, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. However, if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to each stockholder of record as of the new record date. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the departure of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum of the voting power.
Section 2.7 Voting.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the WBCA, in the Articles of Incorporation, or in the resolution providing for the issuance of preferred stock adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to authority expressly vested in it by the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, each stockholder of record, or such stockholder’s duly authorized proxy, shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of voting stock standing registered in such stockholder’s name at the close of business on the record date.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, all votes with respect to shares standing in the name of an individual at the close of business on the record date (including pledged shares) shall be cast only by that individual or such individual’s duly authorized proxy. With respect to shares held by a representative of the estate of a deceased stockholder, or a guardian, conservator, custodian or trustee, even though the shares do not stand in the name of such holder, votes may be cast by such holder upon proof of such representative capacity. In the case of shares under the control of a receiver, the receiver may cast votes carried by such shares even though the shares do not stand of record in the name of the receiver; provided, that the order of a court of competent jurisdiction which appoints the receiver contains the authority to cast votes carried by such shares. If shares stand of record in the name of a minor, votes may be cast by the duly appointed guardian of the estate of such minor only if such guardian has provided the Corporation with written proof of such appointment.
(c) With respect to shares standing of record in the name of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity on the record date, votes may be cast: (i) in the case of a corporation, by such individual as the bylaws of such other corporation prescribe, by such individual as may be appointed by resolution of the Board of Directors of such other corporation or by such individual (including, without limitation, the officer making the authorization) authorized in writing to do so by the chair of the board, if any, president, chief executive officer, if any, or any vice president of such corporation; and (ii) in the case of a partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity, by an individual representing such stockholder upon presentation to the Corporation of satisfactory evidence of their authority to do so.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and except for the Corporation’s shares held in a fiduciary capacity, the Corporation shall not vote, directly or indirectly, shares of its own stock owned by it; and such shares shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote.
(e) Any holder of shares entitled to vote on any matter may cast a portion of the votes in favor of such matter and refrain from casting the remaining votes or cast the same against the proposal, except in the case of elections of directors. If such holder entitled to vote does vote any of such stockholder’s shares affirmatively and fails to specify the number of affirmative votes, it will be conclusively presumed that the holder is casting affirmative votes with respect to all shares held.
(f) With respect to shares standing of record in the name of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, husband and wife as community property, tenants by the entirety, voting trustees or otherwise and shares held by two or more persons (including proxy holders) having the same fiduciary relationship in respect to the same shares, votes may be cast in the following manner:
(i) If only one person votes, the vote of such person binds all.
(ii) If more than one person casts votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all.
(iii) If more than one person casts votes, but the vote is evenly split on a particular matter, the votes shall be deemed cast proportionately, as split.
(g) If a quorum is present, unless the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the WBCA, or other applicable law provide for a different proportion, action by the stockholders entitled to vote on a matter, other than the election of directors, is approved by and is the act of the stockholders if the number of votes cast in favor of the action exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the action, unless voting by classes or series is required for any action of the stockholders by the laws of the State of Wyoming, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in which case the number of votes cast in favor of the action by the voting power of each such class or series must exceed the number of votes cast in opposition to the action by the voting power of each such class or series.
(h) If a quorum is present, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.
Section 2.8 Proxies. At any meeting of stockholders, any holder of shares entitled to vote may designate, in a manner permitted by the laws of the State of Wyoming, another person or persons to act as a proxy or proxies. Every proxy shall continue in full force and effect until its expiration or revocation in a manner permitted by the laws of the State of Wyoming.
Section 2.9 Action Without A Meeting.
(a) Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that we be required to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. Such instrument may be executed in counterparts or as a unitary document.
(b) In the event that the action to which the stockholders consent is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under the Wyoming General Corporation Law, the effect of such consent shall be as if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof.
(c) If stockholder action is taken by written consent in lieu of meeting signed by less than all of the Corporation’s stockholders, then all non-participating stockholders shall be provided with written notice of the action taken within 10 days after the effective date of the written instrument taking such action.
Section 2.10 Organization.
(a) Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the chair of the board, or, in the absence of the chair, by the vice- chair of the board, or in the absence of the vice- chair, the president, or, in the absence of the president, by the chief executive officer, if any, or, in the absence of the foregoing persons, by a chair designated by the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such designation by the Board of Directors, by a chair chosen at the meeting by the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes which all stockholders present in person or by proxy are entitled to cast. The secretary, or in the absence of the secretary an assistant secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the secretary and any assistant secretary the chair of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chair of the meeting. The chair of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitation on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls.
(b) The chair of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors of elections. The inspector or inspectors may (i) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (ii) determine the number of shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies or ballots; (iii) count all votes and ballots; (iv) determine any challenges made to any determination made by the inspector(s); and (v) certify the determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and the count of all votes and ballots.
Section 2.11 Absentees’ Consent to Meetings. Transactions of any meeting of the stockholders are as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum is represented, either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote, not represented in person or by proxy (and those who, although present, either object at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened or expressly object at the meeting to the consideration of matters not included in the notice which are legally or by the terms of these Bylaws required to be included therein), signs a written waiver of notice and/or consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records and made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called, noticed or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not properly included in the notice if such objection is expressly made at the time any such matters are presented at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or consent, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
Section 2.12 Director Nominations. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of preferred stock to nominate and elect directors, nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made by the Board of Directors, by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors, or by any stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 2.13 below.
Section 2.13 Advance Notice of Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations by Stockholders. At any annual or special meeting of stockholders, proposals by stockholders and persons nominated for election as directors by stockholders shall be considered only if advance notice thereof has been timely given by the stockholder as provided herein and such proposals or nominations are otherwise proper for consideration under applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws. Notice of any proposal to be presented by any stockholder or of the name of any person to be nominated by any stockholder for election as a director of the Corporation at any meeting of stockholders shall be delivered to the secretary of the Corporation at its principal office not less than sixty (60) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the day of the meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed (in a public filing or otherwise) less than seventy (70) days prior to the day of the meeting, such advance notice shall be given not more than ten (10) days after such date is first so announced or disclosed. Public notice shall be deemed to have been given more than seventy (70) days in advance of the annual meeting if the Corporation shall have previously disclosed, in these Bylaws or otherwise, that the annual meeting in each year is to be held on a determinable date, unless and until the Board of Directors determines to hold the meeting on a different date. For purposes of this Section, public disclosure of the date of a forthcoming meeting may be made by the Corporation not only by giving formal notice of the meeting, but also by notice to a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market (if a corporation’s common stock is then listed on such exchange or quoted on either such Nasdaq market), by filing a report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) (if the Corporation is then subject thereto), by mailing to stockholders or by a general press release.
Any stockholder who gives notice of any such proposal shall deliver therewith the text of the proposal to be presented and a brief written statement of the reasons why such stockholder favors the proposal and setting forth such stockholder’s name and address, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in the proposal (other than as a stockholder). Any stockholder desiring to nominate any person for election as a director of the Corporation shall deliver with such notice a statement, in writing, setting forth (a) the name of the person to be nominated; (b) the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such person; (c) the information regarding such person required by paragraphs (a), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation subsequently adopted by the SEC applicable to the Corporation), and any other information regarding such person which would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC, had such nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated by the Board of Directors; (d) such person’s signed consent to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; (e) such stockholder’s name and address and the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder; (f) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; and (g) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder. As used herein, shares “beneficially owned” shall mean all shares as to which such person, together with such person’s affiliates and associates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act), may be deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act, as well as all shares as to which such person, together with such person’s affiliates and associates, has a right to become the beneficial owner pursuant to any agreement or understanding, whereupon the exercise of warrants, options or rights to convert or exchange (whether such rights are exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions). The person presiding at the meeting shall determine whether such notice has been duly given and shall direct that proposals and nominees not be considered if such notice has not been duly given. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions hereof, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein.
ARTICLE III — DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 General Powers; Performance of Duties. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in the WBCA or the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 3.2 Number, Tenure, and Qualifications. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of at least one (1) individual. The number of directors within the foregoing fixed minimum and maximum may be established and changed from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation without amendment to these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation. Each director shall hold office until their successor shall be elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, retirement, disqualification, resignation or removal. No reduction of the number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of their term of office. No provision of this Section shall be restrictive upon the right of the Board of Directors to fill vacancies or upon the right of the stockholders to remove directors as is hereinafter provided.
Section 3.3 Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall elect a chair of the board from the members of the Board of Directors who shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders at which they shall be present and shall have and may exercise such powers as may, from time to time, be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 3.4 Vice-Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall elect a vice- chair of the board from the members of the Board of Directors who shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders at which they shall be present and the chair is not present and shall have and may exercise such powers as may, from time to time, be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 3.5 Removal and Resignation of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of preferred stock and except as otherwise provided in the WBCA, any director may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (voting as a single class) excluding stock entitled to vote only upon the happening of a fact or event unless such fact or event shall have occurred. A director may be removed by the shareholders only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing the director and the meeting called for the purpose of removing the director and the meeting notice shall state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director. In addition, the district court of the county of the Corporation’s principal office, or if none in Wyoming, its registered office, is located may remove a director of the Corporation from office in a proceeding commenced by or in the right of the Corporation if the court finds that: (i) the director engaged in fraudulent conduct with respect to the Corporation or its stockholders, grossly abused the position of director, or intentionally inflicted harm on the corporation; and (ii) considering the director’s course of conduct and the inadequacy of other available remedies, removal would be in the best interest of the Corporation. Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice, unless the notice specifies a later time for effectiveness of such resignation, to the chair of the board, if any, the president or the secretary, or in the absence of all of them, any other officer.
Section 3.6 Vacancies; Newly Created Directorships. Subject to any rights of the holders of preferred stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office or by a sole remaining director, in either case though less than a quorum, and the director(s) so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of the class to which he has been elected expires, or until their earlier resignation or removal. If the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting group of stockholders, only the directors elected by that voting group are entitled to fill the vacancy; provided, that if no such directors remain, then the holders of that voting group are entitled to fill the vacancy. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent directors.
Section 3.7 Annual and Regular Meetings. Immediately following the adjournment of, and at the same place as, the annual or any special meeting of the stockholders at which directors are elected, the Board of Directors, including directors newly elected, shall hold its annual meeting without call or notice, other than this provision, to elect officers and to transact such further business as may be necessary or appropriate. The Board of Directors may provide by resolution the place, date, and hour for holding regular meetings between annual meetings.
Section 3.8 Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law, and subject to any rights of the holders of preferred stock, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called only by the chair of the board, if any, or if there be no chair of the board, by any of the chief executive officer, if any, the president, or the secretary, and shall be called by the chair of the board, if any, the president, the chief executive officer, if any, or the secretary upon the request of at least a majority of the authorized number of directors. If the chair of the board, or if there be no chair of the board, each of the president, chief executive officer, if any, and secretary, refuses or neglects to call such special meeting, a special meeting may be called by a written request signed by at least a majority of the authorized number of directors.
Section 3.9 Place of Meetings. Any regular or special meeting of the directors of the Corporation may be held at such place as the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation, as the notice calling such meeting, may designate. A waiver of notice signed by the directors may designate any place for the holding of such meeting.
Section 3.10 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.8 above, there shall be delivered to each director at the address appearing for them on the records of the Corporation, at least forty-eight (48) before the time of such meeting, a copy of a written notice of any meeting (a) by delivery of such notice personally, (b) by mailing such notice postage prepaid, (c) by facsimile, (d) by overnight courier, (e) by telegram, or (f) by electronic transmission or electronic writing, including, but not limited to, email. If mailed to an address inside the United States, the notice shall be deemed delivered two (2) business days following the date the same is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid. If mailed to an address outside the United States, the notice shall be deemed delivered four (4) business days following the date the same is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid. If sent via facsimile, by electronic transmission or electronic writing, including, but not limited to, email, the notice shall be deemed delivered upon sender’s receipt of confirmation of the successful transmission. If sent via overnight courier, the notice shall be deemed delivered the business day following the delivery of such notice to the courier. If the address of any director is incomplete or does not appear upon the records of the Corporation it will be sufficient to address any notice to such director at the registered office of the Corporation. Any director may waive notice of any meeting, and the attendance of a director at a meeting and oral consent entered on the minutes of such meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of the meeting unless such director objects, prior to the transaction of any business, that the meeting was not lawfully called, noticed or convened. Attendance for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business thereat because the meeting was not properly called or convened shall not constitute presence or a waiver of notice for purposes hereof.
Section 3.11 Quorum; Adjourned Meetings.
(a) A majority of the directors in office, at a meeting duly assembled, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(b) At any meeting of the Board of Directors where a quorum is not present, a majority of those present may adjourn, from time to time, until a quorum is present, and no notice of such adjournment shall be required. At any adjourned meeting where a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which could have been transacted at the meeting originally called.
Section 3.12 Manner of Acting. Except as provided in Section 3.14 below, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.13 Telephonic Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a telephone conference or video or similar method of communication by which all persons participating in such meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.13 constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 3.14 Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee. The written consent may be signed in counterparts, including, without limitation, facsimile counterparts, and shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Section 3.15 Powers and Duties.
(a) Except as otherwise restricted by the laws of the State of Wyoming or the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has full control over the business and affairs of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may delegate any of its authority to manage, control or conduct the business of the Corporation to any standing or special committee, or to any officer or agent, and to appoint any persons to be agents of the Corporation with such powers, including the power to subdelegate, and upon such terms as may be deemed fit.
(b) The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in their discretion, may (i) require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot, and/or (ii) submit any contract or act for approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders or any special meeting properly called and noticed for the purpose of considering any such contract or act, provided a quorum is present.
(c) The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Subject to applicable law and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, any such committee shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The committees shall keep regular minutes of their proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 3.16 Compensation. The Board of Directors, without regard to personal interest, may establish the compensation of directors for services in any capacity. If the Board of Directors establishes the compensation of directors pursuant to this subsection, such compensation is presumed to be fair to the Corporation unless proven unfair by a preponderance of the evidence.
Section 3.17 Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the chair of the board, or in the absence of the chair of the board by the vice- chair, or in their absence by a chair chosen at the meeting. The secretary, or in the absence of the secretary an assistant secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the secretary and any assistant secretary the chair of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chair of the meeting.
ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Election. The Board of Directors, at its annual meeting, shall elect and appoint a president, a secretary and a treasurer. Said officers shall serve until the next succeeding annual meeting of the Board of Directors and until their respective successors are elected and appointed and shall qualify or until their earlier resignation or removal. The Board of Directors may from time to time, by resolution, elect or appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem advisable, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the board, and shall have such powers and duties and be paid such compensation as may be directed by the board. Any individual may hold two or more offices.
Section 4.2 Removal; Resignation. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors with or without cause. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any such removal or resignation shall be subject to the rights, if any, of the respective parties under any contract between the Corporation and such officer or agent.
Section 4.3 Vacancies. Any vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term of such office.
Section 4.4 Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors may elect a chief executive officer who, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, shall have the ultimate responsibility for the management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers which are delegated to them by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 4.5 President. The president, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, shall in general actively supervise and control the business and affairs of the Corporation. The president shall keep the Board of Directors fully informed as the Board of Directors may request and shall consult the Board of Directors concerning the business of the Corporation. The president shall perform such other duties and have such other powers which are delegated and assigned to them by the Board of Directors if any, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 4.6 Vice Presidents. The Board of Directors may elect one or more vice presidents. In the absence or disability of the president, or at the president’s request, the vice president or vice presidents, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, and if not ranked, the vice presidents in the order designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation, in the order designated by the president, shall perform all of the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on the president. Each vice president shall perform such other duties and have such other powers which are delegated and assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the president, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 4.7 Secretary. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and any committees, and shall keep, or cause to be kept, the minutes of proceeds thereof in books provided for that purpose. He shall keep, or cause to be kept, a register of the stockholders of the Corporation and shall be responsible for the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and any committees, and shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law. The secretary shall be custodian of the corporate seal, the records of the Corporation, the stock certificate books, transfer books and stock ledgers, and such other books and papers as the Board of Directors or appropriate committee may direct. The secretary shall perform all other duties commonly incident to their office and shall perform such other duties which are assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, if any, the president, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 4.8 Assistant Secretaries. An assistant secretary shall, at the request of the secretary, or in the absence or disability of the secretary, perform all the duties of the secretary. He shall perform such other duties as are assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, if any, the president, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.
Section 4.9 Treasurer. The treasurer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the care and custody of, and be responsible for, all of the money, funds, securities, receipts and valuable papers, documents and instruments of the Corporation, and all books and records relating thereto. The treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, full and accurate books of accounts of the Corporation’s transactions, which shall be the property of the Corporation, and shall render financial reports and statements of condition of the Corporation when so requested by the Board of Directors, the chair of the board, if any, the chief executive officer, if any, or the president. The treasurer shall perform all other duties commonly incident to their office and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, if any, the president, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law. The treasurer shall, if required by the Board of Directors, give bond to the Corporation in such sum and with such security as shall be approved by the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of all the duties of the treasurer and for restoration to the Corporation, in the event of the treasurer’s death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, records, papers, vouchers, money and other property in the treasurer’s custody or control and belonging to the Corporation. The expense of such bond shall be borne by the Corporation. If a chief financial officer has not been appointed, the treasurer may be deemed the chief financial officer of the Corporation.
Section 4.10 Assistant Treasurer. An assistant treasurer shall, at the request of the treasurer, or in the absence or disability of the treasurer, perform all the duties of the treasurer. He shall perform such other duties which are assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the treasurer, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law. The Board of Directors may require an assistant treasurer to give a bond to the Corporation, at the Corporation’s expense, in such sum and with such security as it may approve, for the faithful performance of their duties, and for restoration to the Corporation, in the event of the assistant treasurer’s death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, records, papers, vouchers, money and other property in the assistant treasurer’s custody or control and belonging to the Corporation.
Section 4.11 Execution of Negotiable Instruments, Deeds and Contracts. All checks, drafts, notes, bonds, bills of exchange, and orders for the payment of money of the Corporation; all deeds, mortgages, proxies, powers of attorney and other written contracts, documents, instruments and agreements to which the Corporation shall be a party; and all assignments or endorsements of stock certificates, registered bonds or other securities owned by the Corporation shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. The Board of Directors may authorize the use of the facsimile signatures of any such persons. Any officer of the Corporation shall be authorized to attend, act and vote, or designate another officer or an agent of the Corporation to attend, act and vote, at any meeting of the owners of any entity in which the Corporation may own an interest or to take action by written consent in lieu thereof. Such officer or agent, at any such meeting or by such written action, shall possess and may exercise on behalf of the Corporation any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such interest.
ARTICLE V — CAPITAL STOCK
Section 5.1 Issuance. Shares of the Corporation’s authorized stock shall, subject to any provisions or limitations of the laws of the State of Wyoming, the Articles of Incorporation or any contracts or agreements to which the Corporation may be a party, be issued in such manner, at such times, upon such conditions and for such consideration as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.2 Stock Certificates and Uncertified Shares. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the president, the chief executive officer, if any, or a vice president, and by the secretary or an assistant secretary, of the Corporation (or any other two officers or agents so authorized by the Board of Directors), certifying the number of shares of stock owned by them, her or it in the Corporation; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of uncertificated shares of some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock. Any such issuance of uncertificated shares shall have no effect on existing certificates for shares until such certificates are surrendered to the Corporation, or on the respective rights and obligations of the stockholders. Whenever such certificate is countersigned or otherwise authenticated by a transfer agent or a transfer clerk and by a registrar (other than the Corporation), then a facsimile of the signatures of any corporate officers or agents, the transfer agent, transfer clerk or the registrar of the Corporation may be printed or lithographed upon the certificate in lieu of the actual signatures. In the event that any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signatures have been used on any certificate or certificates for stock cease to be an officer or officers because of death, resignation or other reason, before the certificate or certificates for stock have been delivered by the Corporation, the certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed the certificate or certificates, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon, had not ceased to be an officer or officers of the Corporation.
Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written statement certifying the number of shares owned by him, her or it in the Corporation and, at least annually thereafter, the Corporation shall provide to such stockholders of record holding uncertificated shares, a written statement confirming the information contained in such written statement previously sent. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the stockholders shall be identical whether or not their shares of stock are represented by certificates.
Each certificate representing shares shall state the following upon the face thereof: the name of the state of the Corporation’s organization; the name of the person to whom issued; the number and class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, which such certificate represents; the par value of each share, if any, represented by such certificate or a statement that the shares are without par value. Certificates of stock shall be in such form consistent with law as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors. No certificate shall be issued until the shares represented thereby are fully paid.
Section 5.3 Surrendered; Lost or Destroyed Certificates. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation, except those representing shares of treasury stock, shall be canceled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been canceled, except that in case of a lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate, a new one may be issued therefor. However, any stockholder applying for the issuance of a stock certificate in lieu of one alleged to have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall, prior to the issuance of a replacement, provide the Corporation with his, her or its affidavit of the facts surrounding the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation and, if required by the Board of Directors, an indemnity bond in an amount not less than twice the current market value of the stock, and upon such terms as the treasurer or the Board of Directors shall require which shall indemnify the Corporation against any loss, damage, cost or inconvenience arising as a consequence of the issuance of a replacement certificate.
Section 5.4 Replacement Certificate. When the Articles of Incorporation are amended in any way affecting the statements contained in the certificates for outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation or it becomes desirable for any reason, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, the merger of the Corporation with another Corporation or the conversion or reorganization of the Corporation, to cancel any outstanding certificate for shares and issue a new certificate therefor conforming to the rights of the holder, the Board of Directors may order any holders of outstanding certificates for shares to surrender and exchange the same for new certificates within a reasonable time to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The order may provide that a holder of any certificate(s) ordered to be surrendered shall not be entitled to vote, receive distributions or exercise any other rights of stockholders of record until the holder has complied with the order, but the order operates to suspend such rights only after notice and until compliance.
Section 5.5 Transfer of Shares. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation except on surrender and cancellation of the certificates therefor accompanied by an assignment or transfer by the registered owner made either in person or under assignment. Whenever any transfer shall be expressly made for collateral security and not absolutely, the collateral nature of the transfer shall be reflected in the entry of transfer in the records of the Corporation.
Section 5.6 Transfer Agent; Registrars. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more transfer agents, transfer clerks and registrars of transfer and may require all certificates for shares of stock to bear the signature of such transfer agents, transfer clerks and/or registrars of transfer.
Section 5.7 Miscellaneous. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make such rules and regulations not inconsistent herewith as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer, and registration of certificates for shares of the Corporation’s stock.
ARTICLE VI — DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions may be declared, subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of Wyoming and the Articles of Incorporation, by the Board of Directors and may be paid in cash, property, shares of corporate stock, or any other medium. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date, as provided in Section 2.5 above, prior to the distribution for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive any distribution.
ARTICLE VII — RECORDS; REPORTS; SEAL; AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
Section 7.1 Records. All original records of the Corporation, shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation by or under the direction of the secretary or at such other place or by such other person as may be prescribed by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.
Section 7.2 Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, authorize a seal, and the seal may be used by causing it, or a facsimile, to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. Except when otherwise specifically provided herein, any officer of the Corporation shall have the authority to affix the seal to any document requiring it.
Section 7.3 Fiscal Year-End. The fiscal year-end of the Corporation shall be such date as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII — INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
(i) For purposes of this Article VIII,
(A) “Indemnitee” shall mean each director or officer who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, any Proceeding (as herein defined), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or member, manager or managing member of a predecessor limited liability company or affiliate of such limited liability company or is or was serving in any capacity at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent, partner, member, manager or fiduciary of, or in any other capacity for, another corporation or any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, or other enterprise; and
(B) “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding (including, without limitation, an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation), whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
(ii) Each Indemnitee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Wyoming law, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding; provided that such Indemnitee either is not liable pursuant to the WBCA or acted in good faith and in a manner such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any Proceeding that is criminal in nature, had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee is liable pursuant to the WBCA or did not act in good faith and in a manner in which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal proceeding he had reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The Corporation shall not indemnify an Indemnitee for any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the Corporation or for any amounts paid in settlement to the Corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the Proceeding was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts as the court deems proper. Except as so ordered by a court and for advancement of expenses pursuant to this Section, indemnification may not be made to or on behalf of an Indemnitee if a final adjudication establishes that their acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law and was material to the cause of action. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Bylaws, no director or officer may be indemnified for expenses incurred in defending any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding (including without limitation, an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that such director or officer incurred in their capacity as a stockholder.
(iii) Indemnification pursuant to this Section shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or member, manager or managing member of a predecessor limited liability company or affiliate of such limited liability company or a director, officer, employee, agent, partner, member, manager or fiduciary of, or to serve in any other capacity for, another corporation or any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, or other enterprise and shall inure to the benefit of their heirs, executors and administrators.
(iv) The expenses of Indemnitees must be paid by the Corporation or through insurance purchased and maintained by the Corporation or through other financial arrangements made by the Corporation, as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation and a written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that director complied with these Bylaws and Wyoming law. To the extent that a director or officer of the Corporation is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding, or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the Corporation shall indemnify them against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in by them in connection with the defense.
(b) Indemnification of Employees and Other Persons. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors and to the extent provided in such action, indemnify employees and other persons as though they were Indemnitees.
(c) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification provided in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise.
(d) Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any Indemnitee for any liability asserted against them and liability and expenses incurred by them in their capacity as a director, officer, employee, member, managing member or agent, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the Corporation has the authority to indemnify them against such liability and expenses.
(e) Other Financial Arrangements. The other financial arrangements which may be made by the Corporation may include the following (i) the creation of a trust fund; (ii) the establishment of a program of self-insurance; (iii) the securing of its obligation of indemnification by granting a security interest or other lien on any assets of the Corporation; (iv) the establishment of a letter of credit, guarantee or surety. No financial arrangement made pursuant to this subsection may provide protection for a person adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable for intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law, except with respect to advancement of expenses or indemnification ordered by a court.
(f) Other Matters Relating to Insurance or Financial Arrangements. Any insurance or other financial arrangement made on behalf of a person pursuant to this Section may be provided by the Corporation or any other person approved by the Board of Directors, even if all or part of the other person’s stock or other securities is owned by the Corporation. In the absence of fraud, (i) the decision of the Board of Directors as to the propriety of the terms and conditions of any insurance or other financial arrangement made pursuant to this Section and the choice of the person to provide the insurance or other financial arrangement is conclusive; and (ii) the insurance or other financial arrangement is not void or voidable and does not subject any director approving it to personal liability for their action; even if a director approving the insurance or other financial arrangement is a beneficiary of the insurance or other financial arrangement.
Section 8.2 Amendment. The provisions of this Article VIII relating to indemnification shall constitute a contract between the Corporation and each of its directors and officers which may be modified as to any director or officer only with that person’s consent or as specifically provided in this Section. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws relating to their amendment generally, any repeal or amendment of this Article which is adverse to any director or officer shall apply to such director or officer only on a prospective basis, and shall not limit the rights of an Indemnitee to indemnification with respect to any action or failure to act occurring prior to the time of such repeal or amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws (including, without limitation, Article XI below), no repeal or amendment of these Bylaws shall affect any or all of this Article VIII so as to limit or reduce the indemnification in any manner unless adopted by (a) the unanimous vote of the directors of the Corporation then serving, or (b) by the stockholders as set forth in Article XI hereof; provided that no such amendment shall have a retroactive effect inconsistent with the preceding sentence.
ARTICLE IX — ELECTION NOT TO BE SUBJECT TO
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF WYOMING LAW
Section 9.1 Election Not to Be Subject to the Restrictions in WBCA 17-18-104(b) Related to Restrictions on Business Combinations. The Corporation elects not to be subject to the restrictions in WBCA 17-18-104(b).
Section 9.2 Election Not to Be Subject to the Restrictions in WBCA 17-18-105 Through 17-18-111 Related to Takeover Protection Provisions. The Corporation elects not to be subject to the restrictions in WBCA 17-18-105 through 17-18-111.
ARTICLE X — CHANGES IN WYOMING LAW
References in these Bylaws to Wyoming law or the WBCA or to any provision thereof shall be to such law as it existed on the date these Bylaws were adopted or as such law thereafter may be changed; provided that (a) in the case of any change which expands the liability of directors or officers or limits the indemnification rights or the rights to advancement of expenses which the Corporation may provide in Article VIII hereof, the rights to limited liability, to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Incorporation and/or these Bylaws shall continue as theretofore to the extent permitted by law; and (b) if such change permits the Corporation, without the requirement of any further action by stockholders or directors, to limit further the liability of directors or limit the liability of officers or to provide broader indemnification rights or rights to the advancement of expenses than the Corporation was permitted to provide prior to such change, then liability thereupon shall be so limited and the rights to indemnification and the advancement of expenses shall be so broadened to the extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE XI — AMENDMENT OR REPEAL
Section 11.1 Board of Directors. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to amend or repeal these Bylaws, including but not limited to, such amendment or repeal of these Bylaws that increase the quorum or voting requirements for the Board of Directors.
Section 11.2 Stockholders. Notwithstanding Section 11.1 above, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed in any respect by the affirmative vote of the holders of at majority of the outstanding voting power of the Corporation, voting together as a single class.
Exhibit 3.2
BUBBLR, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,
RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS
OF
SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The undersigned, Rik Willard, does hereby certify that:
1. He is the Chief Executive Officer, of Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Corporation” or the “Company”).
2. The Corporation is authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 1 share has been designated as Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock, and 1 share of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock has been issued and is outstanding. At September 30, 2021, the Corporation had designated 12,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted to common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
3. The following resolutions were duly adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”):
WHEREAS, the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation provides for a class of its authorized stock known as preferred stock, consisting of twenty five million (25,000,000) shares, $0.001 par value per share, issuable from time to time in one or more series;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is authorized to fix the dividend rights, dividend rate, voting rights, conversion rights, rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock and the number of shares constituting any series and the designation thereof, of any of them; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its authority as aforesaid, to fix the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to Series C Preferred Stock, a series of the preferred stock, which shall consist of, except as otherwise set forth in the Purchase Agreement, up to two thousand (2,000) shares of the preferred stock which the Corporation has the authority to issue, as follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors does hereby provide for the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock, a series of preferred stock for cash or exchange of other securities, rights or property and does hereby fix and determine the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to such series of preferred stock as follows:
TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK
Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(e).
“Bankruptcy Event” means any of the following events: (a) the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) thereof commences a case or other proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction relating to the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, (b) there is commenced against the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof any such case or proceeding that is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after commencement, (c) the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered, (d) the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property that is not discharged or stayed within sixty (60) calendar days after such appointment, (e) the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (f) the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof calls a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition, adjustment or restructuring of its debts, or (g) the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, by any act or failure to act, expressly indicates its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing or takes any corporate or other action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c)(iv).
“Change of Control Transaction” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition after the date hereof by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Corporation, by contract or otherwise) of in excess of 49% of the voting securities of the Corporation (other than by means of conversion or exercise of Preferred Stock and the Securities issued together with the Preferred Stock), (b) the Corporation merges into or consolidates with any other Person, or any Person merges into or consolidates with the Corporation and, after giving effect to such transaction, the stockholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own less than 33% of the aggregate voting power of the Corporation or the successor entity of such transaction, (c) the Corporation sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another Person and the stockholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own less than 33% of the aggregate voting power of the acquiring entity immediately after the transaction, (d) a replacement at one time or within a one year period of more than one-half of the members of the Board of Directors which is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board of Directors on the Original Issue Date (or by those individuals who are serving as members of the Board of Directors on any date whose nomination to the Board of Directors was approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are members on the Original Issue Date) or the replacement is in connection with the appointment of independent directors to satisfy quotation or listing requirements with OTC Markets or a national securities exchange that has registered with the SEC under Section 6 of the Exchange Act, or (e) the execution by the Corporation of an agreement to which the Corporation is a party or by which it is bound, providing for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.
“Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 of the respective Purchase Agreements.
“Closing Date” means the applicable Trading Day on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto and all conditions precedent to (i) each Holder’s obligations to pay the Subscription Amount for a Closing and (ii) the Corporation’s obligations to deliver the Securities have been satisfied or waived.
“Commission” or the “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and stock of any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Conversion Amount” means the sum of the Stated Value at issue.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
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“Conversion Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Conversion Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Corporation Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
“Corporation Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
“Corporation Redemption Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
“Corporation Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
“Designation, Amount and Par Value” The series of preferred stock shall be designated as Series C Preferred Stock and the number of shares so designated shall be up to two thousand (2,000) (which shall not be subject to increase without the written consent of all of the Holders of the Preferred Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001 per share and a stated value of $1,200, subject to increase set forth in Section 3 and/or elsewhere in this Certificate of Designation below.
“DTC” means the Depository Trust Company.
“DTC/FAST Program” means the DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program.
“Dividend” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“DWAC Eligible” means that (a) the Common Stock is eligible at DTC for full services pursuant to DTC’s Operational Arrangements, including without limitation transfer through DTC’s DWAC system, (b) the Corporation has been approved (without revocation) by the DTC’s underwriting department, (c) the Transfer Agent is approved as an agent in the DTC/FAST Program, (d) the Conversion Shares are otherwise eligible for delivery via DWAC, and (e) the Transfer Agent does not have a policy prohibiting or limiting delivery of the Conversion Shares via DWAC.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“New York Courts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12(d).
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(e).
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
“Holders” means Holders of the Preferred Stock.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(f).
“Indebtedness” means (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Corporation’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business, and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $10,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.
“Junior Securities” means the Common Stock and all other Common Stock Equivalents of the Corporation other than those securities which are explicitly senior or pari passu to the Preferred Stock in dividend rights or liquidation preference.
“Late Fees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).
“Liens” means a lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Liquidation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.
“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(f).
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“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.
“Original Issue Date” means the date of the first issuance of any shares of the Preferred Stock regardless of the number of transfers of any particular shares of Preferred Stock and regardless of the number of certificates which may be issued to evidence such Preferred Stock.
“Permitted Governmental Indebtedness” means Indebtedness for the purpose of supporting product sales by the Borrower.
“Permitted Indebtedness” means (i)) Indebtedness of the Corporation set forth in Corporation’s most recent SEC report filed with the SEC by the Corporation on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (the “SEC Reports”) provided none of such Indebtedness, has been increased, extended and/or otherwise changed); (ii) Indebtedness up to $200,000 USD that is convertible at a fixed price and not at a variable conversion price; (iii) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens described in clauses “(iii)” of the definition of Permitted Liens, and (iv) Permitted Governmental Indebtedness.
“Permitted Liens” means (i) any Lien for taxes not yet due or delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) any statutory Lien arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of law with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent, (iii) any Lien created by operation of law, such as materialmen’s liens, mechanics’ liens and other similar liens, arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (iv) Liens (a) upon or in any equipment acquired or held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to secure the purchase price of such equipment or indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition or lease of such equipment, and (b) existing on such equipment at the time of its acquisition, provided that the Lien is confined solely to the property so acquired and improvements thereon, and the proceeds of such equipment and (v) any Liens for Permitted Indebtedness set forth in (i) and (ii) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness provided as to “(ii)” of Permitted Indebtedness such Liens were in existence and not amended, supplemented and/or modified since the original issuance date any such Indebtedness was incurred.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Piggy-Back Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).
“Preferred Stock” shall mean Series C Preferred Stock.
“Premium Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
“Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated on or about the Original Issue Date, among the Corporation and the original Holders, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Registration Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).
“Securities” means the Preferred Stock and the Underlying Shares.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c)(i).
“Stated Value” shall mean $1,200, subject to increase set forth in Section 3 and/or elsewhere in this Certificate of Designation.
“Subscription Amount” shall mean, as to each Holder, the aggregate amount to be paid for the Preferred Stock purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement as specified below such Holder’s name on the signature page of the Purchase Agreement and next to the heading “Subscription Amount,” in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.
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“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Corporation as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation formed or acquired after the date of the Purchase Agreement.
