UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K 

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

June 28, 2022

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

AMERICAN ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-40233

 

86-1599759

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

12115 Visionary Way

Fishers, Indiana

 

46038

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (317) 855-9926

 

N/A

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

 

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

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

 on which registered

Units, each consisting of one share of Common Stock and one-half of one Redeemable Warrant

AMAOU

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

AMAO

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share

AMAOW

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

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

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

Merger Agreement

 

On June 28, 2022, American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AMAO”), entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among AMAO, Royalty Management Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“RMC”) and Royalty Merger Sub Inc., an Indiana corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of AMAO (“Merger Sub”). AMAO and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to collectively as the “AMAO Parties.” Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a business combination between AMAO and RMC will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into RMC, with RMC surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMAO (the “Merger”). Upon the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), it is anticipated that AMAO will change its name to “Royalty Management Corporation”. The board of directors of AMAO has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by the stockholders of AMAO.

 

RMC is owned and controlled by certain member officers and directors of AMAO and its sponsor. The Merger is expected to be consummated in the fourth quarter of 2022, following the receipt of the required approval by the stockholders of AMAO and the shareholders of RMC and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions.

 

Merger Consideration

 

The total consideration to be paid at Closing (the “Merger Consideration”) by AMAO to the RMC shareholders will be $111,000,000, and will be payable in shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of AMAO (“AMAO Common Stock”). The number of shares of AMAO Common Stock to be paid to the shareholders of RMC as Merger Consideration will be 11,100,000, with each share being valued at $10.00. All cash proceeds remaining in the trust will be used to pay transaction costs and as growth capital for RMC.

 

At the signing of the Merger Agreement, RMC has only one class of stock, common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “RMC Common Stock”). Each share of RMC Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (other than any dissenting shares) shall be exchanged for and otherwise converted into the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration per share pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The effective date and time of the Merger is referred to in the Merger Agreement as the effective time (the “Effective Time”). Prior to the Effective Time, all RMC warrants and convertible debt shall be converted into shares of RMC Common Stock, so that no warrants or convertible debt will be outstanding as of the Effective Time.

 

 
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Representations and Warranties

 

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of RMC with respect to, among other things: (i) corporate existence and power; (ii) organizational documents; (iii) capitalization; (iv) authorization to enter into the Merger Agreement and related transactions; (v) no conflicts and non-contravention; (vi) permits and compliance; (vii) financial statements; (viii) no undisclosed liabilities; (ix) absence of certain changes; (x) absence of litigation; (xi) employee benefit plans; (xii) labor matters; (xiii) real property and title to assets; (xiv) intellectual property; (xv) taxes; (xvi) environmental matters; (xvii) material contracts; (xviii) customers and suppliers; (xix) insurance; (xx) internal controls; (xxi) accuracy of statements; (xxii) COVID-19 matters; (xxiii) delivery of support agreement; (xxiv) board approval; (xv) brokers and finders’ fees; (xvi) takeover laws; (xxvii) international trade matters and anti-bribery compliance; (xxix) related party transactions; (xxx) that RMC is not an investment company; (xxxi) withholding; (xxxii) exclusivity of representations and warranties; and (xxxiii) full disclosure.

 

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the AMAO Parties with respect to, among other things: (i) corporate existence and power; (ii) organizational documents; (iii) capitalization; (iv) authorization to enter into the Merger Agreement and related transactions; (v) no conflicts and non-contravention; (vi) compliance; (viii) AMAO publicly filed documents and financial statements; (viii) absence of certain changes; (ix) absence of litigation; (x) board approval; (xi) no prior operations of Merger Sub; (xii) amount in the trust account; (xii) employees; (xiv) taxes; (xv) listing of AMAO securities; (xvi) that AMAO is not an investment company; (xvii) statements in public filings; (xviii) contracts; (xix) brokers and finders’ fees; (xx) delivery of support agreement; and (xxi) investigation and reliance.

 

All representations and warranties by all parties shall terminate upon the Effective Time, and no representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.

 

Covenants

 

The Merger Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to operation of their respective businesses prior to consummation of the Merger and efforts to satisfy conditions to consummation of the Merger. The Merger Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others, access to information, cooperation in the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) and Proxy Statement (as each such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) required to be filed in connection with the Merger and to obtain all requisite approvals of AMAO’s stockholders. AMAO has also agreed to include in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of its board that its stockholders approve all of the proposals to be presented at the special meeting of AMAO’s stockholders that will be called in order to approve the Merger and related transactions (the “AMAO Special Meeting”).

 

Conduct between Signing and Closing

 

Each of AMAO, Merger Sub and RMC has agreed that from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Closing Date or, if earlier, the valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, it will not initiate, encourage or engage in any negotiations with any party relating to an Alternative Transaction (as defined in the Merger Agreement), take any action intended to facilitate an Alternative Transaction or approve, recommend or enter into any agreement relating to an Alternative Transaction. AMAO and RMC also have agreed to operate their respective companies in the ordinary course through the Closing Date.

 

 
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Conditions to Closing

 

The consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the absence of any applicable law or order that makes the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement illegal or otherwise prohibits consummation of such transactions; (ii) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); (iii) approval by AMAO’s stockholders of the Merger and related transactions; (iv) approval by RMC’s shareholders of the Merger and related transactions; (v) the aggregate cash available to AMAO at the Closing (after giving effect to any redemptions by AMAO’s stockholders and the payment of all authorized transaction expenses) being at least $2,000,000; (vi) if AMAO elects to pursue an extension proposal with its stockholders to extend the date by which AAO has to consummate a business combination from September 22, 2022 to December 22, 2022, or such other date reasonably determined by AAO (an “Extension Proposal”) such Extension Proposal shall have been approved by AMAO’s stockholders; (vii) all Ancillary Agreements shall have been executed by all parties thereto; (viii) AAO shall have obtained the fairness opinion required by the terms of the AMAO Prospectus dated March 17, 2021, for its initial public offering (the “Prospectus”), such fairness opinion shall have been fully and properly disclosed in the Registration Statement, and shall be in full force and effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; and (ix) all required filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and with any other governmental authority shall have been completed and cleared. AMAO is not required to pursue an Extension Proposal.

 

Solely with respect to the AMAO Parties, the consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things: (i) RMC having duly performed or complied with all of its obligations under the Merger Agreement in all material respects; (ii) the representations and warranties of RMC being true and correct in all material respects; (iii) no event having occurred that would result in a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement); (iv) RMC providing AMAO a certificate from an authorized officer of RMC as to the accuracy of the foregoing conditions; (v) AMAO having received evidence that all RMC warrants and convertible debt shall have been converted into RMC Common Stock prior to the Closing; (vi) after giving effect to the Merger, AMAO shall have at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act); and (vii) AMAO shall have received executed employment agreements from certain RMC executives, in a form reasonably acceptable to AMAO.

 

Solely with respect to RMC, the consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things: (i) the AMAO Parties having duly performed or complied with all of their obligations under the Merger Agreement in all material respects; (ii) the representations and warranties of the AMAO Parties being true and correct in all material respects; (iii) no event having occurred that would result in an AAO Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement; and (iv) each of the AMAO Parties providing RMC a certificate from an authorized officer as to the accuracy of the foregoing conditions.

 

Termination

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated as follows:

 

 

(i)

By the mutual consent of AMAO and RMC;

 

 

(ii)

by AMAO, if any of the representations or warranties of RMC set forth in the Merger Agreement shall not be true and correct, or if RMC has failed to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement (including an obligation to consummate the Merger), in each case such that the conditions to closing would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failure to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured (or waived by AMAO) by the earlier of (i) the Outside Date (as defined below) or (ii) 10 days after written notice thereof is delivered to RMC; provided, however that AMAO is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation in the Merger Agreement, which breach has not been cured;

 

 
4

 

 

 

(iii)

by RMC, if any of the representations or warranties of AMAO or Merger Sub set forth in the Merger Agreement shall not be true and correct, or if AMAO or Merger Sub has failed to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement (including an obligation to consummate the Merger), in each case such that the conditions to closing would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failure to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured (or waived by RMC) by the earlier of (i) the Outside Date or (ii) 10 days after written notice thereof is delivered to AMAO; provided, however that RMC is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation in the Merger Agreement, which breach has not been cured;

 

 

(iv)

by either AMAO or RMC:

 

 

 (A) on or after November 30, 2022 (the “Outside Date”), if the Merger shall not have been consummated prior to the Outside Date; provided, however, that this right to terminate the Merger Agreement shall not be available to a party if the failure of the Merger to have been consummated before the Outside Date (or such later date as provided in an Extension Proposal approved by AMAO’s stockholders, if applicable) was due to such party’s breach of or failure to perform any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement; or;

 

 

 (B) if any applicable law or order that makes the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement illegal or otherwise prohibits consummation of such transactions shall have become final and non-appealable;

 

 

(v)

by AMAO on September 21, 2022, if the Merger Agreement has not been approved by AMAO’s stockholders as of such date and AMAO elects not to pursue an Extension Proposal prior to such date;

 

 

 

 

(vi)

by RMC if AMAO has not received approval from its stockholders of the Merger and related transactions at the AMAO Special Meeting, unless such meeting has been adjourned or postponed, in which case at the final adjournment or postponement thereof;

 

 

 

 

(vii)

by AMAO if the RMC shareholders written consent approving the Merger and related transactions shall not have been obtained within three business days following the Registration Statement being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”);

 

 

 

 

(viii)

by AMAO within five business days after receiving notice that the fairness opinion described in the Prospectus and delivered to AMAO does not meet the terms of the Prospectus;

 

 

 

 

(ix)

 by AMAO, in the event that RMC’s audited financial statements for 2020 and 2021 have not been delivered to the Parent Parties on or before July 15, 2022 and remain undelivered prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement.

 

Certain Related Agreements

 

Sponsor Support Agreement

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, AMAO, RMC and certain stockholders of AMAO entered into a certain Sponsor Support Agreement dated June 28, 2022 (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) pursuant to which those certain AMAO stockholders who are parties thereto agreed to vote all shares of AMAO Common Stock beneficially owned by them, including any additional shares of AMAO they acquire ownership of or the power to vote, in favor of the Merger and related transactions.

 

The foregoing description of the Sponsor Support Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sponsor Support Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 
5

 

 

Shareholder Support Agreement

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, AMAO, RMC, and certain shareholders of RMC entered into a certain Shareholder Support Agreement dated June 28, 2022 (the “Shareholder Support Agreement”), pursuant to which those certain RMC shareholders who are parties thereto agreed to vote all RMC Common Stock beneficially owned by them, including any additional shares of RMC they acquires ownership of or the power to vote, in favor of the Merger and related transactions.

 

The foregoing description of the Shareholder Support Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Shareholder Support Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Agreement to be Executed at Closing

 

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

 

The Merger Agreement contemplates that, at or prior to the Closing, AMAO, certain legacy stockholders of AMAO and certain shareholders of RMC will enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), whereby (i) the Registration Rights Agreement will govern the registration of certain shares of AMAO and (ii) each shareholders of RMC will agree, subject to certain customary exceptions, among other things, not to transfer any shares of AMAO Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchanged for AMAO Common Stock beneficially owned or owned of record by such holder until the date that is the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the date on which AMAO completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of AMAO’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of AMAO Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. 

 

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

 

On June 28, 2022, AMAO and RMC issued a joint press release announcing the execution the Merger Agreement. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Furnished as Exhibit 99.2 is the investor presentation that will be used by AMAO and RMC in connection with the Merger and related matters.

 

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Important Information and Where To Find It

 

In connection with the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby, AMAO intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and a definitive proxy statement/prospectus. Promptly after filing its definitive proxy statement with the SEC, AMAO will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the Special Meeting relating to the transaction. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF AMAO ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION THAT AMAO WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AMAO, RMC AND THE TRANSACTION. The Registration Statement, definitive proxy statement/prospectus, and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction (when they become available), and any other documents filed by AMAO with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

 
6

 

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

AMAO and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from AMAO’s stockholders with respect to the proposed business combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in AMAO will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination and be available at www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination when available. Information about AMAO’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of AMAO Common Stock is set forth in AMAO’s prospectus, dated March 17, 2021, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filing. Other information regarding the interests of the participants in the proxy solicitation will be included in the proxy statement pertaining to the proposed business combination when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

 

RMC and its directors and executive officers also may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of AMAO in connection with the proposed business combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed business combination will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K and the documents incorporated by reference herein (this “Current Report”) contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “shall,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “positioned,” “future,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements made in this Current Report regarding the proposed transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the benefits of the Merger, integration plans, expected synergies and revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, the expected management and governance of the combined company, and the expected timing of the Merger. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on AMAO’s and RMC’s managements’ current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to an amendment or termination of the Merger Agreement and the proposed transaction contemplated thereby; (2) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of AMAO or the shareholders of RMC or other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (3) the inability to project with any certainty the amount of cash proceeds remaining in the AMAO trust account at the closing of the transaction; (4) the uncertainty relative to the cash made available to RMC at the closing should any material redemption requests be made by the AMAO stockholders (since the sources of cash projected in this press release assume that no redemptions will be requested by AMAO stockholders); (5) the inability of the company post-closing to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on Nasdaq following the business combination; (6) the amount of costs related to the business combination; (7) RMC’s ability to yield sufficient cash proceeds from the transaction to support its short-term operations and research and development efforts since the Merger Agreement requires no minimum level of funding in the trust account to close the transaction; (8) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties following the announcement of the business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; (9) the ability of RMC to meet its post-closing financial and strategic goals, due to, among other things, competition; (10) the ability of the company post-closing to grow and manage growth profitability and retain its key employees; (11) the possibility that the company post-closing may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors;(12) risks relating to the successful retention of RMC’s customers; (13) the potential impact that COVID-19 may have on RMC’s customers, suppliers, vendors, regulatory agencies, employees and the global economy as a whole; (14) the expected duration over which RMC’s balances will fund its operations; (15) and other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of AMAO for its initial public offering dated [*] filed with the SEC and the proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to the proposed business combination, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in AMAO’s other filings with the SEC. AMAO cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AMAO cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. AMAO does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

 
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No Offer or Solicitation

 

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

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Merger Agreement dated as of June 28, 2022 by and among American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., Royalty Merger Sub, Inc. and Royalty Management Corporation.

10.1

 

Sponsor Support Agreement dated as of June 28, 2022 by and among American Acquisition Opportunity Inc. and each of the Persons set forth on Schedule I attached thereto.

10.2

 

Shareholder Support Agreement dated as of June 28, 2022 by and among American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., Royalty Management Corporation and each of the Persons set forth on Schedule I attached thereto.

10.3

 

Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

99.1

 

Press Release dated June 28, 2022

99.2

 

Investor Presentation dated [*], 2022

 

 
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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Dated: July 5, 2022

  

AMERICAN ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY INC.

 

By:

/s/ Mark C. Jensen

 

Name:

Mark C. Jensen

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 
9

 

 EXHIBIT 2.1

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and among

 

AMERICAN ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY INC.
 
ROYALTY MERGER SUB, INC.

 

and

 

ROYALTY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

Dated as of June 28, 2022

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

 

2

 

SECTION 1.1 Certain Definitions

 

 

2

 

SECTION 1.2 Construction

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II THE MERGER; CLOSING

 

 

15

 

SECTION 2.1 The Merger

 

 

15

 

SECTION 2.2 Closing

 

 

15

 

SECTION 2.3 Effective Time

 

 

15

 

SECTION 2.4 Organizational Documents of AAO and the Surviving Corporation

 

 

15

 

SECTION 2.5 Directors

 

 

16

 

SECTION 2.6 No Further Ownership Rights in Company Capital Stock

 

 

16

 

SECTION 2.7 Rights Not Transferable

 

 

16

 

SECTION 2.8 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE MERGER; CONVERSION OF SECURITIES; CONSIDERATION

 

 

16

 

SECTION 3.1 Conversion of Securities

 

 

16

 

SECTION 3.2 Payment of Merger Consideration

 

 

18

 

SECTION 3.3 Withholding Rights

 

 

19

 

SECTION 3.4 Stock Transfer Books

 

 

19

 

SECTION 3.5 Payment of Expenses

 

 

20

 

SECTION 3.6 Dissenter’s Rights

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

 

21

 

SECTION 4.1 Organization and Qualification

 

 

21

 

SECTION 4.2 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

 

22

 

SECTION 4.3 Capitalization

 

 

22

 

SECTION 4.4 Authority Relative to this Agreement

 

 

24

 

SECTION 4.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents

 

 

24

 

SECTION 4.6 Permits; Compliance

 

 

25

 

SECTION 4.7 Financial Statements

 

 

26

 

SECTION 4.8 Undisclosed Liabilities

 

 

28

 

SECTION 4.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events

 

 

28

 

SECTION 4.10 Absence of Litigation

 

 

28

 

SECTION 4.11 Employee Benefit Plans

 

 

29

 

SECTION 4.12 Labor Matters

 

 

31

 

SECTION 4.13 Real Property; Title to and Sufficiency of Assets

 

 

32

 

SECTION 4.14 Intellectual Property

 

 

34

 

SECTION 4.15 Taxes

 

 

36

 

 

 

i

 

  

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

 

Page

 

SECTION 4.16 Environmental Matters  

 

 

39

 

SECTION 4.17 Material Contracts

 

 

40

 

SECTION 4.18 Customers and Suppliers

 

 

43

 

SECTION 4.19 Insurance

 

 

43

 

SECTION 4.20 Internal Controls

 

 

44

 

SECTION 4.21 Registration Statement

 

 

44

 

SECTION 4.22 Operations of the Company Business During COVID-19

 

 

44

 

SECTION 4.23 Support Agreement

 

 

44

 

SECTION 4.24 Board Approval; Vote Required

 

 

45

 

SECTION 4.25 Reserved

 

 

45

 

SECTION 4.26 Brokers

 

 

45

 

SECTION 4.27 Takeover Laws

 

 

45

 

SECTION 4.28 International Trade Matters; Anti-Bribery Compliance

 

 

45

 

SECTION 4.29 Related Party Transactions

 

 

46

 

SECTION 4.30 Not An Investment Company

 

 

47

 

SECTION 4.31 Withholding

 

 

47

 

SECTION 4.32 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties

 

 

47

 

SECTION 4.33 Full Disclosure

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AAO AND MERGER SUB

 

 

48

 

SECTION 5.1 Corporate Organization

 

 

48

 

SECTION 5.2 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

 

48

 

SECTION 5.3 Capitalization

 

 

48

 

SECTION 5.4 Authority Relative to This Agreement

 

 

49

 

SECTION 5.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents

 

 

50

 

SECTION 5.6 Compliance

 

 

50

 

SECTION 5.7 AAO SEC Documents and Financial Statements

 

 

51

 

SECTION 5.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events

 

 

52

 

SECTION 5.9 Absence of Litigation

 

 

52

 

SECTION 5.10 Board Approval; Vote Required

 

 

52

 

SECTION 5.11 No Prior Operations of Merger Sub

 

 

52

 

SECTION 5.12 AAO Trust Fund

 

 

53

 

SECTION 5.13 Employees

 

 

53

 

SECTION 5.14 Taxes

 

 

53

 

SECTION 5.15 Listing

 

 

55

 

  

 

ii

 

   

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

 

Page

 

SECTION 5.16 Investment Company Act

 

 

56

 

SECTION 5.17 Registration Statement

 

 

55

 

SECTION 5.18 Contracts

 

 

55

 

SECTION 5.19 Brokers

 

 

55

 

SECTION 5.20 Sponsor Support Agreement

 

 

55

 

SECTION 5.21 AAO’s and Merger Sub’s Investigation and Reliance

 

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

 

 

56

 

SECTION 6.1 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger

 

 

56

 

SECTION 6.2 Conduct of Business by AAO Pending the Merger

 

 

59

 

SECTION 6.3 Claims Against Trust Account

 

 

59

 

SECTION 6.4 Approval of 280G Payments

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

 

60

 

SECTION 7.1 Preparation of Registration Statement; Special Meeting; Company Requisite Approval

 

 

60

 

SECTION 7.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality; Publicity

 

 

63

 

SECTION 7.3 Exclusivity

 

 

64

 

SECTION 7.4 Employment Agreements

 

 

64

 

SECTION 7.5 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification

 

 

64

 

SECTION 7.6 Transaction Litigation

 

 

65

 

SECTION 7.7 Tax Matters

 

 

66

 

SECTION 7.8 Stock Exchange Listing

 

 

67

 

SECTION 7.9 AAO Public Filings

 

 

67

 

SECTION 7.10 Efforts to Consummate; Antitrust; Regulatory Approvals  

 

 

67

 

SECTION 7.11 Trust Account

 

 

69

 

SECTION 7.12 SECTION 16 Matters

 

 

69

 

SECTION 7.13 Preparation and Delivery of PCAOB Audited Financial Statements

 

 

69

 

SECTION 7.14 Support of Transaction

 

 

70

 

SECTION 7.15 Notice of Certain Events

 

 

70

 

SECTION 7.16 Extension Proposal

 

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

 

 

71

 

SECTION 8.1 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party

 

 

71

 

SECTION 8.2 Conditions to the Obligations of AAO and Merger Sub

 

 

72

 

SECTION 8.3 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company

 

 

73

 

SECTION 8.4 Frustration of Conditions

 

 

73

 

 

 

iii

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

 

 

73

 

SECTION 9.1 Termination

 

 

73

 

SECTION 9.2 Effect of Termination

 

 

75

 

SECTION 9.3 Expenses

 

 

75

 

SECTION 9.4 Amendment

 

 

75

 

SECTION 9.5 Waiver

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

76

 

SECTION 10.1 Non-Survival

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

 

76

 

SECTION 11.1 Notices

 

 

76

 

SECTION 11.2 Severability

 

 

77

 

SECTION 11.3 Entire Agreement; Assignment

 

 

77

 

SECTION 11.4 Parties in Interest

 

 

77

 

SECTION 11.5 Governing Law

 

 

78

 

SECTION 11.6 Waiver of Jury Trial

 

 

78

 

SECTION 11.7 Headings

 

 

78

 

SECTION 11.8 Counterparts

 

 

78

 

SECTION 11.9 Specific Performance

 

 

79

 

SECTION 11.10 Legal Representation

   

 

iv

 

   

MERGER AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of June 28, 2022 (this “Agreement”), by and among American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AAO”), Royalty Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Royalty Management Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”). AAO, Merger Sub, and the Company are sometimes referred to individually herein as a “Party” and, collectively, the “Parties”.