“Successor Entity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.
“Trading Day or Date” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for business.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock (or any other common stock of any other Person that references the Trading Market for its common stock) is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: The NASDAQ Global Market, The NASDAQ Global Select Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market, the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Arca, the NYSE MKT, or the OTCQX Marketplace, the OTCQB Marketplace, the OTC Pink Marketplace or any other tier operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. (or any successor to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” means this Certificate of Designation, the Purchase Agreement, all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
“Transfer Agent” means Pacific Stock Transfer Co., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 6725 Via Austi Pkwy, Suite 300 Las Vegas, NV 89119 and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Triggering Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).
“Triggering Redemption Amount” means, for each share of Preferred Stock, the sum of (a) 135% of the Stated Value and (b) all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon and (c) all liquidated damages, Late Fees and other costs, expenses or amounts due in respect of the Preferred Stock including, but not limited to legal fees and expenses of legal counsel to the Holder in connection with, related to and/or arising out of a Triggering Event.
“Triggering Redemption Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(b).
“Underlying Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued and issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock.
“VWAP” means, for or as of any date for the Common Stock, the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (set to weighted average) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for the Common Stock during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for the Common Stock by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for the Common Stock as reported in the “pink sheets” by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink Sheets LLC). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for the Common Stock on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of the Common Stock on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.
Section 2. Dividends.
(a) Dividends in Cash or in Kind. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation shall pay, cumulative dividends of eight percent (8%) per annum, payable quarterly, beginning on the Original Issuance Date and ending on the date that such share of Preferred Share has been converted or redeemed (the “Dividend End Date”). Dividends may be paid in cash or in shares of Preferred Stock at the discretion of the Company.
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(b) Participating Dividends on As-Converted Basis. From and after the initial Closing Date, in addition to the payment of dividends pursuant to Section 2(a), each Holder shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation shall pay, dividends on shares of Preferred Stock equal to (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis) and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the Common Stock. The Corporation shall pay no dividends on shares of the Common Stock unless it simultaneously complies with the previous sentence.
(c) Dividend Calculations. Subject to Section 3(a), dividends on the Preferred Stock shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve (12) thirty (30) calendar day periods, and shall accrue and compound daily commencing on the Original Issue Date, and shall be deemed to accrue from such date whether or not earned or declared and whether or not there are profits, surplus or other funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends. Dividends shall cease to accrue with respect to any Preferred Stock redeemed or converted, provided that the Corporation actually delivers the Conversion Shares within the time period required by Section 6(c)(i) herein.
(d) Late Fees. Any dividends that are not paid a Dividend Payment Date shall continue to accrue and shall entail a late fee (“Late Fees”), which must be paid in cash, at the rate of 18% per annum or the lesser rate permitted by applicable law which shall accrue and compound daily from the Dividend Payment Date through and including the date of actual payment in full.
(e) Other Securities. So long as any Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary thereof shall redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any Junior Securities or pari passu securities other than any Preferred Stock purchased to the terms of this Certificate of Designation. So long as any Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary thereof shall directly or indirectly pay or declare any dividend or make any distribution upon (other than a dividend or distribution described in Section 2 or dividends due and paid in the ordinary course on preferred stock of the Corporation at such times when the Corporation is in compliance with its payment and other obligations hereunder), nor shall any distribution be made in respect of, any Junior Securities or pari passu securities as long as any dividends due on the Preferred Stock remain unpaid, nor shall any monies be set aside for or applied to the purchase or redemption (through a sinking fund or otherwise) of any Junior Securities or pari passu securities.
Section 3. Voting Rights. The Preferred Stock will vote together with the common stock on an as-converted basis subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitations. However, as long as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock directly and/or indirectly (a) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Preferred Stock or alter or amend this Certificate of Designation, (b) authorize or create any class of stock ranking as to redemption or distribution of assets upon a Liquidation (as defined in Section 5) senior to, or otherwise pari passu with, the Preferred Stock or, authorize or create any class of stock ranking as to dividends senior to, or otherwise pari passu with, the Preferred Stock, (c) amend its Articles of Incorporation or other charter documents in any manner that adversely affects any rights of the Holders, (d) increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock, or (e) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Section 4. Liquidation. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), the Holders shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Corporation an amount equal to the Stated Value, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and any other fees or liquidated damages then due and owing thereon under this Certificate of Designation, for each share of Preferred Stock before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Junior Securities, and if the assets of the Corporation shall be insufficient to pay in full such amounts, then the entire assets to be distributed to the Holders shall be ratably distributed among the Holders in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on such shares if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. A Fundamental Transaction or Change of Control Transaction shall not be deemed a Liquidation. The Corporation shall mail written notice of any such Liquidation, not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each Holder.
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Section 5. Conversion.
a) Conversions at Option of Holder. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after the Original Issue Date at the option of the Holder thereof, into that number of shares of Common Stock (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5(d)) determined by dividing the Stated Value of such share of Preferred Stock by the Conversion Price. Holders shall effect conversions by providing the Corporation with the form of conversion notice attached hereto as Annex A (a “Notice of Conversion”). Each Notice of Conversion shall specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be converted, the number of shares of Preferred Stock owned prior to the conversion at issue, the number of shares of Preferred Stock owned subsequent to the conversion at issue and the date on which such conversion is to be effected, which date may not be prior to the date the applicable Holder delivers by facsimile or email such Notice of Conversion to the Corporation (such date, the “Conversion Date”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion to the Corporation is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required. The calculations and entries set forth in the Notice of Conversion shall control in the absence of manifest or mathematical error. To effect conversions of shares of Preferred Stock, a Holder shall not be required to surrender the certificate(s) representing the shares of Preferred Stock to the Corporation unless all of the shares of Preferred Stock represented thereby are so converted, in which case such Holder shall deliver the certificate representing such shares of Preferred Stock promptly following the Conversion Date at issue. Shares of Preferred Stock converted into Common Stock or redeemed in accordance with the terms hereof shall be canceled and shall not be reissued.
b) Conversion Price. The conversion price (the “Conversion Price”) for the Preferred Stock shall be the amount equal to a fixed price equaling the closing bid price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Purchase Agreement. All such foregoing determinations will be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such measuring period. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue actual damages including, but not limited to, as a result of a Triggering Event pursuant to Section 10 hereof and the Holder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Holder from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law. Following an “Event of Default,” as defined in the Purchase Agreement, the Conversion price shall equal the lower of: (a) the then applicable Conversion Price; or (b) a price per share equaling eighty percent (80%) of the lowest traded price for the Company’s common stock during the fifteen (15) Trading Days immediately preceding, but not including, the Conversion Date.
c) Mechanics of Conversion
i. Delivery of Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. Not later than two (2) Trading Days after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder (A) the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock, which Conversion Shares shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions, and (B) a bank check in the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends (if the Corporation has elected or is required to pay accrued dividends in cash). The Corporation shall deliver the Conversion Shares electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions.
ii. Failure to Deliver Conversion Shares. If, in the case of any Notice of Conversion, such Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the Holder shall be entitled to elect by written notice to the Corporation at any time on or before its receipt of such Conversion Shares, to rescind such Conversion, in which event the Corporation shall promptly return to the Holder any original Preferred Stock certificate delivered to the Corporation and the Holder shall promptly return to the Corporation the Conversion Shares issued to such Holder pursuant to the rescinded Conversion Notice.
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iii. Obligation Absolute; Partial Liquidated Damages. The Corporation’s obligation to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by a Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by such Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Corporation or any violation or alleged violation of law by such Holder or any other person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Corporation to such Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares; provided, however, that such delivery shall not operate as a waiver by the Corporation of any such action that the Corporation may have against such Holder. In the event a Holder shall elect to convert any or all of the Stated Value of its Preferred Stock, the Corporation may not refuse conversion based on any claim that such Holder or any one associated or affiliated with such Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and/or enjoining conversion of all or part of the Preferred Stock of such Holder shall have been sought and obtained, and the Corporation posts a surety bond for the benefit of such Holder in the amount of 150% of the Stated Value of Preferred Stock which is subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to such Holder to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Corporation shall issue Conversion Shares and, if applicable, cash, upon a properly noticed conversion. If the Corporation fails to deliver to a Holder such Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 5 on the second Trading Day after the Share Delivery Date applicable to such conversion, the Corporation shall pay to such Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $5,000 of Stated Value of Preferred Stock being converted, $100 per Trading Day (increasing to $150 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day and increasing to $200 per Trading Day on the sixth Trading Day after such damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such second Trading Day after the Share Delivery Date until such Conversion Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such conversion. All liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holder not later than the fifth (5th) Trading Day after notice is provided to the Company by the Holder stating that any such liquidated damages are due pursuant to this Section 5. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue actual damages or declare a Triggering Event pursuant to Section 10 hereof for the Corporation’s failure to deliver Conversion Shares within the period specified herein and such Holder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit a Holder from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Corporation fails for any reason to deliver to a Holder the applicable Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 5, and if after such Share Delivery Date such Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of the Conversion Shares which such Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Corporation shall (A) pay in cash to such Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by such Holder) the amount, if any, by which (x) such Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of such Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) the shares of Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock submitted for conversion (in which case, such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 5. For example, if a Holder purchases shares of Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of shares of Preferred Stock with respect to which the actual sale price of the Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to pay such Holder $1,000. The payment of all amounts due by the Company to the Holder shall be paid in cash no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day after notice is provided by a Holder to the Company requesting the payment of any such liquidated damages. The Holder shall provide the Corporation written notice indicating the amounts payable to such Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Corporation, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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v. Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company covenants that, , it will reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to 300% of the Required Minimum for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of the Preferred Stock and payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock, all as herein provided, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Purchasers, not less than such aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock as shall (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement) be issuable (taking into account the adjustments and restrictions of Section 7, but ignoring any Beneficial Ownership Limitations or other restrictions and/or limitations on conversions set forth herein or elsewhere) upon the conversion of the then outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock and payment of dividends hereunder. The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and, at such times as a registration statement covering such shares is then effective under the Securities Act, will be registered for public resale in accordance with such registration statement. For purposes of this Certification of Designation, the term “Required Minimum” shall be defined as the product of (i) 300%, multiplied by (ii) the quotient of (A)(x) all outstanding Stated Value of all issued and outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock, (y) all unpaid dividends thereon (whether accrued or not), and (z) all fees and/or any costs and expenses relating to the Transaction Documents including, but not limited to Late Fees and liquidation damages, divided by (B) the Conversion Price on the date of Closing. The Required Minimum shall be increased from time to time to ensure appropriate coverage for Securities issued or issuable to Purchaser.
vi. Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such conversion, the Corporation shall at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price or round up to the next whole share.
vii. Transfer Taxes and Expenses. The issuance of Conversion Shares on conversion of this Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to any Holder for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such Conversion Shares, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such Conversion Shares upon conversion in a name other than that of the Holders of such shares of Preferred Stock and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver such Conversion Shares unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid. In the event that the Holder requests same-day processing for a Notice of Conversion, such Holder shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for such same-day processing and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Conversion Shares.
d) Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Preferred Stock, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the Preferred Stock, to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion, such Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or any of such Holder’s Affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and its Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Stated Value of Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Affiliates and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein (including, without limitation, the Preferred Stock or the Warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Affiliates. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 6(d), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 6(d) applies, the determination of whether the Preferred Stock is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by such Holder together with any Affiliates) and of how many shares of Preferred Stock are convertible shall be in the sole discretion of such Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be such Holder’s determination of whether the shares of Preferred Stock may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by such Holder together with any Affiliates) and how many shares of the Preferred Stock are convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. To ensure compliance with this restriction, the Holder will be deemed to represent to the Corporation each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Corporation shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 6(d), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Corporation’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Corporation or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Corporation shall within two (2) Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Corporation, including the Preferred Stock, by such Holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock held by the applicable Holder.
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Section 6. Intentionally Omitted.
Section 7. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while this Preferred Stock is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions that is payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock or any other Common Stock Equivalents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation upon conversion of, or payment of a dividend on, the Preferred Stock), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of the Common Stock, any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) outstanding immediately before such event, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Most Favored Nation Provision. From the date hereof until the date when the Holder no longer holds any Preferred Stock, upon any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents for cash consideration, Indebtedness or a combination of units thereof (a “Subsequent Financing”), the Holder may elect, in its sole discretion, to exchange (in lieu of conversion), if applicable, all or some of the shares of Preferred Stock then held for any securities or units issued in a Subsequent Financing on a $1.00 for $1.00 basis. The Company shall provide the Holder with notice of any such Subsequent Financing in the manner set forth below Additionally, if in such Subsequent Financing there are any contractual provisions or side letters that provide terms more favorable to the investors than the terms provided for hereunder, then the Company shall specifically notify the Holder of such additional or more favorable terms and such terms, at Holder’s option, shall become a part of the transaction documents with the Holder. The types of terms contained in another security that may be more favorable to the holder of such security include, but are not limited to, terms addressing stock sale price, private placement price per share, conversion or exercise price and warrant coverage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7(b) shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, which is defined as (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers, consultants, advisors or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, and (b) securities issued directly to vendors or suppliers of the Company in satisfaction of amounts owed to such vendors or suppliers (provided, however, that such vendors or suppliers shall not have an arrangement to transfer, sell or assign such securities prior to the issuance of such shares).
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 7(a) above, if at any time the Corporation grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder of will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of such Holder’s Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Preferred Stock is outstanding, if the Corporation shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Preferred Stock, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
e) Fundamental Transaction.
1) General. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless (i) the Successor Entity (as defined below) assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designation in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder prior to such Fundamental Transaction, including agreements to deliver to the Holder in exchange for shares of Preferred Stock a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to the Preferred Stock, including, without limitation, which is convertible into a corresponding number of shares of capital stock equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Stock) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with a conversion price which applies the conversion price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such adjustments to the number of shares of capital stock and such conversion price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of the Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction) and (ii) if the Fundamental Transaction occurs within six (6) months of the Closing Date, the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) is a publicly traded corporation whose common stock is quoted on or listed for trading on an Eligible Market. Upon the consummation of each Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Certificate of Designation referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designation with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein. Upon consummation of each Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to the Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock at any time after the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property) issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction, such shares of publicly traded common stock (or its equivalent) of the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable Fundamental Transaction had the Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Stock), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate of Designation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting Section 5 hereof, the Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 7.e) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the assumption of the Preferred Stock. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of each Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to insure that the Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion of the Preferred Stock at any time after the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction but prior to the Expiration Date, in lieu of the shares of the Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property) issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of stock, securities, cash, assets or any other property whatsoever (including warrants or other purchase or subscription rights) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable Fundamental Transaction had the Preferred Shares been exercised immediately prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Stock). Provision made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder.
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2) Black Scholes Value. Notwithstanding the foregoing and the provisions of Section 5 above, at the request of the Holder delivered at any time commencing on the earliest to occur of (x) the public disclosure of any Fundamental Transaction, (y) the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction and (z) the Holder first becoming aware of any Fundamental Transaction through the date that is ninety (90) days after the public disclosure of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction by the Company pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the Company or the Successor Entity (as the case may be) shall purchase the Preferred Stock from the Holder on the date of such request by paying to the Holder cash in an amount equal to the Black Scholes Value.
3) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while any Preferred Stock is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent conversion of the Preferred Stock, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 6 on the conversion of the Preferred Stock), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which each share of Preferred Stock is convertible immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 6 on the conversion of the Preferred Stock). For purposes of any such conversion, the determination of the Conversion Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Conversion Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of this Note following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase the shares of Preferred Stock from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unconverted shares of Preferred Stock on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of the unconverted shares of Preferred Stock remaining on the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 7(e)(2) which value is calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model for a “call” or “put” option, as elected by the Holder, as obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the greater of (1) the highest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 7(e)(2) and (2) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash in the applicable Fundamental Transaction (if any) plus the value of the non-cash consideration being offered in the applicable Fundamental Transaction (if any), (ii) a strike price equal to the Conversion Price in effect on the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 7(e)(2), (iii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate as of the date of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 7(e)(2) if such request is prior to the date of the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (iv) a zero cost of borrow and (v) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 30 day volatility obtained from the “HVT” function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the earliest to occur of (A) the public disclosure of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (B) the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and (C) the date on which the Holder first became aware of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designation and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for the Preferred Stock a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to the Preferred Stock which is convertible into a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Stock) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with a conversion price which applies the Conversion Price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such conversion price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of the Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Note and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Note and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 7, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) issued and outstanding.
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g) Notice to the Holders.
i. Adjustment to Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 7, the Corporation shall promptly deliver to each Holder a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Conversion by Holder. If (A) the Corporation shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Corporation shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Corporation shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Corporation shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property (E) the Corporation shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (F) the Corporation shall take any action to effectuate an Corporation Redemption, or (G) a Triggering Event shall have occurred, then, in each case, the Corporation shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of this Preferred Stock, and shall cause to be delivered to each Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the stock books of the Corporation, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified (unless a greater or lesser time period is expressly required elsewhere in this Certificate of Designation), a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries, the Corporation shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert the Conversion Amount of this Preferred Stock (or any part hereof) during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such notice through the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth in this Certificate of Designation.
(h) Participation in Subsequent Financing.
(i) Upon a Subsequent Financing, a Holder of at least one hundred (100) shares of Preferred Stock (each such Holder, a “Significant Purchaser”) shall have the right to participate in up to an amount of the Subsequent Financing equal to 100% of the Subsequent Financing (the “Participation Maximum”) on the same terms, conditions and price provided for in the Subsequent Financing.
(ii) At least five (5) Trading Days prior to the closing of the Subsequent Financing, the Company shall deliver to each Significant Purchaser a written notice of its intention to effect a Subsequent Financing (“Pre-Notice”), which Pre-Notice shall ask such Significant Purchaser if it wants to review the details of such financing (such additional notice, a “Subsequent Financing Notice”). Upon the request of a Significant Purchaser, and only upon a request by such Significant Purchaser, for a Subsequent Financing Notice, the Company shall promptly, but no later than one (1) Trading Day after such request, deliver a Subsequent Financing Notice to such Significant Purchaser. The Subsequent Financing Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the proposed terms of such Subsequent Financing, the amount of proceeds intended to be raised thereunder and the Person or Persons through or with whom such Subsequent Financing is proposed to be effected and shall include a term sheet or similar document relating thereto as an attachment.
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(iii) Any Significant Purchaser desiring to participate in such Subsequent Financing must provide written notice to the Company by not later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after all of the Significant Purchasers have received the Pre-Notice that such Significant Purchaser is willing to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the amount of such Purchaser’s participation, and representing and warranting that such Significant Purchaser has such funds ready, willing, and available for investment on the terms set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice. If the Company receives no such notice from a Significant Purchaser as of such fifth (5th) Trading Day, such Significant Purchaser shall be deemed to have notified the Company that it does not elect to participate.
(iv) If by 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after all of the Significant Purchasers have received the Pre-Notice, notifications by the Significant Purchasers of their willingness to participate in the Subsequent Financing (or to cause their designees to participate) is, in the aggregate, less than the total amount of the Subsequent Financing, then the Company may effect the remaining portion of such Subsequent Financing on the terms and with the Persons set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice.
(v) If by 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after all of the Purchasers have received the Pre-Notice, the Company receives responses to a Subsequent Financing Notice from Significant Purchasers seeking to purchase more than the aggregate amount of the Participation Maximum, each such Significant Purchaser shall have the right to purchase its Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of the Participation Maximum. “Pro Rata Portion” means the ratio of (x) the Subscription Amount of Securities purchased on the Closing Date by a Significant Purchaser participating under this Section 7(h) and (y) the sum of the aggregate Subscription Amounts of Securities purchased on the Closing Date by all Significant Purchasers participating under this Section 7(h).
(vi) The Company must provide the Significant Purchasers with a second Subsequent Financing Notice, and the Significant Purchasers will again have the right of participation set forth above in this Section 7(h), if the Subsequent Financing subject to the initial Subsequent Financing Notice is not consummated for any reason on the terms set forth in such Subsequent Financing Notice within ten (10) Trading Days after the date of the initial Subsequent Financing Notice.
(vii) The Company and each Significant Purchaser agree that if any Significant Purchaser elects to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the transaction documents related to the Subsequent Financing shall not include any term or provision whereby such Significant Purchaser shall be required to agree to any restrictions on trading as to any of the Securities purchased hereunder or be required to consent to any amendment to or termination of, or grant any waiver, release or the like under or in connection with, this Agreement, without the prior written consent of such Significant Purchaser. In addition, the Company and each Significant Purchaser agree that, in connection with a Subsequent Financing, the transaction documents related to the Subsequent Financing shall include a requirement for the Company to issue a widely disseminated press release by 9:30 am (New York City time) on the Trading Day of execution of the transaction documents in such Subsequent Financing (or, if the date of execution is not a Trading Day, on the immediately following Trading Day) that discloses the material terms of the transactions contemplated by the transaction documents in such Subsequent Financing.
(viii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(h) and unless otherwise agreed to by such Significant Purchaser, the Company shall either confirm in writing to such Significant Purchaser that the transaction with respect to the Subsequent Financing has been abandoned or shall publicly disclose its intention to issue the securities in the Subsequent Financing, in either case in such a manner such that such Significant Purchaser will not be in possession of any material, non-public information, by the tenth (10th) Business Day following delivery of the Subsequent Financing Notice. If by such tenth (10th) Business Day, no public disclosure regarding a transaction with respect to the Subsequent Financing has been made, and no notice regarding the abandonment of such transaction has been received by such Significant Purchaser, such transaction shall be deemed to have been abandoned and such Significant Purchaser shall not be deemed to be in possession of any material, non-public information with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(ix) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company undertakes a Subsequent Financing with gross proceeds of at least $5,000,000 within 45 days of the date the Preferred Stock is issued, for which Donald Capital is the placement agent or underwriter, as applicable, then the Participation Maximum for that Subsequent Financing, and only that Subsequent Financing, shall be 10%, however, the Holder shall also have the right to elect to have their Preferred Stock redeemed simultaneously with the closing of such Subsequent Financing at the applicable Corporate Redemption Price.
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Section 8. Corporation Redemption.
(a) The Corporation shall have the right to redeem (a “Corporation Redemption”), all (but not less than all), shares of the Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at any time after the Original Issue Date, upon five (5) business days’ notice, at a redemption price per Preferred Stock then issued and outstanding (the “Corporation Redemption Price”), equal to the product of (i) the Premium Rate multiplied by (ii) the sum of (x) the Stated Value, (y) all accrued but unpaid dividends, and (z) all other amount due to the Holder pursuant to this Certificate of Designation and/or any Transaction Document including, but not limited to Late Fees, liquidated damages and the legal fees and expenses of the Holder’s counsel relating to this Certification of Designation, any other Transaction Document and/or the transactions contemplated thereunder and/or hereunder. “Premium Rate” means (a) 1.15 if all of the Preferred Stock is redeemed within ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof; (b) 1.2 if all of the Preferred Stock is redeemed after ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be redeemed on the Date that is one (1) calendar year from the date of its issuance.
(b) The Corporation may not deliver to a holder a Corporation Redemption Notice unless on or prior to the date of delivery of such Corporation Redemption Notice, the Corporation shall have segregated on the books and records of the Corporation an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Corporation Redemption Price for each share of Preferred Stock then issued and duly. Any Corporation Redemption Notice delivered shall be irrevocable and shall be accompanied by a statement executed by Corporation duly authorized officer of the Corporation.
(c) The Corporation Redemption Price required to be paid by the Corporation to each Holder shall be paid in the cash to each Holder of shares of Preferred Stock no later than five (5) calendar days from the date of mailing of the Corporation Redemption Notice (the “Corporation Redemption Payment Date”).
(d) Notwithstanding the delivery of a Corporation Redemption Notice, a Holder may convert some or all of its shares of Preferred Stock until the date it receives in full Corporation Redemption Price, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein or elsewhere (i) in the event a Holder would be precluded from converting any shares of Preferred Stock, due to the limitation contained in Section 5, the Corporation Redemption Payment Date, for such Holder only, shall automatically be extended by one hundred twenty (120) days (or such shorter period as so provided to the Corporation by the Holder at any time and (ii) if a Mandatory Conversion has occurred prior to the Corporation Redemption Payment Date and for whatever reason including, but not limited to, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, a Holder still owns Preferred Stock, any such Holder may elect to extend the Corporation Redemption Payment Date as to any or all of such Holder’s Preferred Stock for up to one hundred twenty (120) days following the Corporation Redemption Payment Date to allow such Holder to convert its remaining Preferred Stock into Conversion Shares.
Section 9. Negative Covenants. From the date hereof until the date no shares of Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, unless Holders of at least 75% in Stated Value of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall have otherwise given prior written consent, the Corporation shall not, and shall not permit any of the Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(a) other than Permitted Indebtedness, enter into, create, incur, assume, guarantee or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind, including but not limited to, a guarantee, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
(b) other than Permitted Liens, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
(c) amend its charter documents, including, without limitation, its articles of incorporation and bylaws, in any manner that materially and adversely affects any rights of the Holder;
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(d) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire of any shares of its Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents or Junior Securities, other than as to the Conversion Shares as permitted or required under the Transaction Documents,
(e) pay cash dividends or distributions on Junior Securities of the Corporation;
(f) enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of the Corporation which would be required to be disclosed in any public filing with the Commission, unless such transaction is made on an arm’s-length basis and expressly approved by a majority of the directors of the Corporation; or
(g) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Section 10. Redemption Upon Triggering Events.
(a) “Triggering Event” means, wherever used herein any of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether such event shall be voluntary or involuntary or effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court, or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
i. the Corporation shall fail to deliver Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion hereunder that comply with the provisions hereof prior to the fifth Trading Day after such shares are required to be delivered hereunder, or the Corporation shall provide written notice to any Holder, including by way of public announcement, at any time, of its intention not to comply with requests for conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof;
ii. the Corporation shall fail for any reason to pay in full the amount of cash due pursuant to a Buy-In within five (5) Trading Days after notice therefor is delivered hereunder.
iii. the Corporation shall fail to have available a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to issue to such Holder upon a conversion hereunder;
iv. unless specifically addressed elsewhere in this Certificate of Designation as a Triggering Event, the Corporation shall fail to observe or perform any other covenant, agreement or warranty contained in, or otherwise commit any breach of the Transaction Documents, and such failure or breach shall not, if subject to the possibility of a cure by the Corporation, have been cured within 5 calendar days after the date on which written notice of such failure or breach shall have been delivered;
v. the Corporation shall redeem Junior Securities or pari passu securities;
vi. the Corporation shall be party to a Change of Control Transaction;
vii. there shall have occurred a Bankruptcy Event;
viii. any monetary judgment, writ or similar final process shall be entered or filed against the Corporation, any subsidiary or any of their respective property or other assets for more than $50,000 (provided that amounts covered by the Corporation’s insurance policies are not counted toward this $50,000 threshold), and such judgment, writ or similar final process shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of thirty (30) Trading Days;
ix. the electronic transfer by the Corporation of shares of Common Stock through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation once established subsequent to the date of this Certificate of Designation is no longer available or is subject to a ‘freeze” and/or “chill”;
x. the Corporation shall no longer be DWAC eligible ; or
xi. any “Event of Default,” as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
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b) Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event, each Holder shall (in addition to all other rights it may have hereunder or under applicable law) have the right, exercisable at the sole option of such Holder, to require the Corporation to (A) redeem all of the Preferred Stock then held by such Holder for a redemption price, in cash, equal to the Triggering Redemption Amount, or (B) at the option of each Holder either (i) redeem all of the Preferred Stock then held by such Holder though the issuance to such Holder of such number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (x) the Triggering Redemption Amount, divided by (y) the lowest of (1) the Conversion Price, and (2) 80% of the lowest traded price of the Common Stock during the fifteen (15) Trading Days immediately prior to the date of election hereunder, and (ii) increase the dividend rate on all of the outstanding Preferred Stock held by such Holder retroactively to the initial Closing Date to 18% per annum thereafter. The Triggering Redemption Amount, whether payable in cash or in shares, shall be due and payable or issuable, as the case may be, within five (5) Trading Days of the date on which the notice for the payment therefor is provided by a Holder (the “Triggering Redemption Payment Date”). If the Corporation fails to pay in full the Triggering Redemption Amount hereunder on the date such amount is due in accordance with this Section (whether in cash or shares of Common Stock), the Corporation will pay interest thereon at a rate equal to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, accruing and compounding daily from such date until the Triggering Redemption Amount, plus all such interest thereon, is paid in full.
Section 11. Registration Rights.
a) If at any time on or after the issuance date of the Preferred Stock, there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Conversion Shares by the Holder, and the Company proposes to file any Registration Statement with respect to any offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Company for its own account or for shareholders of the Company for their account (or by the Company and by shareholders of the Company), other than a Registration Statement in connection with a merger or acquisition, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the Holders as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration Statement, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the Holders the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Preferred Stock as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company shall cause such Preferred Stock to be included in such registration and shall cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Preferred Stock requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Preferred Stock in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All Holders proposing to distribute their Preferred Stock through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an underwriter or underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.
b) Any Holder may elect to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of Preferred Stock in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred by the Holders in connection with such Piggy-Back Registration (including but not limited to any legal fees).
c) The Company shall notify the Holders at any time when a prospectus relating to such Holder’s Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. At the request of such Holder, the Company shall also prepare, file and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Preferred Stock, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. The Holders shall not offer or sell any Preferred Stock covered by the Registration Statement after receipt of such notification until the receipt of such supplement or amendment.
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d) the Company may request a Holder to furnish the Company such information with respect to such Holder and such Holder’s proposed distribution of the Preferred Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing or as shall be required by law or by the Commission in connection therewith, and such Holders shall furnish the Company with such information.
e) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Section 11 by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Preferred Stock are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent registered public accountants) (A) with respect to filings made with the Commission, (B) with respect to filings required to be made with any Trading Market on which the Common Stock are then listed for trading, (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions) and (D) with respect to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales of Preferred Stock with FINRA, (ii) printing expenses, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other persons or entities retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Section 11.
f) The Company and its successors and assigns shall indemnify and hold harmless each purchaser, each Holder, the officers, directors, members, partners, agents and employees (and any other individuals or entities with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each of them, each individual or entity who controls each purchaser or any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, members, stockholders, partners, agents and employees (and any other individuals or entities with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each such controlling individual or entity (each, an “Indemnified Party”), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to (1) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any related prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any such prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading or (2) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Section 11, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based upon information regarding a purchaser or such Holder furnished to the Company by such party for use therein. The Company shall notify each purchaser and each Holder promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Section 11 of which the Company is aware. If the indemnification hereunder is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, the Company or the Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include any reasonable attorneys’ or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for herein was available to such party in accordance with its terms. It is agreed that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 11(f) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11(f), neither the purchaser nor any Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such party from the sale of all of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or related prospectus exceeds the amount of any damages that such party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
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Section 12. Miscellaneous.
a) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Conversion, shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service and by facsimile or e-mail, addressed to the Corporation, at 21 West 46th Street New York, New York 10036; Attention: Chief Executive Officer, e-mail rik@bubblr.com, or such other e-mail or address as the Corporation may specify for such purposes by prior written notice to the Holders delivered in accordance with this Section 12. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Corporation hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Corporation, or if no such facsimile number or address appears on the books of the Corporation, at the principal place of business of such Holder, as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.
b) Absolute Obligation. Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Certificate of Designation shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay liquidated damages, accrued dividends and accrued interest, as applicable, on the shares of Preferred Stock at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
c) Lost or Mutilated Preferred Stock Certificate. If a Holder’s Preferred Stock certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated certificate, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, a new certificate for the shares of Preferred Stock so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, and of the ownership hereof reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation.
d) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Certificate of Designation shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretation, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective Affiliates, directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced in the state and federal courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, (the “New York Courts”). Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such New York Courts, or such New York Courts are improper or inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Certificate of Designation and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Certificate of Designation or the transactions contemplated hereby. If any party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Certificate of Designation, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
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e) Waiver. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder of a breach of any provision of this Certificate of Designation 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 Certificate of Designation or a waiver by any other Holders. The failure of the Corporation or a Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Certificate of Designation on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party (or any other Holder) of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Certificate of Designation on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder must be in writing.
f) Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Designation is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Certificate of Designation shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law.
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) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Certificate of Designation and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
i) Status of Converted or Redeemed Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may only be issued pursuant to a Purchase Agreement. If any shares of Preferred Stock shall be converted, redeemed or reacquired by the Corporation, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and shall no longer be designated as Preferred Stock.
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RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the Chairman, the president or any vice-president, and the secretary or any assistant secretary, of the Corporation be and they hereby are authorized and directed to prepare and file this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations in accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of Wyoming law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate this 4th day of March 2022.
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO |
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ANNEX A
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER IN ORDER TO CONVERT SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK)
The undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock indicated below into shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Corporation”), according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below. If shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such certificates and opinions as may be required by the Corporation in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. No fee will be charged to the Holders for any conversion, except for any such transfer taxes.
Conversion calculations:
Date to Effect Conversion: ______________________________________________________________
Number of shares of Preferred Stock owned prior to Conversion: ______________________________________
Number of shares of Preferred Stock to be Converted: ____________________________________________
Stated Value of shares of Preferred Stock to be Converted: _____________________________________
Dollar amount of Interest to be Converted: ___________________________________________
Other amounts owed to the Undersigned by the
Corporation under the Certificate of Designation and/or
any other Transaction Document to be Converted:_________________________________________________
Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: _______________________________________________
Applicable Conversion Price: _____________________________________________________
Number of shares of Preferred Stock subsequent to Conversion: ______________________________________
Address for Delivery:___________________________
Or
DWAC Instructions:
Broker no :______________
Account no: _________________
| Name of Entity Holder______________ (Please Print) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Name of Individual Holder______________ (Please Print) | ||
| ____________________(Signature of Individual Holder) | ||
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Exhibit 4.1
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (I) SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (II) SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, OR (III) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BUBBLR, INC.
Warrant Shares: 941,599 Issue Date: March 4, 2022
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, GHS Investment, LLC or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the Issue Date to subscribe for and purchase from BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), up to 941,599 shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. This Warrant shall expire on the five (5) year anniversary of the Issue Date. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Issue Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.3404, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A) = | the VWAP (as defined below) immediately preceding the time of delivery of the Notice of Exercise giving rise to the applicable “cashless exercise”, as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise (to clarify, the “last VWAP” will be the last VWAP as calculated over an entire Trading Day such that, in the event that this Warrant is exercised at a time that the Trading Market is open, the prior Trading Day’s VWAP shall be used in this calculation); |
| (B) = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and |
| (X) = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares; provided payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) is received within three Trading Days of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
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iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within three Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such written notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends, Splits and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced and only reduced to an amount equal to the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction.
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (other than as a result of a stock split, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock covered by Section 3(a) above), or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a five-year period, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to five years from the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Holder shall be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original Issue Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
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c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
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e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
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(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
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THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (I) SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (II) SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, OR (III) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BUBBLR, INC.
Warrant Shares: 472,205 Issue Date: March 9, 2022
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, Proactive Capital Partners LP or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the Issue Date to subscribe for and purchase from BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), up to 472,205 shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. This Warrant shall expire on the five (5) year anniversary of the Issue Date. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 9, 2022, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Issue Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink- original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.3404, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A)= | the VWAP (as defined below) immediately preceding the time of delivery of the Notice of Exercise giving rise to the applicable “cashless exercise”, as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise (to clarify, the “last VWAP” will be the last VWAP as calculated over an entire Trading Day such that, in the event that this Warrant is exercised at a time that the Trading Market is open, the prior Trading Day’s VWAP shall be used in this calculation); |
| (B)= | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and |
| (X)= | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares; provided payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) is received within three Trading Days of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy- In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within three Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such written notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends, Splits and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced and only reduced to an amount equal to the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction.