 

WHEREAS, AAO is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated in Delaware and formed to acquire one or more operating businesses through a business combination;

 

WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a newly formed, wholly owned, direct subsidiary of AAO and was formed for the sole purpose of the Merger;

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the “IBCL”), at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company pursuant to the Merger, with the Company surviving as the Surviving Corporation;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, the Shareholders will be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration, as described in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Sponsor, certain of Sponsor’s Affiliates and AAO have entered into a Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), providing that dated as of the date hereof, providing that, among other things, the Principal Shareholders will vote in favor of this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Merger);

 

WHEREAS, AAO and the Principal Shareholders, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, have entered into the Shareholder Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Shareholder Support Agreement”), providing that, among other things, the Principal Shareholders will vote in favor of this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Merger);

 

WHEREAS, at the Closing, AAO, certain stockholders of AAO and certain Shareholders will enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement with AAO (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), which will, among other things, govern the registration of certain Company Common Stock for resale and also provide for a lock-up pertaining to certain Company Common Stock owned by such Shareholders and which shall be effective as of the Closing.

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, AAO shall adopt the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Amended Charter”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, to provide for, among other things, an increase in the number of authorized shares of AAO Common Stock;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, AAO shall adopt the amended and restated bylaws (the “Amended Bylaws”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C;

 

 
1

 

 

WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of each of AAO, Merger Sub and the Company have each (a) unanimously approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Transactions upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL and IBCL and (b) adopted a resolution recommending to their respective stockholders or shareholders, as the case may be, the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions;

 

WHEREAS, the sole shareholder of Merger Sub has approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Transactions upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the IBCL;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Parties intends that, for United States federal income tax purposes, (a) this Agreement shall be adopted as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g) and (b) the Merger shall constitute an integrated transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Treasury Regulations (collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatment”); and

 

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms not defined in these Recitals shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I


DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

AAO Certificate of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AAO, dated March 17, 2021.

 

AAO Class A Common Stock” means, at all times prior to the Effective Time, AAO’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

AAO Class B Common Stock” means, at all times prior to the Effective Time, AAO’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

AAO Common Stock” means, at all times prior to the Effective Time, AAO Class A Common Stock and AAO Class B Common Stock, collectively.

 

AAO Extension Proposal” means a proposal which, at the discretion of AAO, may be submitted to the stockholders of AAO to amend AAO Certificate of Incorporation to extend the date by which AAO has to consummate a business combination from September 22, 2022 to December 22, 2022, or such other date reasonably determined by AAO, with such details as will be set forth in a proxy statement filed with the SEC.

 

AAO Extension Redemption” means the right of stockholders of AAO to redeem AAO Common Stock pursuant to AAO’s Certificate of Incorporation in connection with the AAO Extension Proposal.

 

 
2

 

 

AAO Material Adverse Effect” means any fact, event, circumstance, change or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other Effects, (a) has had a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of AAO or (b) has a material adverse effect on the ability of AAO and/or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that none of the following (or the effect of any of the following) shall be deemed to constitute, alone or in combination, or be taken into account in the determination of whether, there has been or will be an AAO Material Adverse Effect: (i) any change or proposed change in or change in the interpretation of any Law (including any COVID-19 Measures) or GAAP after the date of this Agreement; (ii) any material downturn in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial or capital markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets); (iii) any actions taken or not taken by AAO as required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; (iv) any fact, event, circumstance, change or effect attributable to the announcement or execution, pendency, negotiation or consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions, (v) any actions taken, or failures to take any action, or such other changes or events, in each case, which the Company has requested or to which it has consented or which actions are contemplated by this Agreement, (vi) any earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, flood, mudslide, wild fire or other natural disaster, pandemic, explosion fire, act of God or other force majeure event (including, for the avoidance of doubt, COVID-19 and any Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline issued by a Governmental Authority, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, providing for business closures, changes to business operations, “sheltering-in-place” or other restrictions that relate to, or arise out of, an epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 pandemic) or any change in such Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline or interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement or AAO’s compliance therewith), (vii) any national or international political or social conditions in countries in which, or in the proximate geographic region of which, AAO operates, including the engagement by the United States or such other countries in hostilities or the escalation thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence or the escalation of any military or terrorist attack (including any internet or “cyber” attack or hacking) upon the United States or such other country, or any territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices of the United States, or (viii) any failure of AAO to meet any projections, forecasts or budgets (provided, that any Effect underlying such failure (except to the extent otherwise excluded by the other clauses in this definition) shall be taken into account in determining whether an AAO Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur); provided, however, that any change, event, change, fact or circumstance referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iv), (vi), and (vii) may be taken into account in determining if a “Material Adverse Effect” occurred to the extent it has a disproportionate impact on AAO as compared to similarly situated companies in the industry in which AAO conducts its operations, or the ability of AAO to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements or to consummate the Transactions.

 

AAO Organizational Documents” means the AAO Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws, in each case as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

 
3

 

 

AAO Private Placement Warrants” has the meaning ascribed to “Private Warrant” in the AAO SEC Reports as of the date of this Agreement.

 

AAO Public Warrant” has the meaning ascribed to “Public Warrant” in the AAO SEC Reports as of the date of this Agreement.

 

AAO Units” means the units of AAO issued in connection with its initial public offering, which such units are comprised of one share of AAO Class A Common Stock and one-half of one AAO Public Warrant, which ceased trading and were separated into their component parts as of April 21, 2022.

 

AAO Warrants” means, collectively, AAO Public Warrants and AAO Private Placement Warrants.

 

Affiliate” of a specified Person means a Person who, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. For the avoidance of doubt, Merger Sub shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of AAO.

 

Ancillary Agreements” means the Amended Charter, the Amended Bylaws, the Shareholder Support Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, and all other agreements, certificates and instruments executed and delivered by the Parties in connection with the Transactions and specifically contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means any applicable Laws relating to anti-bribery or anti-corruption (governmental or commercial), including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”), the U.S. Travel Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1952, and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, when applicable.

 

Books and Records” means books and records (whether written, electronic, or otherwise embodied) in which a Person’s assets, the business or its transactions are otherwise reflected, other than stock books and minute books.

 

Business Data” means all business information and data, including Personal Information (whether of employees, contractors, consultants, customers, consumers, or other Persons and whether in electronic or any other form or medium) that is accessed, collected, used, processed, stored, shared, distributed, transferred, disclosed, destroyed, or disposed of by any of the Business Systems or otherwise in the course of the conduct of the business of the Company.

 

Business Day” means any day on which the principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C. are customarily open to accept filings, or, in the case of determining a date when any payment is due, any day on which banks are not required or authorized to close in New York, NY.

 

Business Systems” means all Software, computer hardware (whether general or special purpose), electronic data processing, information, record keeping, communications, telecommunications, networks, interfaces, platforms, servers, peripherals, and computer systems, including any outsourced systems and processes, that are owned or used or held for use in the conduct of the Company Business.

 

 
4

 

 

Closing Payment Shares” means eleven million one hundred thousand (11,100,000) shares of AAO Common Stock.

 

Company Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal or offer from a Person or a “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) relating to (a) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of (i) any equity ownership in the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates or (ii) all or a material portion of assets or businesses of the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates (in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), whether by merger, consolidation, recapitalization, purchase or issuance of equity securities, tender offer or otherwise), or (b) any equity or similar investment in the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, none of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the Transactions shall constitute a Company Acquisition Proposal.

 

Company Affiliate Agreement” means any Contract between the Company on the one hand, and a Related Party, on the other hand.

 

Company Business” means the administration of current royalty interests or the investment in new royalty interests.

 

Company Capital Stock” means the Company Common Stock and includes Company Common Stock issued upon the Company Convertible Debt Conversion and the Company Warrant Settlement.

 

Company Certificate of Incorporation” means the First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Indiana Secretary of State on November 22, 2021, as such may have been amended, supplemented, designated or modified from time to time.

 

Company Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

Company Debt” means the following consolidated obligations of the Company: (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money or in respect of loans or advances of any kind or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, including “earn-out” payments; (b) all liabilities evidenced by bonds, debentures, promissory notes, mortgages or other debt instruments and debt securities; (c) all guarantees of the debt of other Persons on assets or properties of such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed; (d) contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar facilities (in each case to the extent drawn); (e) obligations under capitalized leases, (f) any unfunded or underfunded liabilities pursuant to any pension or nonqualified deferred compensation plan or arrangement and any earned but unpaid compensation (including salary, bonuses and paid time off) for any period prior to the Closing Date; and guarantees, make-whole agreements, hold harmless agreements or other similar arrangements with respect to any amounts of a type described in clauses (a) through (f) above, and with respect to each of the foregoing, any unpaid interest, breakage costs, prepayment or redemption penalties or premiums, or other unpaid fees or obligations. The amount of Company Debt as of the date hereof is set forth on Schedule 1.01(b).

 

 
5

 

 

Company Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules, delivered as of the date hereof, by the Company to AAO and Merger Sub, which the Parties acknowledge and agree incorporate identified information related to the Company’s predecessors and assigns.

 

Company Fully Diluted Capital Stock” means, without duplication, a number of shares of Company Common Stock equal to (a) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time after giving effect to the Company Convertible Debt Conversion and the Company Warrant Settlement; minus (b) any Treasury Shares.

 

Company IP” means, collectively, all Company-Owned IP and Company-Licensed IP.

 

Company-Licensed IP” means all Intellectual Property rights owned or purported to be owned by a third party and licensed to the Company or to which the Company otherwise has a right to use.

 

Company Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, change, effect or occurrence (collectively “Effect”) that, individually or in the aggregate with all other Effects, (a) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, assets or results of operations of the Company or (b) has a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that none of the following (or the effect of any of the following) shall be deemed to constitute, alone or in combination, or be taken into account in the determination of whether, there has been or will be a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) any change or proposed change in or change in the interpretation of any Law (including any COVID-19 Measures) after the date of this Agreement; (ii) events or conditions generally affecting the industries or geographic areas or markets in which the Company operates; (iii) any material downturn in general economic conditions, including material changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial or capital markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets); (iv) acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest, terrorism, cyberterrorism (including ransomware attacks), epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks (including COVID-19), or any escalation or worsening of any of the foregoing; (v) any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, wild fire, natural disaster, or other acts of God or other force majeure event, including, for the avoidance of doubt, COVID-19 and any COVID-19 Measures, (vi) any actions taken or not taken by the Company as required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (vii) any fact, event, circumstance, change or effect attributable to the announcement or execution, pendency, negotiation or consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions (including the impact thereof on relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, partners, providers, employees or Governmental Authorities), provided, however, that the exceptions in clauses (vi) or (vii) shall not be deemed to apply to references to “Material Adverse Effect” in the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.5 and, to the extent related thereto, the condition in Section 8.2(a), or (viii) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, guidance, estimates, milestones, budgets or financial or operating predictions of revenue, earnings, cash flow or cash position (provided, that clause (viii) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any event, change, fact or circumstance underlying such failure to meet projections or forecasts has resulted in, or contributed to, or would reasonably be expected to result in or contribute to, a Company Material Adverse Effect, and provided, further, that any change, event, change, fact or circumstance referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) may be taken into account in determining if a “Material Adverse Effect” occurred to the extent it has a disproportionate impact on (x) the Company as compared to similarly situated companies in the industry in which the Company conducts its operations, or (y) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements or to consummate the Transactions).

 

 
6

 

 

Company-Owned IP” means all Intellectual Property rights owned or purported to be owned by the Company.

 

Company Convertible Debt” means, the Round A Convertible Notes issued to certain investors and listed on Schedule 4.3(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedules.

 

 “Company Requisite Approval” means the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

Company Warrant” means a warrant to purchase Company Common Stock.

 

Confidential Information” means any information, knowledge or data concerning the businesses and affairs of the Company, or any Suppliers or customers of the Company or AAO or its subsidiaries (as applicable) that is not already generally available to the public.

 

control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, or as trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

 

Copyright License” means any license that requires, as a condition of use, modification or distribution of software or other Intellectual Property subject to such license, that such software or other Intellectual Property subject to such license, or other software or other Intellectual Property incorporated into, derived from, used or distributed with such software or other Intellectual Property subject to such license (a) in the case of software, be made available or distributed in a form other than binary (e.g., source code form), (b) be licensed for the purpose of preparing derivative works, (c) be licensed under terms that allow the Company Products or portions thereof or interfaces therefor to be reverse engineered, reverse assembled or disassembled (other than by operation of Law) or (d) be redistributable at no license fee. Copyright Licenses include the GNU General Public License, the GNU Lesser General Public License, the Mozilla Public License, the Common Development and Distribution License, the Eclipse Public License and all Creative Commons “sharealike” licenses.

 

COVID-19” shall mean SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions or mutations thereof or related or associated epidemics, pandemic or disease outbreaks.

 

COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester, workplace safety or similar Law promulgated by any Governmental Authority, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including the CARES Act and Families First Act.

 

 
7

 

 

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Environmental Laws” means any applicable Law, and any United States federal, state or local or non-United States laws relating to: (a) pollution (or the cleanup thereof) or the protection of natural resources, endangered or threatened species, human health or safety, or the environment (including ambient or indoor air, soil, soil gas, surface water, groundwater, sediments, surface or subsurface strata); or (b) concerning the release, threatened release, presence of, exposure to, contamination of, or any injury or threat of injury to persons or property relating to, or the management, manufacture, use, containment, storage, recycling, reclamation, reuse, treatment, generation, discharge, transportation, processing, production, sale, distribution, labeling, disposal or remediation of any Hazardous Substances or materials containing Hazardous Substances . The term “Environmental Law” includes the following (including their implementing regulations and any state analogs): the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq.; and the Clean Air Act of 1966, as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq; the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, 27 Cal. Code Regs., §§ 25249 et seq, and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

 

Environmental Claim” means any action, suit, claim, investigation or other proceeding by any person alleging liability of whatever kind or nature (including liability or responsibility for the costs of enforcement proceedings, investigations, cleanup, governmental response, removal or remediation, natural resources assessments and damages, property damages, personal injuries, medical monitoring, penalties, contribution, indemnification and injunctive relief) arising out of, based on or resulting from: (a) the actual or alleged presence, generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, disposal, threatened Release or Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Substances; (b) any actual or alleged non-compliance with any Environmental Law or term or condition of any Environmental Permit; or (c) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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

 

Exchange Ratio” means the quotient of (a) the Merger Consideration, divided by (b) the number of shares of Company Fully Diluted Capital Stock.

 

Hazardous Substance(s)” means: (a) any material, substance, chemical, waste, product, derivative, compound, mixture, solid, liquid, mineral or gas, in each case, whether naturally occurring or man-made, that is hazardous, acutely hazardous, toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, radioactive, a pollutant, a contaminant or is otherwise characterized by words of similar import or regulatory effect or that could give rise to Liability under Environmental Laws; and (b) any petroleum or petroleum-derived products, radon, radioactive materials or wastes, natural gas, synthetic gas, asbestos in any form, lead or lead-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

 

 
8

 

 

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

 

Immediate Family” means, with respect to any natural person, such person’s spouse or domestic partner, lineal ancestor or descendant, or sibling, including any adoptive relationship and relationships through marriage.

 

Intellectual Property” means any and all of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world (a) patents and patent applications, together with all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, extensions or reexaminations thereof; (b) trademarks and service marks, trade dress, trade names, corporate names, any other indicia of source or origin, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, together with all of the goodwill associated with the foregoing; (c) copyrights and other works of authorship (whether or not copyrightable), and moral rights, and registrations and applications for registration, renewals and extensions thereof; (d) trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information, in each instance, that derive independent economic value from not being generally known to the public and not being readily ascertainable by other Persons; (e) Internet domain names, social media accounts, websites and content; (f) Software and rights in Software.

 

Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

International Trade Laws” means all applicable laws, regulations, rules and licenses of the United States and other governments, including but not limited to, the sanctions, embargoes and restrictions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and the Foreign Trade Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Census, the anti-boycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

knowledge” or “to the knowledge” of a Person shall mean in the case of the Company or AAO, the actual knowledge of the Persons listed on Schedule 1.01(c) after reasonably inquiry.

 

Leased Real Property” means the real property leased by the Company as tenant, together with, to the extent leased by the Company, all buildings and other structures, facilities or Improvements located thereon.

 

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

 

Lien” means any lien, security interest, mortgage, pledge, adverse claim or other encumbrance of any kind that secures the payment or performance of an obligation (other than those created under applicable Securities Laws).

 

 
9

 

 

Merger Consideration” means one hundred eleven million dollars ($111,000,000).

 

Merger Sub Organizational Documents” means the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

Surviving Corporation Articles of Incorporation” means the form of articles of incorporation set forth on Exhibit D to be attached to this Agreement within 30 days after the date hereof.

 

Surviving Corporation Bylaws” means the form of bylaws set forth on Exhibit E.

 

NASDAQ” means the means the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

IBCL” means the Indiana Business Corporation Law.

 

Open Source License” means any license meeting the Open Source Definition (as promulgated by the Open Source Initiative) or the Free Software Definition (as promulgated by the Free Software Foundation), or any substantially similar license, including any license approved by the Open Source Initiative or any Creative Commons License. For the avoidance of doubt, Open Source Licenses include Copyright Licenses.

 

 “Owned Real Property” means the land owned by the Company (collectively, the “Land”), together with all buildings and other structures, facilities, and other improvements located thereon (collectively, the “Improvements”); all right, title and interest of the Company if any, in and to any and all appurtenances, strips or gores, roads, easements, streets, alleys, drainage facilities and rights-of-way bounding any of the Land; all utility capacity, utilities, water rights, licenses, permits, entitlements, and bonds, if any, and all other rights and benefits attributable to the Land; and all rights of ingress and egress thereto; all transferable consents, authorizations, variances or waivers, licenses, permits and approvals from any Governmental Authority in connection with the Land or the Improvements held by or granted to the Company any of its respective predecessors in title, and/or the agents thereof with respect to the Land or the Improvements; all right, title and interest of the Company in and to all site plans, surveys, soil and substratus studies, and engineering and architectural drawings, plans and specifications, in the possession or control of the Company relating to the Land or Improvements; all equipment and other personal property owned by the Company located on and/or exclusively used in connection with the operation of the Land or Improvements; and all written service and maintenance contracts and other written contracts, if any, relating to the Land or Improvements.

 

Permitted Liens” means: (a) such imperfections of title, easements, encumbrances, Liens or restrictions that do not materially impair the current use of the Company’s assets that are subject thereto; (b) Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable, or being contested in good faith for which adequate reserves have been set aside according to GAAP; (c) zoning, entitlement, conservation restriction and other land use and environmental regulations promulgated by Governmental Authorities, (d) non-exclusive licenses, sublicenses or other rights to Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to the Company granted to any licensee in the ordinary course of business; and (e) non-monetary Liens, encumbrances and restrictions on real property (including easements, covenants, rights of way and similar restrictions of record) that do not materially interfere with the present uses of such real property.

 

 
10

 

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, syndicate, person (including a “person” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or entity or government, political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government.

 

Personal Information” means (a) information related to an identified or identifiable individual (e.g., name, address telephone number, email address, financial account number, health information, government-issued identifier), (b) any other data used or intended to be used or which allows one to identify, contact, or precisely locate an individual, device or household, including any internet protocol address or other persistent identifier, and (c) any other, similar information or data regulated by Privacy/Data Security Laws.

 

Principal Shareholders” means White River Holdings LLC, First Frontier Capital LLC and Homewood Holdings LLC.

 

Privacy/Data Security Laws” means all Laws, self-regulatory standards, third party system and platform requirements, and industry regulations governing (a) the receipt, collection, use, storage, processing, sharing, security, disclosure, transfer, sale, unauthorized access or modification, theft, loss, inaccessibility, breach, or transfer of Personal Information, Confidential Information, the Company’s Business Systems or Business Data and (b) unfair and deceptive practices, accessibility, advertising communications (e.g., text messages, emails, calls), PCI-DSS, location tracking and marketing.

 

Products” mean any products or services, developed, manufactured, performed, out-licensed, sold, distributed other otherwise made available by or on behalf of the Company from which the Company has derived previously, is currently deriving or is scheduled to derive, revenue from the sale or provision thereof.

 

Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement to be filed by AAO as part of the Registration Statement with respect to the Special Meeting for the purpose of soliciting proxies from stockholders of AAO to approve AAO Proposals.

 

Redeeming Stockholder” means a stockholder of AAO who properly demands that AAO redeem its Class A Common Stock for cash in connection with the AAO Proposals and in accordance and in compliance with AAO Organizational Documents.

 

Registered Company IP” means patents, patent applications, registrations and applications for registration of trademarks, service marks, and trade dress, internet domains, and copyrights owned or licensed by the Company.

 

Related Party” means, with respect to the Company, (a) any Affiliate of the Company or any Person who serves as a director, officer, general partner or managing member of such Affiliate; (b) any Person who serves as a director, officer, general partner or managing member of the Company; (c) any Person that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, at least 5% of the Company Capital Stock or any Affiliate described in clause (i) of such Person; or (d) any Immediate Family member of any Person described in clause (a), (b) or (c). For purposes of this definition, “Affiliate” shall not include the Company.

 

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

 

 
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Securities Laws” means the securities laws of any state, federal or foreign entity and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Shareholder” means the holder of a share of Company Common Stock, and includes holders of shares of Company Common Stock issued upon the Company Convertible Debt Conversion and/or the Company Warrant Settlement.

 

Software” means all computer software (in object code or source code format), data and databases, and related documentation and materials.

 

Special Meeting” means a meeting of the holders of AAO Common Stock to be held for the purpose of approving AAO Proposals.

 

Sponsor” means American Opportunity Ventures LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person, of which (a) an amount of the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first Person or (b) such Persons controls any other Person. For the purposes hereof, the term “Subsidiary” shall include all subsidiaries of such Subsidiary.

 

Supplier” means any Person that supplies inventory or other materials or personal property, components, or other goods or services that are utilized in or comprise the Products of the Company.

 

Tax” and “Taxes” means any federal, state, local, foreign, and other income, gross income, adjusted gross income or gross receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative or add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer, value added, excise, stamp, customs, duties, ad valorem, real property, personal property (tangible and intangible), capital stock, social security, unemployment, payroll, wage, employment, severance, occupation, registration, communication, mortgage, profits, license, lease, service, goods and services, withholding, disability, estimated, escheat, premium, turnover, windfall profits or other taxes of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Authority with respect thereto.

 

Tax Return” means any return, information return, statement, declaration, claim for refund, estimate, report, or other document relating to Taxes that is filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto and including any amendments thereof.

 

 “Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

Treasury Regulations” means the United States Treasury regulations issued pursuant to the Code.

 

 
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Willful Breach” means, with respect to any agreement, a party’s knowing and intentional material breach of any of its representations or warranties as set forth in such agreement, or such party’s material breach of any of its covenants or other agreements set forth in such agreement, which material breach constitutes, or is a consequence of, a purposeful act or failure to act by such party with the knowledge that the taking of such act or failure to take such act would cause a material breach of this Agreement.

 

GLOSSARY

 

2021 Balance Sheet

Section 4.7(b)

 

AAO

Recitals

 

AAO Board

Section 5.10(a)

 

AAO Board Recommendation

Section 7.1(e)

 

AAO Disclosure Schedules

Preamble to Article V

 

AAO Financial Statements

Section 5.7(b)

 

AAO Preferred Stock

Section 5.3(a)

 

AAO Proposals

Section 7.1(b)

 

AAO SEC Documents

Section 5.7(a)

 

Action

Section 4.10

 

Additional AAO SEC Documents

Section 5.7(a)

 

Agreement

Recitals

 

Affordable Care Act

Section 4.11(k)

 

Alternative Transaction Structure

Section 7.7(a)

 

Anti-Corruption Laws

Section 4.29(a)

 

Antitrust Laws

Section 7.10(c)

 

Applicable Per Share Merger Consideration

Section 3.1(c)

 

“Articles of Merger

Section 2.3

 

Basket

Section 10.3(a)

 

Blue Sky Laws

Section 4.5(b)

 

Certificates

Section 3.2(b)

 

Claim Notice

Section 10.4(b)

 

Claims

Section 6.3

 

Closing

Section 2.2

 

Closing Date

Section 2.2

 

Code

Recitals

 

Company

Recitals

 

Company Convertible Debt Conversion

Section 3.01(a)

 

Company Board Recommendation

Section 7.1(f)

 

Company Permits

Section 4.6(a)

 

Company Warrant Settlement

Section 3.1(b)

 

Confidentiality Agreement

Section 7.2(b)

 

Contribution

Section 4.14(e)

 

Contributor

Section 4.14(e)

 

D&O Indemnified Persons

Section 7.5(a)

 

D&O Tail Insurance

Section 7.5(b)

 

Data Security Requirements

Section 4.14(g)

 

Dissenting Shares

Section 3.5(a)

 

  

 
13

 

 

Effective Time

Section 2.3

 

ERISA

Section 4.11(a)

 

ERISA Affiliate

Section 4.11(i).

 

Expiration Date

Section 3.6(a)(ii)

 

Exchange Fund

Section 3.2(a)

 

Financial Statements

Section 4.7(b)

 

GAAP

Section 4.7(a)

 

Governmental Authority

Section 4.5(b)

 

Investment Company Act

Section 4.31

 

International Trade Control Laws

Section 4.29(a)

 

Law

Section 4.5(a)

 

Lease

Section 4.13(b)

 

Lease Documents

Section 4.13(b)

 

Material Contracts

Section 4.17(a)

 

Material Customers

Section 4.18(a)

 

Material Suppliers

Section 4.18(b)

 

Merger

Section 2.1(a)

 

Merger Sub

Recitals

 

Merger Sub Common Stock

Section 5.3(b)

 

Outside Date

Section 9.1(b)

 

Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses

Section 3.4(b)

 

Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses

Section 3.4(a)

 

Party” and “Parties

Recitals

 

PCAOB Audit Deadline

Section 7.13

 

PCAOB Audited Financial Statements

Section 4.7(c)

 

Pending Claims

3.6(a)(ii)

 

Plans

Section 4.11(a)

 

Prior Financial Statements

Section 4.7(a)

 

Prohibited Party

Section 4.29(b)

 

Registration Statement

Section 7.1(a)

 

Remedies Exceptions

Section 4.4

 

Representative Documents

Section 11.10

 

Representatives

Section 7.2(a)

 

Sanctions Laws

Section 4.29(a)

 

SEC

Section 5.7(a)

 

Sponsor Support Agreement

Recitals

 

Shareholder Support Agreement

Recitals

 

Surviving Corporation

Section 2.1

 

Terminating AAO Breach

Section 9.1(f)

 

Terminating Company Breach

Section 9.1(e)

 

Third Party Claim

Section 10.4(c)

 

Transaction Litigation

Section 7.6

 

Trust Account

Section 5.12

 

Trust Agreement

Section 5.12

 

Trust Fund

Section 5.12

 

Trustee

Section 5.12

 

Withholding Agent

Section 3.3

 

 

 
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SECTION 1.2 Construction.

 

(a) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include all other genders, (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, (iv) the terms “Article,” “Section,” “Schedule” and “Exhibit” refer to the specified Article, Section, Schedule or Exhibit of or to this Agreement, (v) the word “including”, “include” or similar derivations means “including without limitation,” (vi) the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive, (vii) references to agreements and other documents shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, (viii) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; and (ix) references to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder and references to statutes or regulations shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation.

 

(b) The phrases “delivered,” “provided to,” “furnished to,” “made available” and phrases of similar import when used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, means that a copy of the information or material referred to has been (i) provided no later than seven days prior to the date of this Agreement to the Party to which such information or material is to be provided or furnished (A) in the “virtual data room” set up by the Company in connection with this Agreement no later than two days prior to the date hereof or (B) by delivery to such Party or its legal counsel via electronic mail or hard copy form, or (ii) with respect to AAO, filed with the SEC by AAO no later than two days prior to the date hereof.

 

(c) When used herein, “ordinary course of business” means an action taken, or omitted to be taken, in the ordinary and usual course of the Company’s or AAO’s business, as applicable, consistent with past practice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, recent past practice in light of COVID-19 or COVID-19 Measures).

 

(d) The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Party.

 

(e) Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. If any action is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a Business Day, then such action may be deferred until the next Business Day.

 

(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under GAAP.

 

 
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ARTICLE II

 

THE MERGER; CLOSING

 

SECTION 2.1 The Merger. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, (a) Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company in accordance with the IBCL, and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease, (b) the Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”) and become a wholly owned Subsidiary of AAO, and the separate corporate existence of the Company with all of its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises shall continue unaffected by the Merger as provided in the IBCL, and (c) the Merger shall have such other effects as provided in the IBCL and this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.2 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York on a date no later than three (3) Business Days after the satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions set forth in Article VIII that are required to be satisfied prior to the Closing Date, or at such other place and time as the AAO and Company may mutually agree upon. The parties may participate in the Closing via electronic means. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.”

 

SECTION 2.3 Effective Time. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article VIII of this Agreement, as soon as practicable following the Closing on the Closing Date the Company, AAO and Merger Sub will cause articles of merger relating to the Merger (the “Articles of Merger”) to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana in accordance with the relevant provisions of the IBCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time when the Articles of Merger have been duly filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, and the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or at such later date and time as may be agreed by the Parties in writing and specified in the Articles of Merger (such date and time, the “Effective Time”).

 

SECTION 2.4 Organizational Documents of AAO and the Surviving Corporation.

 

(a) At the Closing and immediately prior to the Effective Time, subject to obtaining the affirmative vote of the stockholders of AAO for the AAO Proposals in accordance with the Proxy Statement, AAO shall cause the AAO Organizational Documents to be amended and restated in their entirety to be the Amended Charter and the Amended Bylaws, respectively, until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with their respective terms and the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as of the Effective Time, AAO will change its corporate name to “Royalty Management Corporation.”

 

(b) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, the Company Articles of Incorporation and the bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated in their entirety to read in the forms of the Surviving Corporation Articles of Incorporation and the Surviving Corporation Bylaws, respectively, and as so amended and restated, will be the articles of incorporation and the bylaws, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with their respective terms and the IBCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as of the Effective Time, the Company will change its corporate name to “Royalty Management Operating Corporation.”

 

 
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SECTION 2.5 Directors. Immediately after the Closing, the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation and of AAO each shall consist of five directors, consisting of (a) one (1) director designated by AAO, and (b) four (4) designated by the Company, at a least three (3) of whom will serve as independent directors satisfying the independence requirements of the Securities Act and the Nasdaq rules.

 

SECTION 2.6 No Further Ownership Rights in Company Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of Company Common Stock on the records of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.7 Rights Not Transferable. The rights of the Shareholders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time are personal to each such Shareholder and shall not be assignable or otherwise transferable for any reason (except (i) in the case of an entity, by operation of Law or (ii) in the case of a natural person, by will or the Laws of descent and distribution). Any attempted transfer of such right by any holder thereof (otherwise than as permitted by the immediately preceding sentence) shall be null and void.

 

SECTION 2.8 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and interest in, to and under, and/or possession of, all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Merger Sub and the Company, the officers and directors of Merger Sub and the Company are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III

 

ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE MERGER; CONVERSION OF SECURITIES; CONSIDERATION

 

SECTION 3.1 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

 

(a) Company Convertible Debt. Prior to the Effective Time, all holders of Company Convertible Debt shall have converted their full principal amount of Company Convertible Debt that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time into a number of shares of Company Common Stock at the then-effective conversion rate as calculated pursuant to the senior secured convertible promissory note agreements that govern the terms of the Company Convertible Debt (the “Company Convertible Debt Conversion”). After the Company Convertible Debt Conversion, all convertible debt of the Company shall no longer be outstanding and shall cease to exist, and each holder of Company Convertible Debt shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities; and the number of shares of Company Common Stock resulting from the Company Convertible Debt Conversion shall be 678,675.

 

 
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(b) Company Warrants. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall cause each Company Warrant that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time to be either exercised in full on a cash or cashless basis or terminated without exercise in exchange for the issuance of the applicable shares of Company Common Stock (the “Company Warrant Settlement”). After the Company Warrant Settlement, all of the Company Warrants shall no longer be outstanding and shall cease to exist and each holder of Company Warrants shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities and the number of shares of Company Common Stock resulting from the Company Warrant Settlement shall be 110,799.

 

(c) Cancellation of Company Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of AAO, Merger Sub or the Company, each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and automatically converted into the right to receive, without interest, the applicable portion of the Closing Payment Shares for each share of Company Common Stock (the “Applicable Per Share Merger Consideration”) as specified on Exhibit A hereto. For avoidance of any doubt, each Stockholder will cease to have any rights with respect to his, her or its Company Common Stock, except the right to receive the Applicable Per Share Merger Consideration. At the Effective Time (and, for the avoidance of doubt, following the Company Convertible Debt Conversion and the Company Warrant Settlement), by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof:

 

(i) Company Common Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock (including Company Common Stock issued as a result of the Company Convertible Debt Conversion and the Company Warrant Settlement) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than the Dissenting Shares, shall thereupon be converted into the right to receive, and the holder of such share of Company Stock shall be entitled to receive, the Applicable Per Share Merger Consideration;

 

(ii) Company Treasury Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company (“Treasury Shares”) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled without any conversion thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto; and

 

(iii) Company Dissenting Share. Each of the Dissenting Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled and cease to exist in accordance with Section 3.5(a) and shall thereafter represent only the right to receive the applicable payments set forth in Section 3.5(a).

 

AAO Class B Common Stock. Each share of AAO Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of AAO Class A Common Stock.

 

 
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(d) Merger Sub Stock. Each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and shall thereupon be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.0001, of the Surviving Corporation, and all such shares shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation as of immediately following the Effective Time.

 

(e) Surrender of Certificates. All securities issued upon the surrender of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such securities, provided that any restrictions on the sale and transfer of such Company Common Stock shall also apply to the Closing Payment Shares so issued in exchange.

 

(f) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any certificates for any shares of Company Common Stock shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, AAO shall cause to be issued in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates and for each such share, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof; provided, however, that AAO may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Company or AAO with respect to the certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

(g) Adjustments. Without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, if at any time during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, any change in the outstanding securities of the Company or AAO shall occur (other than the issuance of additional shares of the Company or AAO as permitted by this Agreement), including by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, share split (including a reverse share split), or combination, exchange, readjustment of shares, or similar transaction, or any share dividend or distribution paid in shares, the Exchange Ratio and the number of the Closing Payment Shares (as well as the Applicable Per Share Merger Consideration) payable to the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such change; provided, however, that this sentence shall not be construed to permit AAO or the Company to take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.2 Payment of Merger Consideration.

 

(a) Upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, AAO shall issue to each Shareholder such number of Closing Payment Shares opposite such Shareholder’s name on Exhibit A.

 

(b) No certificates or scrip representing fractional AAO Class A Common Stock will be issued pursuant to the Merger, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of AAO.

 

 
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(c) Each certificate issued pursuant to the Merger to any Shareholder shall bear the legend set forth below, or legend substantially equivalent thereto, together with any other legends that may be required by any securities laws at the time of the issuance of the Closing Payment Shares:

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL (I) SUCH OFFER, SALE, TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR (II) THE ISSUER OF THE SHARES HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT.

 

SECTION 3.3 Withholding Rights. Each of AAO and Merger Sub (each, a “Withholding Agent”) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any Person such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under applicable Law; provided that prior to making any deduction or withholding pursuant to this Section 3.3, the Withholding Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Shareholders with advance written notice of any such intended deduction or withholding (other than any withholding on amounts properly treated as compensation to employees for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) at least five (5) days before the making of such payment, and the Withholding Agent shall cooperate in good faith with the Shareholders to obtain any available exception from, or reduction in, such deduction or withholding pursuant to this Section 3.3 to the extent permitted under applicable Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Withholding Agent or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to any Person and are properly remitted to the applicable Governmental Authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid on behalf of such Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. In the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company or its Affiliates in connection with the Merger treated as compensation, the parties shall cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding.

 

SECTION 3.4 Stock Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of Company Capital Stock thereafter on the records of the Company. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates representing Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Company Capital Stock, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or by Law. On or after the Effective Time, any Certificates presented to AAO for any reason shall be converted into the Merger Consideration in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1.

 

 
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SECTION 3.5 Payment of Expenses.

 

(a) No sooner than five nor later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall provide to AAO a written report setting forth a list of all of the following fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company and/or the Shareholders in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions (together with written invoices and wire transfer instructions for the payment thereof), solely to the extent such fees and expenses are incurred and expected to remain unpaid as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date: (i) the fees and disbursements of outside counsel to the Company incurred in connection with the Transactions and (ii) the fees and expenses of any other agents, advisors, consultants, experts, financial advisors and other service providers engaged by the Company in connection with the Transactions (collectively, the “Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses”). On the Closing Date concurrent with the Closing, AAO shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all such Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses.

 

(b) No sooner than five nor later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, AAO shall provide to the Company a written report setting forth a list of all of the following fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of AAO and/or Merger Sub in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions (together with written invoices and wire transfer instructions for the payment thereof), solely to the extent such fees and expenses are incurred and expected to remain unpaid as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date: (i) the fees and disbursements of outside counsel to the Company incurred in connection with the Transactions and (ii) the fees and expenses of any other agents, advisors, consultants, experts, financial advisors and other service providers engaged by the Company in connection with the Transactions (collectively, the “Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses”). On the Closing Date concurrent with the Closing, AAO shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all such Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses.

 

(c) Neither of AAO or the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder of Company Capital Stock for any such Company Capital Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat or similar Law in accordance with Section 3.2.

 

(d) AAO shall not pay or cause to be paid any Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses or Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses other than in accordance with this Section 3.5.

 

SECTION 3.6 Dissenter’s Rights.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary and to the extent available under the IBCL, shares of Company Capital Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are held by Shareholders who shall have neither voted in favor of the Merger nor consented thereto in writing and who shall have demanded properly in writing dissenter’s rights for such Company Capital Stock in accordance with the IBCL and otherwise complied at all times with all of the provisions of the IBCL relevant to the exercise and perfection of dissenters’ rights (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into, and such Shareholders shall have no right to receive, the applicable Merger Consideration in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1, unless and until such Shareholder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses his, her or its dissenter’s rights and payment under the IBCL. Any Shareholder who fails to perfect or who effectively withdraws or otherwise loses his, her or its dissenter’s rights as to such shares of Company Capital Stock under the IBCL shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into, and to have become exchangeable for, as of the Effective Time, the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1, without any interest thereon, upon surrender of the Certificate or Certificates that formerly evidenced such shares of Company Capital Stock.

 

 
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(b) Prior to the Closing, the Company shall give AAO (i) prompt notice of any demands for dissenter’s rights received by the Company and any withdrawals of such demands, and (ii) the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for dissenter’s rights under the IBCL. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of AAO (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), make any payment with respect to any demands for dissenter’s rights or offer to settle or settle any such demands.

 

(c) The Company shall give AAO (i) prompt, but within at least five (5) Business Days, written notice of its receipt of any written demands for dissenter’s rights as to any shares of Company Common Stock, withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments relating to such demands served pursuant to the IBCL and received by the Company, and (ii) the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for dissenter’s rights under the IBCL or the Laws of any other applicable jurisdiction. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of AAO, which consent may be given or withheld in AAO’s reasonable discretion, or as may be required under applicable Laws, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for dissenter’s rights as to Company Common Stock or offer to settle or settle any such demands or approve any withdrawal of any such demands.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to AAO simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Schedules”), the Company hereby represents and warrants to AAO that each of the following representations and warranties is true, correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement (or, if such representations and warranties are made with respect to a certain date, as of such date). All references to the Company in this Article IV shall also apply to each Subsidiary, both individually and on a consolidated basis with the Company. The parties hereto agree that any reference to numbered and lettered sections and subsections of this Article IV shall only refer to the section or subsection being referenced.

 

SECTION 4.1 Organization and Qualification.

 

(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana and has the requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation or other organization to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good standing that do not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

 
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(b) Each Subsidiary is a corporation or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation or formation, and has the requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation or other organization to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good standing that do not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect. There are no options, restricted shares, restricted share units, phantom equity awards, warrants, preemptive rights, calls, convertible securities, conversion rights or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary or obligating the Company or any Subsidiary to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, any Subsidiary.

 

(c) Except as provided in Schedule 4.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company does not directly or indirectly own any Subsidiaries. The Company does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity or similar interest in, any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or business association or other entity.

 

SECTION 4.2 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company has prior to the date of this Agreement made available a complete and correct copy of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws or equivalent organizational documents, each as amended to date, of the Company and of each subsidiary. Such articles of incorporation, bylaws or equivalent organizational documents are in full force and effect. The Company is not in violation of any of the provisions of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or equivalent organizational documents.

 

SECTION 4.3 Capitalization.

 

(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) 6,243,750 shares of Company Common Stock are issued and outstanding, (ii) 0 shares of Company Common Stock are held in the treasury of the Company, (iii) there are Company Warrants to purchase 110,199 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding, and 245,007 shares of Company Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Company Warrants and (iv) 678,675 shares of Company Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon the conversion of the Company Convertible Debt.

 

 
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(b) The aggregate outstanding and unpaid Company Convertible Debt as of the date of this Agreement is $906,377.01.

 

(c) Other than this Agreement, the Company Convertible Debt and the Company Warrants, there are no options, restricted shares, restricted share units, phantom equity awards, warrants, preemptive rights, calls, convertible securities, conversion rights or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of the Company or obligating the Company to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the Company. The Company is not a party to, or otherwise bound by, and the Company has not granted, any equity appreciation rights, participations, phantom equity or similar rights. Other than this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreements, there are no voting trusts, voting agreements, proxies, shareholder agreements or other agreements with respect to the voting or transfer of the Company Common Stock, the Company Warrants or the Company Convertible Debt or any of the equity interests or other securities of the Company.

 

(d) Schedule 4.3(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, the following information with respect to each Company Warrant outstanding: (i) the name of the holder of such Company Warrant; (ii) the number of shares of Company Capital Stock subject to such Company Warrant; (iii) the exercise or purchase price of such Company Warrant; (iv) the date on which such Company Warrant was granted; and (v) the date on which such Company Warrant expires. The Company has made available to AAO an accurate and complete copy of each Company Warrant. All Company Capital Stock subject to issuance pursuant to any Company Warrant, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified therein, will be. and as of the effectiveness of the Company Warrant Conversion has been, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Each of the Company Warrants shall be terminated prior to the Closing.

 

(e) Schedule 4.3(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, the following information with respect to each instrument evidencing Company Convertible Debt outstanding: (i) the name of the holder of such Company Convertible Debt; (ii) the number of shares of the Company into which such Company Convertible Debt shall be converted into; and (iii) the date on which such Company Convertible Debt was incurred. The Company has made available to AAO an accurate and complete copy of each promissory note evidencing Company Convertible Debt. All Company Common Stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Company Convertible Debt Conversion upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified therein, will be and has been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All Company Convertible Debt shall be terminated prior to the Closing.

 

(f) Except as contemplated by or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of the Company or to provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person.

 

(g) (i) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 4.3(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, there are no commitments or agreements of any character to which the Company is bound obligating the Company to accelerate the vesting of any Company Warrant as a result of the proposed transactions herein, and (ii) all outstanding shares of the Company Capital Stock and all outstanding Company Warrants have been issued and granted in compliance with (A) all applicable Securities and other Laws and (B) all pre-emptive rights and other requirements set forth in applicable contracts to which the Company is a party.

 

 
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(h) The Shareholders collectively own directly and beneficially and of record, all of the equity of the Company (which are represented by the issued and outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock). Except for the Company Capital Stock held by the Shareholders, the Company Convertible Debt and the Company Warrants, no shares or other equity or voting interest of the Company, or options, warrants, convertible debt or other rights to acquire any such shares or other equity or voting interest, of the Company is authorized or issued and outstanding.

 

SECTION 4.4 Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to receiving the Company Requisite Approval, to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than, with respect to the Merger, the Company Requisite Approval, which the written consent delivered in connection with Section 7.1(f) shall satisfy, and the filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the IBCL). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of AAO and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, by general equitable principles (the “Remedies Exceptions”).

 

SECTION 4.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

 

(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby, by the Company do not, and subject to receipt of the filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the IBCL and of the consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, filings and notifications contemplated by Schedule 4.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the performance of this Agreement by the Company will not (i) conflict with or violate the Company Articles of Incorporation or bylaws, (ii) conflict with or violate any federal, state, local or foreign (including the general principles of common law, civil law and equity) statute, law, ordinance, regulation, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree, constitution, convention, treaty, common law, act, code, edict, determination, binding interpretation, subpoena, decision, verdict, judgment, award, administrative requirement, decree and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case enacted, promulgated or imposed by any Governmental Authority, and to the extent they have the force of law, any policies, guidelines and notices of any Governmental Authority (“Law”) applicable to the Company or by which any property or asset of the Company is bound or affected, (iii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination or acceleration of, or a right of termination, cancellation, modification, acceleration or amendment under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the acceleration or trigger of any payment, posting of collateral (or right to require the posting of collateral), time of payment, vesting or increase in the amount of any compensation or benefit payable pursuant to, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract or any Lease Document to which the Company is a party or by which it or any of its respective assets or properties may be bound or affected, (iv) except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(a)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, require any consent, waiver or other action by any Person under any Material Contract or Lease to avoid any violation, breach, or default thereof, or, result in the acceleration, cancellation, termination or modification, or the right to effect such acceleration, cancellation, termination or modification, of any such Material Contract or Lease, or (v) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties, equity interests or assets of the Company. In no event will the conversion of Company Capital Stock into the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration or the distribution of the Merger Consideration as set forth herein be superseded by any other Contract.