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (other than as a result of a stock split, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock covered by Section 3(a) above), or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a five- year period, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to five years from the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Holder shall be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original Issue Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
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Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
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g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
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Exhibit 4.2
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (I) SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (II) SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, OR (III) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BUBBLR, INC.
Warrant Shares: 472,205 Issue Date: March 9, 2022
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, Proactive Capital Partners LP or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the Issue Date to subscribe for and purchase from BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), up to 472,205 shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. This Warrant shall expire on the five (5) year anniversary of the Issue Date. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 9, 2022, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Issue Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink- original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.3404, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A) = | the VWAP (as defined below) immediately preceding the time of delivery of the Notice of Exercise giving rise to the applicable “cashless exercise”, as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise (to clarify, the “last VWAP” will be the last VWAP as calculated over an entire Trading Day such that, in the event that this Warrant is exercised at a time that the Trading Market is open, the prior Trading Day’s VWAP shall be used in this calculation); | ||
| (B) = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | ||
| (X) = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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| d) | Mechanics of Exercise. |
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares; provided payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) is received within three Trading Days of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
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iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy- In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
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vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within three Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such written notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends, Splits and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced and only reduced to an amount equal to the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.
c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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| e) | Fundamental Transaction. |
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (other than as a result of a stock split, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock covered by Section 3(a) above), or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a five- year period, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to five years from the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
| g) | Notice to Holder. |
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Holder shall be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original Issue Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.
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b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
| d) | Authorized Shares. |
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
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f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
Exhibit 4.3
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (I) SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (II) SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, OR (III) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BUBBLR, INC.
Warrant Shares: 562,149 Issue Date: April 25th, 2022
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, GHS Investment, LLC or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the Issue Date to subscribe for and purchase from BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), up to 562,149 shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. This Warrant shall expire on the five (5) year anniversary of the Issue Date. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 4, 2022, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Issue Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.3503, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A) | = | the VWAP (as defined below) immediately preceding the time of delivery of the Notice of Exercise giving rise to the applicable “cashless exercise”, as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise (to clarify, the “last VWAP” will be the last VWAP as calculated over an entire Trading Day such that, in the event that this Warrant is exercised at a time that the Trading Market is open, the prior Trading Day’s VWAP shall be used in this calculation); | |
| (B) | = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
| (X) | = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
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“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
| d) | Mechanics of Exercise. |
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares; provided payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) is received within three Trading Days of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within three Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such written notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends, Splits and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced and only reduced to an amount equal to the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction.
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (other than as a result of a stock split, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock covered by Section 3(a) above), or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a five-year period, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to five years from the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Holder shall be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original Issue Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
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c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
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Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
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l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
Exhibit 4.4
FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT
This FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), effective as of May 23rd, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”), Bubblr Limited (the “Borrower”) and Stephen Morris (the “Lender”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, this Amendment is being entered into with reference to that certain Loan Agreement dated January 10, 2016, which currently has a principal balance of £316,534.96 (the “Loan”) at zero percent interest issued by the Borrower in favor of the Lender;
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Loan to include an installment payment in favor of Lender and to provide for a Maturity Date for the Loan;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the agreements herein contained, $10 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used herein without other definition shall have the respective meanings herein assigned to such terms in the Loan.
Section 2. Maturity Date.
The Loan is currently due on demand from Lender. The Loan shall be amended such that the principal amount of the Loan shall be due and payable by Borrower to Lender on the earlier of (i) the completion of an offering by Bubblr, Inc., the Borrower’s shareholder, in the amount of no less than $7,500,000 in a public offering, or (ii) two years from the date of this Amendment (the “Maturity Date”).
Section 3. Installment Payment.
On a date no later than five (5) business days from the date the Company completes a bridge financing of no less than $1.5 million USD, the Lender shall pay to Lender an amount equal to £115,000 GBP as an installment payment on the principal of the Loan, and the balance of the principal of the Loan shall be paid at the Maturity Date.
Section 4. Effectiveness of Amendment.
The amendment provided in this Amendment shall be conditioned upon, and this Amendment shall not be effective until the execution and delivery of counterparts hereof by the parties hereto.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
5.1. Notes Ratified. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of, the Holder under the Loan; or be construed to alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Loan, all of which are hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.
5.2. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Facsimile signatures shall be considered originals for all purposes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective as of the date first written above.
| Bubblr, Inc. (the Company) | ||
| By: | /s/ Steven Saunders | |
| Name: | Steven Saunders | |
| Title: | CEO | |
| Bubblr Limited (the Borrower) | ||
| By: | /s/ Stephen Morris | |
| Name: | Stephen Morris | |
| Title: | CTO | |
| Stephen Morris (the Lender) | ||
Exhibit 4.5
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (I) SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (II) SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, OR (III) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BUBBLR, INC.
Warrant Shares: 281,074 Issue Date: May 25th, 2022
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, GHS Investment, LLC or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the Issue Date to subscribe for and purchase from BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), up to 281,074 shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. This Warrant shall expire on the five (5) year anniversary of the Issue Date. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 4, 2022, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Issue Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.217, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A) | = | the VWAP (as defined below) immediately preceding the time of delivery of the Notice of Exercise giving rise to the applicable “cashless exercise”, as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise (to clarify, the “last VWAP” will be the last VWAP as calculated over an entire Trading Day such that, in the event that this Warrant is exercised at a time that the Trading Market is open, the prior Trading Day’s VWAP shall be used in this calculation); |
| (B) | = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and |
| (X) | = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
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If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares; provided payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) is received within three Trading Days of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within three Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported.
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The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such written notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends, Splits and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced and only reduced to an amount equal to the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.
c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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e) Fundamental Transaction.
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (other than as a result of a stock split, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock covered by Section 3(a) above), or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a five-year period, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to five years from the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Holder shall be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original Issue Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
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d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
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d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
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e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
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l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
Exhibit 4.6
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (I) SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (II) SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, OR (III) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BUBBLR, INC.
Warrant Shares: 281,074
Issue Date: June 24th, 2022
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, GHS Investment, LLC or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the Issue Date to subscribe for and purchase from BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), up to 281,074 shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. This Warrant shall expire on the five (5) year anniversary of the Issue Date. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 4, 2022, among the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Issue Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.2236 subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A) | = | the VWAP (as defined below) immediately preceding the time of delivery of the Notice of Exercise giving rise to the applicable “cashless exercise”, as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise (to clarify, the “last VWAP” will be the last VWAP as calculated over an entire Trading Day such that, in the event that this Warrant is exercised at a time that the Trading Market is open, the prior Trading Day’s VWAP shall be used in this calculation); | |
| (B) | = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
| (X) | = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrant Shares being issued may be tacked on to the holding period of this Warrant. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
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“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
| d) | Mechanics of Exercise. |
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares; provided payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) is received within three Trading Days of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date,the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within three Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such written notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends, Splits and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced and only reduced to an amount equal to the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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| e) | Fundamental Transaction. |
(1) If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (other than as a result of a stock split, combination or reclassification of shares of Common Stock covered by Section 3(a) above), or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a five-year period, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (D) a remaining option time equal to five years from the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction). The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
| g) | Notice to Holder. |
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Holder shall be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original Issue Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
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c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Transfer Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.
e) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
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c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
| d) | Authorized Shares. |
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
| 13 |
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
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j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
| 15 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
Exhibit 4.7
SECOND AMENDMENT TO
LOAN AGREEMENT
This SECOND AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Second Amendment”), effective as of September 6, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”), Bubblr Limited (the “Borrower”) and Stephen Morris (the “Lender”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, this Second Amendment is being entered into with reference to that certain Loan Agreement dated January 10, 2016, as first amended on May 23, 2022, which, as of June 30, 2022 has a principal balance of £316,535 ($385,381) (the “Loan”) at zero percent interest issued by the Borrower in favor of the Lender;
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Loan to add £52,088 in principal (or $60,000) in exchange for Lender cancelling his sole share of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the agreements herein contained, $10 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used herein without other definition shall have the respective meanings herein assigned to such terms in the Loan.
Section 2. Increase in Principal
The Loan shall be increased by £52,088 in principal (or $60,000) for a total principal amount of £ 368,623.
Section 3. Cancellation of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock.
Lender shall take all steps and measures required by the Company and/or its transfer agent to cancel his one share of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock, such that the Company will no longer have any outstanding shares of Special 2019 Series A Preferred Stock following the transaction.
Section 4. Effectiveness of Amendment.
The amendment provided in this Amendment shall be conditioned upon, and this Amendment shall not be effective until the execution and delivery of counterparts hereof by the parties hereto.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
5.1. Loan Ratified. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of, the Holder under the Loan; or be construed to alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Loan, all of which are hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.
5.2. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Facsimile signatures shall be considered originals for all purposes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective as of the date first written above.
| Bubblr, Inc. (the Company) | ||
| By: | /s/ Steven Saunders | |
| Name: | Steven Saunders | |
| Title: | CCO | |
| Bubblr Limited (the Borrower) | ||
| By: | /s/ Steven Saunders | |
| Name: | Steven Saunders | |
| Title: | CCO | |
| Stephen Morris (the Lender) | ||
| /s/ Stephen Morris | ||
Exhibit 4.8
DATED 7th September 2022
| LOAN AGREEMENT FROM A DIRECTOR TO A COMPANY (Unsecured Loan) |
Between
| (1) Bubblr Limited |
and
| (2) Stephen Morris |
THIS AGREEMENT is dated
BETWEEN:
| (1) | Bubblr Limited (the “Borrower”) with 09012621 and 15 Westferry Circus, London, E14 4HD and |
| (2) | Stephen Morris (the “Lender”) being a Director of the Borrower of 4 Blairadam Grove, Keltybridge, Kelty, Fife, KY4 0JU. |
AGREED TERMS:
| 1. | Definitions and Interpretation |
In this Agreement:-
| 2. | The Facility |
The Lender, being a Director of the Borrower agrees to provide the Borrower with a Loan under the terms of this agreement as set out in the Schedule hereto.
| 3. | Purpose |
| 3.1 | The Borrower shall use all sums borrowed by it under this agreement for Working Capital or as the Borrower deems appropriate. |
| 3.2 | The Lender is not obliged to monitor or verify how any amount under this agreement is used. |
| 4. | Drawdown |
The Loan is available for drawing by the Borrower in multiple tranches as available, being the sale of the Directors shares to a third party, or as and when required by agreement with the Borrower.
| 5. | No Security |
Notwithstanding the terms of any charge created by the Borrower to secure other sums due to the Lender, this Loan is and will remain unsecured.
| 6. | Repayment |
| 6.1 | The Borrower shall repay the Loan Amount and all accrued interest in full within five (5) Business Days after the Maturity date.. |
| 2 |
| 6.2 | Without any obligation upon the Lender to do so, the Lender shall be entitled to allow the Borrower extended time to pay or grant any other indulgence to the Borrower without affecting any of the rights of the Lender in whole or in part. |
| 6.3 | In the event of a Change of Control of the Borrower at any time following the Commencement Date, the Borrower shall repay the whole of the Loan Amount within thirty (30) Business Days after the date on which the Change of Control occurs |
| 7. | Interest |
| 7.1 | The Loan shall bear interest at the rate of 0% percent. |
Default
| 7.2 | The Loan Amount plus accrued interest shall (subject to the service of notice and/or the obtaining of any court order) become immediately due and payable by the Borrower, in so far as then remaining unpaid, if any of the following events occurs:- |
| 7.2.1 | Non-payment of any payments due (including interest) within seven days from the date on which it is due. |
| 7.2.2 | Any information given or representation made by or at the request of the Borrower to the Lender proving to be inaccurate. |
| 7.2.3 | The Borrower becomes subject to an administration order or makes any voluntary arrangement with its creditors (within the meaning of the Insolvency Act 1986) or becomes bankrupt. |
| 7.2.3 | An encumbrancer takes possession, or a receiver is appointed, of any of the property or assets of the Borrower. | |
| 7.2.4 | The Loan is used otherwise than as specified in this Agreement. |
| 7.3 | The Borrower shall be liable for any costs incurred by the Lender in taking any steps to obtain payment of monies due under this Agreement. |
| 8. | Payment |
All payments made by the Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement shall be made in full without set-off and paid on the due date for that payment in sterling and in immediately cleared funds to the account of the Lender at TSB Bank SC:87-70-06 Account:75664260 or any other account as the Lender may notify the Borrower.
| 3 |
| 9. | Set-off |
The Lender may set off any amounts due under this Agreement against any sums owed by the Lender to the Borrower.
| 10. | Assignment |
| 10.1 | The Lender may assign any of its rights hereunder, or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder by novation. |
| 10.2 | The Borrower may not assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement. |
| 11. | Communications |
| 11.1 | All communications between the parties about the loan shall be in writing and delivered by hand or sent by pre-paid first class post to the other party’s registered office address or by electronic mail. |
| 11.2 | Communications shall be deemed to have been received: |
| 11.2.1 | if sent by pre-paid first class post, two Business Days after posting (exclusive of the day of posting); or | |
| 11.2.2 | if delivered by hand, on the day of delivery; or | |
| 11.2.3 | electronic acknowledgement is received by the sender. |
| 12 | Governing Law and Jurisdiction |
The Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the law of England and Wales to the jurisdiction of which the parties hereto submit.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been duly executed the day and year first before written
SIGNED by
| /s/ Steven Morris | /s/ Steven Saunders | ||
| Stephen Morris | Steven Saunders | ||
| Lender | for and on behalf of Bubblr Limited |
| 4 |
SCHEDULE
Loan Amount and Repayment Schedule
Loan Amount: £434,060
Loan Date: 7th September 2022
Repayment Date: 3 years following the date of this agreement
Year-end Date |
Capital Addition Amount | Capital Repayment Amount | Interest Repayment | Balance of Loan remaining | ||||
| 31st December 2022 | £434,060 |
Note: $500,000 FX rate (xe.com) 1.151918 £434,060
Exhibit 4.9
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
2021 CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTES
AMENDMENT NO. 2 (this “Amendment”) December 15, 2022 to each of those certain Convertible Promissory Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) issued on June 30, 2021 pursuant to certain Note Purchase Agreements dated on or about June 30, 2021 (the “Note Purchase Agreements”), by and among Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) and Investors representing a Majority in Interest (the “Majority Investors”) and listed on the signature pages hereto dated as December 15, 2022. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Note Purchase Agreements or the Notes, as applicable.
RECITALS
A. The Company previously sold and issued the Notes to the Investors pursuant to Note Purchase Agreements with a Maturity Date of eighteen months from the date of issuance.
B. The Company and the Majority Investors wish to amend the Notes to allow adjustments to the Conversion Price in the event of any corporate action to reverse or forward split the Company’s outstanding common stock, or like transactions.
C. Section 9 of the Notes provides that any provision of the Notes may be amended, waived or modified upon the written consent of the Company and holders of a Majority in Interest, and such amendment or waiver effected in accordance thereby shall be binding upon all parties including all Investors that purchased the Notes and their permitted transferees.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investors representing the Required Investors agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Section 6 of the Notes. Section 6 of each of the Notes is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
“6. Voluntary Conversion. Investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at the conversion price of $0.50 per share (the “Conversion Price”). A notice of Conversion is included as Exhibit “A.” If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after issuance of this Note, effect a stock split of the outstanding common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the issuance of this Note, combine the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this Section 6 shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.”
2. Amendment of Exhibit A. Exhibit A to the Notes is hereby replaced in its entirety by a new Exhibit A attached hereto.
3. No Amendment of Other Provisions. Except for the amendments effected by this Amendment, all other provisions of the Notes shall remain in full force and effect.
4. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Wyoming.
5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
| COMPANY: | ||
| Bubblr, Inc. | ||
| Signature: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Print Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| INVESTOR: | ||
| Signature: | ||
| Print Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 4.10
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
2021 CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTES
AMENDMENT NO. 2 (this “Amendment”)December 15, 2022 to each of those certain Convertible Promissory Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) issued on November 5, 2021 pursuant to certain Note Purchase Agreements dated on or about November 5, 2021 (the “Note Purchase Agreements”), by and among Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) and Investors representing a Majority in Interest (the “Majority Investors”) and listed on the signature pages hereto dated as December 15, 2022. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Note Purchase Agreements or the Notes, as applicable.
RECITALS
A. The Company previously sold and issued the Notes to the Investors pursuant to Note Purchase Agreements with a Maturity Date of eighteen months from the date of issuance.
B. The Company and the Majority Investors wish to amend the Notes to allow adjustments to the Conversion Price in the event of any corporate action to reverse or forward split the Company’s outstanding common stock, or like transactions.
C. Section 9 of the Notes provides that any provision of the Notes may be amended, waived or modified upon the written consent of the Company and holders of a Majority in Interest, and such amendment or waiver effected in accordance thereby shall be binding upon all parties including all Investors that purchased the Notes and their permitted transferees.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investors representing the Required Investors agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Section 6 of the Notes. Section 6 of each of the Notes is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
“6. Voluntary Conversion. Investor may, at his/her/its sole option, at any time after nine (9) months, convert all or any portion of the accrued interest and unpaid principal balance of this Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at the conversion price of $0.50 per share (the “Conversion Price”). A notice of Conversion is included as Exhibit “A.” If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after issuance of this Note, effect a stock split of the outstanding common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the issuance of this Note, combine the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this Section 6 shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.”
2. Amendment of Exhibit A. Exhibit A to the Notes is hereby replaced in its entirety by a new Exhibit A attached hereto.
3. No Amendment of Other Provisions. Except for the amendments effected by this Amendment, all other provisions of the Notes shall remain in full force and effect.
Bubblr Inc, is registered in Wyoming, USA. Principal Office address: 21 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036
email: contact@bubblr.com. website: www.bubblr.com |
4. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Wyoming.
5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
COMPANY:
Bubblr, Inc. | ||
| Signature: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Print Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| INVESTOR: | ||
| Signature: | ||
| Print Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 4.11
THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT
This THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Third Amendment”), effective as of December 20, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”), Bubblr Limited (the “Borrower”) and Stephen Morris (the “Lender”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, this Second Amendment is being entered into with reference to that certain Loan Agreement dated January 10, 2016, as amended firstly on May 23, 2022, and subsequently on September 6, 2022 which, as of September 30, 2022 has a principal balance of £368,623 ($411,789) (the “Loan”) at zero percent interest issued by the Borrower in favor of the Lender;
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Loan to deduct £59,543 in principal in exchange for the Borrower assigning the collection of the debt held in Advances Receivables to the Lender in the amount of £59,543
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used herein without other definition shall have the respective meanings herein assigned to such terms in the Loan.
Section 2. Decrease in Principal
The Loan shall be decreased by £59,543 in principal for a total principal amount of £309,080.
Section 3. Assignment of Accounts Receivables from the Borrower to the Lender.
The Lender herby agrees to accept all risks pursuant to the collection of Advances Receivable owed to the Company to the sum of £59,543 and acknowledges that the Company will no longer have any exposure in regards the Advance Receivables due following the transaction.
Section 4. Effectiveness of Amendment.
The amendment provided in this Amendment shall be conditioned upon, and this Amendment shall not be effective until the execution and delivery of counterparts hereof by the parties hereto.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
5.1. Loan Ratified. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of, the Holder under the Loan; or be construed to alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Loan, all of which are hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.
5.2. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Facsimile signatures shall be considered originals for all purposes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective as of the date first written above.
| Bubblr, Inc. (the Company) | ||
| By: | /s/ Steven Saunders | |
| Name: | Steven Saunders | |
| Title: | CCO | |
| Bubblr Limited (the Borrower) | ||
| By: | /s/ Steven Saunders | |
| Name: | Steven Saunders | |
| Title: | CCO | |
| Stephen Morris (the Lender) | ||
| /s/ Stephen Morris | ||
Exhibit 10.1
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of March 4, 2022, between BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and the purchaser identified on the signature page hereto (including its successors and assigns, the “Purchaser”).
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser desires to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement: (a) capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Certificate of Designation (as defined herein), and (b) the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:
“Acquiring Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.5.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).
“Additional Closings” means the closings of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1(b), which shall occur as follows: ten (10) business days after the Company files an S-1 registration statement registering for resale the Common Stock contemplated herein, Purchaser shall purchase two-hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) of Preferred Stock (“Second Tranche”). Absent an Event of Default, and subject to the terms in this Purchase Agreement, Purchaser shall commit to purchase up to two (2) additional tranches of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of Preferred Stock (“Additional Tranches”) every thirty (30) calendar days, following the Second Tranche.
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
| 1 |
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Certificate of Designation” means the Certificate of Designation to be filed prior to the Initial Closing by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Wyoming, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Closing Date” means the Trading Day on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto in connection with the Initial Closing or Additional Closing, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchaser’s obligations to pay the Subscription Amount as to such Closing and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Securities as to such Closing, in each case, have been satisfied or waived.
“Closing” means each of the Initial Closing and Additional Closings.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Commitment Shares” means thirty-five (35) shares of Preferred Stock issued upon the Initial Closing as an equity incentive.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Conversion Shares” means the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock.
“Disclosure Schedules” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1.
“Dividend” means ten percent (8%) per annum of the stated value of any Preferred Stock, paid quarterly by the Company, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or in Preferred Stock.
“Equity Conditions” means (i) there are currently no uncured Events of Default and (ii) there remains an effective Registration Statement available to the Purchaser for the resale of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock and exercise of the Warrants.
| 2 |
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(r).
“Event of Default” means any of the following events: (i) the suspension, cessation from trading or delisting of the Company’s Common Stock on the Principal Market for a period of two (2) consecutive trading days or more; (ii) the failure by the Company to timely comply with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act (including applicable extension periods); (iii) the failure for any reason by the Company to issue Commitment Shares, Dividends, Conversion Shares, or Warrant Shares to the Purchaser within the required time periods; (iv) the Company breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or other term of condition contained in the definitive agreements between the parties; (v) the Company files for Bankruptcy or receivership or any money judgment writ, liquidation or a similar process is entered by or filed against the Company for more than $50,000 and remains unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of twenty (20) calendar days; (vi) any cessation of operations by the Company or failure by the Company to maintain any assets, intellectual, personal or real property or other assets which are necessary to conduct its business (vii) the Company shall lose the “bid” price for its Common stock on the Principal Market; (viii) if at any time the Common Stock is no longer DWAC eligible; or (ix) the Registration Statement registering the resale of the Registrable Securities ceases to be effective for any reason.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exempt Issuance” means (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers, consultants, advisors or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, and (b) securities issued directly to vendors or suppliers of the Company in satisfaction of amounts owed to such vendors or suppliers (provided, however, that such vendors or suppliers shall not have an arrangement to transfer, sell or assign such securities prior to the issuance of such shares).
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.
“Initial Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1(a), which shall occur on a Closing Date. The Initial Closing will be for the purchase of three hundred (300) shares of Preferred Stock at the aggregate purchase price of $300,000.
| 3 |
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(o).
“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).
3.1(m).
“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
+
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Preferred Stock” means, one thousand (1,000) shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock issued hereunder having the rights, preferences and privileges set forth in the Certificate of Designation, in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Purchaser Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.7.
“Registration Statement” means any Registration Statement under which the shares of the Company’s common stock is registered.
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
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“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(g).
“Securities” means the Preferred Stock, Conversion Shares, Warrant and the Warrant Shares.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock).
“Stated Value” means $1,200 per share of Series C Preferred Stock.
“Subscription Amount” shall mean the aggregate amount to be paid for the Preferred Stock and Warrants purchased hereunder as specified on the signature page under the heading “Subscription Amount,” in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQB or the OTC Markets (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Certificate of Designation, the Warrants, all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Transfer Agent” means Pacific Stock Transfer Co., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 6725 Via Austi Pkwy, Suite 300 Las Vegas, NV 89119 and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Warrants” means the Common Stock purchase warrants, in the form set forth as Exhibit B hereto, delivered to the Purchaser at each Closing, which Warrants shall be exercisable immediately and have a term of exercise equal to five (5) years from such initial exercise date.
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“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE
1. (a) Initial Closing. (i) Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, three hundred (300) shares of Preferred Stock at price of $1,000 per share of Preferred Stock. Concurrently with the issuance of the Preferred Stock, the Company shall issue to Purchaser a Warrant to purchase up to a number of Warrant Shares equal to 75% of the number of shares of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock issued at the Initial Closing. The Purchaser shall deliver to the Company, via wire transfer immediately available funds equal to the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as set forth on the signature page hereto executed by the Purchaser, and the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser such number of shares of the Preferred Stock purchased and the Warrant, as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and the Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the Initial Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Initial Closing shall occur at the offices of Pryor Cashman LLP, counsel to the Purchaser, or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree.
(b) Additional Closing. (i) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, ten (10) business days following the filing with the Commission of a Registration Statement registering the resale of the maximum aggregate number of (i) shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the conversion of the Preferred Stock and (ii) Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants issuable pursuant to this Agreement (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”), upon satisfaction of the applicable deliveries and closing conditions set forth in Section 2.2, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, an additional two hundred (200) shares of Preferred Stock at price of $1,000 per share of Preferred Stock (the “Second Tranche”). Concurrently with the issuance of the Preferred Stock, the Company shall issue to Purchaser a Warrant to purchase up to a number of Warrant Shares equal to 75% the number of shares of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock issued at the Additional Closing. Absent an Event of Default, and subject to terms in this Purchase Agreement, Purchaser shall commit to purchase up to two (2) additional tranches of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of Preferred Stock (“Additional Tranches”) every thirty (30) calendar days, following the Second Tranche, along with warrant coverage of 75% for each tranche. The Purchaser shall deliver to the Company, via wire transfer immediately available funds equal to the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as set forth on the signature page hereto executed by the Purchaser, and the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser such number of shares of the Preferred Stock purchased and the Warrant, as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and (b) and the Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the Additional Closings. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Additional Closings shall occur at the offices of Pryor Cashman LLP, counsel to the Purchaser, or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree.
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2. Deliveries.
(a) On or prior to the applicable Closing Date (or as otherwise indicated below), the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser the following:
(i) At the Initial Closing, this Agreement duly executed by the Company;
(ii) At the Initial Closing, a certificate evidencing the Commitment Shares;
(iii) At the Initial Closing, a certificate evidencing three hundred (300) shares of Preferred Stock;
(iv) An original Warrant, registered in the name of Purchaser, for the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Section 2.1(a), duly executed by the Company;
(v) At the Second Tranche of the Additional Closings, a certificate evidencing two hundred (200) shares of Preferred Stock;
(vi) At the Second Tranche of the Additional Closings, an original Warrant, registered in the name of Purchaser, for the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Section 2.1(b), duly executed by the Company;
(vii) At the Additional Closings, original Warrants, registered in the name of Purchaser, for the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Section 2.1(b), duly executed by the Company;
(viii) An irrevocable letter of instruction to the Company’s Transfer Agent, instructing the Transfer Agent to maintain for the benefit of the Purchaser, initially 10,205,747 shares of its common stock and at all times thereafter three times (3x) the number of common shares needed to by the Purchaser to convert and/or exercise all shares of Preferred Stock held by the Purchaser. The reserve amount shall be increased from time to time to ensure appropriate coverage of 3X, but no more, for Securities issued or issuable to Purchaser. It is mutually understood and defined in the Form of Warrant that the Company covenants that, after a period of 45 days from when the Warrant’s Issue Date, and so long after that period that the Warrant is outstanding, the Company will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant (1X or 100%). Should the company determine that it may not have sufficient common shares available on the 46th day from the Issue Date of the Warrant, the Company will make best efforts to implement measures, up to and including an increase of the authorized common shares of the company, to provide sufficient coverage by the 46th day; and
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(ix) At the Second Closing and each Additional Closing, a copy of the registration statement(s) registering for resale the common stock underlying each tranche and any opinions or prospectus supplements attached thereto.
(b) On or prior to the applicable Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, as applicable, the following:
(i) This Agreement duly executed by the Purchaser; and
(ii) the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount by wire transfer to the account specified in writing by the Company together with the subscription form attached as an Exhibit below.
3. Closing Conditions.
(a) The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with a Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects on the applicable Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the applicable Closing Date shall have been performed; and
(iii) the delivery by the Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.
(b) The obligations of the Purchaser hereunder in connection with a Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the applicable Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein);
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(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the applicable Closing Date shall have been performed;
(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement;
(iv) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof; and
(v) from the date hereof to the applicable Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market and, at any time prior to the applicable Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of the Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at a Closing.
ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation or otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Purchaser:
(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on Schedule 3.1(a). The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.
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(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
(c) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company has timely filed all quarterly and annual reports required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents (other than exhibits to such documents) incorporated by reference therein, being hereinafter referred to herein as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has delivered to Purchaser true and complete copies of the SEC Documents, except for such exhibits and incorporated documents, and except as such Documents are available EDGAR filings on the SEC’s sec.gov website. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the statements made in any such SEC Documents is, or has been, required to be amended or updated under applicable law (except for such statements as have been amended or updated in subsequent filings prior the date hereof). As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Except as set forth in the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents, the Company has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2020, and (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not required under generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in such financial statements, which, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the financial condition or operating results of the Company. The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act. For the avoidance of doubt, filing of the documents required in this Section 3(g) via the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”) shall satisfy all delivery requirements of this Section 3(g).
The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Agreement, (ii) the notice and/or application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the issuance and sale of the Securities, and (iii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state and federal securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
(f) Issuance of the Securities. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Conversion Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Stock, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company shall reserve from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Preferred Stock. The Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrant, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company shall reserve from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Warrants equal to the amount set forth in Section 2.1(a).
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(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), which Schedule 3.1(g) shall also include the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company as of the date hereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), the Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (“SEC Reports”). No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g) and except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire any shares of Common Stock, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person and will not result in a right of any holder of Company securities to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price under any of such securities. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.
(h) Intentionally omitted.
(i) Intentionally omitted.
(j) Litigation. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(j), there is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
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(k) Labor Relations. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(k), no labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived) except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(l), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority, except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(l) or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, other than tax payments related to payroll that are late, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
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(n) Title to Assets. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(n), the Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
(o) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights as described in the SEC Reports as necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.1(o), none of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(p) Insurance. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(p), the Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage at least equal to the aggregate Subscription Amount. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
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(q) Transactions with Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for: (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(q), all employee salaries and contractor fees have been paid to date and no such amounts are outstanding or past due.
(r) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. Except as may be disclosed in the SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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(s) Certain Fees. The Company has or shall engage a suitable Investment Banker in conjunction with the transaction contemplated herein. No brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, other than as set forth on Schedule 3.1(s). The Purchaser shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(t) Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Purchaser as contemplated hereby. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market.
(u) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(v) Registration Rights. The Company shall use its best efforts to file a registration statement registering the resale of the Securities within ten (10) business days from the closing of the Initial Purchase. The Company shall use is best efforts to have the registration statement declared “effective” within ninety (90) calendar days from its filing. The Company shall use its best efforts to have a registration statement registering the resale of the Securities remain effective until such time that the Investor no longer holds any such Securities. No other Person has any right to cause the Company to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(w) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Company has not in the twelve (12) months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
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(x) [RESERVED]
(y) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchaser will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchaser regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser does not make and has not made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
(z) No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of (i) the Securities Act which would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act, or (ii) any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.
(aa) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim. Immediately after closing of this transaction, the Company covenants to pay to the Past Due Taxes.
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(bb) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company nor any person acting on behalf of the Company has offered or sold any of the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising. The Company has offered the Securities for sale only to the Purchaser.
(cc) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has: (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.
(dd) Accountants. The Company’s accounting firm is set forth on Schedule 3.1(dd) of the Disclosure Schedules. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm: (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
(ee) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Purchaser is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by the Purchaser or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchaser’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.
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(ff) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) the Purchaser has not been asked by the Company to agree, nor has the Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term, (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by the Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, “derivative” transactions, before or after a closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities (iii) Omit and (iv) the Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction. The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) the Purchaser may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value of the Warrant Shares deliverable with respect to the Warrants are being determined, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing stockholders’ equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents.
(gg) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Company’s placement agent in connection with the placement of the Securities.
(hh) Reserved.
(ii) Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
(jj) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).
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(kk) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon Purchaser’s request.
(ll) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(mm) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record- keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of each Closing to the Company as follows (unless as of a specific date therein):
(a) Organization; Authority. The Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of the Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by the Purchaser, and when delivered by the Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
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(b) Own Account. The Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting the Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws).
(c) Purchaser Status. At the time the Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is and on each date on which it converts any shares of Preferred Stock or exercises any Warrants, either: (i) an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act or (ii) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the Securities Act.
(d) Experience of the Purchaser. The Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
(e) General Solicitation. The Purchaser is not purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general advertisement.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the representations contained in Section 3.2 shall not modify, amend or affect the Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
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ARTICLE IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1 Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal securities laws. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement.
(b) The Purchaser agrees to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section 4.1, of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser may from time to time pledge pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer or grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and who agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and, if required under the terms of such arrangement, the Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject to approval of the Company and no legal opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee, secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further, no notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Purchaser’s expense, the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge or transfer of the Securities, including, if the Securities are registered under a registration statement, the preparation and filing of any required prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act or other applicable provision of the Securities Act to appropriately amend the list of selling stockholders thereunder.
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(c) Certificates evidencing the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares shall not contain any legend (including the legend set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof): (i) while a registration statement covering the resale of such security is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares pursuant to Rule 144, (iii) if such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, or (iv) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission). If all or any shares of Preferred Stock or Warrants are converted at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, or if such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares may be sold under Rule 144 and the Company is then in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144, or if the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares may be sold under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission) then such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that following the Effective Date or at such time as such legend is no longer required under this Section 4.1(c), it will, no later than the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined below) following the delivery by a Purchaser to the Company or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend (such date, the “Legend Removal Date”), deliver or cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certificate representing such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the Transfer Agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4. Certificates for Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares subject to legend removal hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Purchaser by crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company System as directed by such Purchaser. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of a certificate representing Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend.
(d) In addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, (i) the Company shall pay to a Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of the value of the Conversion shares for which the Preferred Stock is being converted, or Warrant Shares for which a Warrant is being exercised (based on the Warrant’s then exercise price), $10 per Trading Day for each Trading Day after the Legend Removal Date (increasing to $20 per Trading Day after the fifth Trading Day) until such certificate is delivered without a legend. Nothing herein shall limit such Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Company’s failure to deliver certificates representing any Securities as required by the Transaction Documents, and such Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief, and (ii) if after the Legend Removal Date such Purchaser purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Purchaser of all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, or a sale of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock that such Purchaser anticipated receiving from the Company without any restrictive legend, then, the Company shall pay to such Purchaser, in cash, an amount equal to the excess of such Purchaser’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) (the “Buy-In Price”) over the product of (A) such number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to such Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date multiplied by (B) the highest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Purchaser to the Company of the applicable Warrant Shares and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this Section 4.1(d).
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(e) In the event a Purchaser shall request delivery of unlegended shares as described in this Section 4.1 and the Company is required to deliver such unlegended shares, (i) it shall pay all fees and expenses associated with or required by the legend removal and/or transfer including but not limited to legal fees, Transfer Agent fees and overnight delivery charges and taxes, if any, imposed by any applicable government upon the issuance of Common Stock; and (ii) the Company may not refuse to deliver unlegended shares based on any claim that such Purchaser or anyone associated or affiliated with such Purchaser has not complied with Purchaser’s obligations under the Transaction Documents, or for any other reason, unless, an injunction or temporary restraining order from a court, on notice, restraining and or enjoining delivery of such unlegended shares shall have been sought and obtained by the Company and the Company has posted a surety bond for the benefit of such Purchaser in the amount of the greater of (i) 150% of the amount of the aggregate purchase price of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable (based on exercise price in effect upon exercise) which is subject to the injunction or temporary restraining order, or (ii) the VWAP of the Common Stock on the Trading Day before the issue date of the injunction multiplied by the number of unlegended shares to be subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of the litigation of the dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to such Purchaser to the extent Purchaser obtains judgment in Purchaser’s favor.