 

 
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(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby, by the Company do not, and the performance of this Agreement by the Company will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any United States federal, state, county or local or non-United States government, foreign government, governmental or quasi-governmental, regulatory or administrative authority or office, any political or other subdivision thereof, agency, instrumentality, bureau, authority, body or commission or any court, tribunal, judicial or arbitral body or body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any judicial, quasi-judicial, legislative, executive, police, regulatory, taxing or other administrative instrumentality (a “Governmental Authority”), except for applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, state securities or “blue sky” laws (“Blue Sky Laws”) and state takeover laws, the pre-merger notification requirements of the HSR Act, and filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the IBCL.

 

SECTION 4.6 Permits; Compliance.

 

(a) The Company is in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority necessary for the Company to own, lease and operate its properties or to carry on its business as it is now being conducted (the “Company Permits”), except where the failure to have such Company Permits does not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or threatened in writing.

 

(b) Except (i) with respect to compliance with Environmental Laws (as to which certain representations and warranties are made pursuant to Section 4.16) and compliance with Laws related to Taxes (which are the subject of Section 4.15), and (ii) where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company is, and since December 31, 2018, has been, in compliance with all applicable Laws and Privacy/Data Security Laws.

 

 
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(c) The Company is, and since inception, has been, in compliance with the terms of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, or guarantee evidencing any Company Debt.

 

(d) Since inception, and except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) there has been no action taken by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, director, manager, employee, agent or representative of any the Company acting on behalf of the Company in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law or International Trade Law, (ii) the Company has not been convicted of violating any Anti-Corruption Laws or International Trade Laws or subjected to any investigation by a Governmental Authority for violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws or International Trade Laws, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, has any investigation been threatened or pending, (iii) the Company has not conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority regarding any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any noncompliance with any Anti-Corruption Law or International Trade Law, (iv) the Company has not received any written notice, inquiry or citation from a Governmental Authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any applicable Anti-Corruption Law or International Trade Law, nor has any such notice, inquiry or citation been threatened or is pending and (v) the Company has instituted and maintained policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and International Trade Laws. No officer, director, manager or, to the knowledge of the Company, employee, agent or member of the Company is a foreign official within the meaning of the FCPA.

 

SECTION 4.7 Financial Statements.

 

(a) The Company has made available to AAO true, correct and complete copies of the audited consolidated balance sheets and the related audited consolidated statements of operations and cash flows of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020 (collectively, the “Prior Financial Statements”). The Prior Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) (i) were prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), (ii) were derived from the Books and Records of the Company, and (iii) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations, income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company as at the date thereof and for the period indicated therein. (iv) contain and reflect all necessary adjustments and accruals for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition in all material respects as of their dates including for all warranty, maintenance, service and indemnification obligations; and (v) contain and reflect adequate provisions for all Liabilities for all material Taxes applicable to the Company with respect to the periods then ended.

 

 
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(b) The Company has made available to AAO a true, correct and complete copy of the consolidated unaudited balance sheet of the Company for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Balance Sheet”), and the related reviewed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows of the Company for the twelve-month period then ended (such financial statements, including the 2021 Balance Sheet, the “2021 Financial Statements”). The 2021 Financial Statements were (i) prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except for the omission of footnotes and subject to year-end adjustments), ii) were derived from the Books and Records of the Company, and (iii) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations, income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company as at the date thereof and for the period indicated therein. (iv) contain and reflect all necessary adjustments and accruals for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition in all material respects as of their dates including for all warranty, maintenance, service and indemnification obligations; and (v) contain and reflect adequate provisions for all Liabilities for all material Taxes applicable to the Company with respect to the periods then ended.

 

(c) The Prior Financial Statements and the 2021 Financial Statements accurately reflect in all material respects the outstanding Indebtedness of the Company as of the dates thereof.

 

(d) The Company will deliver to AAO, pursuant to Section 7.15, true, complete and complete copies of the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021, together with the auditor’s reports thereon, which will comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act for financial statements required to be included in the Registration Statement (collectively, the “PCAOB Audited Financial Statements”).

 

(e) The PCAOB Audited Financial Statements (i) will be prepared from, and will reflect in all material respects, the Books and Records of the Company, (ii) will present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations, income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein in conformity with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and (iii) when delivered by the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement for filing with the SEC in accordance with Section 7.1, will comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act for financial statements required to be included in the Registration Statement, in effect as of the respective dates thereof.

 

(f) The Company has established and maintains systems of internal accounting controls that are sufficient to provide, in all material respects, reasonable assurance that (i) all transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, and (ii) all transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of proper and accurate financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the assets of the Company. The Company maintains and, for all periods covered by the Financial Statements, has maintained, Books and Records of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business that are true and complete and reflect the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of the Company in all material respects.

 

 
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(g) Except for certain cryptocurrency tokens obtained on an ancillary basis in the ordinary course of business and as further described in Schedule 4.7(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company has not invested in cryptocurrency and will not do so in the future.

 

SECTION 4.8 Undisclosed Liabilities. There is no liability, Company Debt or obligation of the Company (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) whether or not required to be set forth or reserved for on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company (and the notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and in accordance with past practice, except for liabilities, Company Debts or obligations (a) reflected or reserved for on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto, (b) that have arisen in the ordinary course of business since the date of the 2021 Balance Sheet included in the Financial Statements, (c) disclosed in Schedule 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, or (d) arising under or related to this Agreement and/or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company does not have any Indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

SECTION 4.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since inception, or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement and the Transactions, (a) there has not been any Company Material Adverse Effect, and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 4.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, (i) the Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practices, and (ii) the Company has not taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would require the consent of AAO pursuant to Section 6.1 if such action had been taken after the date hereof.

 

SECTION 4.10 Absence of Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, there is no cause of action, litigation, suit, hearing, arbitration or other similar proceeding of any nature, civil, criminal, regulatory, administrative or otherwise, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise (an “Action”) pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, or any directors, officers or employees thereof, or any property or asset of the Company. Neither the Company nor any material property or asset of the Company is, subject to any continuing order of, consent decree, settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or, to the knowledge of the Company, continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority, or any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority that would constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect. There is no unsatisfied judgment or any injunction binding upon the Company which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no (i) Action (or any basis therefor) pending against, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened against or affecting, the Company, any of the Company’s officers or directors, the business, or any Company Common Stock, Company Convertible Debt or Company Warrants, or any of the Company’s assets or any Contract before any court, Authority or official or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Ancillary Agreements or (ii) outstanding judgment against the Company that would reasonably to be expected to the ability of the Company to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Each Principal Shareholder is not, and has not been in the past six (6) years, subject to any proceeding with any Authority.

 

 
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SECTION 4.11 Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Schedule 4.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of each company benefit plan (“Plan”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and any stock purchase, stock option, equity or equity-based or phantom equity compensation, severance, retirement, employment, individual consulting, retention, change-in-control, fringe benefit, collective bargaining, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, employee loan and all other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA, whether formal or informal, oral or written, in each case, (a) which are contributed to (or required to be contributed to), sponsored by or maintained by the Company for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director or individual consultant of the Company (the “Company Employees”) or (b) pursuant to which the Company could have any liability, other than any statutory plan, program or arrangement that is required under applicable Laws and maintained by any Governmental Authority.

 

(b) With respect to each Plan, the Company has delivered or made available to AAO copies, to the extent applicable of (i) each Plan and any current trust agreement or other funding instrument relating to such plan, (ii) the most recent summary plan description, with respect to such Plan, (iii) the most recent annual report on Form 5500 and all attachments with respect to each Plan, (iv) the most recent actuarial valuation relating to such Plan, (v) the most recent determination or opinion letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Plan; (vi) all material communications received from or sent to the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor or any other Governmental Authority (including a written description of any oral communication) within the last calendar year; and (vii) the most recent written results of any required compliance testing.

 

(c) Each Plan has been established, administered and funded in accordance with its terms, and in compliance with all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code, and (ii) all contributions required to be made or premiums required to be paid with respect to any Plan on or before the date hereof have been made or paid in full, or to the extent not required to be made or paid on or before the date hereof, have been fully reflected on the Financial Statements. There is no material Action pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against any Plan or the assets of any Plan (other than routine undisputed claims for benefits). With respect to the Plans, no administrative investigation, audit or other administrative proceeding by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or other Governmental Authorities is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

 
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(d) With respect to each Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, such arrangement has, at all times while subject to Section 409A of the Code, been operated in compliance (including documentary compliance) with, Section 409A of the Code and all applicable guidance thereunder. Each Company Option was granted with a per share exercise price equal to or greater than the per share fair market value of Company Common Stock on the date of grant.

 

(e) No Plan or other contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound provides any Person with a “gross up” or similar payment in respect of any Taxes that may become payable under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.

 

(f) Each Plan which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has received a favorable determination or opinion letter as to its qualification or (ii) has been established under a standardized master and prototype or volume submitter plan for which a current favorable Internal Revenue Service advisory letter or opinion letter has been obtained by the plan sponsor and is valid as to the adopting employer, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, that could to cause the loss of such qualification, or the imposition of any material liability, penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code.

 

(g) With respect to any employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), no event has occurred and no condition exists that would subject the Company to any Tax, fine, lien, or penalty imposed by ERISA, the Code or other applicable Law. There have been no “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA that are not otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA and no breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Plan, in either case, that would reasonably be expected to give rise to material liabilities to the Company.

 

(h) The Company has not incurred any current or projected liability in respect of post-employment or post-retirement health, medical, or life insurance benefits for current, former or retired employees of the Company, except as required to avoid an excise tax under Section 4980B of the Code or otherwise except as may be required pursuant to any other applicable Law.

 

(i) None of the Company nor any of its respective ERISA Affiliates, sponsors, maintains or is required to contribute to, and at no point during the six year period prior to the date hereof sponsored, maintained or was required to contribute to, (i) a multiemployer pension plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or Section 4001(a)(3) of the Code), (ii) a plan subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or Section 4971 of the Code, (iii) a defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 414 of the Code), whether or not subject to ERISA or (iv) a multiple employer plan, as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code or otherwise or a plan that has two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA. The Company does not, either directly or through an ERISA Affiliate, have any liability pursuant to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or Section 4971 of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any entity that together with another Person would be deemed a “single employer” with such Person for purposes of Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA and/or Sections 414(b), (c) and/or (m) of the Code.

 

 
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(j) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation of the Transactions will (whether alone or in connection with any subsequent event(s)) (i) result in the payment, acceleration, vesting, funding or creation of any compensatory rights of any Company Employee to payments or benefits or increases in any compensation or benefits (including any loan forgiveness) under any Plan (or under any plan, agreement or arrangement that would be a Plan if in effect as of the date of this Agreement), (ii) result in severance pay or any increase in severance pay upon any termination of employment, or (iii) require any contributions or payments to fund any obligations under any Plan, or cause the Company to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any Plan.

 

(k) Each Plan that is subject to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Affordable Care Act”) has been established, maintained and administered in compliance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

 

(l) No amount or benefit that could be, or has been, received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property or the cancellation of indebtedness) by any Company Employee who is a “disqualified individual” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code could reasonably be expected to be characterized as an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) as a result of or in connection with the consummation of the Transactions.

 

SECTION 4.12 Labor Matters.

 

(a) The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with a labor union or like organization, and to the knowledge of the Company, there are no activities or Actions by any individual or group of individuals, including representatives of any labor organizations or labor unions, to organize any employees of the Company.

 

(b) The Company: (i) is, and since December 31, 2018, has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws regarding employment and employment practices, including all laws respecting terms and conditions of employment, health and safety, employee classification, non-discrimination, wages and hours, immigration, disability rights or benefits, equal opportunity, plant closures and layoffs, affirmative action, workers’ compensation, labor relations, pay equity, overtime pay, employee leave issues, the proper classification of employees and independent contractors, the proper classification of exempt and non-exempt employees, and unemployment insurance, (ii) has not been adjudged to have committed any unfair labor practice as defined by the National Labor Relations Board or received written notice of any unfair labor practice complaint against it pending before the National Labor Relations Board that remains unresolved and (iii) since December 31, 2018, has not experienced any actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened arbitrations, grievances, labor disputes, strikes, lockouts, picketing, hand-billing, slowdowns or work stoppages against or affecting the Company.

 

 
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(c) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its current or former employees, officers, directors, consultants or other service providers for any services rendered or amounts required to be reimbursed or otherwise paid.

 

(d) To the knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company at the level of senior vice president or above is in violation of any term of any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, non-competition agreement, restrictive covenant or other obligation with or to: (i) the Company; or (ii) a former employer of any such employee relating (A) to the right of any such employee to be employed by the Company or (B) to the knowledge or use of trade secrets or proprietary information.

 

(e) All employees of the Company are legally permitted to be employed by the Company in the jurisdiction in which such employees are employed in their current job capacities.

 

(f) The Company has not incurred any material liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state or local Law that remains unsatisfied.

 

(g) Since December 31, 2018, with regard to any individual who performs or performed services for the Company and who is not treated as an employee for Tax purposes by the Company, the Company has complied in all material respects with applicable Laws concerning independent contractors, including for Tax withholding purposes or Plan purposes and, the Company does not have any liability by reason of any individual who performs or performed services for the Company in any capacity, being improperly excluded from participating in any Plan. Since December 31, 2018, each of the employees of the Company has been properly classified by the Company as “exempt” or “non-exempt” under applicable Law.

 

(h) Since December 31, 2018 the Company has not entered into any settlement agreement related to allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct by any director, officer or employee.

 

SECTION 4.13 Real Property; Title to and Sufficiency of Assets.

 

(a) The Company does not own or hold any Owned Real Property.

 

 
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(b) Schedule 4.13(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists as of the date of this Agreement the street address of each parcel of material Leased Real Property, and sets forth a list as of the date of this Agreement of each lease pursuant to which the Company leases any real property (each, a “Lease”), with the name of the lessor and the date of the Lease in connection therewith and each material amendment to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Lease Documents”). True, correct and complete copies of all Lease Documents in effect as of the date of this Agreement have been made available to AAO. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 4.13(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, with respect to each Lease: (i) each Lease is valid, binding and in full force and effect; (ii) all rents and additional rents and other sums, expenses and charges due thereunder have been paid; (iii) the lessee has been in peaceable possession since the commencement of the original term thereof; (iv) no waiver, indulgence or postponement of the lessee’s obligations thereunder has been granted by the lessor; (v) there exist no default or event of default thereunder by the Company; and (vi) there are no outstanding claims of breach or indemnification or notice of default or termination thereunder, in cases of each of clauses (i) through (vi). The Company holds the leasehold estate on the Company Leases free and clear of all Liens, except for the Permitted Liens and the Liens of mortgagees of the Real Property in which such leasehold estate is located.

 

(c) There are no contractual or legal restrictions that preclude or restrict the ability of the Company to use any Leased Real Property by such party for the purposes for which it is currently being used, except as would not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect. There are no latent defects or adverse physical conditions affecting Leased Real Property, and improvements thereon, other than those that would not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Leased Real Property is presently served by public or private water, sewer, telephone, gas and electric facilities located in the public right of way adjacent to each of the respective properties and no additional rights are needed for such utilities to reach the Leased Real Property.

 

(d) The Company has legal and valid leasehold or subleasehold interests in, all of its properties and assets, tangible and intangible, real, personal and mixed, used or held for use in its business, free and clear of all encumbrances, liens or other restrictions other than Permitted Liens. The Company has no knowledge of any encumbrances on title the Leased Real Property or rights of possession thereof other than those that would appear of record and/or would be set forth in any title insurance commitment issued in connection with this transaction. The Company has no knowledge of any assessments for public Improvements which have been made or threatened against the Leased Real Property.

 

(e) The Company is not aware of any unpaid-for Improvements that have been made, or materials, machinery or fuel delivered to or labor performed on the Leased Real Property by or on behalf of Company, which might form the basis of a mechanic’s lien, nor has Company received a copy of an affidavit of mechanic’s lien which may later be recorded.

 

(f) The buildings, plants, structures, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property used in the operations of the Company Business are structurally sound, are in good operating condition and repair, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such buildings, plants, structures, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property is in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in nature or cost. All assets used in the operations of the Company Business are sufficient for the continued conduct of the Company Business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing and constitute all of the rights, property and assets necessary to conduct the Company Business as currently conducted.

 

 
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SECTION 4.14 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Schedule 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules contains a true, correct and complete list of the Registered Company IP (showing in each, as applicable, the jurisdiction, filing date, date of issuance, expiration date, owner, and registration or application number, and registrar). Each item on Schedule 4.14(a) is subsisting, in full force and effect, and has not expired, been cancelled, abandoned or otherwise terminated and the registered, issued and/or patented items on Schedule 4.14(a) are valid, subsisting and enforceable.

 

(b) Except as provided on Schedule 4.14(b), the Company solely and exclusively owns and possesses, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all right, title and interest in and to the Company-Owned IP and the Company has the right to use pursuant to a valid and enforceable written license, all Company-Licensed IP used by it in the Company Business. Except as provided on Schedule 4.14(b), no funding, facilities or personnel of any governmental authority or any university, college, research institute or other educational institution have been or are being used by the Company to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Company-Owned IP. All documents and instruments necessary to record the ownership rights (if applicable) of the Company in the registrations, patents and applications for the Company-Owned IP have been validly executed and filed with the appropriate governmental authority. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the loss or impairment of the Company’s right to own or use any Company-Owned IP. Except as provided on Schedule 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, immediately subsequent to the Closing, the Company IP shall be owned or available for use by the Company on terms and conditions identical to those under which they own or use the Company IP immediately prior to the Closing, without payment of additional fees. There is no loss or expiration of any of the Company-Owned IP or Company-Licensed IP pending, and to the Company’s knowledge, no such loss or expiration is threatened.

 

(c) The Company has taken and will take reasonable actions to maintain, protect and enforce rights in the Company-Owned IP, including the secrecy, confidentiality and value of its trade secrets and other Confidential Information. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company has not disclosed any trade secrets or other Confidential Information that is material to the business of the Company to any other Person other than pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement under which such other Person agrees to maintain the confidentiality and protect such trade secrets and Confidential Information.

 

(d) To the knowledge of the Company, (i) there have been no claims filed and served, or threatened in writing (including email), against the Company in any forum, by any Person (A) contesting the validity, use, ownership, enforceability, patentability or registrability of any of the Company-Owned IP, or (B) alleging any infringement, violation or misappropriation of, or other conflict with, any Intellectual Property rights of other Persons (including any material demands or unsolicited offers to license any Intellectual Property rights from any other Person); (ii) the operation of the Company Business (including the use, development, manufacture, marketing, license, sale, distribution or furnishing of any Products) has not and does not infringe, misappropriate or violate, any Intellectual Property rights of other Persons or constitute, unfair competition or trade practices under the Laws of any applicable jurisdiction; (iii) no other Person, including any employee or former employee of the Company, has infringed, misappropriated or violated any of the Company-Owned IP; (iv) none of the Company-Owned IP or Products is subject to any proceeding, or outstanding order, agreement, settlement or stipulation restricting in any manner the use, enforcement, development, manufacture, marketing, licensing, sale, distribution, furnishing or disposition by the Company of any Company-Owned IP, or any Product, and (v) the Company has not received any formal written opinions of counsel regarding any of the foregoing.

 

 
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(e) Except as provided on Schedule 4.14(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, all Persons who have contributed, developed or conceived (each, a “Contributor”) any Intellectual Property (i) for or on behalf of the Company, or (ii) in the course of and related to his, her or its relationship with the Company (in each case a “Contribution”) have an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s proprietary information and have either assigned all rights, title and interest to such Company-Owned IP to the Company or is a party to a “work-for-hire” agreement under which the Company is deemed to be the owner or author of all property rights therein. To the knowledge of the Company, no current or former officer, employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Company: (A) is in violation of any term or covenant of any agreement (including any employment or settlement agreement or stipulation) with any other Person, or any order or judgment of any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Authority, by virtue of such employee, consultant or independent contractor being employed by, performing services for, or developing Intellectual Property used by the Company, or is, while such employee, consultant or independent contractor has been employed by, performed services for, or developed Intellectual Property used by, the Company, using trade secrets or proprietary information of others without permission; (B) has any right, license, claim or interest whatsoever in or with respect to any Company-Owned IP, or (C) has developed any Intellectual Property for the Company that is subject to any agreement under which such employee, consultant or independent contractor has assigned or otherwise granted to any third party any rights in or to such Intellectual Property.

 

(f) The Company owns, leases, licenses, or otherwise has the legal right to use all Business Systems. In the past year, there has not been a material failure with respect to any of the Business Systems that has not been remedied. The Company maintains business continuity and disaster recovery plans consistent with industry standards for companies with similar resources in the same sector. The Company has purchased a sufficient number of seat licenses for their Business Systems.

 

(g) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with (i) all applicable Privacy/Data Security Laws, (ii) any applicable privacy, data protection, security and other policies and procedures of the Company concerning the processing, collection, disclosure, dissemination, storage, security, sale or use of Personal Information, Confidential Information or other Business Data, (iii) industry standards to which the Company is bound, and (iv) all contractual commitments that the Company has entered into or is otherwise bound with respect to privacy, data protection, transfer and/or security (collectively, the “Data Security Requirements”). The Company maintains commercially reasonable policies, procedures and rules regarding data privacy, protection and security that are in material compliance with all applicable Data Security Requirements. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company and the conduct of the business by the Company is in material compliance with, and at all times since December 31, 2018, have been in material compliance with, all applicable Data Security Requirements. Since December 31, 2018, except as set forth on Schedule 4.14(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, to the knowledge of the Company, there have been no material incidents of security breaches or intrusions or unauthorized access, distribution, disclosure, destruction, disposal or use of any of the Business Systems or Personal Information that are in the possession of and controlled by the Company. Since December 31, 2018, except as set forth on Schedule 4.14(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, to the knowledge of the Company, there has been no (and no member of the Company has received any) written charge, challenge, complaint, claim or demand from any Person with respect to any actual or alleged material violation or breach of any Data Security Requirement or incidents of security breaches or intrusions or unauthorized access, distribution, disclosure, destruction, disposal or use of any of the Business System or Personal Information that are in the possession of and controlled by the Company. The Company has valid and legal rights to process all Personal Information and Confidential Information that is processed by or on behalf of the Company, and the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement will not affect these rights or violate any applicable Data Security Requirements.

 

 
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(h) The Company (i) exclusively owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to the Business Data free and clear of any restrictions of any nature or (ii) has all rights to use, exploit, publish, reproduce, process, distribute, license, sell, and create derivative works of the Business Data, in whole or in part, in the manner in which the Company receives and uses such Business Data prior to the Closing Date. The Company is not subject to any Data Security Requirements or other legal obligations, including based on the Transactions, that would prohibit Merger Sub or AAO from receiving or using Personal Information or other Business Data, in the manner in which the Company receives and uses such Personal Information and other Business Data prior to the Closing Date or result in liabilities in connection with Data Security Requirements.

 

SECTION 4.15 Taxes.

 

(a) The Company: (i) has duly and timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to be filed by Law to be filed by the Company and all such filed Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects; (ii) has timely paid all Taxes, whether or not shown as due on such filed Tax Returns, except with respect to current Taxes that are being contested in good faith and are disclosed in Schedule 4.15(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules; (iii) has not waived any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending; (iv) does not have any deficiency, assessment, claim, audit, examination, investigation, litigation or other proceeding in respect of Taxes or Tax matters pending or proposed or threatened in writing, for a Tax period for which the statute of limitations for assessments remains open, and do not expect any Tax authority to assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been filed; and (v) has provided adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP in the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Company, for any Taxes of the Company that have not been paid, whether or not shown as being due on any Tax Return.

 

 
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(b) The Company is not a party to, is bound by or has an obligation to any Governmental Authority or other Person under any Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnification agreement, Tax allocation agreement or similar contract or arrangement (excluding agreements, contracts, arrangements or commitments the primary purpose of which do not relate to Taxes).

 

(c) The Company has (i) withheld or collected all amounts of Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any current or former employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or other third party, and (ii) reported and timely remitted such amounts required to have been withheld or collected, reported and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority. All Forms W-2 or 1099 or other Tax Returns required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

 

(d) The Company has (i) properly collected all sales Taxes required to be collected in the time and manner required by applicable Law and remitted all such sales Taxes to the applicable Taxing authority in the time and in the manner required by applicable Law and (ii) returned all sales Taxes erroneously collected from any Person to such Person in the time and in the manner required by applicable Law. The Company has properly requested, received and retained all necessary exemption certificates and other documentation supporting any claimed exemption of waiver of Taxes on sales or similar transactions as to which it would otherwise have been obligated to collect or withhold Taxes.

 

(e) The Company has not been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated, combined or unitary U.S. federal, state, local or foreign income Tax Return (other than a group of which the Company was the common parent).

 

(f) The Company is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement, or plan that has resulted or could result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of (i) any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Tax law), or (ii) any amount that will not be fully deductible as a result of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(g) The Company does not have any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Company) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract (excluding contracts, the primary purpose of which do not relate to taxes), or otherwise.

 

 
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(h) The Company (i) does not have any request for a ruling in respect of Taxes pending between the Company and any Tax authority; and (ii) has not entered into any closing agreement, private letter ruling technical advice memoranda or similar agreements with any Tax authority.

 

(i) The Company has not in any year for which the applicable statute of limitations remains open distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code.

 

(j) The Company has not engaged in or entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2). The Company has disclosed on its federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to a substantial understatement of federal income Tax within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.

 

(k) There are no Tax liens upon any assets of the Company except for Permitted Liens.

 

(l) The Company is not, and has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code. The Company has not been a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise has an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized.

 

(m) The unpaid Taxes of the Company (i) did not, as of the date of the Financial Statements, exceed the reserve for Taxes (rather than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing difference between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the Financial Statements (rather than in any notes thereto), and (ii) do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Effective Time in accordance with the past custom and practice of Company in filing its Tax Returns. Since the date of the Financial Statements, the Company has not incurred any liability for Taxes arising from extraordinary gains or losses, as that term is used in GAAP, outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice.

 

(n) “Neither the Company nor any director, officer, or employee responsible for Tax matters expects (i) any jurisdiction to assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been filed, and (ii) any jurisdiction in which Tax Returns are not filed to require the filing of Tax Returns. Within the last three (3) years, no written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file a Tax Return that such entity is or may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction in respect of Taxes that would be the subject of such Tax Return, which claim has not been resolved.

 

 
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(o) The Company will not be required to include any item or income, or exclude any item or deduction or loss from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Effective Time as a result of any:

 

(i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Effective Time;

 

(ii) use of an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Effective Time;

 

(iii) ruling by, or written agreement with, a Governmental Authority (including any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Tax law)) for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Effective Time;

 

(iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Effective Time;

 

(v) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Effective Time;

 

(vi) intercompany transaction or excess loss accounts described in the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law) that existed prior to the Effective Time;

 

(vii) election under Section 965(h) of the Code; or

 

(viii) election under Section 108(i) of the Code.

 

Nothing in this Section 4.15 shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Effective Time or (ii) the existence, amount, expiration date or limitations on (or availability of) any Tax attribute.

 

SECTION 4.16 Environmental Matters.

 

(a) The Company is currently, and has been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws, and there are no actions or Environmental Claims pending or threatened against the Company. The Company has not received any (A) notice of any actual, alleged or potential (i) Environmental Claim, (ii) violation of or liability under any Environmental Law, or (iii) claim of potential liability with regard to any Hazardous Substance. The Company has not received any request for information pursuant to Environmental Law or related to any Hazardous Substance. No condition exists or event has occurred relating to the Company that would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Claim or request for information.

 

(b) The Company has not (i) manufactured, distributed, treated, disposed, stored, transported, or handled, or arranged for the disposal, treatment, transportation or handling of, (ii) emitted, discharged, handled, stored, used or released any Hazardous Substance, or (iii) exposed any employee or other individual to any Hazardous Substance. There are not now, nor has there been, underground storage tanks on any property currently or formerly owned, leased or occupied by the Company.

 

 
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(c) The Company has and is in compliance with all Environmental Permits (each of which is disclosed in Schedule 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules) necessary for the ownership, lease, operation or use of its respective business or assets in connection with the Company business, all such Environmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect, , there is no reasonable basis to believe that any such Environmental Permit will be revoked, canceled, refused renewal or adversely modified, and none of the Environmental Permits will be impacted as a result of this transaction.

 

(d) There has been no manufacturing, distribution, treatment, storage, disposal of, handling or exposure of any person to, or release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substances on) any real property currently or formerly owned, operated, used or leased by the Company.

 

(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.16(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company has not received any notice alleging that any real property currently or formerly owned, operated, used or leased by the Company (including soils, groundwater, surface water, and indoor air located on, in, at, under, or from any such real property) has been impacted by any Hazardous Substances.

 

(f) Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.16(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company has not assumed by contract or by operation of Law, any liability of any other person relating to Hazardous Substances or arising out of any Environmental Law, nor has the Company retained with regard to any divested assets, businesses or properties any liability relating to Hazardous Substances or arising out of any Environmental Law.

 

(g) Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.16(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, there are no outstanding governmental orders or unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards, in each case, arising under Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous Substances, against or affecting the Company, or any of its respective properties or assets.

 

(h) The Company has made available to AAO all environmental reports, studies, audits, records, sampling data, site assessments, Environmental Permits and other similar documents with respect to the Company in connection with the business or any real property or currently or formerly owned, operated used or leased by the Company.

 

SECTION 4.17 Material Contracts.

 

(a) Schedule 4.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists, as of the date of this Agreement, the following types of contracts and agreements (other than purchase orders) to which the Company is a party (such contracts and agreements as are required to be set forth in Schedule 4.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the “Material Contracts”):

 

(i) each contract and agreement with all Material Suppliers and Material Customers;

 

 
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(ii) each employee collective bargaining Contract;

 

(iii) each contract and agreement with consideration paid or payable to the Company of more than $100,000, in the aggregate, over any 12-month period, (as well as each Company asset valued at $100,000 or more and which are listed on Schedule 4.15(l));

 

(iv) each contract and agreement with suppliers to the Company for expenditures paid or payable by the Company of more than $100,000, in the aggregate, over any 12-month period;

 

(v) any Contract that is a definitive merger, acquisition, purchase and sale or similar agreement entered into in connection with an acquisition or disposition by the Company since January 1, 2018, involving consideration in excess of $250,000 of any Person or of any business entity or division or business of any Person (including through merger or consolidation or the purchase of a controlling equity interest in or substantially all of the assets of such Person or by any other manner), but excluding any Contracts in which the applicable acquisition or disposition has been consummated and there are no material obligations of the Company ongoing;

 

(vi) all management and employment contracts (excluding at-will contracts for employment that do not contain any severance or change of control provisions) and all contracts with natural person consultants and natural person independent contractors that cannot be terminated with less than 30 days’ prior notice and that provide for base salary or compensation in excess of $125,000, in either case to which the Company is a party;

 

(vii) any Contract evidencing or guaranteeing Company Debt or under which the Company has created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed any other Person’s indebtedness, has the right to draw upon credit that has been extended for indebtedness, or has granted a Lien on its assets, whether tangible or intangible, to secure any indebtedness, in each case, in an amount in excess of $50,000;

 

(viii) all partnership agreements or other joint venture agreements that are material to the business of the Company;

 

(ix) all contracts and agreements with any Governmental Authority to which the Company is a party, other than any Company Permits and Environmental Permits;

 

(x) all contracts and agreements that materially limit, or purport to materially limit, the ability of the Company to compete in any line of business or with any Person or entity or in any geographic area or during any period of time, excluding customary confidentiality agreements and agreements that contain customary confidentiality clauses;

 

 
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(xi) any Contract that (A) grants to any Person any preferred pricing, “most favored nation” or similar rights or (B) grants exclusivity to any Person in respect of any geographic location, any customer, or any product or service;

 

(xii) each Company Affiliate Agreement, excluding those that are employee confidentiality and invention assignment agreements, equity or incentive equity documents, and employment agreements;

 

(xiii) all contracts or agreements for any Company-Licensed IP that are material to the Company Business, including for Intellectual Property rights incorporated in or necessary for any Products, and the Business Systems of any other person (excluding both unmodified, commercially available, “off-the-shelf” Software or shrink-wrap licenses with a replacement cost and/or aggregate annual license and maintenance fees of less than $10,000 and Open Source Licenses);

 

(xiv) all contracts relating to registration rights, drag-along, tag along, right of first refusal or put rights or any other agreements with, among or between Shareholders;

 

(xv) all contracts or agreements providing for revenues to the Company, whether currently, in the future, or since January 1, 2019, in an amount exceeding $25,000;

 

(xvi) all leases or master leases of personal property reasonably likely to result in annual payments of $25,000 or more in a 12-month period by the Company, or for any facility material to the operations of the Company; and

 

(xvii) any commitment to enter into any Contract of the type described in clauses (i) through (xiv) of this Section 4.17(a).

 

(b) Each Material Contract is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, and the Company is not in breach or violation of, or default under, any Material Contract nor, to the knowledge of the Company, has any Material Contract been canceled by the other party. To the Company’s knowledge, no other party is in breach or violation of, or default under, any Material Contract. The Company has not received any written claim of breach or default under any such Material Contract. The Company has furnished or made available to AAO true and complete copies of all Material Contracts in effect as of the date of this Agreement, including amendments thereto that are material in nature. Each Material Contract sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and the other parties thereto. Since January 1, 2020, the Company has not received any notice or request, in each case, in writing, from or on behalf of any other party to a Material Contract to terminate, cancel or not renew such Material Contract, or to renegotiate any material term thereof that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or alleging or disputing any breach or default under such Material Contract.

 

 
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SECTION 4.18 Customers and Suppliers.

 

(a) Schedule 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth with respect to the Company Business (i) a list of the top ten (10) customers, by aggregate dollar volume, for each of the two (2) most recent fiscal years (collectively, the “Material Customers”); and (ii) the amount of consideration paid by each Material Customer during such periods. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company has not received any notice, and has no reason to believe, that any of the Material Customers has ceased, or intends to cease after the Closing Date, to use the goods or services of the Company or to otherwise terminate or materially reduce its relationship with the Company.

 

(b) Schedule 4.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth with respect to the Company Business (i) a list of the top ten (10) vendors and suppliers, by aggregate dollar volume, for each of the two (2) most recent fiscal years (collectively, the “Material Suppliers”); and (ii) the amount of purchases from each Material Supplier during such periods. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received any notice, and has no reason to believe, that any of the Material Suppliers has ceased, or intends to cease, to supply goods or services to the Company or to otherwise terminate or materially reduce its relationship with the Company.

 

SECTION 4.19 Insurance.

 

(a) Schedule 4.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth, (a) with respect to each material insurance policy under which the Company is an insured, a named insured or otherwise the principal beneficiary of coverage as of the date of this Agreement, and (b) the Company’s loss runs with respect to all Commercial Automobile, Commercial General Liability, employment practices liability insurance, directors and officers liability insurance, physical damage, cargo, cyber, excess, surplus and umbrella coverages. True, correct, and complete copies or comprehensive summaries of such insurance policies have been made available to AAO.

 

(b) With respect to each such insurance policy required to be listed on Schedule 4.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, except as would not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) the policy is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to the Remedies Exceptions) and, except for policies that have expired under their terms in the ordinary course, is in full force and effect; (ii) the Company is not in material breach or default (including any such breach or default with respect to the payment of premiums or the giving of notice), and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default under the policy; (iii) as of the date hereof, to the knowledge of the Company, no insurer on the policy has been declared insolvent or placed in receivership, conservatorship or liquidation; and (iv) as of the date hereof, no written notice of cancellation, non-renewal, disallowance or reduction in coverage or claim or termination has been received other than in connection with ordinary renewals.

 

 
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SECTION 4.20 Internal Controls. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since December 31, 2018, the Company has not identified and has not been advised by the Company’s auditors of any fraud or allegation of fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

SECTION 4.21 Registration Statement. None of the information relating to the Company supplied by the Company, or by any other Person acting on behalf of the Company, in writing specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement will, as of (a) the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, (b) the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement to stockholders of AAO or (c) the time of the Special Meeting (including any adjournment thereof), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.21, no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement that were not supplied by or on behalf of the Company for use therein.

 

SECTION 4.22 Operations of the Company Business During COVID-19. None of the Company’s actions and inactions prior to the date of this Agreement in response to COVID-19: (a) has resulted in the Company experiencing any material business interruption or material losses; or (b) if taken following the date of this Agreement would constitute a Material Adverse Effect or a material breach of the covenants set forth in Section 6.1.

 

SECTION 4.23 Support Agreement. The Company has delivered to AAO a true, correct and complete copy of the Shareholder Support Agreement. The Shareholder Support Agreement is in full force and effect and has not been withdrawn or terminated, or otherwise amended or modified, in any respect, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no withdrawal, termination, amendment or modification is contemplated. The Shareholder Support Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Principal Shareholders’ party thereto and neither the execution or delivery by any party thereto of, nor the performance of any party’s obligations under, the Shareholder Support Agreement violates any provision of, or results in the breach of or default under, or requires any filing, registration or qualification under, any applicable Law in any material respect. No event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a material default or material breach on the part of any Principal Shareholder under any term or condition of the Shareholder Support Agreement. The parties to the Shareholder Support Agreement will hold a number of shares of common stock of the Company sufficient to provide the Company Requisite Approval.

 

 
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SECTION 4.24 Board Approval; Vote Required. The Board of Directors of the Company, by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous vote of those voting at a meeting duly called and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, or by unanimous written consent, has duly (a) determined that this Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders, (b) approved this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Merger) and declared their advisability, and (c) recommended that the Shareholders approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and directed that this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Merger) be submitted for consideration by the Shareholders. The Company Requisite Approval is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Transactions.

 

SECTION 4.25 Reserved.

 

SECTION 4.26 Brokers. Except for those Persons set forth on Schedule 4.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.

 

SECTION 4.27 Takeover Laws. The Company has taken all action necessary to exempt this Agreement and the Transactions, from the provisions of Chapter 42 and Chapter 43 Chapter 42 and Chapter 43 of the IBCL. Assuming the accuracy of the representations set forth in Section 5.22, no other anti-takeover, “fair price”, “moratorium”, “control share acquisition”, “business combination” or other similar statute or regulation is applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company does not have any shareholder rights plan or “poison pill” in effect, including any agreement with a third-party trust or fiduciary entity with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.28 International Trade Matters; Anti-Bribery Compliance.

 

(a) The Company currently is and, for the past five years has been, in compliance with applicable Laws related to (i) anti-corruption or anti-bribery, including the FCPA and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries in which the Company has conducted and/or currently conducts business (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”), (ii) economic sanctions administered, enacted or enforced by U.S. Governmental Authorities (including, but not limited to, OFAC, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasure, or any other relevant Governmental Authority (collectively, “Sanctions Laws”), (iii) export controls, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, 15 C.F.R. §§ 730, et seq., and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries in which the company has conducted and/or currently conducts business (collectively, “Export Control Laws”), (iv) anti-money laundering, including the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956, 1957, and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries; (v) anti-boycott regulations, as administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce; and (vi) importation of goods, including Laws administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Title 19 of the U.S.C. and C.F.R., and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries in which the Company has conducted and/or currently conducts business (collectively, “International Trade Control Laws”).

 

 
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(b) The Company, its directors and officers and, to the knowledge of the Company, the employees or agents of the Company (acting on behalf of the Company), is not and is not acting under the direction of, on behalf of or for the benefit of a Person that is, (i) the subject of Sanctions Laws or identified on any sanctions-related lists administered by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including the OFAC specially Designated Nationals List, the U.S. Department of Commerce, including the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Denied Persons List and Entity List, Her Majesty’s Treasury, including the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Bank List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant Governmental Authority, as amended from time to time, or any Person owned or controlled by any of the foregoing (collectively, “Prohibited Party”); or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the target of comprehensive trade sanctions under Sanctions Laws, including, as of the date of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Neither the Company, nor any director or officer, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee or agent of the Company (acting on behalf of the Company) has, in the past five (5) years, engaged in any transaction involving a Prohibited Party, or any country or territory that was during such period or is, or whose government was during such period or is, the target of comprehensive trade sanctions under Sanctions Laws.

 

(c) To the knowledge of the Company, the Company has not exported (including deemed exportation) or re-exported, directly or indirectly, any commodity, software, technology, or services in violation of any applicable Export Control Laws or has participated in any transaction in violation of or connected with any purpose prohibited by Anti-Corruption Laws or any applicable International Trade Control Laws, including support for international terrorism and nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons proliferation.

 

(d) The Company has not received written notice of, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, none of its officers, employees, agents or third-party representatives is or has been the subject of, any investigation, inquiry or enforcement proceedings by any Governmental Authority regarding any offense or alleged offense under Anti-Corruption Laws or International Trade Control Laws.

 

SECTION 4.29 Related Party Transactions. Schedule 4.29 of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, complete and correct list of the following (each such arrangement of the type required to be set forth thereon, whether or not actually set forth thereon, an “Affiliate Transaction”): (i) each Contract entered into prior to the date hereof, between the Company, on the one hand, and any Shareholder or any other current or former Affiliate of the Company on the other hand; and (ii) all Indebtedness (for monies actually borrowed or lent) owed by any Shareholder or any other current or former Affiliate to the Company. Other than the Affiliate Transactions, no Shareholder or Affiliate thereof owns any right in or to any of the material Assets or properties belonging to the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.29 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, each Affiliate Transaction entered into or occurring prior to the Closing (i) is an arms-length transaction with fair market price and does not impair the interests of the Shareholders (except to an extent that is not material), or (ii) is transaction duly approved by the board of directors in accordance with the Organizational Documents of such Company.

 

 
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SECTION 4.30 Not An Investment Company. The Company is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

SECTION 4.31 Withholding. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.31 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, all obligations of the Company applicable to its employees, whether arising by operation of Law, by contract, by past custom or otherwise, or attributable to payments by the Company to trusts or other funds or to any governmental agency, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security benefits, social insurance, housing fund contributions or any other benefits for its employees with respect to the employment of said employees through the date hereof have been paid or adequate accruals therefor have been made on the Financial Statements, other than as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.31 of the Company Disclosure Schedules all reasonably anticipated obligations of the Company with respect to such employees (except for those related to wages during the pay period immediately prior to the Closing Date and arising in the ordinary course of business), whether arising by operation of Law, by contract, by past custom, or otherwise, for salaries and holiday pay, bonuses and other forms of compensation payable to such employees in respect of the services rendered by any of them prior to the date hereof have been or will be paid by the Company prior to the Closing Date, other than as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 4.32 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article IV (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedules), the Company hereby expressly disclaims and negates, any express or implied representation or warranty whatsoever (whether at Law or in equity) with respect to the Company and its Affiliates, and any matter relating to any of them, including their affairs, the condition, value or quality of the assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations, or with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any other information made available to AAO, its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives by, or on behalf of, Company, and any such representations or warranties are expressly disclaimed. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Company nor any other Person on behalf of Company has made or makes, any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, with respect to any projections, forecasts, estimates or budgets made available to AAO, its affiliates or any of their respective Representatives of future revenues, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Company (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing), whether or not included in any management presentation or in any other information made available to AAO, its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives or any other Person, and that any such representations or warranties are expressly disclaimed.

 

SECTION 4.33 Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty by the Company in this Agreement and no statement contained in the Company Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement or any certificate or other document furnished or to be furnished to AAO pursuant to this Agreement, including all information furnished in writing to AAO by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.

 

 
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ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AAO AND MERGER SUB

 

Except as set forth in (a) the disclosure schedules, delivered as of the date hereof, by AAO and Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement (the “AAO Disclosure Schedules”); (provided, however, that (i) no such item is required to be set forth as an exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect, (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the AAO Disclosure Schedules as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by AAO or Merger Sub that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item would reasonably be expected to have an AAO Material Adverse Effect and (iii) any disclosures made with respect to a section of this Article V shall be deemed to qualify any other section of this Article V specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (b) the AAO SEC Reports filed at least two days prior to the date hereof (to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is readily apparent from the content of such AAO SEC Reports, but excluding disclosures referred to in “Forward-Looking Statements”, “Risk Factors” and any other disclosures therein to the extent they are of a predictive or cautionary nature or related to forward-looking statements), AAO and Merger Sub hereby represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

 

SECTION 5.1 Corporate Organization.

 

(a) Each of AAO and Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the requisite corporate power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

 

(b) Merger Sub is the only Subsidiary of AAO. Except for Merger Sub, AAO does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or business association or other Person.

 

SECTION 5.2 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Each of AAO and Merger Sub has heretofore furnished to the Company complete and correct copies of the AAO Organizational Documents and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents. The AAO Organizational Documents and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents are in full force and effect. Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub is in violation of any of the provisions of the AAO Organizational Documents and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents.

 

SECTION 5.3 Capitalization.

 

(a) The authorized capital stock of AAO consists of (x) 100,000,000 shares of AAO Class A Common Stock, (y) 10,000,000 shares of AAO Class B Common Stock and (z) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“AAO Preferred Stock”). As of the date of this Agreement (i) 1,562,685 shares of AAO Class A Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive rights, (ii) 2,726,500 shares of AAO Class B Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive rights, (iii) no shares of AAO Class A Common Stock or AAO Class B Common Stock are held in the treasury of AAO, (iv) 9,124,582 AAO Warrants are issued and outstanding, consisting of (A) 5,223,381 AAO Public Warrants and (B) 3,901,621 AAO Private Placement Warrants, and (v) 9,154,622 shares of AAO Class A Common Stock are reserved for future issuance pursuant to the AAO Warrants. There are no shares of AAO Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. Each AAO Public Warrant is exercisable for one share of AAO Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50. Each AAO Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one share of AAO Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50.