4.2 Acknowledgment of Dilution of Voting Power. The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities will result in dilution of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution will be substantial.
4.3 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of the Securities or that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.
4.4 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall (a) by 9:00a.m. on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) file a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents to the Purchasers that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to any of the Purchasers (other than Purchasers who are directors or officers of the Company) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such press release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates on the one hand, and any of the Purchasers (other than with Purchasers who are directors or officers of the Company) or any of their Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate. The Company and each Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor any Purchaser shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of any Purchaser, or without the prior consent of each Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, except: (a) as required by federal securities law in connection with the filing of final Transaction Documents with the Commission and (b) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchasers with prior notice of such disclosure permitted under this clause (b).
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4.5 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that the Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that the Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and the Purchaser.
4.6 Non-Public Information. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf, will provide the Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material non- public information, unless prior thereto the Purchaser shall have entered into a written agreement with the Company regarding the confidentiality and use of such information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
4.7 Indemnification of Purchaser. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.7, the Company will indemnify and hold the Purchaser and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each Person who controls the Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, shareholders, agents, members, partners or employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling persons (each, a “Purchaser Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Purchaser Parties in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any stockholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is based upon a breach of such Purchaser Party’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser Party may have with any such stockholder or any violations by such Purchaser Party of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser Party which constitutes fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). If any action shall be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Party. Any Purchaser Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or such defense once started is subsequently delayed owing to lack of timely payment by the Company of legal fees and expenses or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by a Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Purchaser Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents. The indemnification required by this Section 4.7 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Purchaser Party against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.
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4.8 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. The Purchaser, covenants that neither it, nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will (i) execute any Short Sales, of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4 or (ii) from the date hereof until the earlier of the 12 month anniversary of the date hereof and the date that the Preferred Stock is no longer outstanding, execute any Short Sales of the Common Stock (a “Prohibited Short Sale”). The Purchaser covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, the Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Transaction Documents and the Disclosure Schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Purchaser does not make any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, (ii) except for a Prohibited Short Sale, the Purchaser shall not be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4 and (iii) the Purchaser shall have no duty of confidentiality to the Company or its Subsidiaries after the issuance of the initial press release as described in Section 4.4.
9. Form D; Blue Sky Filings. The Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof, promptly upon request of the Purchaser. The Company shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to qualify the Securities for, sale to the Purchaser under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, and shall provide evidence of such actions promptly upon request of the Purchaser.
4.10 Redemption.
The Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities, in accordance with the following schedule:
| i. | If all of the Securities are redeemed within ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities upon five (5) business days’ of written notice at a price equal to the product of one hundred fifteen percent (115%) multiplied by the sum of the outstanding Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends and all other amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation; |
| ii. | If all of the Securities are redeemed after ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities upon five (5) business days of written notice at a price equal to the product of one hundred twenty percent (120%) multiplied by the sum of the outstanding Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends and all other amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation; and |
| iii. | The Company shall honor all conversions of Preferred Stock until the receipt by the Purchaser of the applicable redemption amounts set forth in this Section 4.10. |
4.11 Dividends The Company shall pay a dividend of eight percent (8%) per annum on the Preferred Stock, for as long as the relevant Preferred Stock has not been redeemed or converted. Dividends shall be paid quarterly, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or Preferred Stock calculated at the purchase price.
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4.12 Event of Default Following any Event of Default, all outstanding Preferred Stock shall come immediately due for redemption and the redemption amount shall accrue dividends at the lesser of (a) 12% per annum or (b) the maximum legal rate. Redemption following an Event of Default shall occur at an amount equaling the product of one hundred and thirty five percent (135%), multiplied by the sum of the Stated Value, all accrued but unpaid dividends and all other amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation for all Preferred Stock.
4.13 Conversion and Exercise Procedures. The forms of Notice of Conversion included in the Preferred Stock and Notice of Exercise included in the Warrant set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Purchaser in order to convert the Preferred Stock and exercise the Warrant, respectively. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Purchaser to convert their Preferred Stock or exercise their Warrant. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Notice of Conversion or Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion or Notice of Exercise form be required in order to convert the Preferred Stock or exercise the Warrant, respectively. The Company shall honor conversion of the Preferred Stock and exercises of the Warrant and shall deliver Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.
14. DTC Program. For so long as the Preferred Stock or any Warrant is outstanding, the Company will employ as the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock and Warrant Shares a participant in the DTC Automated Securities Transfer Program and cause the Common Stock to be transferable pursuant to such program.
4.15 Most Favored Nations. From the date hereof until the date when the Purchaser no longer holds any Securities, upon any issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents for cash consideration, indebtedness or a combination of units hereof (a “Subsequent Financing”), Purchaser may elect, in its sole discretion, to exchange (in lieu of conversion), if applicable, all or some of the Securities then held for any securities or units issued in a Subsequent Financing on a $1.00 for $1.00 basis. The Company shall provide the Purchaser with notice of any such Subsequent Financing in the manner set forth below. Additionally, if in such Subsequent Financing there are any contractual provisions or side letters that provide terms more favorable to the investors than the terms provided for hereunder, then the Company shall specifically notify the Purchaser of such additional or more favorable terms and such terms, at Purchaser’s option, shall become a part of the transaction documents with the Purchaser. The types of terms contained in another security that may be more favorable to the holder of such security include, but are not limited to, terms addressing stock sale price, price per share, and warrant coverage. For purposes of illustration, if a Subsequent Financing were to occur whereby the Company sells and issues a convertible note with a conversion price that includes a discount to the market price of its Common Stock, the Purchaser will be entitled to receive the same convertible note on the exact same terms on a dollar for dollar basis via the exchange of the Securities the Holder holds on the date of the sale and issuance of the convertible note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.15 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance.
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ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Purchaser, as to the Purchaser’s obligations hereunder, if the Initial Closing has not been consummated within five (5) Business Days of the date hereof or the Additional Closing has not been consummated within five (5) Business Days of the filing of the Registration Statement registering the resale of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that such termination will not affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties).
5.2 Fees and Expenses. At the Initial Closing, the Company has agreed to reimburse the Purchaser $10,000 for its legal fees in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Transaction Documents, which such amount may be withheld from the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount deliverable at Closing. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to the Purchaser.
5.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.
5.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.
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5.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the holders of at least 75% in interest of the Securities then outstanding or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.
5.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
5.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (other than by merger). The Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom the Purchaser assigns or transfers any Securities, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchaser.”
5.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.7 and this Section 5.8.
5.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state or federal courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.7, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
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5.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive each Closing and the delivery of the Securities.
5.11 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
5.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
5.13 Rescission and Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever any Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then the Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.
5.14 Replacement of Securities. If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.
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5.15 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Purchaser and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
5.16 Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to the Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or the Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
5.17 Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.
5.18 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
5.19 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
5.20 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | |||
| Address for Notice: | |||
| 21 West 46th Street | |||
| New York, New York 10036 | |||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | ||
| Name: | Rik Willard | ||
| Title: | CEO | ||
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
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[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
| Name of Purchaser: GHS Investments LLC | ||
| Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: | /s/ Mark Grober | |
| Name of Authorized Signatory: Mark Grober | ||
| Title of Authorized Signatory: Member | ||
| Address for Notice to Purchaser: 420 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 102 | ||
| Jericho, NY 11573 | ||
Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice): Book Entry
Facsimile Number:
Subscription Amount: $300,000
Subscription Date: 3/4/2022
Shares of Preferred Stock: 300 + 35 (Commitment) = 335
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Exhibit 10.2
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of March 9 , 2022, between BUBBLR, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and the purchaser identified on the signature page hereto (including its successors and assigns, the “Purchaser”).
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser desires to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement: (a) capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Certificate of Designation (as defined herein), and (b) the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:
“Acquiring Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.5.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Certificate of Designation” means the Certificate of Designation to be filed prior to the Initial Closing by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Wyoming, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Closing Date” means the Trading Day on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto in connection with the Initial Closing, and, to the extent applicable, all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchaser’s obligations to pay the Subscription Amount as to such Closing and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Securities as to such Closing, in each case, have been satisfied or waived.
“Closing” means each of the Initial Closing.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Commitment Shares” means eight (8) shares of Preferred Stock issued upon the Initial Closing as an equity incentive.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Conversion Shares” means the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock.
“Disclosure Schedules” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1.
“Dividend” means ten percent (8%) per annum of the stated value of any Preferred Stock, paid quarterly by the Company, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or in Preferred Stock.
“Equity Conditions” means (i) there are currently no uncured Events of Default and (ii) there remains an effective Registration Statement available to the Purchaser for the resale of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock and exercise of the Warrants.
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(r).
“Event of Default” means any of the following events: (i) the suspension, cessation from trading or delisting of the Company’s Common Stock on the Principal Market for a period of two (2) consecutive trading days or more; (ii) the failure by the Company to timely comply with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act (including applicable extension periods); (iii) the failure for any reason by the Company to issue Commitment Shares, Dividends, Conversion Shares, or Warrant Shares to the Purchaser within the required time periods; (iv) the Company breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or other term of condition contained in the definitive agreements between the parties; (v) the Company files for Bankruptcy or receivership or any money judgment writ, liquidation or a similar process is entered by or filed against the Company for more than $50,000 and remains unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of twenty (20) calendar days; (vi) any cessation of operations by the Company or failure by the Company to maintain any assets, intellectual, personal or real property or other assets which are necessary to conduct its business (vii) the Company shall lose the “bid” price for its Common stock on the Principal Market; (viii) if at any time the Common Stock is no longer DWAC eligible; or (ix) the Registration Statement registering the resale of the Registrable Securities ceases to be effective for any reason.
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“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.
“Initial Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1(a), which shall occur on a Closing Date. The Initial Closing will be for the purchase of one hundred and sixty (160) shares of Preferred Stock at the aggregate purchase price of $160,000
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(o).
“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).
“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(m).
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Preferred Stock” means, two thousand (2,000) shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock issued hereunder having the rights, preferences and privileges set forth in the Certificate of Designation, in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
“ Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Purchaser Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.7.
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“Registration Statement” means any Registration Statement under which the shares of the Company’s common stock is registered.
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).
“ Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(g).
“Securities” means the Preferred Stock, Conversion Shares, Warrant and the Warrant Shares.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock).
“Stated Value” means $1,200 per share of Series C Preferred Stock.
“Subscription Amount” shall mean the aggregate amount to be paid for the Preferred Stock and Warrants purchased hereunder as specified on the signature page under the heading “Subscription Amount,” in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQB or the OTC Markets (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
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“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Certificate of Designation, the Warrants, all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Transfer Agent” means Pacific Stock Transfer Co., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 6725 Via Austi Pkwy, Suite 300 Las Vegas, NV 89119 and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Warrants” means the Common Stock purchase warrants, in the form set forth as Exhibit B hereto, delivered to the Purchaser at each Closing, which Warrants shall be exercisable immediately and have a term of exercise equal to five (5) years from such initial exercise date.
“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE
1. (a) Initial Closing. (i) Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, one hundred and sixty (160) shares of Preferred Stock at price of $1,000 per share of Preferred Stock. Concurrently with the issuance of the Preferred Stock, the Company shall issue to Purchaser a Warrant to purchase up to a number of Warrant Shares equal to 75% of the number of shares of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock issued at the Initial Closing. The Purchaser shall deliver to the Company, via wire transfer immediately available funds equal to the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as set forth on the signature page hereto executed by the Purchaser, and the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser such number of shares of the Preferred Stock purchased and the Warrant, as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and the Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the Initial Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Initial Closing shall occur at the offices of counsel to the Purchaser, or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree.
2. Deliveries.
(a) On or prior to the applicable Closing Date (or as otherwise indicated below), the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser the following:
(i) At the Initial Closing, this Agreement duly executed by the Company;
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(ii) At the Initial Closing, a certificate evidencing the Commitment Shares;
(iii) At the Initial Closing, a certificate evidencing one hundred and sixty (160) shares of Preferred Stock;
(iv) An original Warrant, registered in the name of Purchaser, for the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Section 2.1(a), duly executed by the Company;
(v) An irrevocable letter of instruction to the Company’s Transfer Agent, instructing the Transfer Agent to maintain for the benefit of the Purchaser, initially 2,332,792 shares of its common stock and at all times thereafter three times (3x) the number of common shares needed to by the Purchaser to convert and/or exercise all shares of Preferred Stock held by the Purchaser. The reserve amount shall be increased from time to time to ensure appropriate coverage of 3X, but no more, for Securities issued or issuable to Purchaser. It is mutually understood and defined in the Form of Warrant that the Company covenants that, after a period of 45 days from when the Warrant’s Issue Date, and so long after that period that the Warrant is outstanding, the Company will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant (1X or 100%). Should the company determine that it may not have sufficient common shares available on the 46th day from the Issue Date of the Warrant, the Company will make best efforts to implement measures, up to and including an increase of the authorized common shares of the company, to provide sufficient coverage by the 46th day; and
(b) On or prior to the applicable Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, as applicable, the following:
(i) This Agreement duly executed by the Purchaser; and
(ii) the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount by wire transfer to the account specified in writing by the Company together with the subscription form attached as an Exhibit below.
3. Closing Conditions.
(a) The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with a Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects on the applicable Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);
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(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the applicable Closing Date shall have been performed; and
(iii) the delivery by the Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.
(b) The obligations of the Purchaser hereunder in connection with a Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the applicable Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the applicable Closing Date shall have been performed;
(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement;
(iv) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof; and
(v) from the date hereof to the applicable Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market and, at any time prior to the applicable Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of the Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at a Closing.
ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation or otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Purchaser:
(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on Schedule 3.1(a). The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non- assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.
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(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
(c) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors ‘rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company has timely filed all quarterly and annual reports required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents (other than exhibits to such documents) incorporated by reference therein, being hereinafter referred to herein as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has delivered to Purchaser true and complete copies of the SEC Documents, except for such exhibits and incorporated documents, and except as such Documents are available EDGAR filings on the SEC’s sec.gov website. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the statements made in any such SEC Documents is, or has been, required to be amended or updated under applicable law (except for such statements as have been amended or updated in subsequent filings prior the date hereof). As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Except as set forth in the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents, the Company has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2020, and (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not required under generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in such financial statements, which, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the financial condition or operating results of the Company. The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act. For the avoidance of doubt, filing of the documents required in this Section 3(g) via the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”) shall satisfy all delivery requirements of this Section 3(g).
The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Agreement, (ii) the notice and/or application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the issuance and sale of the Securities, and (iii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state and federal securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
(f) Issuance of the Securities. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Conversion Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Stock, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company shall reserve from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Preferred Stock. The Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrant, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company shall reserve from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Warrants equal to the amount set forth in Section 2.1(a).
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(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), which Schedule 3.1(g) shall also include the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company as of the date hereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), the Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (“SEC Reports”). No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g) and except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire any shares of Common Stock, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person and will not result in a right of any holder of Company securities to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price under any of such securities. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.
(h) Intentionally omitted.
(i) Intentionally omitted.
(j) Litigation. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(j), there is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
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(k) Labor Relations. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(k), no labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries ‘employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived) except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(l), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority, except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(l) or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, other than tax payments related to payroll that are late, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
(n) Title to Assets. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(n), the Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
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(o) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights as described in the SEC Reports as necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.1(o), none of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(p) Insurance. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(p), the Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage at least equal to the aggregate Subscription Amount. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
(q) Transactions with Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for: (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(q), all employee salaries and contractor fees have been paid to date and no such amounts are outstanding or past due.
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(r) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. Except as may be disclosed in the SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(s) Certain Fees. The Company has or shall engage a suitable Investment Banker in conjunction with the transaction contemplated herein. No brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, other than as set forth on Schedule 3.1(s). The Purchaser shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
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(t) Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Purchaser as contemplated hereby. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market.
(u) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(v) Registration Rights. The Company shall use its best efforts to file a registration statement registering the resale of the Securities within ten (10) business days from the closing of the Initial Purchase. The Company shall use is best efforts to have the registration statement declared “effective” within ninety (90) calendar days from its filing. The Company shall use its best efforts to have a registration statement registering the resale of the Securities remain effective until such time that the Investor no longer holds any such Securities. No other Person has any right to cause the Company to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(w) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Company has not in the twelve (12) months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
(x) [RESERVED]
(y) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchaser will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchaser regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser does not make and has not made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
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(z) No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of (i) the Securities Act which would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act, or (ii) any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.
(aa) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim. Immediately after closing of this transaction, the Company covenants to pay to the Past Due Taxes.
(bb) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company nor any person acting on behalf of the Company has offered or sold any of the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising. The Company has offered the Securities for sale only to the Purchaser.
(cc) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has: (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.
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(dd) Accountants. The Company’s accounting firm is set forth on Schedule 3.1(dd) of the Disclosure Schedules. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm: (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
(ee) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Purchaser is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by the Purchaser or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchaser’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.
(ff) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) the Purchaser has not been asked by the Company to agree, nor has the Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term, (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by the Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, “derivative” transactions, before or after a closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities (iii) Omit and (iv) the Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction. The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) the Purchaser may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value of the Warrant Shares deliverable with respect to the Warrants are being determined, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing stockholders ‘equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents.
(gg) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Company’s placement agent in connection with the placement of the Securities.
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(hh) Reserved.
(ii) Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
(jj) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).
(kk) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon Purchaser’s request.
(ll) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(mm) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record- keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
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3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of each Closing to the Company as follows (unless as of a specific date therein):
(a) Organization; Authority. The Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of the Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by the Purchaser, and when delivered by the Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors ‘rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(b) Own Account. The Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting the Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws).
(c) Purchaser Status. At the time the Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is and on each date on which it converts any shares of Preferred Stock or exercises any Warrants, either: (i) an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act or (ii) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the Securities Act.
(d) Experience of the Purchaser. The Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
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(e) General Solicitation. The Purchaser is not purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general advertisement.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the representations contained in Section 3.2 shall not modify, amend or affect the Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1 Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal securities laws. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement.
(b) The Purchaser agrees to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section 4.1, of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
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The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser may from time to time pledge pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer or grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and who agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and, if required under the terms of such arrangement, the Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject to approval of the Company and no legal opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee, secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further, no notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Purchaser’s expense, the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge or transfer of the Securities, including, if the Securities are registered under a registration statement, the preparation and filing of any required prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act or other applicable provision of the Securities Act to appropriately amend the list of selling stockholders thereunder.
(c) Certificates evidencing the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares shall not contain any legend (including the legend set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof): (i) while a registration statement covering the resale of such security is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares pursuant to Rule 144, (iii) if such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, or (iv) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission). If all or any shares of Preferred Stock or Warrants are converted at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, or if such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares may be sold under Rule 144 and the Company is then in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144, or if the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares may be sold under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares and without volume or manner- of-sale restrictions or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission) then such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that following the Effective Date or at such time as such legend is no longer required under this Section 4.1(c), it will, no later than the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined below) following the delivery by a Purchaser to the Company or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend (such date, the “Legend Removal Date”), deliver or cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certificate representing such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the Transfer Agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4. Certificates for Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares subject to legend removal hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Purchaser by crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company System as directed by such Purchaser. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of a certificate representing Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend.
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(d) In addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, (i) the Company shall pay to a Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of the value of the Conversion shares for which the Preferred Stock is being converted, or Warrant Shares for which a Warrant is being exercised (based on the Warrant’s then exercise price), $10 per Trading Day for each Trading Day after the Legend Removal Date (increasing to $20 per Trading Day after the fifth Trading Day) until such certificate is delivered without a legend. Nothing herein shall limit such Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Company’s failure to deliver certificates representing any Securities as required by the Transaction Documents, and such Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief, and (ii) if after the Legend Removal Date such Purchaser purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Purchaser of all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, or a sale of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock that such Purchaser anticipated receiving from the Company without any restrictive legend, then, the Company shall pay to such Purchaser, in cash, an amount equal to the excess of such Purchaser’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of- pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) (the “Buy-In Price”) over the product of (A) such number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to such Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date multiplied by (B) the highest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Purchaser to the Company of the applicable Warrant Shares and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this Section 4.1(d).
(e) In the event a Purchaser shall request delivery of unlegended shares as described in this Section 4.1 and the Company is required to deliver such unlegended shares, (i) it shall pay all fees and expenses associated with or required by the legend removal and/or transfer including but not limited to legal fees, Transfer Agent fees and overnight delivery charges and taxes, if any, imposed by any applicable government upon the issuance of Common Stock; and (ii) the Company may not refuse to deliver unlegended shares based on any claim that such Purchaser or anyone associated or affiliated with such Purchaser has not complied with Purchaser’s obligations under the Transaction Documents, or for any other reason, unless, an injunction or temporary restraining order from a court, on notice, restraining and or enjoining delivery of such unlegended shares shall have been sought and obtained by the Company and the Company has posted a surety bond for the benefit of such Purchaser in the amount of the greater of (i) 150% of the amount of the aggregate purchase price of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable (based on exercise price in effect upon exercise) which is subject to the injunction or temporary restraining order, or (ii) the VWAP of the Common Stock on the Trading Day before the issue date of the injunction multiplied by the number of unlegended shares to be subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of the litigation of the dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to such Purchaser to the extent Purchaser obtains judgment in Purchaser’s favor.
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4.2 Acknowledgment of Dilution of Voting Power. The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities will result in dilution of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution will be substantial.
4.3 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of the Securities or that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.
4.4 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall (a) by 9:00a.m. on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) file a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents to the Purchasers that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to any of the Purchasers (other than Purchasers who are directors or officers of the Company) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such press release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates on the one hand, and any of the Purchasers (other than with Purchasers who are directors or officers of the Company) or any of their Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate. The Company and each Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor any Purchaser shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of any Purchaser, or without the prior consent of each Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, except: (a) as required by federal securities law in connection with the filing of final Transaction Documents with the Commission and (b) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchasers with prior notice of such disclosure permitted under this clause (b).
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4.5 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that the Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that the Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and the Purchaser.
4.6 Non-Public Information. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf, will provide the Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material non-public information, unless prior thereto the Purchaser shall have entered into a written agreement with the Company regarding the confidentiality and use of such information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
4.7 Indemnification of Purchaser. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.7, the Company will indemnify and hold the Purchaser and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each Person who controls the Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, shareholders, agents, members, partners or employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling persons (each, a “Purchaser Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys ‘fees and costs of investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Purchaser Parties in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any stockholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is based upon a breach of such Purchaser Party’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser Party may have with any such stockholder or any violations by such Purchaser Party of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser Party which constitutes fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). If any action shall be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Party. Any Purchaser Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or such defense once started is subsequently delayed owing to lack of timely payment by the Company of legal fees and expenses or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by a Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Purchaser Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents. The indemnification required by this Section 4.7 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Purchaser Party against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.
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4.8 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. The Purchaser, covenants that neither it, nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will (i) execute any Short Sales, of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4 or (ii) from the date hereof until the earlier of the 12 month anniversary of the date hereof and the date that the Preferred Stock is no longer outstanding, execute any Short Sales of the Common Stock (a “Prohibited Short Sale”). The Purchaser covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, the Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Transaction Documents and the Disclosure Schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Purchaser does not make any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, (ii) except for a Prohibited Short Sale, the Purchaser shall not be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4 and (iii) the Purchaser shall have no duty of confidentiality to the Company or its Subsidiaries after the issuance of the initial press release as described in Section 4.4.
9. Form D; Blue Sky Filings. The Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof, promptly upon request of the Purchaser. The Company shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to qualify the Securities for, sale to the Purchaser under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, and shall provide evidence of such actions promptly upon request of the Purchaser.
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4.10 Redemption.
The Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities, in accordance with the following schedule:
| i. | If all of the Securities are redeemed within ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities upon five (5) business days’ of written notice at a price equal to the product of one hundred fifteen percent (115%) multiplied by the sum of the outstanding Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends and all other amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation; |
| ii. | If all of the Securities are redeemed after ninety (90) calendar days from the issuance date thereof, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities upon five (5) business days of written notice at a price equal to the product of one hundred twenty percent (120%) multiplied by the sum of the outstanding Stated Value together with any accrued but unpaid dividends and all other amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation; and |
| iii. | The Company shall honor all conversions of Preferred Stock until the receipt by the Purchaser of the applicable redemption amounts set forth in this Section 4.10. |
4.11 Dividends The Company shall pay a dividend of eight percent (8%) per annum on the Preferred Stock, for as long as the relevant Preferred Stock has not been redeemed or converted. Dividends shall be paid quarterly, and at the Company’s discretion, in cash or Preferred Stock calculated at the purchase price.
4.12 Event of Default Following any Event of Default, all outstanding Preferred Stock shall come immediately due for redemption and the redemption amount shall accrue dividends at the lesser of (a) 12% per annum or (b) the maximum legal rate. Redemption following an Event of Default shall occur at an amount equaling the product of one hundred and thirty five percent (135%), multiplied by the sum of the Stated Value, all accrued but unpaid dividends and all other amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Designation for all Preferred Stock.
4.13 Conversion and Exercise Procedures. The forms of Notice of Conversion included in the Preferred Stock and Notice of Exercise included in the Warrant set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Purchaser in order to convert the Preferred Stock and exercise the Warrant, respectively. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Purchaser to convert their Preferred Stock or exercise their Warrant. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Notice of Conversion or Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion or Notice of Exercise form be required in order to convert the Preferred Stock or exercise the Warrant, respectively. The Company shall honor conversion of the Preferred Stock and exercises of the Warrant and shall deliver Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, as applicable, in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.
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14. DTC Program. For so long as the Preferred Stock or any Warrant is outstanding, the Company will employ as the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock and Warrant Shares a participant in the DTC Automated Securities Transfer Program and cause the Common Stock to be transferable pursuant to such program.
4.15 Most Favored Nations. From the date hereof until the date when the Purchaser no longer holds any Securities, upon any issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents for cash consideration, indebtedness or a combination of units hereof (a “Subsequent Financing”), Purchaser may elect, in its sole discretion, to exchange (in lieu of conversion), if applicable, all or some of the Securities then held for any securities or units issued in a Subsequent Financing on a $1.00 for $1.00 basis. The Company shall provide the Purchaser with notice of any such Subsequent Financing in the manner set forth below. Additionally, if in such Subsequent Financing there are any contractual provisions or side letters that provide terms more favorable to the investors than the terms provided for hereunder, then the Company shall specifically notify the Purchaser of such additional or more favorable terms and such terms, at Purchaser’s option, shall become a part of the transaction documents with the Purchaser. The types of terms contained in another security that may be more favorable to the holder of such security include, but are not limited to, terms addressing stock sale price, price per share, and warrant coverage. For purposes of illustration, if a Subsequent Financing were to occur whereby the Company sells and issues a convertible note with a conversion price that includes a discount to the market price of its Common Stock, the Purchaser will be entitled to receive the same convertible note on the exact same terms on a dollar for dollar basis via the exchange of the Securities the Holder holds on the date of the sale and issuance of the convertible note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.15 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, which is defined as (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers, consultants, advisors or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, and (b) securities issued directly to vendors or suppliers of the Company in satisfaction of amounts owed to such vendors or suppliers (provided, however, that such vendors or suppliers shall not have an arrangement to transfer, sell or assign such securities prior to the issuance of such shares).
ARTICLE V.
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Purchaser, as to the Purchaser’s obligations hereunder, if the Initial Closing has not been consummated within five (5) Business Days of the date hereof; provided, however, that such termination will not affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties).
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5.2 Fees and Expenses. At the Initial Closing, the Company has agreed to reimburse the Purchaser $5,000 for its legal fees in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Transaction Documents, which such amount may be withheld from the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount deliverable at Closing. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to the Purchaser.
5.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.
5.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.
5.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the holders of at least 75% in interest of the Securities then outstanding or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.
5.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
5.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (other than by merger). The Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom the Purchaser assigns or transfers any Securities, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchaser.”
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5.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.7 and this Section 5.8.
5.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state or federal courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.7, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorneys ‘fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
5.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive each Closing and the delivery of the Securities.
5.11 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
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5.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
5.13 Rescission and Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever any Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then the Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.
5.14 Replacement of Securities. If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.
5.15 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Purchaser and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
5.16 Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to the Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or the Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
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5.17 Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.
5.18 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
5.19 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
5.20 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | |||
| Address for Notice: | |||
| 21 West 46th Street | |||
| New York, New York 10036 | |||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | ||
| Name: | Rik Willard | ||
| Title: | CEO | ||
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
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[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
| Name of Purchaser: SPA Proactive Partners | ||
| Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: | /s/ Jeffrey Ramson | |
| Name of Authorized Signatory: Jeffrey Ramson | ||
| Title of Authorized Signatory: Partner | ||
| Address for Notice to Purchaser: |
Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):
Facsimile Number:
Subscription Amount: $160,000
Subscription Date: March 9, 2022
Shares of Preferred Stock: 160
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Exhibit 10.3
EQUITY FINANCING AGREEMENT
This EQUITY FINANCING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 9, 2022 (the “Execution Date”), is entered into by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation with its principal executive office at 21 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 (the “Company”), and GHS Investments LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, with offices at 420 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 102, Jericho, NY 11753 (the “Investor”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Investor shall invest up to Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) (the “Commitment Amount”), over the course of twenty four (24) months immediately following the Effective Date (the “Contract Period”) to purchase the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”);
WHEREAS, such investments will be made in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC under the 1933 Act, and/or upon such other exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act as may be available with respect to any or all of the investments in Common Stock to be made hereunder; and
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereto are executing and delivering a Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the 1933 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, which shall be considered an integral part of this Agreement, the covenants and agreements set forth hereafter, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
SECTION I.
DEFINITIONS
For all purposes of and under this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings below, and such meanings shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of such defined terms.
“1933 Act” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as the same will then be in effect.
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.7.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Articles of Incorporation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
“By-laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
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“Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Control” or “Controls” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.7.
“Effective Date” shall mean the date the SEC declares effective under the 1933 Act the Registration Statement covering the Securities.
“Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.13.
“Equity Incentive” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
“Execution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Indemnified Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.
“Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.
“Indemnitor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.
“Ineffective Period” shall mean any period of time that the Registration Statement or any supplemental registration statement becomes ineffective or unavailable for use for the sale or resale, as applicable, of any or all of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) for any reason (or in the event the prospectus under either of the above is not current and deliverable) during any time period required under the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Investor” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Market Price” shall mean the lowest daily volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Common Stock during the Pricing Period.
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
“Maximum Common Stock Issuance” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
“Open Period” shall mean the period beginning on and including the Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date and ending on the termination of the Agreement in accordance with Section 8.
“Pricing Period” shall mean the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days preceding the relevant Put Notice Date.
“Principal Market” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the OTC Markets, whichever is the principal market on which the Common Stock is listed.
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“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus, preliminary prospectus and supplemental prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement.
“Purchase Amount” shall mean the total amount being paid by the Investor on a particular Closing Date to purchase the Securities.
“Purchase Price” shall mean eighty percent (80%) of the Market Price. Following an up-list to the NASDAQ or an equivalent national exchange by the Company, the Purchase price shall mean ninety percent (90%) of the Market Price, subject to a floor of $.01 per share, below which the Company shall not deliver a Put.
“Put” shall mean the Company is entitled to request equity investments (the “Put” or “Puts”) by the Investor, pursuant to which the Company will issue Common Stock to the Investor with an aggregate Purchase Price equal to the value of the Put, subject to a price per share calculation based on the Market Price.
“Put Amount” shall mean the total dollar amount requested by the Company pursuant to an applicable Put. The timing and amounts of each Put shall be at the discretion of the Company. The maximum dollar amount of each Put will not exceed two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the average daily trading dollar volume for the Common Stock during the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days preceding the Put Notice Date. No Put will be made in an amount equaling less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or greater than one million dollars ($1,000,000). Puts are further limited to the Investor owning no more than 4.99% of the outstanding stock of the Company at any given time.
“Put Notice” shall mean a written notice sent to the Investor by the Company stating the Put Amount in U.S. dollars that the Company intends to sell to the Investor pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and stating the current number of Shares issued and outstanding on such date.
“Put Notice Date” shall mean the Trading Day on which the Investor receives a Put Notice.
“Put Restriction” shall mean a minimum of ten (10) Trading Days following a Put Notice Date. During this time, the Company shall not be entitled to deliver another Put Notice.
“Put Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Registered Offering Transaction Documents” shall mean this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the Investor as of the date herewith.
“Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Registration Statement” means the registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the Securities issuable hereunder.
“Related Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.7.
“Resolution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.
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“SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“SEC Documents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.
“Securities” shall mean the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
“Settlement Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Shares” shall mean the shares of the Common Stock.
“Subsidiaries” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
“Trading Day” shall mean any day on which the Principal Market for the Common Stock is open for trading, from the hours of 9:30 am until 4:00 pm.
“Transaction Costs” the Company shall bear the costs of the Registration Statement. At the Closing of the first Put, the Company shall deposit eight thousand dollars ($8,000) with the Investor’s designated legal counsel to offset legal costs.
SECTION II
PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to that number of Shares having an aggregate Purchase Price of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000).
2. DELIVERY OF PUT NOTICES. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, and from time to time during the Open Period, the Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver a Put Notice to the Investor which states the dollar amount (designated in U.S. Dollars), which the Company intends to sell to the Investor on a Closing Date (the “Put”). The Put Notice shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by reference. The Purchase Price of the Put shall be eighty percent (80%) percent of the Market Price. Following an up-list to the NASDAQ or equivalent national exchange, the Purchase Price shall be ninety percent (90%) of the Market Price, subject to a floor price of $.01 per share, below which the Company shall not deliver a Put. During the Open Period, the Company shall not be entitled to submit a Put Notice until after the previous Closing has been completed. There will be a minimum of ten (10) trading days between Closings. No Put will be made in an amount equaling less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or greater than one million dollars ($1,000,000).
3. CONDITIONS TO INVESTOR’S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE SHARES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall not be entitled to deliver a Put Notice and the Investor shall not be obligated to purchase any Shares at a Closing unless each of the following conditions are satisfied:
| i. | a Registration Statement shall have been declared effective and shall remain effective and available for the resale of all the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) at all times until the Closing with respect to the subject Put Notice; | |
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| ii. | at all times during the period beginning on the related Put Notice Date and ending on and including the related Closing Date, the Common Stock shall have been listed or quoted for trading on the Principal Market and shall not have been suspended from trading thereon for a period of two (2) consecutive Trading Days during the Open Period and the Company shall not have been notified of any pending or threatened proceeding or other action to suspend the trading of the Common Stock; | |
| iii. | the Company has complied with its obligations and is otherwise not in breach of or in default under, this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or any other agreement executed between the parties, which has not been cured prior to delivery of the Put Notice; | |
| iv. | no injunction shall have been issued and remain in force, or action commenced by a governmental authority which has not been stayed or abandoned, prohibiting the purchase or the issuance of the Securities; and | |
| v. | the issuance of the Securities will not violate any requirements of the Principal Market. |
If any of the events described in clauses (i) through (v) above occurs during a Pricing Period, then the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase the Put Amount of Common Stock set forth in the applicable Put Notice.
4. MECHANICS OF PURCHASE OF SHARES BY INVESTOR. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 2.5, 7 and 8 of this Agreement, at the end of the Pricing Period, the Purchase Price shall be established and an amount of Shares equaling one hundred percent (100%) of the Put Amount (the “Put Shares”) shall be delivered to the Investor’s broker for a particular Put. The Closing of a Put shall occur upon the first Trading Day following the confirmation of receipt and approval for trading by Investor’s broker of the Put Shares, whereby the Company shall have caused the Transfer Agent to electronically transmit, prior to the applicable Closing Date, the applicable Put Shares by crediting the account of the Investor’s broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (“DWAC”) system. The Investor shall deliver the Purchase Amount specified in the Put Notice (less deposit and clearing fees) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company if the aforementioned receipt and approval are confirmed before 9:30 AM ET or on the following Trading Day if receipt and approval by the Investor’s broker is made after 9:30 AM ET (“Closing Date” or “Closing”). In addition, on or prior to such Closing Date, each of the Company and Investor shall deliver to each other all documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered or reasonably requested by either of them pursuant to this Agreement in order to implement and effect the transactions contemplated herein.
5. OVERALL LIMIT ON COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if during the Open Period the Company becomes listed on an exchange which limits the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued without shareholder approval, then the number of Shares issuable by the Company and purchasable by the Investor, shall not exceed that number of the shares of Common Stock that may be issuable without shareholder approval (the “Maximum Common Stock Issuance”). If such issuance of shares of Common Stock could cause a delisting on the Principal Market then the Maximum Common Stock Issuance shall first be approved by the Company’s shareholders in accordance with applicable law and the By-laws and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company. The parties understand and agree that the Company’s failure to seek or obtain such shareholder approval shall in no way adversely affect the validity and due authorization of the issuance and sale of Securities or the Investor’s obligation in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof to purchase a number of Shares in the aggregate up to the Maximum Common Stock Issuance, and that such approval pertains only to the applicability of the Maximum Common Stock Issuance limitation provided in this Section 2.5.
6. LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF OWNERSHIP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall the Investor be entitled to purchase that number of Shares, which when added to the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is defined under Section 13(d) and Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act), by the Investor, would exceed 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Closing Date, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-1(j) of the 1934 Act.
7. Equity Incentive Concurrently with the execution of definitive agreements, the Company shall issue 587,039 shares to the Investor (“Equity Incentive”). (One Percent of the commitment amount, calculated at the Purchase Price applicable at execution). The Equity Incentive will be deemed earned upon the execution of definitive agreements.
SECTION III
INVESTOR’S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
The Investor represents and warrants to the Company, and covenants, that to the best of the Investor’s knowledge:
1. SOPHISTICATED INVESTOR. The Investor has, by reason of its business and financial experience, such knowledge, sophistication and experience in financial and business matters and in making investment decisions of this type that it is capable of (I) evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities and making an informed investment decision; (II) protecting its own interest; and (III) bearing the economic risk of such investment for an indefinite period of time.
2. AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEMENT. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Investor and is a valid and binding agreement of the Investor enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
3. SECTION 9 OF THE 1934 ACT. During the term of this Agreement, the Investor will comply with the provisions of Section 9 of the 1934 Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder, with respect to transactions involving the Common Stock.
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4. ACCREDITED INVESTOR. Investor is an “Accredited Investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act.
5. NO CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and performance of the Documents by the Investor and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not result in a violation of Partnership Agreement or other organizational documents of the Investor.
6. OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS. The Investor has received all materials relating to the Company’s business, finance and operations which it has requested. The Investor has had an opportunity to discuss the business, management and financial affairs of the Company with the Company’s management.
7. INVESTMENT PURPOSES. The Investor is purchasing the Securities for its own account for investment purposes and not with a view towards distribution and agrees to resell or otherwise dispose of the Securities solely in accordance with the registration provisions of the 1933 Act (or pursuant to an exemption from such registration provisions).
8. GOOD STANDING. The Investor is a limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in the State of Nevada.
9. TAX LIABILITIES. The Investor understands that it is liable for its own tax liabilities.
10. REGULATION M. The Investor will comply with Regulation M under the 1934 Act, if applicable.
11. PROHIBITED TRADING. No short sales shall be permitted by the Investor or its affiliates during the period commencing on the Execution Date and continuing through the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the Schedules attached hereto, or as disclosed on the Company’s SEC Documents, the Company represents and warrants to the Investor that:
1. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Wyoming, and has the requisite corporate power and authorization to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Both the Company and the companies it owns or controls (“Subsidiaries”) are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means a change, event, circumstance, effect or state of facts that has had or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, operations, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole, or on the transactions contemplated hereby or by the agreements and instruments to be entered into in connection herewith, or on the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Registered offering Transaction Documents.
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2. AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEMENT; COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS.
| i. | The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (collectively, the “Registered Offering Transaction Documents”), and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. | |
| ii. | The execution and delivery of the Registered Offering Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including without limitation the issuance of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, have been duly and validly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors, or its shareholders. | |
| iii. | The Registered Offering Transaction Documents have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company. | |
| iv. | The Registered Offering Transaction Documents constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies. |
3. CAPITALIZATION. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: (i) 3,000,000,000 shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which as of the date hereof 140,437,055 shares are issued and outstanding; and, (ii) 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 of which as of the date hereof 1 share of Preferred Stock is issued and outstanding. All of such outstanding shares have been, or upon issuance will be, validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
Except as disclosed in the Company’s publicly available filings with the SEC and as will be disclosed in the Registration Statement, and based on the best information available and efforts of the Company’s management, or as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.3:
| i. | no shares of the Company’s capital stock are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company; | |
| ii. | there are no outstanding debt securities; | |
| iii. | there are no outstanding shares of capital stock, options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
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| iv. | there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the 1933 Act (except the Registration Rights Agreement); | |
| v. | there are no outstanding securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; | |
| vi. | there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Securities as described in this Agreement; | |
| vii. | the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement; and | |
| viii. | there is no dispute as to the classification of any shares of the Company’s capital stock. |
The Company has furnished to the Investor, or the Investor has had access through EDGAR to, true and correct copies of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto, as in effect on the date hereof (the “Articles of Incorporation”), and the Company’s By-laws and all amendments thereto, as in effect on the date hereof (the “By-laws”), and the terms of all securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto.
4. ISSUANCE OF SHARES. As of the filing of the Registration Statement the Company will have reserved the amount of Shares included in the Registration Statement for issuance pursuant to the Registered Offering Transaction Documents, which have been duly authorized and reserved (subject to adjustment pursuant to the Company’s covenant set forth in Section 5.5 below) pursuant to this Agreement. Upon issuance in accordance with this Agreement, the Securities will be validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. In the event the Company cannot register a sufficient number of Shares for issuance pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to authorize and reserve for issuance the number of Shares required for the Company to perform its obligations hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable.
5. NO CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and performance of the Registered Offering Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the Articles of Incorporation, any Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or the By-laws; or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a material default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a material default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, contract, indenture mortgage, indebtedness or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or to the Company’s knowledge result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including United States federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market or principal securities exchange or trading market on which the Common Stock is traded or listed) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of, or in default under, the Articles of Incorporation, any Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or the By-laws or their organizational charter or by-laws, respectively, or any contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument, judgment, decree or order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries, except for possible conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and violations that would not individually or in the aggregate have or constitute a Material Adverse Effect. The business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not being conducted, and shall not be conducted, in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule, order or regulation of any governmental authority or agency, regulatory or self-regulatory agency, or court, except for possible violations the sanctions for which either individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the 1933 Act or any securities laws of any states, to the Company’s knowledge, the Company is not required to obtain any consent, authorization, permit or order of, or make any filing or registration (except the filing of a registration statement as outlined in the Registration Rights Agreement between the parties) with, any court, governmental authority or agency, regulatory or self-regulatory agency or other third party in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under, or contemplated by, the Registered Offering Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, permits, orders, filings and registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been obtained or effected on or prior to the date hereof and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof. The Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing. The Company is not, and will not be, in violation of the listing requirements of the Principal Market as in effect on the date hereof and on each of the Closing Dates and is not aware of any facts which would reasonably lead to delisting of the Common Stock by the Principal Market in the foreseeable future.
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6. SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As of the date hereof, the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, and amendments thereto, being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has delivered to the Investor or its representatives, or they have had access through EDGAR to, true and complete copies of the SEC Documents. As of their respective filing dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC or the time they were amended, if amended, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, by a firm that is a member of the Public Companies Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in suchfinancial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). No other written information provided by or on behalf of the Company to the Investor which is not included in the SEC Documents, including, without limitation, information referred to in Section 4.3 of this Agreement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstance under which they are or were made, not misleading. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or any of their officers, directors, employees or agents have provided the Investor with any material, nonpublic information which was not publicly disclosed prior to the date hereof and any material, nonpublic information provided to the Investor by the Company or its Subsidiaries or any of their officers, directors, employees or agents prior to any Closing Date shall be publicly disclosed by the Company prior to such Closing Date.
7. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as otherwise set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company does not intend to change the business operations of the Company in any material way. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any bankruptcy law nor does the Company or its Subsidiaries have any knowledge or reason to believe that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings.
8. ABSENCE OF LITIGATION AND/OR REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any of the Company’s or the Company’s Subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, in which an adverse decision could have a Material Adverse Effect.
9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT REGARDING INVESTOR’S PURCHASE OF SHARES. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length investor with respect to the Registered Offering Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Registered Offering Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and any advice given by the Investor or any of its respective representatives or agents in connection with the Registered Offering Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to the Investor’s purchase of the Securities, and is not being relied on by the Company. The Company further represents to the Investor that the Company’s decision to enter into the Registered Offering Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company and its representatives.
10. NO UNDISCLOSED EVENTS, LIABILITIES, DEVELOPMENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, as of the date hereof, no event, liability, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or to the Company’s knowledge is contemplated to occur, with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective business, properties, assets, prospects, operations or financial condition, that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws on a registration statement filed with the SEC relating to an issuance and sale by the Company of its Common Stock and which has not been publicly announced.
11. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is involved in any union labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is any such dispute threatened. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that relations with their employees are good. No executive officer (as defined in Rule 501(f) of the 1933 Act) has notified the Company that such officer intends to leave the Company’s employ or otherwise terminate such officer’s employment with the Company.
12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, none of the Company’s trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, government authorizations, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights necessary to conduct its business as now or as proposed to be conducted have expired or terminated, or are expected to expire or terminate within three (3) years from the date of this Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other similar rights of others, or of any such development of similar or identical trade secrets or technical information by others and, except as set forth in the SEC Documents, there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company’s knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or its Subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement; and the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties.
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13. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are, to the knowledge of the management and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have, to the knowledge of the management and directors of the Company, received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance, to the knowledge of the management and directors of the Company, with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where, in each of the three (3) foregoing cases, the failure to so comply would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
14. TITLE. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the SEC Documents or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries.
15. INSURANCE. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company reasonably believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
16. REGULATORY PERMITS. The Company and its Subsidiaries have in full force and effect all certificates, approvals, authorizations and permits from the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities and comparable foreign regulatory agencies, necessary to own, lease or operate their respective properties and assets and conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, approval, authorization or permit, except for such certificates, approvals, authorizations or permits which if not obtained, or such revocations or modifications which, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
17. INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS. Except as otherwise set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles by a firm with membership to the PCAOB and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company’s management has determined that the Company’s internal accounting controls were not effective as of the date of this Agreement as further described in the SEC Documents.
18. NO MATERIALLY ADVERSE CONTRACTS, ETC. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation which in the judgment of the Company’s officers has or is expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract or agreement which in the judgment of the Company’s officers has or is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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19. TAX STATUS. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has made or filed all United States federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and only to the extent that the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes) and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company know of no basis for any such claim.
20. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents filed at least ten (10) days prior to the date hereof and except for arm’s length transactions pursuant to which the Company makes payments in the ordinary course of business upon terms no less favorable than the Company could obtain from disinterested third parties, none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, such that disclosure would be required in the SEC Documents..
21. DILUTIVE EFFECT. The Company understands and acknowledges that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon purchases pursuant to this Agreement will increase in certain circumstances including, but not necessarily limited to, the circumstance wherein the trading price of the Common Stock declines during the period between the Effective Date and the end of the Open Period. The Company’s executive officers and directors have studied and fully understand the nature of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and recognize that they have a potential dilutive effect on the shareholders of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company has concluded, in its good faith business judgment, and with full understanding of the implications, that such issuance is in the best interests of the Company. The Company specifically acknowledges that, subject to such limitations as are expressly set forth in the Registered Offering Transaction Documents, its obligation to issue shares of Common Stock upon purchases pursuant to this Agreement is absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other shareholders of the Company.
22. NO GENERAL SOLICITATION. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Common Stock to be offered as set forth in this Agreement.
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23. NO BROKERS, FINDERS OR FINANCIAL ADVISORY FEES OR COMMISSIONS. Other than Spartan Capital, no brokers, finders or financial advisory fees or commissions will be payable by the Company, its agents or Subsidiaries, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
24. EXCLUSIVITY. The Company shall not pursue a similar equity financing transaction as envisioned hereunder (the “Equity Financing”) with any other party unless and until good faith negotiations have terminated between the Investor and the Company or until such time as the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
SECTION V
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
1. BEST EFFORTS. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to timely satisfy each of the conditions set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement.
2. REPORTING STATUS. Until one of the following occurs, the Company shall file all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act, and the Company shall not terminate its status, or take an action or fail to take any action, which would terminate its status as a reporting company under the 1934 Act: (i) this Agreement terminates pursuant to Section 8 and the Investor has the right to sell all of the Securities without restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act, or such other exemption, or (ii) the date on which the Investor has sold all the Securities and this Agreement has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.
3. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Put Shares (excluding amounts paid by the Company for fees as set forth in the Registered Offering Transaction Documents) for general corporate and working capital purposes and acquisitions or assets, businesses or operations or for other purposes that the Board of Directors, in good faith, deem to be in the best interest of the Company.
4. FINANCIAL INFORMATION. During the Open Period, the Company agrees to make available to the Investor via EDGAR or other electronic means the following documents and information on the forms set forth: (i) within five (5) Trading Days after the filing thereof with the SEC, a copy of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any Current Reports on Form 8-K and any Registration Statements or amendments filed pursuant to the 1933 Act; (ii) copies of any notices and other information made available or given to the shareholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the making available or giving thereof to the shareholders; and (iii) within two (2) calendar days of filing or delivery thereof, copies of all documents filed with, and all correspondence sent to, the Principal Market, any securities exchange or market, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Association, unless such information is material nonpublic information.
5. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company shall take all action necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved the amount of Shares included in the Company’s registration statement for issuance pursuant to the Registered Offering Transaction Documents. In the event that the Company determines that it does not have a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock to reserve and keep available for issuance as described in this Section 5.5, the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock by seeking shareholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares.
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6. LISTING. The Company shall promptly secure and maintain the listing of all of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) on the Principal Market and each other national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which shares of Common Stock are then listed (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain, such listing of all Registrable Securities from time to time issuable under the terms of the Registered Offering Transaction Documents. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action which would be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on the Principal Market (excluding suspensions of not more than one (1) Trading Day resulting from business announcements by the Company). The Company shall promptly provide to the Investor copies of any notices it receives from the Principal Market regarding the continued eligibility of the Common Stock for listing on such automated quotation system or securities exchange. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 5.6.
7. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Company shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to, enter into, amend, modify or supplement, or permit any Subsidiary to enter into, amend, modify or supplement, any agreement, transaction, commitment or arrangement with any of its or any Subsidiary’s officers, directors, persons who were officers or directors at any time during the previous two (2) years, shareholders who beneficially own 5% or more of the Common Stock, or Affiliates or with any individual related by blood, marriage or adoption to any such individual or with any entity in which any such entity or individual owns a 5% or more beneficial interest (each a “Related Party”), except for (i) customary employment arrangements and benefit programs on reasonable terms, (ii) any agreement, transaction, commitment or arrangement on an arms-length basis on terms no less favorable than terms which would have been obtainable from a disinterested third party other than such Related Party, or (iii) any agreement, transaction, commitment or arrangement which is approved by a majority of the directors of the Company. For purposes hereof, any director who is also an officer of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company shall not be a disinterested director with respect to any such agreement, transaction, commitment or arrangement. “Affiliate” for purposes hereof means, with respect to any person or entity, another person or entity that, directly or indirectly, (i) has a 5% or more equity interest in that person or entity, (ii) has 5% or more common ownership with that person or entity, (iii) controls that person or entity, or (iv) is under common control with that person or entity. “Control” or “Controls” for purposes hereof means that a person or entity has the power, directly or indirectly, to conduct or govern the policies of another person or entity.
8. FILING OF FORM 8-K. On or before the date which is four (4) Trading Days after the Execution Date, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC describing the terms of the transaction contemplated by the Registered Offering Transaction Documents in the form required by the 1934 Act, if such filing is required.
9. CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company.
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10. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS AFFECTING REGISTRATION; SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO MAKE A PUT. The Company shall promptly notify the Investor upon the occurrence of any of the following events in respect of a Registration Statement or related prospectus in respect of an offering of the Securities: (i) receipt of any request for additional information by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or related prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or notice of any proceeding for such purpose; (iv) the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, related prospectus or documents so that, in the case of a Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the related prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (v) the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement would be appropriate, and the Company shall promptly make available to Investor any such supplement or amendment to the related prospectus. The Company shall not deliver to Investor any Put Notice during the continuation of any of the foregoing events in this Section 5.10.
11. TRANSFER AGENT. The Company shall deliver instructions to its transfer agent to issue Shares to the Investor that are issued to the Investor pursuant to the Equity Financing and transactions contemplated herein.
12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERMS. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Investor that: (i) it is voluntarily entering into this Agreement of its own free will, (ii) it is not entering this Agreement under economic duress, (iii) the terms of this Agreement are reasonable and fair to the Company, and (iv) the Company has had independent legal counsel of its own choosing review this Agreement, advise the Company with respect to this Agreement, and represent the Company in connection with this Agreement.
SECTION VI
CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATION TO SELL
The obligation hereunder of the Company to issue and sell the Securities to the Investor is further subject to the satisfaction, at or before each Closing Date, of each of the following conditions set forth below. These conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion.
1. The Investor shall have executed this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and delivered the same to the Company.
2. The Investor shall have delivered to the Company the Purchase Price for the Securities being purchased by the Investor.
3. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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SECTION VII
FURTHER CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTOR’S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE
The obligation of the Investor hereunder to purchase Securities is subject to the satisfaction, on or before each Closing Date, of each of the following conditions set forth below.
| 1. | The Company shall have executed the Registered Offering Transaction Documents and delivered the same to the Investor. | |
| 2. | The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the applicable Closing Date as though made at that time and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Registered Offering Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company on or before such Closing Date. The Investor may request an update as of such Closing Date regarding the representation contained in Section 4.3. | |
| 3. | The Company shall have executed and delivered to the Investor via DWAC the Securities (in such denominations as the Investor shall request) being purchased by the Investor at such Closing. | |
| 4. | The Board of Directors of the Company shall have adopted resolutions consistent with Section 4.2(ii) (the “Resolutions”) and such Resolutions shall not have been amended or rescinded prior to such Closing Date. | |
| 5. | No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. | |
| 6. | Within thirty (30) calendar days after the Agreement is executed, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to file with the SEC the Registration Statement covering the shares of stock underlying the Equity Financing contemplated herein. Such Registration Statement shall conform to the requirements of the rules and regulations of the SEC, and be subject to the reasonable approval of the Investor. The Company will take any and all steps necessary to have its Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC within 30 calendar days but no more than 90 calendar days after the Company has filed its Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall be effective on each Closing Date and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration statement shall be in effect or to the Company’s knowledge shall be pending or threatened. Furthermore, on each Closing Date (I) neither the Company nor the Investor shall have received notice that the SEC has issued or intends to issue a stop order with respect to such Registration Statement or that the SEC otherwise has suspended or withdrawn the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, either temporarily or permanently, or intends or has threatened to do so (unless the SEC’s concerns have been addressed), and (II) no other suspension of the use or withdrawal of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or related prospectus shall exist. | |
| 7. | At the time of each Closing, the Registration Statement (including information or documents incorporated by reference therein) and any amendments or supplements thereto shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or which would require public disclosure or an update supplement to the prospectus. |
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| 8. | If applicable, the shareholders of the Company shall have approved the issuance of any Shares in excess of the Maximum Common Stock Issuance in accordance with Section 2.5 or the Company shall have obtained appropriate approval pursuant to the requirements of applicable state and federal laws and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. | |
| 9. | The conditions to such Closing set forth in Section 2.3 shall have been satisfied on or before such Closing Date. | |
| 10. | The Company shall have certified to the Investor the number of Shares of Common Stock outstanding when a Put Notice is given to the Investor. The Company’s delivery of a Put Notice to the Investor constitutes the Company’s certification of the existence of the necessary number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance. |
SECTION VIII
TERMINATION
This Agreement shall terminate upon any of the following events:
1. when the Investor has purchased an aggregate of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) in the Common Stock of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; or
2. twenty four (24) months from the date of this Agreement’s execution have elapsed.
Any and all shares, or penalties, if any, due under this Agreement shall be immediately payable and due upon termination of this Agreement.
SECTION IX
SUSPENSION
This Agreement shall be suspended upon any of the following events, and shall remain suspended until such event is rectified:
| i. | The trading of the Common Stock is suspended by the SEC, the Principal Market or FINRA for a period of two (2) consecutive Trading Days during the Open Period; | |
| ii. | The Common Stock ceases to be quoted, listed or traded on the Principal Market or the Registration Statement is no longer effective (except as permitted hereunder); | |
| iii. | The Company breaches representation, warranty, covenant or other such term; | |
| iv. | The Company files, threatens or is compelled into Bankruptcy or insolvency; or | |
| v. | The Common Stock is no longer DWAC eligible. | |
| vi. | Immediately upon the occurrence of one of the above-described events, the Company shall send written notice of such event to the Investor. |
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SECTION X
INDEMNIFICATION
In consideration of the parties mutual obligations set forth in the Transaction Documents, the Company ( the “Indemnitor”) shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and all of the investor’s shareholders, officers, directors, employees, counsel, and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing person’s agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and reasonable expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (I) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Indemnitor or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby; (II) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Indemnitor contained in the Registered Offering Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby; or (III) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Registered Offering Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, except insofar as any such misrepresentation, breach or any untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to Indemnitor which is specifically intended for use in the preparation of any such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, prospectus or amendments to the prospectus. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Indemnitor may be unenforceable for any reason, the Indemnitor shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. The indemnity provisions contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar rights Indemnitor may have, and any liabilities the Indemnitor or the Indemnitees may be subject to.
SECTION XI
GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTES SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION.
1. LAW GOVERNING THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought only in the state or federal courts located in New York City, New York State. The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. The parties executing this Agreement and other agreements referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Company agree to submit to the in personam jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably waive trial by jury. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or any other agreement delivered in connection herewith is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of any agreement. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
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2. LEGAL FEES; AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES. Except as otherwise set forth in the Registered Offering Transaction Documents (including but not limited to Section V of the Registration Rights Agreement), each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, the accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. Any attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by either the Company or the Investor in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of any amendments to this Agreement or relating to the enforcement of the rights of any party, after the occurrence of any breach of the terms of this Agreement by another party or any default by another party in respect of the transactions contemplated hereunder, shall be paid on demand by the party which breached the Agreement and/or defaulted, as the case may be. The Company shall pay all stamp and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the issuance of any Securities.
3. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different signatories hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile transmission, PDF, electronic signature or other similar electronic means with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.
4. HEADINGS; SINGULAR/PLURAL. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement. Whenever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and masculine shall include the feminine.
5. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
6. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS. This Agreement is the FINAL AGREEMENT between the Company and the Investor with respect to the terms and conditions set forth herein, and, the terms of this Agreement may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements of the Parties. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Investor, and no provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. The execution and delivery of the Registered Offering Transaction Documents shall not alter the force and effect of any other agreements between the Parties, and the obligations under those agreements.
7. NOTICES. Any notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (I) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (II) upon receipt, when sent by email; or (III) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company: |
Bubblr, Inc. | |
| 21 West 46th Street | ||
| With a copy to | New York, NY 10036 | |
| (which copy shall not constitute notice) | ||
| If to the Investor: | GHS Investments, LLC 420 Jericho Turnpike, | |
| Suite 102 | ||
| Jericho, NY 11753 |
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Each party shall provide five (5) days prior written notice to the other party of any change in address.
8. NO ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned.
9. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person, except that the Company acknowledges that the rights of the Investor may be enforced by its general partner.
10. SURVIVAL. The representations and warranties of the Company and the Investor contained in Sections 3 and 4, the agreements and covenants set forth in Sections 5 and 6, and the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 10, shall survive each of the Closings and the termination of this Agreement.
11. PUBLICITY. The Investor acknowledges that this Agreement and all or part of the Registered Offering Transaction Documents may be deemed to be “material contracts” as that term is defined by Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K, and that the Company may therefore be required to file such documents as exhibits to reports or registration statements filed under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act. The Investor further agrees that the status of such documents and materials as material contracts shall be determined solely by the Company, in consultation with its counsel.
12. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
13. PLACEMENT AGENT. If so required, the Company agrees to pay a registered broker dealer, to act as placement agent. The Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons or entities for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registered Offering Transaction Documents. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, their employees, officers, directors, agents, and partners, and their respective affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and attorney’s fees) and expenses incurred in respect of any such claimed or existing fees, as such fees and expenses are incurred.
14. NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party, as the parties mutually agree that each has had a full and fair opportunity to review this Agreement and seek the advice of counsel on it.
15. REMEDIES. The Investor shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and all rights and remedies which such holders have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which the Investor has by law. Any person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any default or breach of any provision of this Agreement, including the recovery of reasonable attorneys fees and costs, and to exercise all other rights granted by law.
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16. PAYMENT SET ASIDE. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to the Investor hereunder or under the Registration Rights Agreement or the Investor enforces or exercises its rights hereunder or thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
17. PRICING OF COMMON STOCK. For purposes of this Agreement, the price of the Common Stock shall be as reported by Quotestream Media.
SECTION XII
NON-DISCLOSURE OF NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION
The Company shall not disclose non-public information to the Investor, its advisors, or its representatives.
Nothing herein shall require the Company to disclose non-public information to the Investor or its advisors or representatives, and the Company represents that it does not disseminate non-public information to any investors who purchase stock in the Company in a public offering, to money managers or to securities analysts, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will, as herein above provided, immediately notify the advisors and representatives of the Investor and, if any, underwriters, of any event or the existence of any circumstance (without any obligation to disclose the specific event or circumstance) of which it becomes aware, constituting non-public information (whether or not requested of the Company specifically or generally during the course of due diligence by such persons or entities), which, if not disclosed in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement would cause such prospectus to include a material misstatement or to omit a material fact required to be stated therein in order to make the statements, therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. Nothing contained in this Section 12 shall be construed to mean that such persons or entities other than the Investor (without the written consent of the Investor prior to disclosure of such information) may not obtain non-public information in the course of conducting due diligence in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and nothing herein shall prevent any such persons or entities from notifying the Company of their opinion that based on such due diligence by such persons or entities, that the Registration Statement contains an untrue statement of material fact or omits a material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
SECTION XIII
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto hereby acknowledge and agree to the following: (i) the Investor makes no representations or covenants that it will not engage in trading in the securities of the Company, other than as provided in Section 3.12 of this Agreement; (ii) the Company shall, by 8:30 a.m. EST on the fourth Trading Day following the date hereof, file a current report on Form 8-K disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Registered Offering Transaction Documents; (iii) the Company has not and shall not provide material non-public information to the Investor unless prior thereto the Investor shall have executed a written agreement regarding the confidentiality and use of such information; and (iv) the Company understands and confirms that the Investor will be relying on the acknowledgements set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above if the Investor effects any transactions in the securities of the Company.
[Signature page follows]
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Your signature on this Signature Page evidences your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement as of the date first written above. The undersigned signatory hereby certifies that he has read and understands the Investment Agreement, and the representations made by the undersigned in this Investment Agreement are true and accurate, and agrees to be bound by its terms.
| GHS INVESTMENTS, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Sarfraz Hajee | |
| Name: | Sarfraz Hajee | |
| Title: | Member | |
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF EQUITY FINANCING AGREEMENT]
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 9, 2022 (the “Execution Date”), is entered into by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation with its principal executive office at 21 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 (the “Company”), and GHS Investments LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, with offices at 420 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 102 Jericho, NY 11753 (the “Investor”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Investor of even date (the “Equity Financing Agreement”), the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Investor an indeterminate number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), up to an aggregate purchase price of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000);
WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Investor to execute and deliver the Equity Financing Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws, with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing promises and the mutual covenants contained hereinafter and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
SECTION
I
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Execution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preambles.
“Investor” shall have the meaning set forth in the preambles.
“Person” means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
“Register,” “Registered,” and “Registration” refer to the Registration effected by preparing and filing one (1) or more Registration Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous basis (“Rule 415”), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
“Registrable Securities” means (i) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement, (ii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to such shares of Common Stock, if any, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, which have not been (x) included in the Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC, or (y) sold under circumstances meeting all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the 1933 Act
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“Registration Statement” means the registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the Registrable Securities, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable Pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement.
“Registered Offering Transaction Documents” shall mean this Agreement and the Equity Financing Agreement between the Company and the Investor as of the date hereof.
All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to them as in the Equity Financing Agreement.
SECTION II
REGISTRATION
1. The Company shall, within thirty (30) calendar days upon the date of execution of this Agreement, use its best efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-1 (or, if such form is unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such registration), covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement(s) shall state that, in accordance with Rule 416 promulgated under the 1933 Act, such Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The Company shall initially register for resale all of the Registrable Securities which would be issuable on the date preceding the filing of the Registration Statement based on the closing bid price of the Company’s Common Stock on such date and the amount reasonably calculated that represents Common Stock issuable to other parties as set forth in the Equity Financing Agreement except to the extent that the SEC requires the share amount to be reduced as a condition of effectiveness.
2. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement(s) declared effective by the SEC within thirty (30) calendar days, but no more than ninety (90) calendar days after the Company has filed the Registration Statement.
3. Other than 206,000 shares of Common Stock for White Lion Capital, Investor’s own common stock in the Company convertible from Series C Preferred Stock and shares of common stock convertible from 168 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the Company agrees not to include any other securities in the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities without Investor’s prior written consent which Investor may withhold in its sole discretion. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it will not file any other Registration Statement for other securities, excepting Donald Capital, until thirty (30) calendar days after the Registration Statement for the Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC.
4. Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in Section 2.1, if the staff of the SEC (the “Staff”) or the SEC informs the Company that all of the unregistered Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single Registration Statement, the Company agrees to promptly (i) inform the Investor and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Registration Statement as required by the SEC and/or (ii) withdraw the Registration Statement and file a new registration statement (the “New Registration Statement”), in either case covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the SEC, on Form S-1 to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering. If the Company amends the Registration Statement or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC, as promptly as allowed by the Staff or SEC, one or more registration statements on Form S-1 to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Registration Statement, as amended, or the New Registration Statement (each, an “Additional Registration Statement”).
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SECTION
III
RELATED OBLIGATIONS
At such time as the Company is obligated to prepare and file the Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2.1, the Company will affect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, with respect thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
1. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective and shall keep such Registration Statement effective until the earlier to occur of the date on which (A) the Investor shall have sold all the Registrable Securities; or (B) the Investor has no right to acquire any additional shares of Common Stock under the Equity Financing Agreement (the “Registration Period”). The Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to respond to all SEC comments within ten (10) business days from receipt of such comments by the Company. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective no later than three (3) business days after notice from the SEC that the Registration Statement may be declared effective. The Investor agrees to provide all information which is required by law to provide to the Company, including the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities, and the Company’s obligations set forth above shall be conditioned on the receipt of such information.
2. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investor thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the event the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is at any time insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend such Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the necessity therefor arises (based on the then Purchase Price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely), assuming the Company has sufficient authorized shares at that time, and if it does not, within thirty (30) calendar days after such shares are authorized. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof.
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3. The Company shall make available to the Investor and its legal counsel without charge (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC at least one (1) copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and, with regards to such Registration Statement(s), any correspondence by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives; (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, the Company shall make available copies of the prospectus, via EDGAR, included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities.
4. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such states in the United States as the Investor reasonably requests; (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period; (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3.4, or (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
5. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the Company shall notify Investor in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (“Registration Default”) and use all diligent efforts to promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and take any other necessary steps to cure the Registration Default (which, if such Registration Statement is on Form S-3, may consist of a document to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act (as defined below) and to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus) to correct such untrue statement or omission, and make available copies of such supplement or amendment to the Investor. The Company shall also promptly notify the Investor (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (the Company will prepare notification of such effectiveness which shall be delivered to the Investor on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), additionally, the Company will promptly provide to the Investor, a copy of the effectiveness order prepared by the SEC once it is received by the Company; (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate, (iv) in the event the Registration Statement is no longer effective, or (v) if the Registration Statement is stale as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file its financials or otherwise
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6. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify the Investor holding Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding concerning the effectiveness of the registration statement.
7. The Company shall permit the Investor and one (1) legal counsel, designated by the Investor, to review and comment upon the Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least one (1) calendar day prior to their filing with the SEC. However, any postponement of a filing of a Registration Statement or any postponement of a request for acceleration or any postponement of the effective date or effectiveness of a Registration Statement by written request of the Investor (collectively, the “Investor’s Delay”) shall not act to trigger any penalty of any kind, or any cash amount due or any in-kind amount due the Investor from the Company under any and all agreements of any nature or kind between the Company and the Investor. The event(s) of an Investor’s Delay shall act to suspend all obligations of any kind or nature of the Company under any and all agreements of any nature or kind between the Company and the Investor.
8. At the request of the Investor, the Company’s counsel shall furnish to the Investor, within two (2) business days, an opinion letter confirming the effectiveness of the registration statement. Such opinion letter shall be issued as of the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement, in a form suitable to the Investor.
9. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, or (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order covering such information.
10. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement on the Principal Market. If, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding sentence, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be listed on each other national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or system. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3.10.
11. The Company shall cooperate with the Investor to facilitate the prompt preparation and delivery of the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investor may reasonably request.
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12. The Company shall provide a transfer agent for all the Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement filed pursuant hereto.
13. If requested by the Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as reasonably practical incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investor reasonably determines should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably possible after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by the Investor.
14. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
15. The Company shall otherwise use all commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.
16. Within three (3) business day after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities, with copies to the Investor, confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
17. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investor of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.
SECTION
IV
OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTOR
1. At least five (5) calendar days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from the Investor for the Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities and the Investor agrees to furnish to the Company that information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities as shall reasonably be required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and the Investor shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. The Investor covenants and agrees that, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities by it pursuant to the Registration Statement, it shall comply with the “Plan of Distribution” section of the then current prospectus relating to such Registration Statement.
2. The Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless the Investor has notified the Company in writing of an election to exclude all of the Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
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3. The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of written notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3.6 or the first sentence of 3.5, the Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3.6 or the first sentence of 3.5.
SECTION
V
EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION
All legal expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and other than as set forth in the Equity Financing Agreement, incurred in connection with registrations including comments, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, and printing fees shall be paid by the Company.
SECTION
VI
INDEMNIFICATION
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in the Registration Statement under this Agreement:
1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, under this Agreement, will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor who holds Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees, counsel, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “Claims”), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which the Investor has requested in writing that the Company register or qualify the Shares (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through
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(iii) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.3 the Company shall reimburse the Investor and each such controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6.1: (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which is due to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of the information furnished to the Company by any Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (ii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on (a) a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company or (b) the Indemnified Person’s use of an incorrect prospectus despite being promptly advised in advance by the Company in writing not to use such incorrect prospectus; (iii) any claims based on the manner of sale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor or of the Investor’s failure to register as a dealer under applicable securities laws; (iv) any omission of the Investor to notify the Company of any material fact that should be stated in the Registration Statement or prospectus relating to the Investor or the manner of sale; and (v) any amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement.
2. In connection with any Registration Statement in which Investor is participating, the Investor agrees to severally and jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6.1, the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act and the Company’s agents (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation is due to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of the written information furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6.3, the Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6.2 and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall only be liable under this Section 6.2 for that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6.2 with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus were corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented. This indemnification provision shall apply separately to each Investor and liability hereunder shall not be joint and several.