 

 
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(b) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Merger Sub Common Stock”). As of the date hereof, 1,000 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and are not subject to preemptive rights, and are held by AAO free and clear of all Liens, other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Laws and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents.

 

(c) All outstanding AAO Units, shares of AAO Common Stock and AAO Warrants have been issued and granted in compliance with all applicable Securities Laws and other applicable Laws and were issued free and clear of all Liens other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Laws and the AAO Organizational Documents.

 

(d) The Closing Payment Shares to be delivered by AAO in the Merger shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and each Closing Payment Share shall be issued free and clear of preemptive rights and all Liens, other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Laws and the AAO Organizational Documents. The Closing Payment Shares will be issued in compliance with all applicable securities Laws and other applicable Laws and without contravention of any other Person’s rights therein or with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.4 Authority Relative to This Agreement. Each of AAO and Merger Sub has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to the approval of the AAO Proposals, to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of AAO and Merger Sub and the consummation by each of AAO and Merger Sub of the Transactions, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action, and no other proceedings on the part of AAO or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than with respect to the AAO Proposals, the approval of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of AAO Common Stock). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by AAO and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of AAO and Merger Sub, enforceable against AAO and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms subject to the Remedies Exceptions.

 

 
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SECTION 5.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

 

(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of AAO and Merger Sub do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of AAO and Merger Sub will not, (i) conflict with or violate the AAO Organizational Documents or the Merger Sub Organizational Documents, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations and other actions described in Section 5.5(b) have been obtained and all filings and obligations described in Section 5.5(b) have been made, conflict with or violate any Law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to each of AAO or Merger Sub or by which any of their property or assets is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of each of AAO or Merger Sub pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which each of AAO or Merger Sub is a party or by which each of AAO or Merger Sub or any of their property or assets is bound or affected.

 

(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of AAO and Merger Sub do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of AAO and Merger Sub will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority, except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, Blue Sky Laws and state takeover laws, the pre-merger notification requirements of the HSR Act, and filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the IBCL and (ii) where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay consummation of any of the Transactions or otherwise prevent any of AAO or Merger Sub from performing its material obligations under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.6 Compliance. Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub is in breach or violation of, (a) any Law applicable to AAO or Merger Sub or by which any material property or asset of AAO or Merger Sub is bound or affected, or (b) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which AAO or Merger Sub is a party or by which AAO or Merger Sub or any property or asset of AAO or Merger Sub is bound, except, in each case, for any such breaches or violations that do not constitute an AAO Material Adverse Effect. Each of AAO and Merger Sub is in possession of all material franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority necessary for AAO or Merger Sub to own, lease and operate its properties or to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

 

 
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SECTION 5.7 AAO SEC Documents and Financial Statements.

 

(a) AAO has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by AAO with the SEC since AAO’s formation under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and will file all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed subsequent to the Signing Date (the “Additional AAO SEC Documents”). AAO has made available to the Company copies in the form filed with the SEC of all of the following, except to the extent available in full without redaction on the SEC’s website through EDGAR for at least two (2) days prior to the date of this Agreement: (i) AAO’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each fiscal quarter of AAO beginning with the first quarter AAO was required to file such a form, (ii) all proxy statements relating to AAO’s meetings of shareholders (whether annual or special) held, and all information statements relating to shareholder consents, since the beginning of the first fiscal quarter referred to in clause (i) above, (iii) its Form 8-Ks filed since the beginning of the first fiscal quarter referred to in clause (i) above, and (iv) all other forms, reports, registration statements and other documents (other than preliminary materials if the corresponding definitive materials have been provided to the Company pursuant to this Section 5.7(a)) filed by AAO with the SEC since AAO’s formation (the forms, reports, registration statements and other documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) above, whether or not available through EDGAR, are, collectively, the “AAO SEC Documents”). The AAO SEC Documents were, and the Additional AAO SEC Documents will be, prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder. The AAO SEC Documents did not, and the Additional AAO SEC Documents will not, at the time they were or are to be filed, as the case may be, with the SEC (except to the extent that information contained in any AAO SEC Document or Additional AAO SEC Document has been or is revised or superseded by a later filed AAO SEC Document or Additional AAO SEC Document, then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As used in this Section 5.7(a), the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC.

 

(b) The financial statements and notes contained or incorporated by reference in the AAO SEC Documents and the Additional AAO SEC Documents (collectively, the “AAO Financial Statements”) are or will be, as the case may be, complete and accurate and fairly present in all material respects, in conformity with U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis in all material respects and Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable, the financial position of AAO as of the dates thereof and the results of operations of AAO for the periods reflected therein. The AAO Financial Statements are or will, as the case may be (i) prepared from the Books and Records of AAO; (ii) prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP consistently applied; and they contain and reflect or will contain and reflect, as the case may be, (iii) all necessary adjustments and accruals for a fair presentation of AAO’s financial condition as of their dates; and (iv) adequate provisions for all material Liabilities for all material Taxes applicable to AAO with respect to the periods then ended.

 

(c) Except as specifically disclosed, reflected or fully reserved against in the AAO Financial Statements, and except for liabilities and obligations of a similar nature and in similar amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business since AAO’s formation, there are no material liabilities, debts or obligations (whether accrued, fixed or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, asserted or unasserted or otherwise) relating to AAO. All debts and Liabilities, fixed or contingent, which should be included under U.S. GAAP on a balance sheet are or will be (as the case may be) included in AAO Financial Statements.

 

 
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SECTION 5.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, there has not been any AAO Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.9 Absence of Litigation. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of AAO, threatened against AAO, or any property or asset of AAO, before any Governmental Authority. As of the date hereof, neither AAO nor any material property or asset of AAO is subject to any continuing order of, consent decree, settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or, to the knowledge of AAO, continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority.

 

SECTION 5.10 Board Approval; Vote Required.

 

(a) The Board of Directors of AAO (the “AAO Board”), by resolutions duly adopted by majority vote of those voting at a meeting duly called and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, has duly (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair to and in the best interests of AAO and its stockholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Merger) and declared their advisability, (iii) recommended that the stockholders of AAO approve and adopt this Agreement and Merger and the other AAO Proposals, and (iv) directed that this Agreement and the Merger and the other AAO Proposals be submitted for consideration by the stockholders of AAO at the Special Meeting.

 

(b) The only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of AAO necessary to approve the AAO Proposals is the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of AAO Common Stock.

 

(c) The board of directors of Merger Sub by resolutions duly adopted by written consent and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, have duly (i) determined that this Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole stockholder, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Merger and declared their advisability, (iii) recommended that the sole stockholder of Merger Sub approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and directed that this Agreement and the Transactions be submitted for consideration by the sole stockholder of Merger Sub.

 

(d) The only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Merger Sub that is necessary to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions is the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock.

 

SECTION 5.11 No Prior Operations of Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Transactions and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations or incurred any obligation or liability and holds no assets, other than as specifically contemplated by this Agreement.

 

 
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SECTION 5.12 AAO Trust Fund. As of the date of this Agreement, AAO has at least $10,665,487 in the trust fund established by AAO for the benefit of its public shareholders (the “Trust Fund”) in a United States-based account at JP Morgan Chase, N.A., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”) acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”), and such monies are invested in “government securities” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) and held in trust by the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement. There are no separate agreements, side letters or other agreements or understandings (whether written, unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the AAO SEC Documents to be inaccurate in any material respect or, to the Parent Parties’ knowledge, that would entitle any Person to any portion of the funds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account are permitted to be released, except in the circumstances described in the Organizational Documents of AAO and the Trust Agreement. AAO has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in material default or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with the Trust Agreement, and, to the knowledge of AAO, no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default thereunder. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no claims or proceedings pending with respect to the Trust Account. Since March 22, 2021, and except in connection with the AAO Extension Redemption, AAO has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than interest income earned on the funds held in the Trust Account as permitted by the Trust Agreement). Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, AAO shall have no further obligation under either the Trust Agreement or the Organizational Documents of Parent to liquidate or distribute any assets held in the Trust Account, and the Trust Agreement shall terminate in accordance with its terms..

 

SECTION 5.13 Employees. Other than any officers as described in the AAO SEC Reports, AAO and Merger Sub have never employed any employees. Other than reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by AAO’s officers and directors in connection with activities on AAO’s behalf in an aggregate amount not in excess of the amount of cash held by AAO outside of the Trust Account, AAO and Merger Sub have no unsatisfied material liability with respect to any employee, officer or director.

 

SECTION 5.14 Taxes.

 

(a) AAO and Merger Sub (i) have duly and timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) all material Tax Returns required by Law to be filed by AAO or Merger Sub, and all such filed Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects; (ii) have timely paid all Taxes that are shown as due on such filed Tax Returns and any other material Taxes that AAO and Merger Sub are otherwise obligated to pay, except with respect to current Taxes not yet due and payable or otherwise being contested in good faith or that are described in clause (a)(v) below; (iii) have not waived any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending; (iv) do not have any deficiency, assessment, claim, audit, examination, investigation, litigation or other proceeding in respect of a material amount of Taxes or material Tax matters pending or threatened in writing, for a Tax period which the statute of limitations for assessments remains open; and (v) have provided adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP in the most recent consolidated financial statements of AAO, for any material Taxes of AAO that have not been paid, whether or not shown as being due on any Tax Return.

 

 
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(b) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub is a party to, is bound by or has an obligation to any Governmental Authority or other Person under any Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnification agreement, Tax allocation agreement or similar contract or arrangement (excluding agreements, contracts, arrangements or commitments the primary purpose of which do not relate to Taxes).

 

(c) Each of AAO and Merger Sub has (i) withheld or collected all amounts of Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any current or former employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or other third party, and (ii) reported and timely remitted such amounts required to have been withheld or collected, reported and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority. All Forms W-2 or 1099 or other Tax Returns required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

 

(d) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated, combined or unitary U.S. federal, state, local or foreign income Tax Return.

 

(e) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub has any material liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract (excluding contracts the primary purpose of which do not relate to taxes), or otherwise.

 

(f) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub (i) has any request for a ruling in respect of Taxes pending between AAO and/or Merger Sub, on the one hand, and any Tax authority, on the other hand, or; (ii) has entered into any closing agreement, private letter ruling technical advice memoranda or similar agreements with any Tax authority.

 

(g) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub has in any year for which the applicable statute of limitations remains open distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code.

 

(h) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub has engaged in or entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

 

(i) Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code. The Company has not been a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise has an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized. Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise has an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized.

 

 
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Nothing in this Section 5.14 shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty with respect to (i) any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Effective Time or (ii) the existence, amount, expiration date or limitations on (or availability of) any Tax attribute.

 

SECTION 5.15 Listing. As of the date hereof, the AAO Common Stock and AAO Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, with trading symbols “AMAO” and “AMAOW,” “respectively.

 

SECTION 5.16 Investment Company Act. AAO is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

 

SECTION 5.17 Registration Statement. As of the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, the Registration Statement (together with any amendments or supplements thereto) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that AAO makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to AAO by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement.

 

SECTION 5.18 Contracts. Except for those contracts filed (or incorporated by reference) as exhibits to the AAO SEC Reports, neither of AAO or Merger Sub is party to any contract that would be required to be filed (or incorporated by reference) as an exhibit to AAO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.

 

SECTION 5.19 Brokers. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19 of the AAO Disclosure Schedules, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission (including any deferred underwriting commission) in connection with the Transactions (including the Private Placement) based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of AAO, Merger Sub or any other their respective Affiliates, including Sponsor.

 

SECTION 5.20 Sponsor Support Agreement. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, AAO has delivered to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of the Sponsor Support Agreement. The Sponsor Support Agreement is in full force and effect and has not been withdrawn or terminated, or otherwise amended or modified, in any respect, and no withdrawal, termination, amendment or modification is contemplated by the Company or Sponsor. The Sponsor Support Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of AAO and Sponsor and neither the execution or delivery by any party thereto of, nor the performance of any party’s obligations under, the Sponsor Support Agreement violates any provision of, or results in the breach of or default under, or requires any filing, registration or qualification under, any applicable Law. No event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach on the part of AAO or Sponsor under any term or condition of the Sponsor Support Agreement.

 

 
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SECTION 5.21 AAO’s and Merger Sub’s Investigation and Reliance. Each of AAO and Merger Sub is a sophisticated purchaser and has made its own independent investigation, review and analysis regarding the Company and the Transactions, which investigation, review and analysis were conducted by AAO and Merger Sub together with expert advisors, including legal counsel, that they have engaged for such purpose. AAO, Merger Sub and their Representatives have been provided with full and complete access to the Representatives, properties, offices, plants and other facilities, Books and Records of the Company and other information that they have requested in connection with their investigation of the Company and the Transactions. Neither of AAO nor Merger Sub is relying on any statement, representation or warranty, oral or written, express or implied, made by the Company or any of its Representatives, except as expressly set forth in Article IV (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedules). Neither the Company nor any of its respective Shareholders, Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability to AAO, Merger Sub or any of their respective Shareholders, Affiliates or Representatives resulting from the use of, and AAO, Merger Sub and their Representatives shall not have relied upon, any information, documents or materials made available to AAO or Merger Sub or any of their Representatives, whether orally or in writing, in any confidential information memoranda, “data rooms,” management presentations, due diligence discussions or in any other form in expectation of the Transactions. Neither the Company nor any of its Shareholders, Affiliates or Representatives is making, directly or indirectly, any representation or warranty with respect to any estimates, projections or forecasts involving the Company.

 

SECTION 5.22 Takeover Matters. Other than as a result of this Agreement, neither AAO nor the Merger Sub, nor any of their Affiliates is, nor at any time during the last five (5) years has been, an “interested shareholder” of the Company as defined in IBCL 23-1-43-10.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

 

SECTION 6.1 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger.

 

(a) Except as (i) contemplated by any other provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (ii) set forth in Schedule 6.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, (iii) taken (or omitted to be taken), as reasonably necessary, in response to COVID-19 Measures, (iv) may be requested or compelled by any Governmental Authority or (v) required by applicable Law (provided, however, that Company shall provide reasonable advance notice in writing to AAO of any action taken as a result of clauses (iii)-(v)), the Company shall not, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time or the earlier termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, do any of the following without the prior written consent of AAO:

 

(i) amend or otherwise change its or any Subsidiary’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or equivalent organizational documents;

 

(ii) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant or encumber, or authorize the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of, any shares of any class of capital stock or other securities of the Company or of any Subsidiary or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of such capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including any phantom interest), of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

 
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(iii) (A) fail to maintain its or any Subsidiary’s existence; or (B) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);

 

(iv) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any Company Capital Stock;

 

(v) reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Company Capital Stock;

 

(vi) (A) acquire (including by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets or any other business combination), whether in whole or in part or via an equity or asset acquisition, any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, other business organization or any division thereof; (B) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee or endorse, or otherwise become responsible for, the obligations of any Person, or make any loans or advances, or intentionally grant any security interest in any of its assets, other than additional extensions or borrowings as permitted under existing credit facilities or (C) enter into any new line of business;

 

(vii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any material change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of any other Person, except as required under any indemnification agreement to which the Company is a party as of the date hereof and which has been disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedules;

 

(viii) except to the extent otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 6.1, (A) adopt, enter into or materially amend any Plan or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, (B) grant or provide any severance, termination payments, bonus, change of control, retention, or benefits to any employee of the Company, except in connection with the promotion or hiring (to the extent permitted by clause (C) of this paragraph) or separation of any employee in the ordinary course of business, (C) hire any employee of the Company or any other individual who is providing or will provide services to the Company other than any employee with an annual base salary of less than $100,000 or any employee hired to replace terminated employees in the ordinary course of business, (D) adopt, enter into or materially amend Contracts with any consultants or natural person independent contractors that involve consideration of more than $100,000 in the aggregate or (E) take any action to accelerate the vesting, payment or funding of any cash or equity-based compensation, payment or benefit other than as contemplated by this Agreement;

 

 
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(ix) grant any material increase in the compensation, incentives or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company as of the date of this Agreement, other than (A) increases in the ordinary course of business, or (B) increases required by the terms of a Plan or applicable Law;

 

(x) make any change in any method of financial accounting or financial accounting principles, policies, procedures or practices, except as required by a concurrent amendment in GAAP or applicable Law made subsequent to the date hereof, as agreed to by its independent accountants;

 

(xi) make, change or revoke any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, file any amendment to a material Tax Return, enter into any agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes, settle or compromise any examination, audit or other Action with a Governmental Authority of or relating to any material United States federal, state, local or non-United States income Tax liability, consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any commercial contract not primarily related to Taxes);

 

(xii) take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment;

 

(xiii) enter into, modify in any material respect or terminate any Contract that is (or would be if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement) a Material Contract of the type described in Section 4.17(a), other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xiv) acquire any fee interest in real property;

 

(xv) settle any pending or threatened Action (A) if such settlement would require payment by the Company in an amount greater than $200,000 or (B) to the extent such settlement is adverse to the Company and involves an Action brought by a Governmental Authority or alleged criminal wrongdoing;

 

(xvi) make or authorize any payment of, or accrual or commitment for, capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 for any individual capital expenditure or series of related capital expenditures or $300,000 in the aggregate;

 

(xvii) enter into, renew, or materially amend, any Company Affiliate Agreement;

 

 
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(xviii) make any payment, distribution, loan or other transfer of value to any Related Party, other than (A) payments to employees in the ordinary course of business, and (B) payments pursuant to Company Affiliate Agreements set forth on Schedule 4.25 of the Company Disclosure Schedules;

 

(xix) fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under any insurance policy in form and amount equivalent in all material respects to the insurance coverage currently maintained with respect to the Company and its assets, properties and businesses;

 

(xx) permit any material item of Company IP to lapse or to be abandoned, invalidated, dedicated to the public, or disclaimed, or otherwise become unenforceable;

 

(xxi) in all respects not already set forth in this Section 6.1, fail to conduct the Company Business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or

 

(xxii) enter into any agreement or otherwise make a binding commitment to do any of the foregoing.

 

SECTION 6.2 Conduct of Business by AAO Pending the Merger. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, AAO shall remain a “blank check company” as defined under the Securities Act, and without the Company’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) shall not conduct any business operations other than in connection with this Agreement and ordinary course operations to maintain its status as a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company pending the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, through the Closing Date, other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, without the Company’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), AAO shall not amend, waive or otherwise change the Trust Agreement in any manner adverse to AAO. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.2, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict AAO from pursuing and executing the Extension Proposal should AAO elect to do so.

 

SECTION 6.3 Claims Against Trust Account. The Company (on its own behalf and on behalf of the Shareholders) agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company does not now have, and shall not at any time prior to the Effective Time have, any claim to, or make any claim against, the Trust Fund, regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, the business relationship between the Company on the one hand, and AAO and Merger Sub on the other hand, this Agreement, or any other agreement or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims are collectively referred to in this Section 6.3 as the “Claims”). Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have, now or in the future and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund, any monies held in the Trust Account (or any distributions therefrom directly or indirectly to AAO’s stockholders) for any reason whatsoever in respect thereof. This Section 6.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

 
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SECTION 6.4 Approval of 280G Payments. If, after reviewing the 280G calculations and other supporting materials prepared by the Company, either the Company or AAO determines that any person who is a “disqualified individual” has a right to any payments and/or benefits as a result of or in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby that would be deemed to constitute “parachute payments” (as such terms are defined in Section 280G of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) absent approval by the shareholders of the Company, then the Company will undertake its best efforts to modify its obligations to provide such payments or benefits to the extent necessary such that, after giving effect to such modifications, the modified payments or benefits would not constitute a parachute payment to a disqualified individual based on the 280G calculations. If, in the opinion of AAO, the Company is not able to modify its obligations to make such payments or benefits comply with the foregoing within 30 days after determining that a payment or benefit would constitute a parachute payment to a disqualified individual, then at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company will take all necessary actions (including obtaining any required waivers or consents from each disqualified individual) to submit to a shareholder vote, in a manner that satisfies the shareholder approval requirements for exemption under Section 280G(b)(5)(A)(ii) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the right of each disqualified individual to receive or retain, as applicable, any payments and benefits to the extent necessary so that no payment or benefit received by such disqualified person shall be deemed a parachute payment. Such vote shall establish the disqualified individual’s right to the payment or benefits. The Company will be responsible for all liabilities and obligations related to the matters described in this Section 6.04, including any claims by disqualified individuals that they are entitled to payment or reimbursement for any related excise taxes. The Company will provide to AAO copies of any waivers, consents, and shareholder information statements or disclosures relating to Section 280G and the shareholder vote described in this Section 6.04, a reasonable period of time before disseminating such materials to the disqualified individuals and the Company’s shareholders, and will work with AAO in good faith regarding the inclusion of any comments provided by AAO thereto. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to AAO evidence that a vote of Company’s shareholders who are entitled to vote was solicited in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.04 and that the requisite number of shareholder votes was or was not obtained with respect thereto.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

SECTION 7.1 Preparation of Registration Statement; Special Meeting; Company Requisite Approval.

 

(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, (i) AAO (with the assistance and cooperation of the Company as reasonably requested by AAO) shall cause to be filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, and including the Proxy Statement contained therein, the “Registration Statement”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the AAO Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger. AAO shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the Registration Statement when filed with the SEC to comply in all material respects with all legal requirements applicable thereto, (ii) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from the SEC concerning the Registration Statement, (iii) cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable and (iv) keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Transactions unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article IX. The Company shall promptly provide to AAO such information concerning the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Company financial statements) and the Shareholders as is required by the Securities Laws. As promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, AAO will cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to stockholders of AAO.

 

 
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(b) AAO agrees to include provisions in the Proxy Statement and to take reasonable action related thereto with respect to approval and adoption of (i) this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions, (ii) the Amended Charter, (iii) the issuance of the AAO Common Stock in connection with the issuance of the Merger Consideration, including any required approvals under NASDAQ rules, (i) the election of directors effective as of the Closing as contemplated by Section 2.5, and (v) any other proposals the Parties deem necessary or advisable to effectuate the Merger and the other Transactions (collectively, the “AAO Proposals”).

 

(c) No filing of, or amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement will be made by AAO without the approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. AAO will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order, of the suspension of the qualification of the AAO Common Stock to be issued or issuable to the Shareholders in connection with this Agreement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of any request by the SEC for amendment of the Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information. Each of AAO and the Company shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), any response to comments of the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed in response thereto.

 

(d) If AAO or the Company becomes aware that the Registration Statement, (i) as of the Effective Time, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, (ii) at any time prior to the Effective Time, information contained in the Registration Statement shall have become false or misleading in any material respect or that the Registration Statement is required to be amended in order to comply with applicable Law (including the Securities Laws), then (x) such Party shall promptly inform the other Parties and (y) AAO, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement. AAO shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement, as so amended or supplemented, to be filed with the SEC and the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to the holders of shares of AAO Common Stock, as applicable, in each case pursuant to applicable Law and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and AAO Organizational Documents.

 

 
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(e) AAO shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as practicable, after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, (i) establish the record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Special Meeting in accordance with the DGCL, (ii) cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to the stockholders of AAO and (iii) solicit proxies from the stockholders of AAO to vote in favor of each of the AAO Proposals. AAO shall, through the AAO Board, recommend to its stockholders that they approve each of the AAO Proposals (the ”AAO Board Recommendation”) and shall include the unqualified AAO Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The AAO Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold,qualify or modify, the AAO Board Recommendation, except as required by Law; provided, however, that, the AAO Board may make a withdrawal of such recommendation or an amendment, qualification or modification of such recommendation to the extent that (i) after consultation with counsel, the AAO Board determines that a failure to make such a change would reasonably be likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (ii) AAO promptly delivers to the Company a written notice advising the Company that the AAO Board proposes to take such action and specifying the reasons therefor, (iii) until 5:00 pm on the third Business day following the date such notice was delivered, if requested by the Company, AAO will engage in good faith negotiations to make adjustments to the terms of this Agreement so that the need to make such change in the AAO Board Recommendation is obviated and (iv) following such time referred to in clause (iii) above, the AAO Board determines in good faith (after consultation with its counsel, and taking into account any modifications to this Agreement proposed by the Company prior to such time) that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.1(e), if on a date for which the Special Meeting is scheduled, AAO has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of AAOCommon Stock to approve, in consultation with the Company, the AAO Proposals, whether or not a quorum is present, AAO shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Special Meeting.

 

(f) As promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event within three Business Days following the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and deliver to AAO a true, complete and correct copy of a written consent (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to AAO) evidencing the Company Requisite Approval that is duly executed by the Shareholders that hold at least the requisite number and class of issued and outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock required to obtain the Company Requisite Approval. If the Company Requisite Approval is obtained, then promptly following the receipt of the Company Requisite Approval, the Company will prepare and deliver to its Shareholders who have not consented the notice required by the IBCL. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company’s obligation to solicit written consents from the Shareholders to give the Company Requisite Approval in accordance with this Section 7.1(f) shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the making, commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any Company Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall, through the Company Board, recommend to the Shareholders that they adopt this Agreement (the “Company Board Recommendation”). The Company Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Company Board Recommendation, except as required by Law.

 

 
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SECTION 7.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality; Publicity.

 

(a) From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, the Company and AAO shall (and shall cause their respective subsidiaries, Affiliates and Representatives to): (i) provide to the other Party (and the other Party’s officers, directors, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, agents and other representatives, collectively, “Representatives”) reasonable access at reasonable times upon prior notice to the officers, employees, agents, properties, offices and other facilities of such Party and its subsidiaries and to the Books and Records thereof; and (ii) furnish promptly to the other Party such information concerning the business, properties, contracts, assets, liabilities, personnel and other aspects of such party and its subsidiaries as the other Party or its Representatives may reasonably request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor AAO shall be required to provide access to or disclose information where the access or disclosure would (i) jeopardize the protection of attorney-client privilege or contravene applicable Law or (ii) require providing access that such Party reasonably determines, in light of COVID-19 or COVID-19 Measures, would jeopardize the health and safety of any employee of such Party (it being agreed that the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such information to be provided in a manner that would not result in such jeopardy or contravention).

 

(b) All information obtained by the Parties pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall be kept confidential in accordance with the confidentiality agreement, dated April 1, 2022 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), between AAO and the Company.

 

(c) NoParty hereto shall make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement or the Transactions, or any matter related to the foregoing, without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Company or AAO, as applicable (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except if such announcement or other communication is required by applicable Law or legal process (including pursuant to the Securities Laws or the rules of any national securities exchange), in which case AAO or the Company, as applicable, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate such announcement or communication with the other Party, prior to announcement or issuance and allow the other Party a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon (which shall be considered by AAO or the Company, as applicable, in good faith); provided, however, that, the foregoing shall not prohibit any Party from communicating with third parties, under confidentiality terms no less restrictive than the Confidentiality Agreement, to the extent necessary for the purpose of seeking any third party consent.

 

 
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SECTION 7.3 Exclusivity. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Representatives not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, encourage (including by means of furnishing or disclosing information), facilitate, discuss or negotiate, directly or indirectly, any inquiry, proposal or offer (written or oral) with respect to a Company Acquisition Proposal; (ii) furnish or disclose any non-public information to any Person in connection with, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Acquisition Proposal; (iii) enter into any Contract or other arrangement or understanding regarding a Company Acquisition Proposal; (iv) prepare or take any steps in connection with a public or private offering of any equity securities of the Company (or any Affiliate or successor of the Company); or (v) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of the foregoing. The Company shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than with AAO, its stockholders and their Representatives) conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to, or which is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, a Company Acquisition Proposal. The Company agrees to (A) notify AAO promptly upon receipt of any Company Acquisition Proposal by the Company, and to describe the material terms and conditions of any such Company Acquisition Proposal in reasonable detail (including the identity of the Persons making such Company Acquisition Proposal) and (B) keep AAO reasonably informed on a current basis of any modifications to such offer or information.

 

SECTION 7.4 Employment Agreements. The Company and AAO shall cooperate in good faith to negotiate new employment agreements with the persons listed on Schedule 7.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, to be effective on the Closing Date, and subject to the terms identified thereon.

 

SECTION 7.5 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification.

 

(a) The Parties agree that all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses existing in favor of the current or former directors and officers of AAO or Merger Sub and each Person who served as a director, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise at the request of AAO or Merger Sub (the “D&O Indemnified Persons”) as provided in their respective organizational documents or under any indemnification, employment or other similar agreements between any D&O Indemnified Person and AAO or Merger Sub, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms to the extent permitted by applicable Law. Such rights shall include indemnification against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, or liabilities, whether asserted or claimed prior to or after the Effective Time and whether the claim involves the enforcement of the terms of this Section 7.5(a). For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, AAO shall cause the Amended Charter and the Surviving Corporation Articles of Incorporation to contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation and indemnification of and advancement of expenses to D&O Indemnified Persons than are set forth as of the date of this Agreement in the AAO Organizational Documents to the extent permitted by applicable Law. The provisions of this Section 7.5 shall survive the consummation of the Merger and are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Persons and their respective heirs and representatives..

 

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

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 7.5 shall survive the consummation of the Merger indefinitely and shall be binding, jointly and severally, on AAO and the Surviving Corporation and all successors and assigns of AAO and the Surviving Corporation. In the event that AAO, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or effects any division transaction, then, and in each such case, AAO and the Surviving Corporation shall ensure that proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of AAO or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 7.5. The obligations of AAO and the Surviving Corporation under this Section 7.5 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to materially and adversely affect any present and former director or officer of the Company or AAO, or other Person that may be a director or officer of the Company or AAO prior to the Effective Time, to whom this Section 7.5 applies without the consent of the affected Person. The rights of each Person entitled to indemnification or advancement hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such Person may have under the Company articles of incorporation or bylaws or the AAO Organizational Documents, any other indemnification arrangement, any applicable law, rule or regulation or otherwise. The provisions of this Section 7.5 are expressly intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each Person entitled to indemnification or advancement hereunder and their respective successors, heirs and representatives, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 7.5.

 

SECTION 7.6 Transaction Litigation. In the event that any Action related to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions is brought, or to the knowledge of AAO, threatened in writing, against AAO or its directors or officers by any of AAO’s stockholders or by a Governmental Authority prior to the Closing, AAO shall promptly notify the Company of any such Action and keep the Company reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. AAO shall provide the Company the opportunity to participate in (subject to a customary joint defense agreement), but not control, the defense of any such Action, shall give due consideration to the Company’s advice with respect to such litigation and shall provide the Company with a meaningful opportunity to review and give due consideration to the Company’s concerns regarding the settlement of any such Action.

 

 
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SECTION 7.7 Tax Matters.

 

(a) Each of AAO, Merger Sub and the Company shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Merger to qualify, and agree not to, and not to permit or cause any of their Affiliates or subsidiaries to, take any action which to its knowledge could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment. This Agreement is intended to constitute, and the Parties hereto hereby adopt this Agreement as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a). Each of AAO, Merger Sub and the Company shall report the Transactions in a manner consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless otherwise required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code, including attaching the statement described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-3(a) on or with its U.S. federal income Tax Return for the taxable year of the Merger. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if, after the date hereof but prior to the time at which the AAO Proposals shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of the stockholders of AAO, AAO and the Company mutually determine in good faith that the Transactions are not reasonably expected to qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to restructure the transactions contemplated hereby (such restructured transactions, the “Alternative Transaction Structure”) in a manner that is reasonably expected to cause the Alternative Transaction Structure to so qualify.

 

(b) The Company, AAO and Merger Sub hereby adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a).

 

(c) If, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement/Proxy Statement, if the SEC requires that an opinion of counsel be provided with respect to the tax treatment of the Transactions, AAO and the Company shall deliver to counsel for both Parties, respectively, customary Tax representation letters satisfactory to each counsel, dated and executed as of the date the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC and such other date(s) as determined reasonably necessary by such counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, Loeb & Loeb LLP shall not be required to provide a tax opinion with respect to the Intended Tax Treatment.

 

(d) Each of the Parties shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to) cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by another Party, in connection with the filing of any relevant Tax Returns, and any audit, examination or other proceeding with respect to Taxes.

 

 
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(e) The Surviving Corporation shall be responsible for any sales, use, real property transfer, stamp or other similar transfer Taxes imposed in connection with the Transactions and the preparation and filing of any Tax Returns required to be filed with respect thereto. The Surviving Corporation shall, at its own expense, prepare and file all necessary Tax Returns required to be filed with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 7.8 Stock Exchange Listing. AAO will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the AAO Common Stock issued in connection with the Transactions to be approved for listing on NASDAQ (and the Company shall reasonably cooperate in connection therewith), subject to official notice of issuance, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event prior to the Effective Time. During the period from the date hereof until the Closing, AAO shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the AAO Common Stock and AAO Warrants listed for trading on NASDAQ.

 

SECTION 7.9 AAO Public Filings. From the date hereof through the Closing, AAO will use reasonable best efforts to keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise to comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable Securities Laws.

 

SECTION 7.10 Efforts to Consummate; Antitrust; Regulatory Approvals.

 

(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each of the Parties hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be done, such things as are necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws or otherwise to consummate and make effective the Transactions, including using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of Governmental Authorities and parties to contracts with the Company necessary for the consummation of the Transactions and to fulfill the conditions to the Merger. In case, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and directors of each Party shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to take all such action.

 

(b) Each of the Parties shall keep each other apprised of the status of matters relating to the Transactions, including promptly notifying the other Parties of any communication it or any of its Affiliates receives from any Governmental Authority relating to the matters that are the subject of this Agreement and permitting the other Parties to review in advance, and to the extent practicable consult about, any proposed communication by such Party to any Governmental Authority in connection with the Transactions. No Party shall agree to participate in any meeting with any Governmental Authority in respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry unless it consults with the other Parties in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority, gives the other Parties the opportunity to attend and participate at such meeting. Subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the Parties will coordinate and cooperate fully with each other in exchanging such information and providing such assistance as the other Parties may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing. Subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the Parties will provide each other with copies of all material correspondence, filings or communications, including any documents, information and data contained therewith, between them or any of their Representatives, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority or members of its staff, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions. No Party shall take or cause to be taken any action before any Governmental Authority that is inconsistent with or intended to delay its action on requests for a consent or the consummation of the Transactions.

 

 
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(c) To the extent required under any Laws that are designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade, including the HSR Act (“Antitrust Laws”), each Party agrees to promptly make any required filing or application under Antitrust Laws, as applicable. The Parties agree to supply as promptly as reasonably practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to Antitrust Laws and to take all other actions necessary, proper or advisable to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods or obtain required approvals, as applicable under Antitrust Laws as soon as practicable, including by requesting early termination of the waiting period provided for under the HSR Act.

 

(d) Each Party shall, in connection with its efforts to obtain all requisite approvals and authorizations for the Transactions under any Antitrust Law, use commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) cooperate in all respects with each other Party or its Affiliates in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private person; (ii) keep the other Parties reasonably informed of any communication received by such Party or its Representatives from, or given by such Party or its Representatives to, any Governmental Authority and of any communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private person, in each case regarding any of the Transactions; (iii) permit a Representative of the other Parties and their respective outside counsel to review any communication given by it to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting or conference with, any Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private person, with any other Person, and to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority or other Person, give a Representative or Representatives of the other Parties the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and conferences; (iv) in the event a Party’s Representative is prohibited from participating in or attending any meetings or conferences, the other Parties shall keep such Party promptly and reasonably apprised with respect thereto; and (v) use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in the filing of any memoranda, white papers, filings, correspondence or other written communications explaining or defending the Transactions, articulating any regulatory or competitive argument, and/or responding to requests or objections made by any Governmental Authority.

 

(e) Each of AAO and the Company shall not, and shall cause its respective subsidiaries (as applicable) not to, acquire or agree to acquire, by merging with or into or consolidating with, or by purchasing a portion of the assets of or equity in, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets, or take any other action, if the entering into of a definitive agreement relating to, or the consummation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, or the taking of any other action, would reasonably be expected to: (i) impose any delay in the obtaining of, or increase the risk of not obtaining, any authorizations, consents, orders or declarations of any Governmental Authorities or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period; (ii) increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an order prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions; (iii) increase the risk of not being able to remove any such order on appeal or otherwise; or (iv) delay or prevent the consummation of the Transactions.

 

 
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(f) The Parties further covenant and agree, with respect to a threatened or pending preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling or statute, rule, regulation or executive order that would adversely affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the Transactions, to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent or lift the entry, enactment or promulgation thereof, as the case may be.

 

(g) The Company will pay all filing fees related to Antitrust Laws required by the Transactions upfront.

 

SECTION 7.11 Trust Account. Prior to or at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII), AAO shall provide notice to the Trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement and shall deliver any other documents, opinions or notices required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreements so that the Trustee shall make appropriate arrangements to cause the funds in the Trust Account to be disbursed in accordance with the Trust Agreement, for the following uses: (a) the redemption of any shares of AAO Class A Common Stock held by a Redeeming Shareholder in connection with the Offer; (b) the payment of the Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses and Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses pursuant to Section 3.4; and (c) the balance after payment and disbursement of the amounts required under the foregoing clauses (a)-(b), to be disbursed to AAO, and thereafter shall cause the Trust Account and the Trust Agreement to terminate.

 

SECTION 7.12 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Closing, the AAO Board, or an appropriate committee of “non-employee directors” (as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) thereof, shall adopt a resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the SEC so that the acquisition of AAO Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby, by any Person owning securities of the Company who is expected to become a director or officer (as defined under Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of AAO following the Closing shall be an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 thereunder. AAO shall provide the Company and such individuals with copies of any resolutions proposed to be adopted by the AAO Board in connection with the foregoing prior to such adoption.

 

SECTION 7.13 Preparation and Delivery of PCAOB Audited Financial Statements. As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, and in any event no later than July 15, 2022 (such date, as it may be extended, the “PCAOB Audit Deadline”), the Company shall deliver to AAO the PCAOB Audited Financial Statements.

 

 
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SECTION 7.14 Support of Transaction. Subject to Section 7.3, without limiting any covenant contained herein, including the obligations of the Company and AAO with respect to the notifications, filings, reaffirmations and applications described in Section 7.10, which obligations shall control to the extent of any conflict with the succeeding provisions of this Section 7.14, AAO and the Company shall each, and shall each cause their respective Subsidiaries to: (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to assemble, prepare and file any information (and, as needed, to supplement such information) as may be reasonably necessary to obtain as promptly as reasonably practicable all governmental and regulatory consents required to be obtained in connection with the Transactions, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all material consents and approvals of third parties that any of AAO, the Company or their respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the Transactions, including any required approvals of parties to Material Contracts with the Company, and (c) take such other action as may reasonably be necessary or as another party may reasonably request to satisfy the conditions of Article VIII or otherwise to comply with this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall AAO, Merger Sub or the Company be obligated to bear (and without the consent of AAO the Company shall not agree to bear) any expense or pay any fee or grant any concession, which in the aggregate exceeds $500,000, in connection with obtaining any consents, authorizations or approvals pursuant to the terms of any Contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise in connection with the consummation of the Transactions.

 

SECTION 7.15 Notice of Certain Events. party shall promptly notify the other party of:

 

(a) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements might give rise to any Action by or on behalf of such Person or result in the creation of any Lien on any Company capital tock, any share capital or capital stock of AAO or any of the Company’s or AAO’s assets;

 

(b) any notice or other communication from any Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(c) any Actions commenced or, to such party’s knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(d) the occurrence of any fact or circumstance which constitutes or results, or might reasonably be expected to constitute or result, in a Material Adverse Change; and

 

(e) the occurrence of any fact or circumstance which results, or might reasonably be expected to result, in any representation or warranty made hereunder by such party to be false or misleading in any material respect or to omit or fail to state a material fact.

 

 
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SECTION 7.16 Extension Proposal. AAO may, in its discretion, (a) use its commercially reasonable efforts to convene and hold a meeting of the stockholders of AAO to approve the AAO Extension Proposal no later than September 19, 2022, (b) recommend to its stockholders, through the AAO Board, and solicit the approval of, the AAO Extension Proposal, and, once such recommendation is made, AAO shall not withdraw such recommendation and (c) use its commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the amount of redemptions in connection with the AAO Extension Redemption.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

 

SECTION 8.1 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of the Company, AAO and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

(a) AAO Stockholders’ Approval. The AAO Proposals shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of the stockholders of AAO in accordance with the Proxy Statement, the DGCL, the AAO Organizational Documents and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ.

 

(b) Company Requisite Approval. The Company Requisite Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(c) No Order. No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, executive order or award which is then in effect and has the effect of making the Transactions, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

(d) No Litigation. There shall not be pending any Action by any Governmental Entity in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking to prohibit the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or that would otherwise cause an AAO Material Adverse Effect or a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) Antitrust Approvals and Waiting Periods. All required filings under the HSR Act shall have been completed and any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Transactions under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated, and any pre-Closing approvals or clearances reasonably required thereunder shall have been obtained.

 

(f) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings for purposes of suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been initiated or be threatened by the SEC.

 

(g) Stock Exchange Listing. The shares of AAO Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Transactions shall have been approved for listing on NASDAQ as of the Closing Date.

 

 
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(h) Ancillary Agreements. The Ancillary Agreements shall have executed and delivered by all parties thereto.

 

(i) Minimum Proceeds. The aggregate cash available to AAO at the Closing from the Trust Account (after giving effect to the redemption of any shares of AAO Class A Common Stock in connection with the AAO Proposals, but before giving effect to (i) the payment of the Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses, and (ii) the payment of the Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses), shall equal or exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000)

 

(j) Net Tangible Assets Test. Upon the Closing, AAO shall not have redeemed shares of AAO Class A Common Stock in the Offer in an amount that would cause AAO to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) under the Exchange Act).

 

(k) AAO Extension Proposal. The AAO Extension Proposal, if any, shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of the stockholders of AAO in accordance with the DGCL, the AAO Certificate of Incorporation, and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ.

 

(l) Fairness Opinion. AAO shall have obtained the fairness opinion required by the terms of the AAO IPO Prospectus dated March 17, 2021 (the “Prospectus”); such fairness opinion shall have been fully and properly disclosed in the Registration Statement, and shall be in full force and effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

SECTION 8.2 Conditions to the Obligations of AAO and Merger Sub. The obligations of AAO and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following additional conditions:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true, correct and complete as of the Closing Date in all material respects.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Company shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Time.

 

(c) Officer Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to AAO a certificate, dated the date of the Closing, signed by an officer of the Company, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 8.2(a), Section 8.2(b) and Section 8.2(e).

 

(d) Consents. All approvals, consents and waivers that are listed on Schedule 8.2(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedules shall have been received, and executed counterparts thereof shall have been delivered to AAO at or prior to the Closing.

 

(e) No Company Material Adverse Effect. No Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date that is continuing. No injunction or restraining order shall have been issued by any Governmental Authority, and be in effect, which restrains or prohibits any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

 
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(f) Shareholder Support Agreement. The Shareholder Support Agreement shall be in full force and effect, and no signatory to the Shareholder Support Agreement shall have attempted to repudiate or disclaim any of its or his obligations thereunder.

 

(g) Company Convertible Securities. AAO shall have received evidence acceptable to AAO that the Company shall have converted, terminated, extinguished and cancelled in full the Company Convertible Debt and the Company Warrants, and any other securities convertible into Company Common Stock.

 

(h) Employment Agreements. AAO shall have received employment agreements, in each case effective as of the Closing, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company and AAO, between each of the persons set forth on Schedule 7.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each such employment agreement duly executed by the parties thereto.

 

SECTION 8.3 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to Closing of the following additional conditions:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties of AAO and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement shall be true, correct and complete as of the Closing Date in all material respects.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. AAO and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Time.

 

(c) Officer Certificate. AAO shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the date of the Closing, signed by the President of AAO, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 8.3(a), Section 8.3(b) and Section 8.3(d).

 

(d) Material Adverse Effect. No AAO Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date that is continuing.

 

SECTION 8.4 Frustration of Conditions. None of the Parties may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article VIII to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s breach of a covenant or agreement contained herein.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

 

SECTION 9.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger and the other Transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions by the Shareholders or AAO, as follows:

 

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

 

 
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(b) by either AAO or the Company if the Effective Time shall not have occurred prior to November 30, 2022 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that this Agreement may not be terminated under this Section 9.1(b) by or on behalf of any Party that either directly or indirectly through its Affiliates is in breach or violation of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation contained herein and such breach or violation is the principal cause of the failure of a condition set forth in Article VIII on or prior to the Outside Date;

 

(c) by AAO if the Effective Time shall not have occurred prior to the Outside Date, and AAO has not received stockholder approval of AAO Extension Proposal by such time.