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3. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, the representation by counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one (1) separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such counsel shall be selected by the Investor, if the Investor is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding affected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
4. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (I) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
SECTION VII
CONTRIBUTION
1. To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6; (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
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SECTION VIII
REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT
1. With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (“Rule 144”), provided that the Investor holds any Registrable Securities are eligible for resale under Rule 144, the Company agrees to:
| a. | make and keep adequate current public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144; | |
| b. | file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company’s obligations under Section 5(c) of the Equity Financing Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and | |
| c. | furnish to the Investor, promptly upon request, (I) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration. |
SECTION X
MISCELLANEOUS
1. NOTICES. Any notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement that must be in writing will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by email; or (iii) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
| If to the Company: | Bubblr, Inc. | |
| 21 West 46th Street | ||
| New York, NY 10036 | ||
| With Copy to: | ||
| (which copy shall not | ||
| constitute notice | ||
| If to the Investor: | GHS Investments, LLC 420 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 102 | |
| Jericho, NY 11753 |
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Each party shall provide five (5) business days prior notice to the other party of any change in address, phone number or facsimile number.
2. NO WAIVERS. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
3. NO ASSIGNMENTS. The rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be assignable.
4. ENTIRE AGREEMENT/AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the Registered Offering Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement and the Registered Offering Transaction Documents supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only with the written consent of the Company and Investor.
5. HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Whenever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and masculine shall include the feminine. This Agreement shall not be construed as if it had been prepared by one of the parties, but rather as if all the parties had prepared the same.
6. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different signatories hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile transmission, PDF, electronic signature or other similar electronic means with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.
7. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
8. SEVERABILITY. In case any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
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9. LAW GOVERNING THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought only in the state or federal courts located in New York City, New York. The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. The parties executing this Agreement and other agreements referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Company agree to submit to the in personam jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably waive trial by jury. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or any other agreement delivered in connection herewith is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of any agreement. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or any other Registered Offering Transaction Documents by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
10. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person, except that the Company acknowledges that the rights of the Investor may be enforced by its general partner.
[Signature page follows]
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Your signature on this Signature Page evidences your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above. The undersigned signatory hereby certifies that he has read and understands the Registration Rights Agreement, and the representations made by the undersigned in this Registration Rights Agreement are true and accurate, and agrees to be bound by its terms.
| GHS INVESTMENTS, LLC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Sarfraz Hajee | |
| Name: | Sarfraz Hajee | |
| Title: | Member | |
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
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Exhibit 10.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 9, 2022 (the “Execution Date”), is entered into by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation with its principal executive office at 21 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 (the “Company”), and GHS Investments LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, with offices at 420 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 102 Jericho, NY 11753 (the “Investor”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Investor of even date (the “Equity Financing Agreement”), the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Investor an indeterminate number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), up to an aggregate purchase price of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000);
WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Investor to execute and deliver the Equity Financing Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws, with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing promises and the mutual covenants contained hereinafter and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
SECTION I
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Execution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preambles.
“Investor” shall have the meaning set forth in the preambles.
“Person” means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
“Register,” “Registered,” and “Registration” refer to the Registration effected by preparing and filing one (1) or more Registration Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous basis (“Rule 415”), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
“Registrable Securities” means (i) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement, (ii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to such shares of Common Stock, if any, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, which have not been (x) included in the Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC, or (y) sold under circumstances meeting all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the 1933 Act
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“Registration Statement” means the registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the Registrable Securities, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable Pursuant to the Equity Financing Agreement.
“Registered Offering Transaction Documents” shall mean this Agreement and the Equity Financing Agreement between the Company and the Investor as of the date hereof.
All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to them as in the Equity Financing Agreement.
SECTION
II
REGISTRATION
1. The Company shall, within thirty (30) calendar days upon the date of execution of this Agreement, use its best efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-1 (or, if such form is unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such registration), covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement(s) shall state that, in accordance with Rule 416 promulgated under the 1933 Act, such Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The Company shall initially register for resale all of the Registrable Securities which would be issuable on the date preceding the filing of the Registration Statement based on the closing bid price of the Company’s Common Stock on such date and the amount reasonably calculated that represents Common Stock issuable to other parties as set forth in the Equity Financing Agreement except to the extent that the SEC requires the share amount to be reduced as a condition of effectiveness.
2. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement(s) declared effective by the SEC within thirty (30) calendar days, but no more than ninety (90) calendar days after the Company has filed the Registration Statement.
3. Other than 206,000 shares of Common Stock for White Lion Capital, Investor’s own common stock in the Company convertible from Series C Preferred Stock and shares of common stock convertible from 168 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the Company agrees not to include any other securities in the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities without Investor’s prior written consent which Investor may withhold in its sole discretion. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it will not file any other Registration Statement for other securities, excepting Donald Capital, until thirty (30) calendar days after the Registration Statement for the Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC.
4. Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in Section 2.1, if the staff of the SEC (the “Staff”) or the SEC informs the Company that all of the unregistered Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single Registration Statement, the Company agrees to promptly (i) inform the Investor and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Registration Statement as required by the SEC and/or (ii) withdraw the Registration Statement and file a new registration statement (the “New Registration Statement”), in either case covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the SEC, on Form S-1 to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering. If the Company amends the Registration Statement or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC, as promptly as allowed by the Staff or SEC, one or more registration statements on Form S-1 to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Registration Statement, as amended, or the New Registration Statement (each, an “Additional Registration Statement”).
| 2 |
SECTION III
RELATED OBLIGATIONS
At such time as the Company is obligated to prepare and file the Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2.1, the Company will affect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, with respect thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
1. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective and shall keep such Registration Statement effective until the earlier to occur of the date on which (A) the Investor shall have sold all the Registrable Securities; or (B) the Investor has no right to acquire any additional shares of Common Stock under the Equity Financing Agreement (the “Registration Period”). The Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to respond to all SEC comments within ten (10) business days from receipt of such comments by the Company. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective no later than three (3) business days after notice from the SEC that the Registration Statement may be declared effective. The Investor agrees to provide all information which is required by law to provide to the Company, including the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities, and the Company’s obligations set forth above shall be conditioned on the receipt of such information.
2. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investor thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the event the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is at any time insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend such Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the necessity therefor arises (based on the then Purchase Price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely), assuming the Company has sufficient authorized shares at that time, and if it does not, within thirty (30) calendar days after such shares are authorized. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof.
| 3 |
3. The Company shall make available to the Investor and its legal counsel without charge (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC at least one (1) copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and, with regards to such Registration Statement(s), any correspondence by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives; (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, the Company shall make available copies of the prospectus, via EDGAR, included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities.
4. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such states in the United States as the Investor reasonably requests; (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period; (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3.4, or (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
5. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the Company shall notify Investor in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (“Registration Default”) and use all diligent efforts to promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and take any other necessary steps to cure the Registration Default (which, if such Registration Statement is on Form S-3, may consist of a document to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act (as defined below) and to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus) to correct such untrue statement or omission, and make available copies of such supplement or amendment to the Investor. The Company shall also promptly notify the Investor (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (the Company will prepare notification of such effectiveness which shall be delivered to the Investor on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), additionally, the Company will promptly provide to the Investor, a copy of the effectiveness order prepared by the SEC once it is received by the Company; (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate, (iv) in the event the Registration Statement is no longer effective, or (v) if the Registration Statement is stale as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file its financials or otherwise
| 4 |
6. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify the Investor holding Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding concerning the effectiveness of the registration statement.
7. The Company shall permit the Investor and one (1) legal counsel, designated by the Investor, to review and comment upon the Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least one (1) calendar day prior to their filing with the SEC. However, any postponement of a filing of a Registration Statement or any postponement of a request for acceleration or any postponement of the effective date or effectiveness of a Registration Statement by written request of the Investor (collectively, the “Investor’s Delay”) shall not act to trigger any penalty of any kind, or any cash amount due or any in-kind amount due the Investor from the Company under any and all agreements of any nature or kind between the Company and the Investor. The event(s) of an Investor’s Delay shall act to suspend all obligations of any kind or nature of the Company under any and all agreements of any nature or kind between the Company and the Investor.
8. At the request of the Investor, the Company’s counsel shall furnish to the Investor, within two (2) business days, an opinion letter confirming the effectiveness of the registration statement. Such opinion letter shall be issued as of the date of the effectiveness of the registration statement, in a form suitable to the Investor.
9. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, or (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order covering such information.
10. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement on the Principal Market. If, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding sentence, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be listed on each other national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or system. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3.10.
11. The Company shall cooperate with the Investor to facilitate the prompt preparation and delivery of the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investor may reasonably request.
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12. The Company shall provide a transfer agent for all the Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement filed pursuant hereto.
13. If requested by the Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as reasonably practical incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investor reasonably determines should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably possible after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by the Investor.
14. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
15. The Company shall otherwise use all commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.
16. Within three (3) business day after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities, with copies to the Investor, confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
17. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investor of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.
SECTION IV
OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTOR
1. At least five (5) calendar days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from the Investor for the Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities and the Investor agrees to furnish to the Company that information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities as shall reasonably be required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and the Investor shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. The Investor covenants and agrees that, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities by it pursuant to the Registration Statement, it shall comply with the “Plan of Distribution” section of the then current prospectus relating to such Registration Statement.
2. The Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless the Investor has notified the Company in writing of an election to exclude all of the Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
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3. The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of written notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3.6 or the first sentence of 3.5, the Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3.6 or the first sentence of 3.5.
SECTION V
EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION
All legal expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and other than as set forth in the Equity Financing Agreement, incurred in connection with registrations including comments, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, and printing fees shall be paid by the Company.
SECTION VI
INDEMNIFICATION
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in the Registration Statement under this Agreement:
1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, under this Agreement, will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor who holds Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees, counsel, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “Claims”), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which the Investor has requested in writing that the Company register or qualify the Shares (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through
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(iii) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.3 the Company shall reimburse the Investor and each such controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6.1: (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which is due to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of the information furnished to the Company by any Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (ii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on (a) a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company or (b) the Indemnified Person’s use of an incorrect prospectus despite being promptly advised in advance by the Company in writing not to use such incorrect prospectus; (iii) any claims based on the manner of sale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor or of the Investor’s failure to register as a dealer under applicable securities laws; (iv) any omission of the Investor to notify the Company of any material fact that should be stated in the Registration Statement or prospectus relating to the Investor or the manner of sale; and (v) any amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement.
2. In connection with any Registration Statement in which Investor is participating, the Investor agrees to severally and jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6.1, the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act and the Company’s agents (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation is due to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of the written information furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6.3, the Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6.2 and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall only be liable under this Section 6.2 for that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6.2 with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus were corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented. This indemnification provision shall apply separately to each Investor and liability hereunder shall not be joint and several.
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3. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, the representation by counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one (1) separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such counsel shall be selected by the Investor, if the Investor is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding affected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
4. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (I) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
SECTION VII
CONTRIBUTION
1. To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6; (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
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SECTION VIII
REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT
1. With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (“Rule 144”), provided that the Investor holds any Registrable Securities are eligible for resale under Rule 144, the Company agrees to:
| a. | make and keep adequate current public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144; |
| b. | file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company’s obligations under Section 5(c) of the Equity Financing Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and |
| c. | furnish to the Investor, promptly upon request, (I) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration. |
SECTION X
MISCELLANEOUS
1. NOTICES. Any notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement that must be in writing will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by email; or (iii) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company: |
Bubblr, Inc. 21 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 | ||
| With Copy to: |
|||
| If to the Investor: | GHS Investments, LLC 420 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 102 Jericho, NY 11753 |
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Each party shall provide five (5) business days prior notice to the other party of any change in address, phone number or facsimile number.
2. NO WAIVERS. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
3. NO ASSIGNMENTS. The rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be assignable.
4. ENTIRE AGREEMENT/AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the Registered Offering Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement and the Registered Offering Transaction Documents supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only with the written consent of the Company and Investor.
5. HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Whenever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and masculine shall include the feminine. This Agreement shall not be construed as if it had been prepared by one of the parties, but rather as if all the parties had prepared the same.
6. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different signatories hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile transmission, PDF, electronic signature or other similar electronic means with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.
7. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
8. SEVERABILITY. In case any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
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9. LAW GOVERNING THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought only in the state or federal courts located in New York City, New York. The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. The parties executing this Agreement and other agreements referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Company agree to submit to the in personam jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably waive trial by jury. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or any other agreement delivered in connection herewith is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of any agreement. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or any other Registered Offering Transaction Documents by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
10. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person, except that the Company acknowledges that the rights of the Investor may be enforced by its general partner.
[Signature page follows]
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Your signature on this Signature Page evidences your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above. The undersigned signatory hereby certifies that he has read and understands the Registration Rights Agreement, and the representations made by the undersigned in this Registration Rights Agreement are true and accurate, and agrees to be bound by its terms.
| GHS INVESTMENTS, LLC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Sarfraz Hajee | |
| Name: | Sarfraz Hajee | |
| Title: | Member | |
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Title: | CEO | |
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
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Exhibit 10.5
TERMINATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
This Termination and Release Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of this 22nd day of March, 2022, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Bubblr”) and White Lion Capital LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“White Lion”).
WHEREAS, on or about February 1, 2022, Bubblr entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and Registration Rights Agreement with White Lion, pursuant to which Bubblr has the right, but not the obligation to cause White Lion to purchase up to $10 million of its common stock shares (the “Commitment Amount”) during the period beginning on the execution date of the Purchase Agreement and ending on the earlier of (i) the date on which White Lion has purchased a number of our common stock shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement equal to the Commitment Amount or (ii) December 31, 2022, at the purchase price set forth in the Purchase Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Bubblr issued to White Lion 103,000 shares as commitment shares;
WHEREAS, the parties now desire to terminate and release each other and otherwise settle, compromise, dispose of, and release with finality, all claims, demands and causes of action, arising out of the Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for consideration, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
| 1. | Termination. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as of the date hereof, the Parties hereby terminate the Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement and any and all rights, obligations or duties created thereunder. |
| 2. | Coordination. The parties agree to take whatever measures are necessary return to their respective positions as if the Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement were never executed. |
| 3. | Commitment Shares; Registration; Participation Right. |
| (a) | Commitment Shares. The parties agree that White Lion shall retain the 103,000 commitment shares for its efforts in connection with the Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement and, in addition, within five (5) business days of execution of this Agreement, Bubblr shall issue to White Lion an additional 103,000 shares common stock to bring the total amount held by White Lion to 206,000 shares of common stock. |
| (b) | Registration Right. Bubblr shall register the 206,000 shares in a registration statement on Form S-1 with White Lion as the selling shareholder. The Parties understand that the shares will have to be registered on Form S-1 for resale at a fixed price and will not be available at variable market prices until Bubblr is on the OTCQB tier of OTC Markets. |
| 4. | Mutual Release. Except for the obligations set forth in this Agreement, each party hereby releases, remises, acquits and forever discharges any other party to this Agreement and their related or controlled entities, and all of their directors, officers, members, managers, partners, employees, servants, attorneys, assigns, heirs, successors, agents and representatives, past and present, and the respective successors, executors, administrators and any legal and personal representatives of each of the foregoing, and each of them, from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, debts, liabilities, rights, contracts, obligations, duties, damages, costs, expenses or losses, of every kind and nature whatsoever, and by whomever asserted, whether at this time known or suspected, or unknown or unsuspected, anticipated or unanticipated, direct or indirect, fixed or contingent, or which may presently exist or which may hereafter arise or become known, in law or in equity, in the nature of an administrative proceeding or otherwise, for or by reason of any event, transaction, matter or cause whatsoever, with respect to, in connection with or arising out of the Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement. |
It is understood by the parties that the facts with respect to which the foregoing release is given may hereafter turn out to be other than or different from the facts now known to a party or the parties or believed by a party or the parties to be true, and each party therefore expressly assumes the risk of the facts turning out to be so different and agrees that the foregoing release shall be in all respects effective and not subject to termination or rescission by any such difference in facts.
This release shall not apply to the obligations set forth under Section 3 of this Agreement.
| 5. | No Assignment. The parties to this Agreement represent and warrant that neither they or their affiliated persons or entities have assigned or transferred any claim or interest herein or authorized any other person or entity to assert any claim or claims on its behalf with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. |
| 6. | Non-Disparagement. The parties agree not to make any oral or written statements or otherwise take any action that is intended or may reasonably be expected to disparage the reputation, business, prospects or operations of any other party to this Agreement. |
| 7. | Confidentiality. The parties agree that they will keep confidential all information and trade secrets of one another or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and will not disclose such information to any person without written prior approval or use such information for any purpose. It is understood that for purposes of this Agreement the term “confidential information” is to be construed broadly to include all material nonpublic or proprietary information. |
| 8. | Cooperation. Each of the parties hereby agree to perform any and all acts and to execute and deliver any and all documents reasonably necessary or convenient to carry out the intent and the provisions of this Agreement. |
| 9. | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws. |
| 10. | Complete Agreement. This Agreement represents the complete agreement among the parties concerning the subject matter in this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, including the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, or otherwise. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives. |
| 11. | Voluntary Agreement. This Agreement has been entered into voluntarily and not as a result of coercion, duress, or undue influence. The parties acknowledge that they have read and fully understand the terms of this Agreement and have been advised to consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement. |
| 12. | Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their predecessors, parents, subsidiaries and affiliated corporations, all officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees, attorneys, assigns, successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and legal representatives of whatsoever kind or character in privity therewith. |
| 13. | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, one or more of which may be facsimiles, but all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Facsimile signatures of this Agreement shall be accepted by the parties to this Agreement as valid and binding in lieu of original signatures. |
| 14. | Time for Performance. The parties understand that time is of the essence with respect to each and every act required by this Agreement. Failure to perform any provision hereof in strict accordance with the Agreement shall be deemed a material breach of the Agreement. |
| 2 |
The parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
| BUBBLR INC. | ||
| By | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Printed Name: Rik Willard | ||
| Title: | CEO | |
| WHITE LION CAPITAL, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Nathan Yee | |
| Printed Name: Nathan Lee | ||
| Title: | Managing Partner | |
| 3 |
Exhibit 10.6
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of May 31st, 2022 by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Rik Willard (“Executive”), together referred to as the “Parties. “
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing mobile platform technologies around a new patented alternative search mechanism. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement the Parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement completely replaces and supersedes the Employment Agreement dated as of August 16, 2021 between Executive and the Company (the “Original Employment Agreement”).
1.02 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on the date first written above (the “Commencement Date”) and ending on December 31, 2022. This initial term shall be automatically renewed for an additional one year term (the “Renewal Term”) unless either party sends notice to the other party, not more than 270 days and not less than 60 days before the end of the then-existing term of employment, of such party’s desire to terminate the Agreement at the end of the initial term, in which case this Agreement will terminate at the end of the initial term. The Parties understand and acknowledge that if Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Renewal Term, then such employment shall be “at-will” unless this Agreement is extended, or different terms are established, by the Parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting directly to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”); and
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the day-to-day operation of the companies in which such investments are made; and (ii) engaging in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $144,000.00 per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly installments. When the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing, the base salary will be increased to $180,000 per annum. When the Company receives $10 million in debt or equity financing, the base salary shall be a minimum of $240,000 per annum or a compensation amount and schedule set by a third party Executive Compensation Consultant (“ECC”), whichever is higher. The ECC must render an opinion within 60 days of the given funding threshold. If the ECC is not retained and has not rendered an opinion on the matter, the amount of compensation due will stand as per the milestones in this Agreement and will remain in effect until an ECC renders an opinion. Executive’s base salary will never be less than the base salary of the highest paid employee for the duration of the term of this Agreement. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Company shall create a success criteria to measure and dictate bonus compensation by August 1, 2022.
3.03 Equity.
The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity issuances to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
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All restricted stock units of Common stock described in this Section 3.03 shall vest over a period of two years in one year increments for the Executive upon issuance and subject to adjustments made for share splits, subdivisions, consolidations, reorganizations and like events. Executive’s ability to sell shares must be accomplished consistent with rules set by the Security and Exchange Commission and any other relevant regulatory bodies.
The Parties acknowledges that Executive has already been issued previously 102,040 shares of Company common stock. Upon execution of this Agreement, Company will immediately
issue and reserve to Executive 5,400,000 restrictive stock units of Common Stock, with half vesting on June 1st, 2023 and the remaining vesting on June 1st, 2024.
Notwithstanding the terms of Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, in the event the Company terminates this Agreement as a result of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in Section 5.04(a) of this Agreement), or for any reason other than Cause, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of the termination. If there is a Change of Control and the Company terminates this Agreement for any reason, including Cause, within a period of six (6) months from the date of the Change in Control, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of such termination.
If the term of Executive’s agreement is extended for a period of an additional 12 months from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, or beyond, the Board of Directors shall determine additional distributions of shares during its annual review of Executive’s performance.
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs up to a maximum of $801 per month with the submission of a proof of payment. Company also acknowledges that Board Chair will work with the Executive to establish a comprehensive benefits package for Bubblr employees, including the Executive, which will become effective within 60 days of company securing debt or equity funding of $5 million. At that time, Executive will receive health, medical, dental, disability, and life insurance plans paid for by the Company.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to 30 days of vacation, to be taken in such amounts and at such times as shall be mutually convenient for Executive and the Company. Executive is entitled to access these vacation days effective the first day of January in each calendar year. Any time not taken by Executive in one year shall be forfeited and not carried forward to subsequent years. Executive shall not be entitled to be reimbursed for any unused vacation or personal time, except as may be required by law.
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4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall, in accordance with its standard policies in effect, a) issue to Executive a company credit card to be used only for business expenses incurred while in the employ of the Company; and b) reimburse Executive on a monthly basis for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company. For both provisions 4.03(a) and 4.03(b), Executive is required to submit substantiation of such expenses to the Company in a timely basis and in accordance with such standard operational policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate, and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are made available from time to time for other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, within thirty (30) days of Executive’s termination of employment, the full amount of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unpaid benefits, including any vacation pay, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the expiration of this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.01 hereof, (b) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (c) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (d) the Executive’s death.
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5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 45 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, refusal to perform duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if, in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm, or if one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
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(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, or the exhibiting of any nonprincipled and/or unethical behavior collectively by the Board of Directors or by any individual board director, which is not cured within 90 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment of 6 months of the then-existing Base (the “Severance”) and (b) retain all benefits (including health insurance) set forth in Article IV for a period of 12 months and retain all equity issued or due to Executive as of the date of termination. The Severance shall be paid consistent with its current compensation practices when normal payroll payments are made. Health insurance benefits during the 12 month period shall be paid by Company under rules established by COBRA. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
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5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of two years after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company. Confidential Information shall not apply to any information which is (i) is or becomes generally available to the public at any time, (ii) lawfully obtained by the Executive from sources independent of the Company, (iii) independently developed by the Executive without the benefit or usage of or reference to the Confidential Information, (iv) previously known by the Executive.
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6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, both Parties hereby covenant and agree that they shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company’s or Executive’s products or services, business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial conditions or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the Parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. The Parties acknowledge that any breach of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm either of the Parties and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and further agree that the Parties shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to them, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements, including the Original Employment Agreement, between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both Parties hereto.
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ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, if not settled successfully through good-faith negotiations, shall be settled by binding arbitration in New York, New York administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator (s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the Parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Matthew S. Loeb | |
| Name: | Matthew S. Loeb | |
| Chair, Bubblr Board of Directors | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard (“Executive”) | |
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Exhibit 10.7
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of May 31st, 2022 by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Steven Saunders (“Executive”), together referred to as the “Parties. “
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing mobile platform technologies around a new patented alternative search mechanism. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement completely replaces and supersedes the Employment Agreement dated as of November 1st, 2021 between Executive and the Company (the “Original Employment Agreement”).
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on the date first written above (the “Commencement Date”). This agreement will be automatically renewed for up to two (2) successive consecutive one (1) year periods (each, a “Renewal Term” and the Renewal Term are collectively referred to as the “term of employment”) thereafter unless either party sends notice to the other party, not more than 270 days and not less than 60 days before the end of the then-initial term of employment, of such party’s desire to terminate the Agreement at the end of the then-existing term, in which case this Agreement will terminate at the end of the then-initial term. The parties understand and acknowledge that if Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the last Renewal Term, then such employment shall be “at-will” unless this Agreement is extended, or different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as the Chief Commercial Officer of the Company, reporting directly to the CEO; and
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the day-to-day operation of the companies in which such investments are made; and (ii) engaging in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $144,000.00 USD per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly installments. When the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing, the base salary will be increased to $180,000 USD per annum. When the Company receives $10 million in debt or equity financing, the base salary shall be a minimum of $240,000 USD per annum or a compensation amount and schedule set by a third-party Executive Compensation Consultant (“ECC”), whichever is higher. The ECC must render an opinion within 60 days of the given funding threshold. If the ECC is not retained and has not rendered an opinion on the matter, the amount of compensation due will stand as per the milestones in this Agreement and will remain in effect until an ECC renders an opinion. Executive’s base salary will never be less than the base salary of the highest paid employee for the duration of the term of this Agreement. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Company shall create a success criterion to measure and dictate bonus compensation by August 1, 2022.
3.03 Equity.
The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity issuances to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
All restricted stock units of Common stock described in this Section 3.03 shall vest over a period of two years in one year increments for the Executive upon issuance and subject to adjustments made for share splits, subdivisions, consolidations, reorganizations and like events. Executive’s ability to sell shares must be accomplished consistent with rules set by the Security and Exchange Commission and any other relevant regulatory bodies.
Upon execution of this Agreement, Company will immediately issue and reserve to Executive 3,000,000 restrictive stock units of Common Stock, with half vesting on June 1st, 2023 and the remaining vesting on June 1st, 2024.
Notwithstanding the terms of Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, in the event the Company terminates this Agreement as a result of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in Section 5.04(a) of this Agreement), or for any reason other than Cause, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of the termination. If there is a Change of Control and the Company terminates this Agreement for any reason, including Cause, within a period of six (6) months from the date of the Change in Control, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of such termination.
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”).
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to 30 days of vacation, to be taken in such amounts and at such times as shall be mutually convenient for Executive and the Company. Executive is entitled to access these vacation days effective the first day of January in each calendar year. Any time not taken by Executive in one year shall be forfeited and not carried forward to subsequent years. Executive shall not be entitled to be reimbursed for any unused vacation or personal time, except as may be required under law.
4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall, in accordance with its standard policies in effect, reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits substantiation of such expenses to the Company in a timely basis and in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate, and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, within thirty (30) days of Executive’s termination of employment, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, including any vacation pay, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the expiration of this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.01 hereof, (b) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (c) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (d) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment of 6 months of the then-existing Base (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for 6 months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the local tax laws at a rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three 1 year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company. Confidential Information shall not apply to any information which is (i) is or becomes generally available to the public at any time, (ii) lawfully obtained by the Executive from sources independent of the Company, (iii) independently developed by the Executive without the benefit or usage of or reference to the Confidential Information, (iv) previously known by the Executive.
6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the Parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements, including the Original Employment Agreement, between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, if not settled successfully through good-faith negotiations, shall be settled by binding arbitration in New York, New York administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator (s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard | |
| Its: | CEO | |
| /s/ Steven Saunders | ||
| Steven Saunders (“Executive”) | ||
Exhibt 10.8
BUBBLR, INC.
(the “Company”)
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Bubblr, Inc. 2022 Incentive Plan is to attract, retain and motivate employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors of the Company and its Related Companies by providing them the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to align their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
Certain capitalized terms used in the Plan have the meanings set forth in Appendix A.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION
| 3.1 | Administration of the Plan |
The Plan shall be administered by the Board or its Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee shall be composed of two or more directors, each of whom is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. As used in this Plan, the term “Compensation Committee” shall be construed as if followed by the words “(if any)”; nothing in this Plan requires the Board to have a Compensation Committee.
| 3.2 | Delegation |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may delegate responsibility for administering the Plan with respect to designated classes of Eligible Persons to different committees consisting of one or more members of the Board, subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate, except with respect to Awards to any Participants who are then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Members of any committee shall serve for such term as the Board may determine, subject to removal by the Board at any time. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Board or the Compensation Committee may authorize one or more officers of the Company to grant Awards to designated classes of Eligible Persons, within limits specifically prescribed by the Board or the Compensation Committee; provided, however, that no such officer shall have or obtain authority to grant Awards to himself or herself or to any person then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. All references in the Plan to the “Committee” shall be, as applicable, to the Board, the Compensation Committee or any other committee or any officer to whom the Board or the Compensation Committee has delegated authority to administer the Plan.
| 3.3 | Administration and Interpretation by Committee |
(a) Except for the terms and conditions explicitly set forth in the Plan and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and exclusive authority, subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to
(i) select the Eligible Persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted under the Plan;
(ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan;
(iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, to be covered by each Award granted under the Plan;
(iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan;
(v) approve the forms of notice or agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, shares of Common Stock or other property or canceled or suspended;
(vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, shares of Common Stock, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;
(viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument evidencing an Award, notice or agreement executed or entered into under the Plan;
(ix) establish such rules and regulations as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan;
(x) delegate ministerial duties to such of the Company’s employees as it so determines; and
(xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.
(b) The Committee shall have the right, without stockholder approval, to cancel or amend outstanding Options or SARs for the purpose of repricing, replacing or regranting such Options or SARs with Options or SARs that have a purchase or grant price that is less than the purchase or grant price for the original Options or SARs except in connection with adjustments provided in Section 15.
(c) The effect on the vesting of an Award of a Company-approved leave of absence or a Participant’s working less than full-time shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors or executive officers, by the Committee, whose determination shall be final.
(d) Decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, any Participant, any stockholder and any Eligible Person. A majority of the members of the Committee may determine its actions.
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SECTION 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
| 4.1 | Authorized Number of Shares |
Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in subsection 15.1, a maximum of 28,400,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan shall be drawn from authorized and unissued shares or shares now held or subsequently acquired by the Company as treasury shares.
| 4.2 | Share Usage |
(a) Shares of Common Stock covered by an Award shall not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant. If any Award lapses, expires, terminates or is canceled prior to the issuance of shares thereunder or if shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan to a Participant and thereafter are forfeited to or otherwise reacquired by the Company, the shares subject to such Awards and the forfeited or reacquired shares shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares of Common Stock
(i) tendered by a Participant or retained by the Company as full or partial payment to the Company for the purchase price of an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with an Award, or
(ii) covered by an Award that is settled in cash, or in a manner such that some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Award are not issued,
shall be available for Awards under the Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall not be reduced to reflect any dividends or dividend equivalents that are reinvested into additional shares of Common Stock or credited as additional shares of Common Stock subject or paid with respect to an Award.
(b) The Committee shall also, without limitation, have the authority to grant Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant Substitute Awards under the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan. In the event that an Acquired Entity has shares available for awards or grants under one or more preexisting plans not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, then, to the extent determined by the Committee, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such preexisting plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to holders of common stock of the entities that are parties to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of such preexisting plans, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employees or directors of the Company or a Related Company prior to such acquisition or combination. In the event that a written agreement between the Company and an Acquired Entity pursuant to which a merger or consolidation is completed is approved by the Board and that agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the substitution for or assumption of outstanding awards of the Acquired Entity, those terms and conditions shall be deemed to be the action of the Committee without any further action by the Committee, except as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and the persons holding such awards shall be deemed to be Participants.
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(d) Notwithstanding the other provisions in this subsection, the maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall equal the aggregate share number stated in subsection 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in subsection 15.1.
SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY
An Award may be granted to any employee, officer or director of the Company or a Related Company whom the Committee from time to time selects. An Award may also be granted to any consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor for bona fide services rendered to the Company or any Related Company that:
(a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction, and
(b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.
SECTION 6. AWARDS
| 6.1 | Form, Grant and Settlement of Awards |
The Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted under the Plan. Such Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other type of Award. Any Award settlement may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall determine.
| 6.2 | Evidence of Awards |
Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written, including an electronic, notice or agreement that shall contain such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Committee shall deem advisable and that are not inconsistent with the Plan.
| 6.3 | Deferrals |
The Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of any Award if and to the extent set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award at the time of grant. If any such deferral election is permitted or required, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals, which may include the grant of additional Awards or provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents, including converting such credits to deferred stock unit equivalents; provided, however, that the terms of any deferrals under this subsection shall comply with all applicable law, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code.
| 6.4 | Dividends and Distributions |
Participants may, if and to the extent the Committee so determines and sets forth in the instrument evidencing the Award at the time of grant, be credited with dividends paid with respect to shares of Common Stock underlying an Award in a manner determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends or dividend equivalents that the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine the form of payment of dividends or dividend equivalents, including cash, shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or Stock Units.
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SECTION 7. OPTIONS
| 7.1 | Grant of Options |
The Committee may grant Options designated as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options.
| 7.2 | Option Exercise Price |
The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date (and shall not be less than the minimum exercise price required by Section 422 of the Code with respect to Incentive Stock Options), except in the case of Substitute Awards.
| 7.3 | Term of Options |
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the maximum term of a Nonqualified Stock Option shall be ten years from the Grant Date.
| 7.4 | Exercise of Options |
The Committee shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option the time at which, or the installments in which, the Option shall vest and become exercisable, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Committee at any time.
To the extent an Option has vested and become exercisable, the Option may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part by delivery to or as directed or approved by the Company of a properly executed stock option exercise agreement or notice, in a form and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, setting forth the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, the restrictions imposed on the shares purchased under such exercise agreement, if any, and such representations and agreements as may be required by the Committee, accompanied by payment in full as described in subsection 7.5 and Section 13. An Option may be exercised only for whole shares and may not be exercised for less than a reasonable number of shares at any one time, as determined by the Committee.
| 7.5 | Payment of Exercise Price |
The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be paid in full to the Company by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the Option exercise price and the number of shares purchased. Such consideration must be paid before the Company will issue the shares being purchased and must be in a form or a combination of forms acceptable to the Committee for that purchase, which forms may include:
(a) cash;
(b) check or wire transfer;
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(c) having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares being purchased under the Option;
(d) tendering (either actually or, so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, by attestation) shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares being purchased under the Option;
(e) so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and to the extent permitted by law, delivery of a properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions to a brokerage firm designated or approved by the Company to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate amount of proceeds to pay the Option exercise price and any withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or
(f) such other consideration as the Committee may permit.
| 7.6 | Effect of Termination of Service |
The Committee shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option whether the Option shall continue to be exercisable, and the terms and conditions of such exercise, after a Termination of Service, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Committee at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option shall be exercisable according to the following terms and conditions, which may be waived or modified by the Committee at any time:
(a) Any portion of an Option that is not vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on such date.
(b) Any portion of an Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on the earliest to occur of:
(i) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for reasons other than Cause, Retirement, Disability or death, the date that is three months after such Termination of Service;
(ii) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs by reason of Retirement, Disability or death, the one-year anniversary of such Termination of Service; and
(iii) the Option Expiration Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant dies after his or her Termination of Service but while an Option is otherwise exercisable, the portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of such Termination of Service shall expire upon the earlier to occur of (y) the Option Expiration Date and (z) the one-year anniversary of the date of death, unless the Committee determines otherwise. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for Cause, all Options granted to the Participant shall automatically expire upon first notification to the Participant of such termination, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company is suspended pending an investigation of whether the Participant shall be terminated for Cause, all the Participant’s rights under any Option shall likewise be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after a Participant’s Termination of Service, any Option then held by the Participant may be immediately terminated by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
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(c) If the exercise of the Option following a Participant’s Termination of Service, but while the Option is otherwise exercisable, would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Common Stock would violate either the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) the expiration of a period of three months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) after the Participant’s Termination of Service during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such Securities Act or insider trading policy requirements.