 

(d) by either AAO or the Company if any Governmental Authority in the United States shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any permanent injunction, order, decree or ruling which has become final and nonappealable and has the effect of making consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Transactions or the Merger;

 

(e) by AAO upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Company shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Sections 8.2(a) or 8.2(b), as applicable, would not be satisfied (“Terminating Company Breach”); provided, however, that AAO and Merger Sub are not then in material breach of their representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in this Agreement; and provided further, that if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by the Company, AAO may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(e) for so long as the Company continues to exercise its reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within the earlier of (i) 10 Business Days after notice of such breach is provided by AAO to the Company and (ii) the Outside Date;

 

(f) by the Company upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of AAO or Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of AAO or Merger Sub shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Sections 8.3(a) or 8.3(b), as applicable, would not be satisfied (“Terminating AAO Breach”); provided, however, that the Company has not waived such Terminating AAO Breach and the Company is not then in material breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in this Agreement; and provided further, that, if such Terminating AAO Breach is curable by AAO and Merger Sub, the Company may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(f) for so long as AAO and Merger Sub continue to exercise their reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within the earlier of (i) 10 Business Days after notice of such breach is provided by the Company to AAO and (ii) the Outside Date;

 

 
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(g) by AAO if there is a Company Material Adverse Effect;

 

(h) by AAO if the Company has failed to deliver the PCAOB Audited Financial Statements on or before the PCAOB Audit Deadline;

 

(i) by either AAO or the Company if any of the AAO Proposals shall fail to receive the requisite vote for approval at the Special Meeting;

 

(j) by written notice from AAO if the Company Requisite Approval is not obtained within three Business Days after the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective;

 

(k) by AAO within five business days after receiving notice that the fairness opinion described in Section 8.1(l) and delivered to AAO does not meet the terms of the Prospectus; or

 

(l) by AAO on September 21, 2022, if the AAO Proposals have not been approved as of such date and AAO elects not to pursue the Extension Proposal.

 

SECTION 9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no liability under this Agreement on the part of any Party, except as set forth in this Section 9.2, Article X, and any corresponding definitions set forth in Article I, or in the case of termination subsequent to a Willful Breach of this Agreement by a Party. The provisions of Section 6.3 (Claims Against Trust Account), Section 7.2 (Access to Information; Confidentiality; Publicity), this Section 9.2 (Effect of Termination) and Article XI (General Provisions) (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”) and the Confidentiality Agreement, and any other Section or Article of this Agreement referenced in the Surviving Provisions which is required to survive in order to give appropriate effect to the Surviving Provisions, shall in each case survive any termination of this Agreement

 

SECTION 9.3 Expenses. Except for the Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses and the Outstanding AAO Transaction Expenses paid at the Closing, and the expenses paid by the Parties as contemplated in Section 7.10(g), all expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the Party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger or any other Transactions are consummated.

 

SECTION 9.4 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended in writing by the Parties hereto at any time prior to the Effective Time. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Parties hereto.

 

SECTION 9.5 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, (a) AAO may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of the Company, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein or in any document delivered by the Company pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any agreement of the Company or any condition to its own obligations contained herein, and (b) the Company may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of AAO or Merger Sub, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of AAO or Merger Sub contained herein or in any document delivered by AAO and/or Merger Sub pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any agreement of AAO or Merger Sub or any condition to its own obligations contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the Party or Parties to be bound thereby.

 

 
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ARTICLE X

 

NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

SECTION 10.1 Non-Survival. All representations and warranties of AAO, Merger Sub and the Company contained in this Agreement shall terminate as of the Closing, and no such representation or warranty shall survive the Closing.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 11.1 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by email or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11.1):

 

if to AAO or Merger Sub, prior to the Closing:

 

12115 Visionary Way

Fishers, Indiana 46038

Attention: Mark C. Jensen, CEO

Email:

 

with a copy to:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10154

Attention: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.

E-mail: mnussbaum@loeb.com

 

if to the Company:

 

Royalty Management Corporation

8500 E. 116 Street, #264

Fishers, IN 46038

Attention: Thomas Sauve, CEO

Email: tms@royaltymgmtcorp.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Clifford J. Hunt, Esq.

8200 Seminole Blvd.

Seminole, FL 33772

Attention: Clifford J. Hunt, Esq.

Email: CJH@huntlawgrp.com

 

 
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SECTION 11.2 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the Transactions be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

SECTION 11.3 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede, except as set forth in Section 7.2(b), all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the Parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except for the Confidentiality Agreement. This Agreement shall not be assigned (whether pursuant to a merger, by operation of law or otherwise) by any Party without the prior express written consent of the other Parties hereto.

 

SECTION 11.4 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, other than Section 7.5 (which is intended to be for the benefit of the Persons covered thereby and may be enforced by such Persons).

 

SECTION 11.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflict of law rule or principle that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of Delaware. All Actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether in contract, tort or otherwise and whether seeking monetary or equitable relief) shall be heard and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, the Delaware Supreme Court or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), and any appellate court from any thereof. The Parties hereto hereby (a) irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for themselves and with respect to their respective properties for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party, and (b) agree not to commence any Action relating thereto except in the courts described above in Delaware, other than Actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Delaware as described herein. Each of the Parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the Parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Transactions, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Delaware as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the Action in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such Action is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

 
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SECTION 11.6 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions. Each of the Parties hereto (a) certifies that no Representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce that foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the Transactions, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 11.7.

 

SECTION 11.7 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 11.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or portable document format (.pdf) transmission) in counterparts, and by the different Parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

SECTION 11.9 Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof, and, accordingly, that the Parties shall, prior to a valid termination of this Agreement, be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof (including the Parties’ obligation to consummate the Merger) in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, the Delaware Supreme Court or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), and any appellate court from any thereof, without proof of actual damages or otherwise, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity as expressly permitted in this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any Law to post security or a bond as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

 

 
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SECTION 11.10 Legal Representation. (a) The Parties agree that, notwithstanding the fact that Loeb & Loeb LLP may have, prior to Closing, jointly represented AAO and/or Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and has also represented AAO and/or its Affiliates in connection with matters other than the transaction that is the subject of this Agreement, Loeb & Loeb LLP will be permitted in the future, after Closing, to represent Sponsor or its Affiliates in connection with matters in which such Persons are adverse to AAO or any of its Affiliates, including any disputes arising out of, or related to, this Agreement. The Company, who is or has the right to be represented by independent counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, hereby agree, in advance, to waive (and to cause their Affiliates to waive) any actual or potential conflict of interest that may hereafter arise in connection with Loeb & Loeb LLP’s future representation of one or more of Sponsor or their respective Affiliates in which the interests of such Person are adverse to the interests of AAO, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates, including any matters that arise out of this Agreement or that are substantially related to this Agreement or to any prior representation by Loeb & Loeb LLP of AAO, Merger Sub, or any of their respective Affiliates. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, for the purposes of the attorney-client privilege, Sponsor and AAO shall be deemed the clients of Loeb & Loeb LLP with respect to the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents. All such communications shall remain privileged after the Closing and the privilege and the expectation of client confidence relating thereto shall belong solely to Sponsor and AAO, shall be controlled by Sponsor and AAO and shall not pass to or be claimed by AAO post-Closing; provided, further, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by AAO or any of its Affiliates (including, after the Effective Time) of any applicable privileges or protections that can or may be asserted to prevent disclosure of any such communications to any third party.

 

(b) Each Party warrants and represents that (i) it is a sophisticated party represented at all relevant times during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement by counsel of its choice, and that it has executed this Agreement with the consent and on the advice of such independent legal counsel; (ii) it and its counsel have determined through independent investigation and robust, arm’s-length negotiation that the terms of this Agreement shall exclusively embody and govern the subject matter of this Agreement; (iii) it has investigated the facts pertinent to this Agreement as it deemed necessary; (iv) no other Person or Party, nor any agent or attorney of a Party, made any promise, representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, not contained in this Agreement concerning the subject matter of this Agreement to induce it to execute this Agreement; (v) it has not executed this Agreement in reliance on any promise, representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, not contained in this Agreement concerning the subject matter of this Agreement; and (vi) it has not executed this Agreement in reliance on any promise, representation or warranty not contained herein. The Parties included this paragraph to preclude any claim that any Party was fraudulently induced to execute this Agreement and to preclude the introduction of parol evidence to vary, interpret, supplement or contradict the terms of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 
80

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

AMERICAN ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Name:

 Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Title:

 CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty MERGER SUB, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Name:

Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Title:

 CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty Management CoRPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Sauve

 

 

Name:

Thomas Sauve

 

 

Title:

 CEO

 

 

 
80

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Shareholders and Merger Consideration

 

Royalty Management Corporation

Capitalization Table

 

 

 

Percent of

Number of AAO

Shareholder

Shares

Fully Diluted

Shares Rec’d

White River Holdings LLC

1,814,000

25.792%

2,862,897

First Frontier Capital LLC

1,448,000

20.588%

2,285,267

Liberty Hill Capital Management LLC

963,000

13.692%

1,519,829

Homewood Holdings LLC

700,000

9.953%

1,104,757

Tarlis R. Thompson

150,000

2.133%

236,734

Gregory Q. Jensen

100,000

1.422%

157,822

T Squared Partners LP

400,000

5.687%

631,289

Michael G. Layman

250,000

3.555%

394,556

ENCECo, Inc.

300,000

4.265%

473,467

Cindy Wolt

58,750

0.835%

92,721

Peter B. Rodriguez

10,000

0.142%

15,782

Jeffrey R. Peterson

50,000

0.711%

78,911

Subtotal: Total Shares O/S

6,243,750

88.775%

9,854,032

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Upon

Percent of

Number of AAO

Convertible Debt Holder (as of 7/1/2022)

Conversion

Fully Diluted

Shares Rec’d

T Squared Partners LP

49,425

0.703%

78,004

Wabash Enterprises LLC

8,029

0.114%

12,672

LF Athens Capital, LLC - Series RM

78,786

1.120%

124,342

LF Athens Capital, LLC - Series RM (1)

539,231

7.667%

851,027

First Frontier Capital LLC

1,602

0.023%

2,528

White River Holdings LLC

1,602

0.023%

2,528

Subtotal: Total Shares From Convert.

678,675

9.650%

1,071,101

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Upon

Percent of

Number of AAO

Warrant Holder (cashless exercise equivalent)

Conversion

Fully Diluted

Shares Rec’d

T Squared Partners LP

5,219

0.074%

8,237

Westside Advisors LLC

34,787

0.495%

54,902

Wabash Enterprises LLC

870

0.012%

1,373

LF Athens Capital, LLC - Series RM

8,611

0.122%

13,590

LF Athens Capital, LLC - Series RM (1)

60,964

0.867%

96,215

First Frontier Capital LLC

174

0.002%

275

White River Holdings LLC

174

0.002%

275

Subtotal: Total Shares From Warrants

110,799

1.575%

174,867

Total Fully-Diluted Shares O/S

7,033,224

100.000%

11,100,000

 

(1) Represents total potential additional shares issuable under remaining financing amount

 

 

 

 

LISTOF EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT A

Shareholders and Merger Consideration

EXHIBIT B

Form of Amended Charter

EXHIBIT C

Form of Amended Bylaws

EXHIBIT D

Form of Surviving Corporation Articles of Incorporation

EXHIBIT E

Form of Surviving Corporation Bylaws

  

 
I

 

 EXHIBIT 10.1

SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT

 

This SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT, dated as of June 28, 2022 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among the stockholder(s) listed on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Stockholder”), Royalty Management Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), and American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, Buyer and the Company are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”) which provides, among other things, that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, (a) Buyer will form Royalty Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation, as its wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and (b) Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer;

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Stockholder owns the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, of Buyer set forth on Exhibit A (all such shares, and/or any successor shares of Buyer of which ownership of record or the power to vote is hereafter acquired by the Stockholder prior to the termination of this Agreement being referred to herein as the “Shares”); and

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement, each Stockholder is executing and delivering this Agreement to the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Agreement to Vote. During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier to occur of (a) the Effective Time, and (b) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with Section 9.1 thereof (the “Expiration Time”), each Stockholder, with respect to its Shares, hereby irrevocably agrees to (1) appear at any meeting of the stockholders of Buyer (a “Buyer Stockholders’ Meeting”) in person or proxy or otherwise cause the Shares to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum, and (2) vote, or cause to be voted or consented at a Buyer Stockholders’ Meeting, or in any action by written consent of the stockholders, all of the Shares owned as of the record date for such meeting (a) in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) in favor of any other matter reasonably necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and considered and voted upon at any Buyer Stockholders’ Meeting, (c) in favor of the approval of all other AAO Proposals (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (d) against the approval of any merger, purchase of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or other business combination transaction (other than the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby), or against any proposal, action or agreement that would (i) impede, frustrate, prevent or nullify any provision of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Merger, (ii) result in a breach in any respect of any covenant, representation, warranty or any other obligation or agreement of Buyer or Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement, or (iii) result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VIII of the Merger Agreement not being fulfilled, and (e) against any amendment of the organizational documents of Buyer or any change in Buyer’s capitalization, corporate structure or business other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Each Stockholder acknowledges receipt and review of a copy of the Merger Agreement. The obligations of each Stockholder specified in this Section 1 shall apply whether or not the Merger or any action described above is recommended by Buyer’s Board of Directors.

 

 
1

 

 

Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably agrees that it shall not commit or agree to take any action inconsistent with the foregoing.

 

2. Redemptions Rights; Waiver Conversion Ratios. Each Stockholder irrevocably agrees that it will (i) not exercise its right to redeem all or a portion of such Stockholder’s Shares (in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or otherwise) as set forth in the organizational documents of Buyer and (ii) waive any adjustment to the conversion ratio set forth in Buyer’s organizational documents.

 

3. Transfer of Shares. Until the Expiration Time, each Stockholder irrevocably agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), allow the creation of a lien, pledge, distribute, dispose of or otherwise encumber any of the Shares, either voluntarily or involuntarily (collectively, “Transfer”), or otherwise agree or offer to do any of the foregoing, (b) deposit any Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto that is inconsistent with this Agreement, (c) enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect acquisition or sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law) or other disposition of any Shares, (d) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to any Shares, (e) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Share, (f) take any action that would have the effect of preventing or disabling Stockholder from performing its obligations hereunder or (g) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in this Section 3; provided, that, Transfers by Stockholder are permitted to an Affiliate or to a direct or indirect owner of equity or other interest in such Stockholder (a “Permitted Transfer”); provided, further, that any Permitted Transfer shall be permitted only if, as a precondition to such Transfer, the transferee also agrees in a writing, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, to assume all of the obligations of the Stockholder under, and be bound by all of the terms of, this Agreement; provided, further, that any Transfer permitted under this Section 3 shall not relieve the Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement. Any Transfer in violation of this Section 3 with respect to the Stockholder’s Shares shall be null and void.

 

4. Representations and Warranties. Each Stockholder, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants for and on behalf of itself to the Company as follows:

 

(a) The execution, delivery and performance by Stockholder of this Agreement and the consummation by Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any Law applicable to Stockholder, (ii) require any consent, approval or authorization of, declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, any person or entity, (iii) result in the creation of any Lien on any Shares (other than pursuant to this Agreement or transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws or the organization documents of Stockholder), or (iv) conflict with or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any provision of Stockholder’s organizational documents.

 

(b) Stockholder is the only record and a beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of and has good, valid and marketable title to the Shares free and clear of any Lien (other than (i) pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) transfer restrictions under applicable securities Laws) and has the sole power (as currently in effect) to vote the Shares and has not entered into any voting agreement or voting trust with respect to any of the Shares that is inconsistent with the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Stockholder has the full right, power and authority to sell, transfer and deliver such Shares, and Stockholder does not own, directly or indirectly, any other Shares, other than Buyer warrants held by Stockholder (if any).

 

 
2

 

 

(c) Stockholder is a natural person or a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent such concept is applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has the power, authority and capacity to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, has not entered into any agreement or undertaking that would interfere with, or prohibit or prevent it from satisfying, its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Stockholder. This Agreement, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company and Buyer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Stockholder in accordance with its terms (except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditor’s rights and to general equitable principles).

 

(d) As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, proceeding or, to the Stockholder’s knowledge, investigation pending against the Stockholder or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against the Stockholder that questions the beneficial or record ownership of the Stockholder’s Shares, the validity of this Agreement or the performance by the Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(e) Stockholder understands and acknowledges that the Company is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Stockholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

(f) No investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission for which Buyer, Merger Sub or the Company is or will be liable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, on behalf of the Stockholder.

 

5. New Shares. In the event that, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending at the Expiration Time, (a) any Shares are issued to Stockholder after the date of this Agreement pursuant to any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of Shares or otherwise, (b) a Stockholder purchases or otherwise acquires beneficial ownership of any Shares, or (c) a Stockholder acquires the right to vote or share in the voting of any Shares (collectively the “New Securities”), then such New Securities acquired or purchased by such Stockholder shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Shares owned by such Stockholder as of the date hereof.

 

6. No Challenges. Each Stockholder agrees not to commence, join in, facilitate, assist or encourage, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any claim, derivative or otherwise, against Buyer, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective successors or directors (a) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or (b) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of any person in connection with the evaluation, negotiation or entry into the Merger Agreement.

 

7. Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of Stockholder under this Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earliest of: (a) the Effective Time; (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms; and (c) the mutual agreement of the Company and Buyer. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, such termination or expiration shall not relieve any party from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement occurring prior to its termination.

 

8. Miscellaneous.

 

 
3

 

 

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Merger Agreement or any other transaction document, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated.

 

(b) All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by telecopy or e-mail or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8(b)):

 

If to Stockholder:

 

To such Stockholder’s address set forth in Exhibit A.

 

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Loeb & Loeb

345 Park Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10154

Attention: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.

E-mail: mnussbaum@loeb.com

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Royalty Management Corporation

8500 E. 116 Street, #264

Fishers, IN 46038

Attention: Thomas Sauve, CEO

Email: tms@royaltymgmtcorp.com

 

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

 

Clifford J. Hunt, Esq.

8200 Seminole Blvd.

Seminole, FL 33772

Attention: Clifford J. Hunt, Esq.

Email: CJH@huntlawgrp.com

 

If to Buyer, to:

 

12115 Visionary Way

Fishers, Indiana 46038

Attention: Mark C. Jensen, CEO

Email: mcj@americanresourcescorp.com

 

 
4

 

 

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

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10154

Attention:  Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.

Email: mnussbaum@loeb.com

 

(c) If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

(d) This Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall not be assigned (whether pursuant to a merger, by operation of law or otherwise).

 

(e) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in that State without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction. All actions, suits or proceedings (collectively, “Action”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any federal or state court having jurisdiction within the State of New York. The parties hereto hereby (i) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of federal or state courts within the State of New York for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, and (ii) irrevocably waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named courts.

 

(g) The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof, and accordingly, that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court within the State of New York without proof of actual damages or otherwise, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity as expressly permitted in this Agreement. Each of the parties further waives (i) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement to post security or a bond as prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

 

(h) This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or portable document format (pdf) transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

 
5

 

 

(i) Each Stockholder shall execute and deliver, or cause to be delivered, such additional documents, and take, or cause to be taken, all such further actions and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary (including under applicable Laws), or reasonably requested by Buyer or the Company, to effect the actions and consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement (including the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby), in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein and herein, as applicable.

 

(j) This Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by Buyer, the Company and each Stockholder.

 

(k) This Agreement shall not be effective or binding upon Stockholder until such time as the Merger Agreement is executed by each of the parties thereto.

 

(l) If, and as often as, there are any changes in Buyer by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means, equitable adjustment shall be made to the provisions of this Agreement as may be required so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to Stockholder and the Shares as so changed.

 

(m) Each of the parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce that foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Paragraph (m).

 

(n) Each Stockholder hereby authorizes Buyer and the Company to publish and disclose in any disclosure required by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission the Stockholder’s identity and beneficial ownership of the Shares and the nature of the Stockholder’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

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6

 

 

SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE

 

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

 

 

STOCKHOLDER:

 

AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY VENTURES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: AMERICAN RESOURCES CORP., Managing  Member
       

 

By: 

/s/ Mark C. Jensen

 

 

 

Name: Mark C. Jensen

 

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPANY:

 

 

 

 

 

ROYALTY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Sauve

 

 

Name:

Thomas Sauve

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUYER:

 

 

 

 

 

American Acquisition Opportunity Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Name:

Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 
7

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Stockholders

 

Stockholder

Number of Shares

Address for Notices

AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY VENTURES LLC

2,875,000

12115 Visionary Way, Fishers, Indiana 46038

Total

2,875,000

 

 

 
8

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

COMPANY SHAREHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT

 

This COMPANY SHAREHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT, dated as of June 28, 2022 (this “Support Agreement”), is entered into by and among the shareholders listed on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Shareholder” and collectively, the “Shareholders”), Royalty Management Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company), and American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AAO”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Support Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, AAO and the Company are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”) which provides, among other things, that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, (a) AAO will form Royalty Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation, as its wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and (b) Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as the surviving corporation;

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Shareholder owns the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01, set forth after its name on Exhibit A (all such shares, or any successor or additional shares of the Company of which ownership of record or the power to vote is hereafter acquired by each Shareholder prior to the termination of this Support Agreement being referred to herein as the “Shares”); and

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce AAO to enter into the Merger Agreement, each Shareholder is executing and delivering this Support Agreement to AAO.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Voting Agreements. During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier to occur of (a) the Effective Time, and (b) such date and time as the Merger Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with its terms (whichever earlier, the “Expiration Time”), each Shareholder, in its capacity as a shareholder of the Company, irrevocably agrees that, at any meeting of the Company’s shareholders related to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (whether annual or special, and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting, however called and including any adjournment or postponement thereof) (the “Transactions”) and/or in connection with any written consent of the Company’s shareholders related to the Transactions (all meetings or consents related to the Merger Agreement, collectively referred to herein as the “Meeting”), such Shareholder shall:

 

 
1

 

 

 

a.

when the Meeting is held, appear at the Meeting or otherwise cause its Shares to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum;

 

 

 

 

b.

vote (or execute and return an action by written consent), or cause to be voted at the Meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), all of its Shares in favor of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby;

 

 

 

 

c.

authorize and approve any amendment to the Company’s Organizational Documents that is deemed necessary or advisable by the Company for purposes of effecting the Transactions; and

 

 

 

 

d.

vote (or execute and return an action by written consent), or cause to be voted at the Meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), all of its Shares against any other action that would reasonably be expected to (x) impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the Merger or any of the Transactions, (y) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Company under the Merger Agreement or (z) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of such Shareholder contained in this Support Agreement.

 

2. Restrictions on Transfer. Until the Expiration Time, each Shareholder agrees that it shall not sell, assign or otherwise transfer any of its Shares unless the buyer, assignee or transferee thereof executes a joinder agreement to this Support Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to AAO. The Company shall not register any sale, assignment or transfer of any Shares on the Company’s stock ledger (book entry or otherwise) that is not in compliance with this Section 2.

 

3. New Securities. During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the Expiration Time, in the event that, (a) any Company Common Stock or other equity securities of Company are issued to any Shareholder after the date of this Support Agreement pursuant to any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of Company securities owned by such Shareholder, (b) any Shareholder purchases or otherwise acquires beneficial ownership of any Company Common Stock or other