SECTION 8. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITATIONS
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of any Incentive Stock Options shall also comply in all respects with Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and any applicable regulations thereunder, including, to the extent required thereunder, the following:
| 8.1 | Dollar Limitation |
To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant Date) of Common Stock with respect to which a Participant’s Incentive Stock Options become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other stock option plans of the Company and its parent and subsidiary corporations) exceeds $100,000, such portion in excess of $100,000 shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. In the event the Participant holds two or more such Options that become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, such limitation shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted.
| 8.2 | Eligible Employees. |
Individuals who are not employees of the Company or one of its parent or subsidiary corporations may not be granted Incentive Stock Options.
| 8.3 | Exercise Price |
The exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date, and in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporations (a “Ten Percent Stockholder”), shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date. The determination of more than 10% ownership shall be made in accordance with Section 422 of the Code.
| 8.4 | Option Term |
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the maximum term of an Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed ten years, and in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, shall not exceed five years.
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| 8.5 | Exercisability |
An Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax treatment as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent it is exercised (if permitted by the terms of the Option) (a) more than three months after the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination was for reasons other than death or disability, (b) more than one year after the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination was by reason of disability, or (c) after the Participant has been on leave of absence for more than 90 days, unless the Participant’s reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or contract.
| 8.6 | Taxation of Incentive Stock Options |
In order to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options under Section 422 of the Code, the Participant must hold the shares acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise.
A Participant may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares acquired on the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option prior to the expiration of such holding periods.
| 8.7 | Code Definitions |
For the purposes of this Section, “disability” “parent corporation” and “subsidiary corporation” shall have the meanings attributed to those terms for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.
SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
| 9.1 | Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights |
The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants at any time on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. An SAR may be granted in tandem with an Option or alone (“freestanding”). The grant price of a tandem SAR shall be equal to the exercise price of the related Option. The grant price of a freestanding SAR shall be established in accordance with procedures for Options set forth in subsection 7.2. An SAR may be exercised upon such terms and conditions and for the term as the Committee determines in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the SAR, the maximum term of a freestanding SAR shall be ten years, and in the case of a tandem SAR, (a) the term shall not exceed the term of the related Option and (b) the tandem SAR may be exercised for all or part of the shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option, except that the tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.
| 9.2 | Payment of SAR Amount |
Upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment in an amount determined by multiplying:
(a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR by
(b) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
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At the discretion of the Committee as set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, the payment upon exercise of an SAR may be in cash, in shares, in some combination thereof or in any other manner approved by the Committee in its sole discretion.
| 9.3 | Waiver of Restrictions |
Subject to subsection 18.5, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any SAR under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate.
SECTION 10. STOCK AWARDS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS
| 10.1 | Grant of Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units |
The Committee may grant Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units on such terms and conditions and subject to such repurchase or forfeiture restrictions, if any, which may be based on continuous service with the Company or a Related Company or the achievement of any performance goals, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, which terms, conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award.
| 10.2 | Vesting of Restricted Stock and Stock Units |
Upon the satisfaction of any terms, conditions and restrictions prescribed with respect to Restricted Stock or Stock Units, or upon a Participant’s release from any terms, conditions and restrictions of Restricted Stock or Stock Units, as determined by the Committee, and subject to the provisions of Section 13:
(a) the shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Award of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant, and
(b) Stock Units shall be paid in shares of Common Stock or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Awards, in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.
Any fractional shares subject to such Awards shall be paid to the Participant in cash.
| 10.3 | Waiver of Restrictions |
Subject to subsection 18.5, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive the repurchase or forfeiture period and any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any Restricted Stock or Stock Unit under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate.
SECTION 11. PERFORMANCE AWARDS
| 11.1 | Performance Shares |
The Committee may grant Awards of Performance Shares, designate the Participants to whom Performance Shares are to be awarded and determine the number of Performance Shares and the terms and conditions of each such Award. Performance Shares shall consist of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of shares of Common Stock, the value of which may be paid to the Participant by delivery of shares of Common Stock or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Common Stock, other property, or any combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee. Subject to subsection 18.5, the amount to be paid under an Award of Performance Shares may be adjusted on the basis of such further consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.
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| 11.2 | Performance Units |
The Committee may grant Awards of Performance Units, designate the Participants to whom Performance Units are to be awarded and determine the number of Performance Units and the terms and conditions of each such Award. Performance Units shall consist of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property other than shares of Common Stock, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Common Stock, other property, or any combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee. Subject to subsection 18.5, the amount to be paid under an Award of Performance Units may be adjusted on the basis of such further consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.
SECTION 12. OTHER STOCK OR CASH-BASED AWARDS
Subject to the terms of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, the Committee may grant other incentives payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock under the Plan.
SECTION 13. WITHHOLDING
The Company may require the Participant to pay to the Company the amount of:
(a) any taxes that the Company is required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law to withhold with respect to the grant, vesting or exercise of an Award (“tax withholding obligations”); and
(b) any amounts due from the Participant to the Company or to any Related Company (“other obligations”).
The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock or otherwise settle an Award under the Plan until such tax withholding obligations and other obligations are satisfied. The Committee may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of the Participant’s tax withholding obligations and other obligations by:
(i) paying cash to the Company,
(ii) having the Company withhold an amount from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company to the Participant,
(iii) having the Company withhold a number of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be issued to the Participant (or become vested, in the case of Restricted Stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations, or
(iv) surrendering a number of shares of Common Stock the Participant already owns having a value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations.
The value of the shares so withheld or tendered may not exceed the employer’s minimum required tax withholding rate.
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SECTION 14. ASSIGNABILITY
No Award or interest in an Award may be sold, assigned, pledged (as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose) or transferred by a Participant or made subject to attachment or similar proceedings otherwise than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, except to the extent the Participant designates one or more beneficiaries on a Company-approved form who may exercise the Award or receive payment under the Award after the Participant’s death. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Award may be exercised only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to assign or transfer an Award subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall specify.
SECTION 15. ADJUSTMENTS
| 15.1 | Adjustment of Shares |
In the event, at any time or from time to time, a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, distribution to stockholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other change in the Company’s corporate or capital structure results in
(a) the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any securities exchanged therefor or received in their place, being exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or
(b) new, different or additional securities of the Company or any other company being received by the holders of shares of Common Stock,
then the Committee shall make proportional adjustments in
(i) the maximum number and kind of securities available for issuance under the Plan;
(ii) the maximum number and kind of securities issuable as Incentive Stock Options as set forth in subsection 4.2; and
(iii) the number and kind of securities that are subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid therefor.
The determination by the Committee, as to the terms of any of the foregoing adjustments shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services rendered, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, outstanding Awards. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a Company Transaction shall not be governed by this subsection but shall be governed by subsections 15.2 and 15.3, respectively.
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| 15.2 | Dissolution or Liquidation |
To the extent not previously exercised or settled, and unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, Awards shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company. To the extent a vesting condition, forfeiture provision or repurchase right applicable to an Award has not been waived by the Committee, the Award shall be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of the dissolution or liquidation.
| 15.3 | Change in Control |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, in the event of a Change in Control:
(a) All outstanding Awards, other than Performance Shares and Performance Units, shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse, immediately prior to the Change in Control and shall terminate at the effective time of the Change in Control; provided, however, that with respect to a Change in Control that is a Company Transaction, such Awards shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse, only if and to the extent such Awards are not converted, assumed or replaced by the Successor Company. For the purposes of this paragraph, an Award shall be considered converted, assumed or replaced by the Successor Company if following the Company Transaction the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Company Transaction, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the Company Transaction by holders of Common Stock for each share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Company Transaction is not solely common stock of the Successor Company, the Committee may, with the consent of the Successor Company, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each share of Common Stock subject thereto, to be solely common stock of the Successor Company substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Company Transaction. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee, and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
(b) All Performance Shares or Performance Units earned and outstanding as of the date the Change in Control is determined to have occurred shall be payable in full at the target level in accordance with the payout schedule pursuant to the instrument evidencing the Award. Any remaining Performance Shares or Performance Units (including any applicable performance period) for which the payout level has not been determined shall be prorated at the target payout level up to and including the date of such Change in Control and shall be payable in full at the target level in accordance with the payout schedule pursuant to the instrument evidencing the Award. Any existing deferrals or other restrictions not waived by the Committee in its sole discretion shall remain in effect.
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(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs 15.3(a) and 15.3(b), the Committee, in its sole discretion, may (unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company) instead provide in the event of a Change in Control that is a Company Transaction
(i) for adjustments to the Plan and outstanding Awards as contemplated by subsection 15.1 or
(ii) that a Participant’s outstanding Awards shall terminate upon or immediately prior to such Company Transaction and that such Participant shall receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (x) the value of the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Company Transaction, or, if the Company Transaction is a sale of assets or otherwise does not result in direct receipt of consideration by holders of Common Stock, the value of the deemed per share consideration received, in each case as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Awards (to the extent then vested and exercisable or whether or not then vested and exercisable, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) exceeds (y) if applicable, the respective aggregate exercise price or grant price for such Awards.
| 15.4 | Further Adjustment of Awards |
Subject to subsections 15.2 and 15.3, the Committee shall have the discretion, exercisable at any time before a sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change in control of the Company, as defined by the Committee, to take such further action as it determines to be necessary or advisable with respect to Awards. Such authorized action may include (but shall not be limited to) establishing, amending or waiving the type, terms, conditions or duration of, or restrictions on, Awards so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional time for exercise, lifting restrictions and other modifications, and the Committee may take such actions with respect to all Participants, to certain categories of Participants or only to individual Participants. The Committee may take such action before or after granting Awards to which the action relates and before or after any public announcement with respect to such sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change in control that is the reason for such action.
| 15.5 | No Limitations |
The grant of Awards shall in no way affect the Company’s right to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
| 15.6 | Fractional Shares |
In the event of any adjustment in the number of shares covered by any Award, each such Award shall cover only the number of full shares resulting from such adjustment.
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| 15.7 | Section 409A of the Code |
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary,
(a) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 15 or any other amendments to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and
(b) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 15 or any other amendments to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code
shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment or amendment the Awards either
(i) continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or
(ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
SECTION 16. MARKET STANDOFF
In the event of an underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, no person may sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any shares issued pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters. Such limitations shall be in effect for such period of time as may be requested by the Company or such underwriters; provided, however, that in no event shall such period exceed
(a) 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement for such public offering or
(b) such longer period requested by the underwriter as is necessary to comply with regulatory restrictions on the publication of research reports (including, but not limited to, NYSE Rule 472 or NASD Conduct Rule 2711).
In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the Company’s outstanding Common Stock effected as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities distributed with respect to any shares issued as or pursuant to an Award under the Plan shall be immediately subject to the provisions of this Section 16, to the same extent such shares are at such time covered by such provisions. In order to enforce the limitations of this Section 16, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the purchased shares until the end of the applicable standoff period.
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SECTION 17. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
| 17.1 | Amendment, Suspension or Termination |
The Board or the Compensation Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion of the Plan at any time and in such respects as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment to the Plan; and provided, further, that any amendment that requires stockholder approval may be made only by the Board and not by the Compensation Committee. Subject to subsection 17.3, the Committee may amend the terms of any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively.
| 17.2 | Term of the Plan |
Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, the Plan shall terminate 10 years from the Effective Date. After the Plan is terminated, no future Awards may be granted, but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the Plan’s terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than 10 years after the later of:
(a) the adoption of the Plan by the Board and
(b) the adoption by the Board of any amendment to the Plan that constitutes the adoption of a new plan for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.
| 17.3 | Consent of Participant |
The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or a portion thereof or the amendment of an outstanding Award shall not, without the Participant’s consent, materially adversely affect any rights under any Award theretofore granted to a Participant under the Plan. Any change or adjustment to an outstanding Incentive Stock Option shall not, without the consent of the Participant, be made in a manner so as to constitute a “modification” that would cause such Incentive Stock Option to fail to continue to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Section 15 shall not be subject to these restrictions.
SECTION 18. GENERAL
| 18.1 | No Individual Rights |
No individual or Eligible Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and the Company has no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons or Participants under the Plan. Furthermore, nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate a Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.
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| 18.2 | Issuance of Shares |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver any shares of Common Stock under the Plan or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, such issuance, delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act or the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction) and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity. The Company shall be under no obligation to any Participant to register for offering or resale or to qualify for exemption under the Securities Act, or to register or qualify under the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction, any shares of Common Stock, security or interest in a security paid or issued under, or created by, the Plan, or to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made. As a condition to the exercise of an Option or any other receipt of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, the Company may require:
(a) the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that such shares are being purchased or received only for the Participant’s own account and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares and
(b) such other action or agreement by the Participant as may from time to time be necessary to comply with the federal, state and foreign securities laws.
At the option of the Company, a stop-transfer order against any such shares may be placed on the official stock books and records of the Company, and a legend indicating that such shares may not be pledged, sold or otherwise transferred, unless an opinion of counsel (satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion) is provided stating that such transfer is not in violation of any applicable law or regulation, may be stamped on stock certificates to ensure exemption from registration. The Committee may also require the Participant to execute and deliver to the Company a purchase agreement or such other agreement as may be in use by the Company at such time that describes certain terms and conditions applicable to the shares. To the extent the Plan or any instrument evidencing an Award provides for issuance of stock certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Common Stock, the issuance may be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.
| 18.3 | Indemnification |
Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board, or a committee appointed by the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 3, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which such person may be a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding against such person; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such person undertakes to handle and defend it on such person’s own behalf. This duty to indemnify shall not apply to the extent that:
(a) such loss, cost, liability or expense is a result of such person’s own willful misconduct or
(b) such indemnification is expressly prohibited by statute.
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The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person may be entitled under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or of any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold harmless.
| 18.4 | No Rights as a Stockholder |
Unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement, no Award, other than a Stock Award, shall entitle the Participant to any cash dividend, voting or other right of a stockholder unless and until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Award.
| 18.5 | Compliance with Laws and Regulations |
In interpreting and applying the provisions of the Plan, any Option granted as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent permitted by law, be construed as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including any applicable regulations and guidance issued thereunder, and including transition guidance, to the extent Section 409A of the Code is applicable thereto, and the terms of the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with this intention to the extent the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A of the Code and any official guidance issued thereunder. Any payment or distribution that is to be made under the Plan (or pursuant to an Award under the Plan) to a Participant who is a “specified employee” of the Company within the meaning of that term under Section 409A of the Code and as determined by the Committee, on account of a “separation from service” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A of the Code, may not be made before the date which is six months after the date of such “separation from service” unless the payment or distribution is exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code by reason of the short-term deferral exemption or otherwise. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, the Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.
| 18.6 | Participants in Other Countries or Jurisdictions |
Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant Awards to Eligible Persons who are foreign nationals on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, subplans and the like as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws or regulations of other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or any Related Company may operate or have employees to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such countries or jurisdictions, meet the requirements that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax-efficient manner, comply with applicable foreign laws or regulations and meet the objectives of the Plan.
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| 18.7 | No Trust or Fund |
The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan. Nothing contained herein shall require the Company to segregate any monies or other property, or shares of Common Stock, or to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits for any immediate or deferred amounts payable to any Participant, and no Participant shall have any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
| 18.8 | Successors |
All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company.
| 18.9 | Severability |
If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the Committee’s determination, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
| 18.10 | Choice of Law and Venue |
The Plan, all Awards granted thereunder and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. Participants irrevocably consent to the nonexclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Wyoming.
| 18.11 | Legal Requirements |
The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares of Common Stock under the Plan are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE
The effective date (the “Effective Date”) is the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board. If the stockholders of the Company do not approve the Plan within 12 months after the Board’s adoption of the Plan, any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan will be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
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APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
“Acquired Entity” means any entity acquired by the Company or a Related Company or with which the Company or a Related Company merges or combines.
“Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, Restricted Stock, Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, or other incentive payable in shares of Common Stock as may be designated by the Committee from time to time.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause” means, unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, dishonesty, fraud, serious or willful misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conduct prohibited by law (except minor violations), in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.
“Change in Control” means, unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to an Award at the time the Award is granted or unless otherwise defined for purposes of an Award in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) An acquisition by any individual, entity or group, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of either:
(i) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Common Stock”) or
(ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Voting Securities”);
excluding, however, the following:
(iii) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise, exchange or conversion of any Convertible Securities unless such securities were themselves acquired directly from the Company,
(iv) any acquisition by the Company;
(v) any acquisition by any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (b)(i), (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) of the definition of Company Transaction; or
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(b) Within any period of 24 consecutive months, a change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who, immediately prior to such period, constituted the Board (such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, for purposes hereof, that any individual who becomes a member of the Board during such period, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; but, provided further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(c) A Company Transaction; or
(d) The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, other than to an entity pursuant to a transaction which would comply with clauses (1), (2) and (3) of the definition of “Company Transaction”, assuming for this purpose that such transaction were a Company Transaction.
For purposes of the definition of “Change of Control” and “Company Transaction”, a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose shall be treated as a single transaction that begins at the consummation of the first transaction in the series and ends at the consummation of the last transaction in the series.
“Company Transaction” means the consummation of
(a) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or
(b) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries taken as a whole, except in each case a transaction pursuant to which
(i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Common Stock and Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such transaction (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such transaction, of the Outstanding Common Stock and Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no person (other than the Company) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than twenty-five percent (25%) of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company resulting from such transaction or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, except to the extent that such ownership existed with respect to the Company prior to the transaction, and
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(iii) individuals who were members of the Board immediately prior to the approval by the stockholders of the Company of such transaction will constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company resulting from such transaction.
“Convertible Security” means any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire shares of Common Stock of the Company.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Committee” has the meaning set forth in subsection 3.2.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
“Company” means Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation
“Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee (if any) of the Board.
“Disability” means, unless otherwise defined by the Committee for purposes of the Plan or in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, a mental or physical impairment of the Participant that is expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more and that causes the Participant to be unable to perform his or her material duties for the Company or a Related Company and to be engaged in any substantial gainful activity, in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.
“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.
“Eligible Person” means any person eligible to receive an Award as set forth in Section 5.
“Entity” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
“Fair Market Value” means the closing price for the Common Stock on any given date during regular trading, or if not trading on that date, such price on the last preceding date on which the Common Stock was traded, unless determined otherwise by the Committee using such methods or procedures as it may establish.
“Grant Date” means the later of:
(c) the date on which the Committee completes the corporate action authorizing the grant of an Award or such later date specified by the Committee and
(d) the date on which all conditions precedent to an Award have been satisfied, provided that conditions to the exercisability or vesting of Awards shall not defer the Grant Date.
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“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option granted with the intention that it qualify as an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
“including”, “include”, “includes” and words of similar import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the phrase “without limitation”.
“Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted under Section 7. .
“Option Expiration Date” means the last day of the maximum term of an Option.
“Outstanding Company Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Change in Control.”
“Outstanding Company Voting Securities” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Change in Control.”
“Parent Company” means a company or other entity which as a result of a Company Transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries.
“Participant” means any Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.
“Performance Award” means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted under Section 11.
“Performance Share” means an Award of units denominated in shares of Common Stock granted under subsection 11.1.
“Performance Unit” means an Award of units denominated in cash or property other than shares of Common Stock granted under subsection 11.2.
“Plan” means this Bubblr, Inc. 2020 Incentive Plan.
“Related Company” means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by, in control of or under common control with the Company.
“Restricted Stock” means an Award of shares of Common Stock granted under Section 10. , the rights of ownership of which are subject to restrictions prescribed by the Committee.
“Retirement” means, unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, retirement as defined for purposes of the Plan by the Committee or the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, if not so defined, means Termination of Service on or after the date the Participant reaches “normal retirement age” as that term is defined in Section 411(a)(8) of the Code.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
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“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted under subsection 9.1 to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock over the grant price.
“Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Common Stock granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are not subject to restrictions prescribed by the Committee.
“Stock Unit” means an Award denominated in units of Common Stock granted under Section 10.
“Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by an Acquired Entity.
“Successor Company” means the surviving company, the successor company or Parent Company, as applicable, in connection with a Company Transaction.
“Termination of Service” means a termination of employment or service relationship with the Company or a Related Company for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, including by reason of death, Disability or Retirement. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Service for the purposes of an Award and the cause of such Termination of Service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors and executive officers, by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding. Transfer of a Participant’s employment or service relationship between the Company and any Related Company shall not be considered a Termination of Service for purposes of an Award. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a Termination of Service shall be deemed to occur if the Participant’s employment or service relationship is with an entity that has ceased to be a Related Company. A Participant’s change in status from an employee of the Company or a Related Company to a consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company or a change in status from a consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company to an employee of the Company or a Related Company, shall not be considered a Termination of Service.
“Vesting Commencement Date” means the Grant Date or such other date selected by the Committee as the date from which an Award begins to vest.
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PLAN ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS/ADJUSTMENTS
SUMMARY PAGE
Date of Board Action |
Action | Section/Effect of Amendment |
Date of Shareholder Approval | |||
| , 2022 | Initial Plan Adoption | , 2022 |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of May 31st, 2022 by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Rik Willard (“Executive”), together referred to as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing mobile platform technologies around a new patented alternative search mechanism. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement the Parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement completely replaces and supersedes the Employment Agreement dated as of August 16, 2021 between Executive and the Company (the “Original Employment Agreement”).
1.02 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on the date first written above (the “Commencement Date”) and ending on December 31, 2022. This initial term shall be automatically renewed for an additional one year term (the “Renewal Term”) unless either party sends notice to the other party, not more than 270 days and not less than 60 days before the end of the then-existing term of employment, of such party’s desire to terminate the Agreement at the end of the initial term, in which case this Agreement will terminate at the end of the initial term. The Parties understand and acknowledge that if Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Renewal Term, then such employment shall be “at-will” unless this Agreement is extended, or different terms are established, by the Parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting directly to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”); and
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the day-to-day operation of the companies in which such investments are made; and (ii) engaging in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $144,000.00 per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly installments. When the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing, the base salary will be increased to $180,000 per annum. When the Company receives $10 million in debt or equity financing, the base salary shall be a minimum of $240,000 per annum or a compensation amount and schedule set by a third party Executive Compensation Consultant (“ECC”), whichever is higher. The ECC must render an opinion within 60 days of the given funding threshold. If the ECC is not retained and has not rendered an opinion on the matter, the amount of compensation due will stand as per the milestones in this Agreement and will remain in effect until an ECC renders an opinion. Executive’s base salary will never be less than the base salary of the highest paid employee for the duration of the term of this Agreement. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Company shall create a success criteria to measure and dictate bonus compensation by August 1, 2022.
3.03 Equity.
The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity issuances to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
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All restricted stock units of Common stock described in this Section 3.03 shall vest over a period of two years in one year increments for the Executive upon issuance and subject to adjustments made for share splits, subdivisions, consolidations, reorganizations and like events. Executive’s ability to sell shares must be accomplished consistent with rules set by the Security and Exchange Commission and any other relevant regulatory bodies.
The Parties acknowledges that Executive has already been issued previously 102,040 shares of Company common stock. Upon execution of this Agreement, Company will immediately
issue and reserve to Executive 5,400,000 restrictive stock units of Common Stock, with half vesting on June 1st, 2023 and the remaining vesting on June 1st, 2024.
Notwithstanding the terms of Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, in the event the Company terminates this Agreement as a result of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in Section 5.04(a) of this Agreement), or for any reason other than Cause, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of the termination. If there is a Change of Control and the Company terminates this Agreement for any reason, including Cause, within a period of six (6) months from the date of the Change in Control, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of such termination.
If the term of Executive’s agreement is extended for a period of an additional 12 months from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, or beyond, the Board of Directors shall determine additional distributions of shares during its annual review of Executive’s performance.
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs up to a maximum of $801 per month with the submission of a proof of payment. Company also acknowledges that Board Chair will work with the Executive to establish a comprehensive benefits package for Bubblr employees, including the Executive, which will become effective within 60 days of company securing debt or equity funding of $5 million. At that time, Executive will receive health, medical, dental, disability, and life insurance plans paid for by the Company.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to 30 days of vacation, to be taken in such amounts and at such times as shall be mutually convenient for Executive and the Company. Executive is entitled to access these vacation days effective the first day of January in each calendar year. Any time not taken by Executive in one year shall be forfeited and not carried forward to subsequent years. Executive shall not be entitled to be reimbursed for any unused vacation or personal time, except as may be required by law.
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4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall, in accordance with its standard policies in effect, a) issue to Executive a company credit card to be used only for business expenses incurred while in the employ of the Company; and b) reimburse Executive on a monthly basis for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company. For both provisions 4.03(a) and 4.03(b), Executive is required to submit substantiation of such expenses to the Company in a timely basis and in accordance with such standard operational policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate, and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are made available from time to time for other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, within thirty (30) days of Executive’s termination of employment, the full amount of any unpaid base salary and accrued but unpaid benefits, including any vacation pay, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the expiration of this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.01 hereof, (b) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (c) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (d) the Executive’s death.
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5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 45 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, refusal to perform duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if, in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm, or if one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
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5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, or the exhibiting of any nonprincipled and/or unethical behavior collectively by the Board of Directors or by any individual board director, which is not cured within 90 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment of 6 months of the then-existing Base (the “Severance”) and (b) retain all benefits (including health insurance) set forth in Article IV for a period of 12 months and retain all equity issued or due to Executive as of the date of termination. The Severance shall be paid consistent with its current compensation practices when normal payroll payments are made. Health insurance benefits during the 12 month period shall be paid by Company under rules established by COBRA. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
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5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of two years after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company. Confidential Information shall not apply to any information which is (i) is or becomes generally available to the public at any time, (ii) lawfully obtained by the Executive from sources independent of the Company, (iii) independently developed by the Executive without the benefit or usage of or reference to the Confidential Information, (iv) previously known by the Executive.
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6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, both Parties hereby covenant and agree that they shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company’s or Executive’s products or services, business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial conditions or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the Parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. The Parties acknowledge that any breach of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm either of the Parties and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and further agree that the Parties shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to them, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
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ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements, including the Original Employment Agreement, between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both Parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, if not settled successfully through good-faith negotiations, shall be settled by binding arbitration in New York, New York administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator (s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the Parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Matthew S. Loeb | |
| Name: | Matthew S. Loeb | |
| Chair, Bubblr Board of Directors | ||
| By: | /s/ Rik Willard | |
| Name: | Rik Willard (“Executive”) | |
Exhibit 10.9
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made as of January 31, 2023, by and between Rik Willard (“Employee”) and Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”). Employee and the Company shall collectively be referred to herein as the “Parties”, and each individually as a “Party.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company, among other positions, as its Chief Executive Officer and served as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors;
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company executed an Employment Agreement dated on or about August 26, 2021 that was amended and restated on May 31, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Employee and the Company executed a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement dated on or about May 31, 2022 (the “RSU Award Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Employee ceased to be an employee and officer of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective on or before January 31, 2023 (the “Separation Date”); and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, Employees board position and Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Departure. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that he and his affiliate company ceased to be (a) an employee/independent contractor of Company, (b) an officer of Company and (c) a director of the Company, in each case, effective as of the Separation Date.
2. Termination of Prior Agreements. The Parties acknowledge and agree that upon receipt of the fully executed counterparts of this Agreement and receipt by Employee of the Indebtedness Payment (described below), the obligations under the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, or any other agreement that may exist between the Parties shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties further acknowledge that the Company and Employee hereby waive any right to assert the restrictive covenants found in Article 6 of the Employment Agreement, and the Parties agree that Section 10 of this Agreement shall supplant the restrictive covenants in the Employment Agreement as of the date of executing this Agreement.
3. Payment. In full satisfaction of all amounts due Employee, the Company agrees to pay Employee the total sum of $112,418 (“Indebtedness Payment”), payable following execution of this Agreement according to the following schedule:
(a) a lump sum of $12,801 on February 20, subject to, if appropriate, customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law;
(b) $76,806 in installments monthly for a period of six (6) months beginning February 28, 2023 and continuing until July 31, 2023, subject to , if appropriate, customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law; and
(c) $4,806 in installments monthly to commence on August 31, 2023 and continuing until January 31, 2024; and
(d) the remaining $18,000 in a lump sum on or before September 30, 2024, subject to, if appropriate, customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law
In addition, an affiliate of the Company has agreed to transfer 1,750,000 million shares of common stock in the Company in two installments of 875,000 shares to Employee under a separate agreement (the “Affiliate Share Transfer”) executed concurrently with the execution of this Agreement with an initial distribution of the first installment of shares within a reasonable period of time after the Separation Date, but no later than thirty (30) days after the Separation Date.
4. Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Except for the Indebtedness Payment and Affiliate Share Transfer, Employee acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation/paid time off, premiums, leaves, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, restricted stock units, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee through the Separation Date.
5. Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the Indebtedness Payment and the Affiliate Share Transfer represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company and Bubblr Limited, and their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”). Employee, on his own behalf and on behalf of his respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever voluntarily releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation:
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| (a) | any and all claims relating to: |
| (i) | ownership of Company securities held by Employee; |
| (ii) | fiduciary duties of Releasees; or |
| (iii) | breach of any agreement by or between/among Releasees and Employee other than this Agreement. |
(b) any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
(c) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase or sale of securities of the Company, including, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(d) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;
(e) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Immigration Control and Reform Act;
(f) any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;
(g) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;
(h) any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement or other compensation received by Employee;
(i) any and all claims airing under the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, or any other agreement that may exist between the Parties and/or their termination;
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(j) claims for workers’ compensation, wages or any other compensation;
(k) claims for benefits including, without limitation, those arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and
(l) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred under this Agreement. This release does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with or participate in a charge by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against the Company (with the understanding that any such filing or participation does not give Employee the right to recover any monetary damages against the Company; Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering such monetary relief from the Company. Employee represents that he has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section.
6. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that: (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement, but Employee shall retain the rights herein during the revocation period.
7. Employee’s Acknowledgment of Tax Liability. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows: (a) nothing in this Agreement constitutes tax advice; (b) the Company does not take any responsibility, or have any liability to Employee with respect to Employee’s tax liability and/or Employee’s personal tax reporting; (c) Employee has been given the opportunity and encouraged to consult with Employee’s own attorney and to seek professional tax advice prior to execution of this Agreement; and (d) Employee agrees to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from any liability for his taxes, interest or penalties that may be imposed as a result of under-payment or non-payment of income taxes on any amounts paid Employee under the terms of this Agreement.
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8. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that he does not, at the date hereof, intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees.
9. Non-Disparagement. Each Party shall at all times refrain from taking actions or making statements, written or oral, that denigrate, disparage, or defame the goodwill or reputation of the other Party. Each Party further agree not to make any negative statement to third parties or Company employees relating to the Employee’s employment or any aspect of the business of the Company and not to make any statements to third parties or Company employees about the circumstances of the termination of Employee’s employment, or about Releasees, except as may be required by a court or governmental authorities. Employee shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department. Company agrees to collaborate with the Employee in the development and release of a public statement announcing the Employee’s departure from the Company.
10. Confidentiality; Inventions; Remedies.
(a) Employee acknowledges and agrees that he had access to confidential information regarding the Company during his employment with the Company, including without limitation, information concerning the products, policies, practices, customers, pricing, costs, suppliers, methods, processes, techniques, finances, administration, employees, devices, trade secrets, and operations of the Company (“Confidential Information”). Employee acknowledges that this Confidential Information is in fact confidential, not known outside of the Company’s business, and is a valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company. Employee agrees that he will maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the Confidential Information of or belonging to any of the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of any of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. Employee shall take all reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of Confidential Information.
(b) All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any affiliate that have been or may be conceived, developed, or made by Employee during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Employee’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Employee during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 10(b) shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any affiliate has been used by Employee and which is developed entirely on Employee’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an affiliate, or
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(b) such Invention results from work performed by Employee for the Company.
(c) Confidential Information obligations provided for herein shall not apply to the extent that the written record demonstrates such information was a) in the public domain, b) known to the Employee prior to disclosure from the disclosing Party, c) Independently developed by the receiving Party without reliance on the disclosing Party!s Confidential Information, or d) disclosed pursuant to the requirement of a Governmental Agency or disclosure is otherwise required by operation of law.
(d) Employee acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Section 10 of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Section 10 of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach
11. No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.
12. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
13. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.
14. No Representations. Employee represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
15. Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.
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16. Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or effect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company.
18. No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and the Company’s Chairperson, who is authorized to execute on behalf of the Company.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming without regard for choice-of-law provisions. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of New York.
20. Effective Date. Employee understands that: a) this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by him within twenty one (21) days; and b) Employee may revoke this agreement within seven days following his execution of it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Employee signs this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (the “Effective Date”). If Employee declines to sign this agreement or revokes it within 7 days of his execution, this Agreement shall be null and void, and Employee shall return the Indebtedness Payment to the Company if and to the extent paid to Employee prior to such date.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
22. Breach by Employee. Employee specifically agrees that the Company’s payments to Employee under this Agreement are made in return for Employee’s obligations set forth in this Agreement. Employee further agrees that if he breaches any of the obligations set forth in this Agreement, such a breach would cause harm to Company and its business, for which the Company may recover damages.
23. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that he executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of his/her claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees, except as otherwise provided herein. Employee acknowledges that: (a) he has read this Agreement; (b) he has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of his/her own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel; (c) he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and (d) he is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.
24. Announcements Concerning Relationship. The Company shall, at least two calendar days prior to the dissemination of any information to the public concerning this Agreement or the circumstances concerning Employees departure from the Company, allow Employee an opportunity to review and approve such pending disclosures and recommend changes, to which the Company shall accommodate unless unreasonable or legally impermissible.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| /s/ Matthew S. Loeb | ||
| By: | Matthew S. Loeb | |
| Its: Chairperson and Authorized Representative | ||
| /s/ Richard Willard | ||
| Rik Willard | ||
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Exhibit 10.10
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made as of January 31, 2023, by and between Steven Saunders (“Employee”) and Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”). Employee and the Company shall collectively be referred to herein as the “Parties”, and each individually as a “Party.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company, among other positions, as its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and served as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors;
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company executed an Employment Agreement dated on or about July 1, 2021 that was amended and restated on May 31, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Employee and the Company executed a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement dated on or about May 31, 2022 (the “RSU Award Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Employee ceased to be an employee and officer of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective on or before January 31, 2023 (the “Separation Date”); and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, Employees board position and Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Departure. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that he ceased to be (a) an employee of Company, (b) an officer of Company and (c) a director of the Company, in each case, effective as of the Separation Date.
2. Termination of Prior Agreements. The Parties acknowledge and agree that upon receipt of the fully executed counterparts of this Agreement and receipt by Employee of the Indebtedness Payment (described below), the obligations under the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, or any other agreement that may exist between the Parties shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties further acknowledge that the Company and Employee hereby waive any right to assert the restrictive covenants found in Article 6 of the Employment Agreement, and the Parties agree that Section 10 of this Agreement shall supplant the restrictive covenants in the Employment Agreement as of the date of executing this Agreement.
3. Payment. In full satisfaction of all amounts due Employee, the Company agrees to pay Employee the total sum of $116,000 (“Indebtedness Payment”), payable according to the following schedule following the execution of this Agreement:
(a) , an initial lump sum of $12,000 on February 10, 2023, subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law; and
(b) a second lump sum of $12,000 on February 20, 2023, subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law; and
(c) an amount of $73,500 payable in installments monthly for a period of six (6) months beginning on February 28, 2023 and concluding on July 31, 2023, subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law; and
(d) the remainder of $18,000 payable in a lump sum on or about August 31, 2023, subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
4. Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Except for the Indebtedness Payment, Employee acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation/paid time off, premiums, leaves, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, restricted stock units, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee through the Separation Date.
5. Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the Indebtedness Payment represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company and Bubblr Limited, and their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”). Employee, on his own behalf and on behalf of his respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever voluntarily releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation:
| (a) | any and all claims relating to: |
| (i) | ownership of Company securities held by Employee; | |
| (ii) | fiduciary duties of Releasees; or | |
| (iii) | breach of any agreement by or between/among Releasees and Employee other than this Agreement. |
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(b) any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
(c) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase or sale of securities of the Company, including, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(d) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;
(e) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Immigration Control and Reform Act;
(f) any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;
(g) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;
(h) any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement or other compensation received by Employee;
(i) any and all claims airing under the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, or any other agreement that may exist between the Parties and/or their termination;
(j) claims for workers’ compensation, wages or any other compensation;
(k) claims for benefits including, without limitation, those arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and
(l) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.
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Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred under this Agreement. This release does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with or participate in a charge by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against the Company (with the understanding that any such filing or participation does not give Employee the right to recover any monetary damages against the Company; Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering such monetary relief from the Company. Employee represents that he has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section.
6. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that: (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement.
7. Employee’s Acknowledgment of Tax Liability. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows: (a) nothing in this Agreement constitutes tax advice; (b) the Company does not take any responsibility, or have any liability to Employee with respect to Employee’s tax liability and/or Employee’s personal tax reporting; (c) Employee has been given the opportunity and encouraged to consult with Employee’s own attorney and to seek professional tax advice prior to execution of this Agreement; and (d) Employee agrees to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from any liability for his taxes, interest or penalties that may be imposed as a result of under-payment or non-payment of income taxes on any amounts paid Employee under the terms of this Agreement.
8. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that he does not, at the date hereof, intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees.
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9. Non-Disparagement. Each Party shall at all times refrain from taking actions or making statements, written or oral, that denigrate, disparage, or defame the goodwill or reputation of the other Party. Employee and Company further agrees not to make any negative statement to third parties or Company employees relating to the Employee’s employment or any aspect of the business of the Company and not to make any statements to third parties or Company employees about the circumstances of the termination of Employee’s employment, or about Releasees, except as may be required by a court or governmental authorities. Employee shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department.
| 10. | Confidentiality; Inventions; Remedies. |
(a) Employee acknowledges and agrees that he had access to confidential information regarding the Company during his employment with the Company, including without limitation, information concerning the products, policies, practices, customers, pricing, costs, suppliers, methods, processes, techniques, finances, administration, employees, devices, trade secrets, and operations of the Company (“Confidential Information”). Employee acknowledges that this Confidential Information is in fact confidential, not known outside of the Company’s business, and is a valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company. Employee agrees that he will maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the Confidential Information of or belonging to any of the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of any of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. Employee shall take all reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of Confidential Information.
(b) All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any affiliate that have been or may be conceived, developed, or made by Employee during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Employee’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Employee during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 10(b) shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any affiliate has been used by Employee and which is developed entirely on Employee’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an affiliate, or
| (b) | such Invention results from work performed by Employee for the Company. |
(c) Employee acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Section 10 of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Section 10 of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach
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11. No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.
12. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
13. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.
14. No Representations. Employee represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
15. Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.
16. Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or effect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company.
18. No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and the Company’s Chairperson, who is authorized to execute on behalf of the Company.
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19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming without regard for choice-of-law provisions. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of New York.
20. Effective Date. Employee understands that: a) this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by him within twenty one (21) days; and b) Employee may revoke this agreement within seven days following his execution of it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Employee signs this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (the “Effective Date”). If Employee declines to sign this agreement or revokes it within 7 days of his execution, this Agreement shall be null and void, and Employee shall return the Indebtedness Payment to the Company if and to the extent paid to Employee prior to such date.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
22. Breach by Employee. Employee specifically agrees that the Company’s payments to Employee under this Agreement are made in return for Employee’s obligations set forth in this Agreement. Employee further agrees that if he breaches any of the obligations set forth in this Agreement, such a breach would cause harm to Company and its business, for which the Company may recover damages.
23. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that he executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of his/her claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees, except as otherwise provided herein. Employee acknowledges that: (a) he has read this Agreement: (b) he has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of his/her own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel; (c) he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and (d) he is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| /s/ Matthew Loeb | ||
| By: | Matthew Loeb | |
| Its: Chairperson and Authorized Representative | |
| /s/ Steven Saunders | |
| Steven Saunders |
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SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made as of January 31, 2023, by and between Rik Willard (“Employee”) and Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”). Employee and the Company shall collectively be referred to herein as the “Parties”, and each individually as a “Party.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company, among other positions, as its Chief Executive Officer and served as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors;
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company executed an Employment Agreement dated on or about August 26, 2021 that was amended and restated on May 31, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Employee and the Company executed a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement dated on or about May 31, 2022 (the “RSU Award Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Employee ceased to be an employee and officer of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective on or before January 31, 2023 (the “Separation Date”); and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, Employees board position and Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Departure. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that he and his affiliate company ceased to be (a) an employee/independent contractor of Company, (b) an officer of Company and (c) a director of the Company, in each case, effective as of the Separation Date.
2. Termination of Prior Agreements. The Parties acknowledge and agree that upon receipt of the fully executed counterparts of this Agreement and receipt by Employee of the Indebtedness Payment (described below), the obligations under the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, or any other agreement that may exist between the Parties shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties further acknowledge that the Company and Employee hereby waive any right to assert the restrictive covenants found in Article 6 of the Employment Agreement, and the Parties agree that Section 10 of this Agreement shall supplant the restrictive covenants in the Employment Agreement as of the date of executing this Agreement.
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3. Payment. In full satisfaction of all amounts due Employee, the Company agrees to pay Employee the total sum of $112,418 (“Indebtedness Payment”), payable following execution of this Agreement according to the following schedule:
(a) a lump sum of $12,801 on February 20, subject to, if appropriate, customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law;
(b) $76,806 in installments monthly for a period of six (6) months beginning February 28, 2023 and continuing until July 31, 2023, subject to , if appropriate, customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law; and
(c) $4,806 in installments monthly to commence on August 31, 2023 and continuing until January 31, 2024; and
(d) the remaining $18,000 in a lump sum on or before September 30, 2024, subject to, if appropriate, customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law
In addition, an affiliate of the Company has agreed to transfer 1,750,000 million shares of common stock in the Company in two installments of 875,000 shares to Employee under a separate agreement (the “Affiliate Share Transfer”) executed concurrently with the execution of this Agreement with an initial distribution of the first installment of shares within a reasonable period of time after the Separation Date, but no later than thirty (30) days after the Separation Date.
4. Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Except for the Indebtedness Payment and Affiliate Share Transfer, Employee acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation/paid time off, premiums, leaves, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, restricted stock units, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee through the Separation Date.
5. Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the Indebtedness Payment and the Affiliate Share Transfer represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company and Bubblr Limited, and their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”). Employee, on his own behalf and on behalf of his respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever voluntarily releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation:
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| (a) | any and all claims relating to: |
| (i) | ownership of Company securities held by Employee; |
| (ii) | fiduciary duties of Releasees; or |
| (iii) | breach of any agreement by or between/among Releasees and Employee other than this Agreement. |
(b) any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
(c) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase or sale of securities of the Company, including, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(d) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;
(e) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Immigration Control and Reform Act;
| (f) | any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution; |
(g) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;
(h) any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement or other compensation received by Employee;
(i) any and all claims airing under the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement, or any other agreement that may exist between the Parties and/or their termination;
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| (j) | claims for workers’ compensation, wages or any other compensation; |
(k) claims for benefits including, without limitation, those arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and
| (l) | any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs. |
Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred under this Agreement. This release does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with or participate in a charge by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against the Company (with the understanding that any such filing or participation does not give Employee the right to recover any monetary damages against the Company; Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering such monetary relief from the Company. Employee represents that he has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section.
6. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that: (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement, but Employee shall retain the rights herein during the revocation period.
7. Employee’s Acknowledgment of Tax Liability. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows: (a) nothing in this Agreement constitutes tax advice; (b) the Company does not take any responsibility, or have any liability to Employee with respect to Employee’s tax liability and/or Employee’s personal tax reporting; (c) Employee has been given the opportunity and encouraged to consult with Employee’s own attorney and to seek professional tax advice prior to execution of this Agreement; and (d) Employee agrees to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from any liability for his taxes, interest or penalties that may be imposed as a result of under-payment or non-payment of income taxes on any amounts paid Employee under the terms of this Agreement.
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8. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that he does not, at the date hereof, intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees.
9. Non-Disparagement. Each Party shall at all times refrain from taking actions or making statements, written or oral, that denigrate, disparage, or defame the goodwill or reputation of the other Party. Each Party further agree not to make any negative statement to third parties or Company employees relating to the Employee’s employment or any aspect of the business of the Company and not to make any statements to third parties or Company employees about the circumstances of the termination of Employee’s employment, or about Releasees, except as may be required by a court or governmental authorities. Employee shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department. Company agrees to collaborate with the Employee in the development and release of a public statement announcing the Employee’s departure from the Company.
| 10. | Confidentiality; Inventions; Remedies. |
(a) Employee acknowledges and agrees that he had access to confidential information regarding the Company during his employment with the Company, including without limitation, information concerning the products, policies, practices, customers, pricing, costs, suppliers, methods, processes, techniques, finances, administration, employees, devices, trade secrets, and operations of the Company (“Confidential Information”). Employee acknowledges that this Confidential Information is in fact confidential, not known outside of the Company’s business, and is a valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company. Employee agrees that he will maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the Confidential Information of or belonging to any of the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of any of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. Employee shall take all reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of Confidential Information.
(b) All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any affiliate that have been or may be conceived, developed, or made by Employee during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Employee’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Employee during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 10(b) shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any affiliate has been used by Employee and which is developed entirely on Employee’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an affiliate, or
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| (b) | such Invention results from work performed by Employee for the Company. |
(c) Confidential Information obligations provided for herein shall not apply to the extent that the written record demonstrates such information was a) in the public domain, b) known to the Employee prior to disclosure from the disclosing Party, c) Independently developed by the receiving Party without reliance on the disclosing Party!s Confidential Information, or d) disclosed pursuant to the requirement of a Governmental Agency or disclosure is otherwise required by operation of law.
(d) Employee acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Section 10 of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Section 10 of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach
11. No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.
12. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
13. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.
14. No Representations. Employee represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
15. Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.
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16. Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or effect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including the Employment Agreement, the RSU Award Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company.
18. No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and the Company’s Chairperson, who is authorized to execute on behalf of the Company.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming without regard for choice-of-law provisions. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of New York.
20. Effective Date. Employee understands that: a) this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by him within twenty one (21) days; and b) Employee may revoke this agreement within seven days following his execution of it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Employee signs this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (the “Effective Date”). If Employee declines to sign this agreement or revokes it within 7 days of his execution, this Agreement shall be null and void, and Employee shall return the Indebtedness Payment to the Company if and to the extent paid to Employee prior to such date.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
22. Breach by Employee. Employee specifically agrees that the Company’s payments to Employee under this Agreement are made in return for Employee’s obligations set forth in this Agreement. Employee further agrees that if he breaches any of the obligations set forth in this Agreement, such a breach would cause harm to Company and its business, for which the Company may recover damages.
23. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that he executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of his/her claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees, except as otherwise provided herein. Employee acknowledges that: (a) he has read this Agreement; (b) he has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of his/her own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel; (c) he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and (d) he is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.
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24. Announcements Concerning Relationship. The Company shall, at least two calendar days prior to the dissemination of any information to the public concerning this Agreement or the circumstances concerning Employees departure from the Company, allow Employee an opportunity to review and approve such pending disclosures and recommend changes, to which the Company shall accommodate unless unreasonable or legally impermissible.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| /s/ Matthew S. Loeb | ||
| By: | Matthew S. Loeb | |
| Its: Chairperson and Authorized Representative | |
| /s/ Richard Willard | |
| Rik Willard |
| 15 |
Exhibit 10.11
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of 10th February 2022 by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and David Chetwood (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical App. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on the date first written above (the “Commencement Date” and ending 90 days after the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”). If the Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Initial Term, then this Agreement will continue, unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $ 360,000 per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly instalments, but currently reduced by 50% ($180,000 per annum) until the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) Restricted Shares
Executive will be issued 102,040 restricted shares of common stock in the Company upon completion of the “initial period”.
(b) Incentive Plan
On completion of the “initial period” the Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, in the event the Company terminates this Agreement as a result of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in Section 5.04(a) of this Agreement), or for any reason other than Cause, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of the termination. If there is a Change of Control and the Company terminates this Agreement for any reason, including Cause, within a period of six (6) months from the date of the Change in Control, all of the restricted stock units shall become fully and immediately exercisable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse upon the date of such termination.
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”).
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to the lesser of (i) two (2) months’ or (ii) the length of the remaining term hereof worth of the then-existing Base (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for the lesser of (x) two (2) months or (y) the length of the remaining term hereof. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Stephen Morris | |
| Its: | Interim Chief Executive Officer | |
| By: | ||
| Name: | David Chetwood (“Executive”) | |
Exhibit 10.12
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of April 1, 2023, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Timothy Burks (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical Apps. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on the date first written above (the “Commencement Date”) and ending 90 days after the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”). If the Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Initial Term, then this Agreement will continue, unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $600,000 per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly instalments, but currently reduced by 60% ($240,000 per annum) until the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) 2022 Incentive Plan (appendix A)
The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, as per the Stock Option Grant detail (appendix B.).
ARTICLE IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs with the submission of a proof of payment.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
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4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
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(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
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(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for any reason in the initial period or for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base salary as defined in Section 3.01 (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C.
§2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
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ARTICLE VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
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6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
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ARTICLE VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers’ liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Stephen Morris | |
| Name: | Stephen Morris | |
| Its: | Chief Technical Officer | |
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | |
| Name: | Timothy Burks (“Executive”) | |
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BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.
| Participant: | Timothy Burks | |
| Hire Date: | April 1, 2023 | |
| Grant Date: | April 1, 2023 | |
| Vesting Commencement Date: | 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% monthly over two years | |
| Number of Shares Subject to Option: | 4,800,000 | |
| Exercise Price (per Unit): | $0.17 | |
| Options Expiration Date: | Ten years from grant (subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement) | |
| Type of Option: | ☒ Incentive Stock Option* ☐ Nonqualified Stock Option |
Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.
| BUBBLR, INC. | PARTICIPANT | |||
| /s/ Timothy Burks | ||||
| By: | /s/ Stephen Morris | Signature | ||
| Name: | Stephen Morris | Timothy Burks | ||
| Its: | CTO | Date: April 3, 2023 | ||
* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of the Option are as follows:
1. Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.
2. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
3. Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.
If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.
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4. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
5. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
6. Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.
7. Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:
(a) General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(b) Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(c) Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and
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(d) Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).
The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.
8. Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.
9. Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.
10. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
11. No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.
12. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
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Exhibit 10.13
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.
| Participant: | Timothy Burks |
| Hire Date: | April 1, 2023 |
| Grant Date: | April 1, 2023 |
| Vesting Commencement Date: | 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% monthly over two years |
| Number of Shares Subject to Option: | 4,800,000 |
| Exercise Price (per Unit): | $0.17 |
| Options Expiration Date: | Ten years from grant (subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement) |
| Type of Option: | ☒ Incentive Stock Option* ☐ Nonqualified Stock Option |
Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.
BUBBLR, INC. |
PARTICIPANT | ||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Stephen Morris | Signature | |
| Its: | CTO | ||
| Date: April 3, 2023 | |||
* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of the Option are as follows:
1. Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.
2. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
3. Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.
If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.
4. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
5. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
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6. Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.
7. Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:
(a) General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(b) Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(c) Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and
(d) Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).
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The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.
8. Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.
9. Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.
10. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
11. No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.
12. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
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Exhibit 10.14
AMENDED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of April 1, 2023, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and David Chetwood (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical Apps. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on February 10, 2023 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending 90 days after the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”). If the Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Initial Term, then this Agreement will continue, unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as CFO and Secretary of the Company, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
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ARTICLE III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $450,000 per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly instalments, but currently reduced by 60% to $180,000 per annum until the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) 2022 Incentive Plan (appendix A)
The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, as per the Stock Option Grant detail (appendix B.).
ARTICLE IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs with the submission of a proof of payment.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
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4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
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(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
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(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for any reason in the initial period or for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base salary as defined in Section 3.01 (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
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ARTICLE VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
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6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
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ARTICLE VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers’ liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
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9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | |
| Name: | Timothy Burks | |
| Its: | CEO | |
| By: | /s/ David Chetwood | |
| Name: | David Chetwood (“Executive”) | |
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BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.
| Participant: | David Chetwood | |
| Hire Date: | February 10, 2023 | |
| Grant Date: | April 1, 2023 | |
| Vesting Commencement Date: | 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% monthly over two years | |
| Number of Shares Subject to Option: | 3,360,000 | |
| Exercise Price (per Unit): | $0.17 | |
| Options Expiration Date: | Ten years from grant (subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement) | |
| Type of Option: | ☑ Incentive Stock Option* ☐ Nonqualified Stock Option |
Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.
| BUBBLR, INC. | PARTICIPANT | |||
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | /s/ David Chetwood | ||
| Name: | Timothy Burks | Signature | ||
| Its: | CEO | |||
| Date: April 3, 2023 | ||||
* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement
BUBBLR, INC.
2022
INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of the Option are as follows:
1. Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.
2. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
3. Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.
If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.
4. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
5. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
6. Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.
7. Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:
(a) General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(b) Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(c) Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and
(d) Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).
The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.
8. Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.
9. Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.
10. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
11. No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.
12. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
Exhibit 10.15
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.
| Participant: | David Chetwood |
| Hire Date: | February 10, 2023 |
| Grant Date: | April 1, 2023 |
| Vesting Commencement Date: | 40% vesting after 90 days of service and 60% monthly over two years |
| Number of Shares Subject to Option: | 3,360,000 |
| Exercise Price (per Unit): | $0.17 |
| Options Expiration Date: | Ten years from grant (subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement) |
| Type of Option: | ☑ Incentive Stock Option* ☐ Nonqualified Stock Option |
Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.
| BUBBLR, INC. | PARTICIPANT | ||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Timothy Burks | Signature | |
| Its: | CEO | ||
| Date: April 3, 2023 | |||
* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of the Option are as follows:
1. Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.
2. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
3. Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.
If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.
4. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
5. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
6. Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.
7. Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:
(a) General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(b) Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(c) Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and
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(d) Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).
The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.
8. Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.
9. Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.
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10. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
11. No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.
12. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
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Exhibit 10.16
AMENDED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of April 1, 2023, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Stephen Morris (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical Apps. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as Chief Technical Officer (CTO), reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
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ARTICLE III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $450,000 per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly instalments, but currently reduced by 60% ($180,000 per annum) until the Company has secured $5 million in debt or equity financing. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) 2022 Incentive Plan (appendix A)
The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, as per the Stock Option Grant detail (appendix B.).
ARTICLE IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs with the submission of a proof of payment.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
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4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
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(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
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(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for any reason in the initial period or for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base salary as defined in Section 3.01 (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
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ARTICLE VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
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6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
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ARTICLE IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers’ liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
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9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| BUBBLR, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ David Chetwood | |
| Name: | David Chetwood | |
| Its: | CFO and Secretary | |
| By: | /s/ Stephen Morris | |
| Name: | Stephen Morris (“Executive”) | |
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BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.
Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.
| BUBBLR, INC. | PARTICIPANT | |||
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | /s/ Stephen Morris | ||
| Name: | Timothy Burks | Signature | ||
| Its: | CEO | Stephen Morris | ||
| Date: April 3, 2023 | ||||
* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement
BUBBLR, INC.
2022
INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of the Option are as follows:
1. Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.
2. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
3. Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.
If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.
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4. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
5. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
6. Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.
7. Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:
(a) General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(b) Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(c) Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and
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(d) Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).
The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.
8. Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.
9. Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.
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10. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
11. No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.
12. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
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Exhibit 10.17
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Bubblr, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Shares”) under the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”), in the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan, which are attached to and incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.
| Participant: | Stephen Morris |
| Hire Date: | August 1, 2018 |
| Grant Date: | April 1, 2023 |
| Vesting Commencement Date: | Fully Vested |
| Number of Shares Subject to Option: | 3,360,000 |
| Exercise Price (per Unit): | $0.187 |
| Options Expiration Date: | Ten years from grant (subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement) |
| Type of Option: | ☒ Incentive Stock Option* ☐ Nonqualified Stock Option |
Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.
| BUBBLR, INC. | PARTICIPANT | ||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Timothy Burks | Signature | |
| Its: | CEO | Stephen Morris | |
| Date: April 3, 2023 | |||
* See Sections 3 and 4 of the Stock Option Agreement
BUBBLR, INC.
2022 INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”), Bubblr, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan have the same definitions as in the Plan.
The details of the Option are as follows:
1. Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.
2. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
3. Incentive Stock Option Qualification. If so designated in your Grant Notice, all or a portion of the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under federal income tax law, but the Company does not represent or guarantee that the Option qualifies as such.
If the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the grant date) of the Shares subject to the portions of the Option and all other Incentive Stock Options you hold that first become exercisable during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, any excess portion will be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, unless the Internal Revenue Service changes the rules and regulations governing the $100,000 limit for Incentive Stock Options. A portion of the Option may be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if certain events cause exercisability of the Option to accelerate.
4. Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. To the extent the Option has been designated as an Incentive Stock Option, to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options, you must hold the Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise. You may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
5. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares. By accepting the Option, you agree to promptly notify the Company if you dispose of any of the Shares within one year from the date you exercise all or part of the Option or within two years from the Grant Date.
6. Method of Exercise. You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company (or other Company-approved party), in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee for Nonqualified Stock Options, by having the Company withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option equal to the exercise price of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by using Shares you already own; (e) if the Shares are registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.
7. Treatment upon Termination of Employment or Service Relationship. The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:
(a) General Rule. You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(b) Retirement or Disability. In the event of your Termination of Service due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;
(c) Death. In the event of your Termination of Service due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and
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(d) Cause. The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the vested portion of the Option following your Termination of Service would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements, then the Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) expiration of a period of three months after your Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act or the Company’s insider trading policy requirements (provided that in the event of Retirement, Disability or death, this additional three-month period will apply only following an initial election by a Participant or his or her estate or beneficiary to exercise the Option and will serve only to extend, not shorten, the one year post-termination exercise periods set forth in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) above).
The Option must be exercised within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or Disability and one year after termination of employment due to Disability to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment afforded Incentive Stock Options.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.
8. Limited Transferability. During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form or the personal representative of your estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.
9. Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of any portion of the Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.
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10. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time, with or without Cause.
11. No Right to Damages. You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.
12. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that the Option will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Option.
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Exhibit 10.18
AMENDED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of December 31, 2023, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Timothy Burks (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical Apps. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on April 1, 2023 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending 90 days after the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”). If the Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Initial Term, then this Agreement will continue, unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as CEO of the Company, reporting directly to the the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Executive will forfeit deferred compensation. The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $240,000 per annum (the “Base”), payable in bi-weekly instalments. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) 2022 Incentive Plan (appendix A)
The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, as per the Stock Option Grant detail (appendix B.).
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs with the submission of a proof of payment.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for any reason in the initial period or for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base salary as defined in Section 3.01 (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers’ liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
BUBBLR, INC.
| By: | /s/ Stephen Morris |
| Stephen Morris | |
| Chief Technical Officer |
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks |
| Timothy Burks | |
| Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.19
SECOND AMENDED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Second Amended Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of December 31, 2023, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and David Chetwood (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical Apps. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive for the period beginning on February 10, 2023 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending 90 days after the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”). If the Executive remains employed by the Company after the end of the Initial Term, then this Agreement will continue, unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as CFO, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Company, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Executive will forfeit deferred compensation. The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $180,000 per annum (the “Base”), payable in bi-weekly instalments. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) 2022 Incentive Plan (appendix A)
The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, as per the Stock Option Grant detail (appendix B.).
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs with the submission of a proof of payment.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for any reason in the initial period or for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base salary as defined in Section 3.01 (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers’ liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
BUBBLR, INC.
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks |
| Timothy Burks | |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| By: | /s/ David Chetwood |
| David Chetwood | |
| Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 10.20
SECOND AMENDED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Second Amended Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of December 31, 2023, by and between Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”), and Stephen Morris (“Executive”).
RECITALS
The Company is in the business of developing an Open-Source platform to deliver Ethical Apps. The Company desires to employ Executive, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Term of Employment
1.01 Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company will employ Executive unless different terms are established, by the parties in writing.
ARTICLE
II
Duties
2.01(a) During the term of employment, Executive will:
(i) Promote the interests, within the scope of his duties, of the Company and devote his full working time and efforts to the Company’s business and affairs;
(ii) Serve as Chief Technical Officer (CTO), reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
(iii) Perform the duties and services consistent with the title and function of such office, including without limitation, those as specifically set forth from time to time by the Board.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of a passive investor (provided that he, collectively with his family and affiliated interests (or persons constituting a “group” under the federal securities laws) will not exceed 5% of any company’s voting securities); and (ii) engaging (not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic, or philanthropic activities, provided that Executive’s investments or engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof and are otherwise disclosed to and approved by the Board in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE
III
Base Compensation
3.01 The Executive will forfeit deferred compensation. The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary of $90,000 (£75,000) per annum (the “Base”), payable in monthly instalments. This base compensation is subject to customary withholdings for taxes and other normal withholdings required by law.
3.02 Bonus. In addition to the Base, the Company may also pay to the Executive any amounts deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time, based on the quality and nature of the Executive’s services and the performance of the Company during such period of time. A bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
3.03 Equity. The parties agree that any tax issues, or payments that are due to the IRS or comparable foreign entity as a result of issuance of the equity to Executive, are the sole responsibility of Executive. Executive understands that its own obligation to consult with and take his own independent tax advice on this matter.
(a) 2022 Incentive Plan (appendix A)
The Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2022 Incentive Plan, as per the Stock Option Grant detail (appendix B.).
ARTICLE
IV
Reimbursement and Employment Benefits
4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental, and life insurance employee benefits as are available from time to time to other key executive employees (and their families) of the Company, including a Life Insurance Plan, Medical and Dental Insurance Plan, and a Long-Term Disability Plan (the “Plans”). Upon execution of this agreement, Company will provide Executive with reimbursement of Executive’s health and other medical plan costs with the submission of a proof of payment.
4.02 Vacation. Executive shall participate in the Company Unlimited Vacation Plan.
4.03 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.
4.04 Savings Plan. Executive will be eligible to enroll and participate and be immediately vested in, all Company savings and retirement plans, including any 401(k) plans, as are available from time to time to other key executive employees.
ARTICLE
V
Termination
5.01 General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, at such time as Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive or the Company, any and all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, other than the Company’s obligation to pay Executive, the full amount of any unpaid Base and accrued but unpaid benefits, earned by Executive pursuant to this Agreement through and including the date of termination and to observe the terms and conditions of any plan or benefit arrangement which, by its terms, survives such termination of Executive’s employment. The payments to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be made to Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death, to such beneficiary as Executive may designate in writing to the Company for that purpose, or if Executive has not so designated, then to the spouse of Executive, or if none is surviving, then to the personal representative of the estate of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of employment shall not affect the obligations of Executive under Article VI hereof that, pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. Upon termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Company property including without limitation all writings, records, data, memoranda, contracts, orders, sales literature, price lists, client lists, data processing materials, and other documents, whether or not obtained from the Company or any Affiliate, which pertain to or were used by Executive in connection with his employment by the Company or which pertain to any Affiliate, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, as well as any automobiles, computers or other furniture, fixtures or equipment which were purchased by the Company for Executive or otherwise in Executive’s possession or control.
5.02 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following (a) the Company’s termination pursuant to section 5.03, (b) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.04 or (c) the Executive’s death.
5.03 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean, in the sole determination of the Company’s Board, whose determination shall be final and binding, the reasonable likelihood that the Executive will be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for either: (i) a continuous period of four months; or (ii) 180 days during any consecutive twelve (12) month period.
(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:
(i) Any violation by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (including without limitation any violation of any provision of Sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof any and all of which are material in all respects), upon notice of same by the Company describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(i), which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured to the Company’s sole and absolute satisfaction within 30 days after such notice (except for breaches of any provisions of sections 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 which are not subject to cure or any notice);
(ii) Embezzlement by Executive of funds or property of the Company;
(iii) Habitual absenteeism, bad faith, fraud, refusal to perform his duties, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Executive in the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company, provided that the Company has given written notice of and an opportunity of not less than 30 days to cure such breach, which notice describes in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.03(b)(iii), provided that no such notice or opportunity needs to be given if (x) in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, such conduct is habitual or would unnecessarily or unreasonably expose the Company to undue risk or harm or (y) one previous notice had already been given under this section or under section (i) above; or
(iv) a felonious act, conviction, or plea of nolo contendere of Executive under the laws of the United States or any state (except for any conviction or plea based on a vicarious liability theory and not the actual conduct of the Executive).
5.04 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by the Executive upon written notice to the Company upon the first to occur of the following:
(a) Change in Control. Within six (6) months after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) of the Company (unless Executive is not offered a position in the buying or succeeding owner with equal or better economic terms as this Agreement). The term “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (i) any person or entity (or person or entities which are affiliated or acting as a group or otherwise in concert) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power for election of directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company (other than stockholders which own greater than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement); (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation as a result of which its membership interests shall be changed, converted, or exchanged (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any liquidation of the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who were members of the Company immediately before the effective date of the merger or consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the combined voting power for election of directors or the equivalent of the surviving corporation following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the sale or transfer of membership interests of the Company to an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or an affiliate thereof or if the new employer offers to employ the Executive on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (except that the Base shall not be reduced below the then-existing Base).
(b) Constructive Termination. Upon the occurrence of a “Constructive Termination” (as defined herein) by the Company. The term “Constructive Termination” shall mean any of the following: any breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his position specified in Section 2.01 hereof or any breach by the Company of such Section, which is not cured within 60 days after written notice of same by Executive, describing in detail the breach asserted and stating that it constitutes notice pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) Voluntary Termination. Executive’s resignation for reasons other than as specified in Section 5.04(a) and (b).
5.05 Consequences of Termination. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for a termination by the Company for any reason in the initial period or for Cause as provided in Section 5.03(b) hereof or for a termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.04(c) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to (a) a payment equal to (a) six (6) months’ Base salary as defined in Section 3.01 (the “Severance”) and (b) retain the benefits set forth in Article IV for six (6) months. The Severance shall be paid, at Company’s option, either (x) in a lump sum upon termination with such payments discounted by the U.S. Treasury rate most closely comparable to the applicable time period left in the Agreement or (y) as and when normal payroll payments are made. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that the payment of Severance to Executive hereunder shall be liquidated damages for and in full satisfaction of any and all claims Executive may have relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the termination thereof, including, without limitation, those causes of action arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of April 9, 1866.1 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., the National Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §141 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq., and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s right to receive Severance Pay is contingent upon Executive not violating any of his on-going obligations under this Agreement.
5.06 Representations. Executive represents, warrants, and covenants to Company that (a) there is no other agreement or relationship which is binding on him which prevents him from entering into or fully performing under the terms hereof and (b) the Company may contact any past, present, or future entity with whom he has a business relationship and inform such entity of the existence of this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE
VI
Covenants
6.01 Solicitation. (a) During the period in which Executive performs services for the Company and for a period of three (1) year after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, except in connection with his duties hereunder or otherwise for the sole account and benefit of the Company, whether as a sole proprietor, partner, member, shareholder, employee, director, officer, guarantor, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity as principal or agent, or through any person, subsidiary, affiliate, or employee acting as nominee or agent, except with the consent of the Company:
(ii) Solicit, attempt to solicit, or accept business from, or cause to be solicited or have business accepted from, any then-current customers of Company, any persons or entities who were customers of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, or any prospective customers of the Company for whom bids were being prepared or had been submitted as of the Termination Date; or
(iii) Induce, or attempt to induce, hire or attempt to hire, or cause to be induced or hired, any employee of the Company, or persons who were employees of the Company within the 180 days preceding the Termination Date, to leave or terminate his or her employment with the Company, or hire or engage as an independent contractor any such employee of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from (i) investing in or owning up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation engaged in any business provided that such shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market or (ii) retaining any shares of stock in any corporation which Executive owned before the date of his employment with the Company.
6.02 Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that in his employment he is or will be making use of, acquiring, or adding to the Company’s confidential information which includes, but is not limited to, memoranda and other materials or records of a proprietary nature; technical information regarding the operations of the Company; and records and policy matters relating to finance, personnel, market research, strategic planning, current and potential customers, lease arrangements, service contracts, management, and operations. Therefore, to protect the Company’s confidential information and to protect other employees who depend on the Company for regular employment, Executive agrees that he will not in any way use any of said confidential information except in connection with his employment by the Company, and except in connection with the business of the Company he will not copy, reproduce, or take with him the original or any copies of said confidential information and will not directly or indirectly divulge any of said confidential information to anyone without the prior written consent of the Company.
6.03 Inventions. All discoveries, designs, improvements, ideas, and inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) products, services, or other technology of the Company or any Affiliate or relating to (or suggested by or resulting from) methods or processes used or usable in connection with the business of the Company or any Affiliate that may be conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company (hereinafter “Inventions”), either solely or jointly with others, shall automatically become the sole property of the Company or an Affiliate. Executive shall immediately disclose to the Company all such Inventions and shall, without additional compensation, execute all assignments and other documents deemed necessary to perfect the property rights of the Company or any Affiliate therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with respect to Inventions conceived, developed, or made by Executive during employment with the Company. The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to any Invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company or any Affiliate is used by Executive and which is developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless (a) such Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) such Invention results from work performed by Executive for the Company.
6.04 Non-Disparagement. For a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing indefinitely, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, defame, disparage, create false impressions, or otherwise put in a false or bad light the Company, its products or services, its business, reputation, conduct, practices, past or present employees, financial condition or otherwise.
6.05 Blue Penciling. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.
6.06 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, without the necessity of posting any bond, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.
ARTICLE
VII
Assignment
7.01 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder if the assignment is pursuant to a Change in Control. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.
ARTICLE
VIII
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company or subsidiaries and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment, and/or any compensation, bonuses or incentives. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IX
Applicable Law; Miscellaneous
9.01 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in federal or state courts located in Wyoming.
9.02 Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.
9.03 Indemnification of Executive. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers’ liability insurance policy.
9.04 Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
9.05 Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.07 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
BUBBLR, INC.
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks |
| Timothy Burks | |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| By: | /s/ Stephen Morris |
| Stephen Morris | |
| Chief Technical Officer |
Exhibit 21.1
The company has 3 wholly owned subsidiaries:
Bubblr Holdings Limited, incorporated in England December 6, 2016
Bubblr Holdings wholly owns:
Bubblr Limited, incorporated in England April 25, 2014
Bubblr CLN Limited, incorporated in England March 9, 2020
Bubblr Limited currently manages the Bubblr development program and offers the Bubblr products and services in the U.K. region.
Bubblr CLN Limited is a special vehicle company, incorporated to hold the 2020 CLN notes and has no ongoing operations.
Bubblr holdings has no ongoing operations.
Bubblr Holdings Ltd, Bubblr Ltd and Bubblr CLN all have their principal offices at 15 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD.
EXHIBIT 31.1
BUBBLR, INC.
A Wyoming corporation
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Section 302 Certification
I, Timothy Burks, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 of Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “registrant”); |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Dated: March 20, 2024 | ||
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | |
| Timothy Burks | ||
| Its: | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
EXHIBIT 31.2
BUBBLR, INC.
A Wyoming corporation
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
Section 302 Certification
I, David Chetwood, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 of Bubblr, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (the “registrant”); |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Dated: March 20, 2024 | ||
| By: | /s/ David Chetwood | |
| David Chetwood | ||
| Its: | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |
EXHIBIT 32.1
BUBBLR, INC.
A Wyoming corporation
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Bubblr, Inc. (“Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Timothy Burks, Chief Executive Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| (1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | |
| (2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Dated: March 20, 2024 | ||
| By: | /s/ Timothy Burks | |
| Timothy Burks | ||
| Its: | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
EXHIBIT 32.2
BUBBLR, INC.
A Wyoming corporation
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Bubblr, Inc. (“Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David Chetwood, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| (1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | |
| (2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Dated: March 20, 2024 | ||
| By: | /s/ David Chetwood | |
| David Chetwood | ||
| Its: | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |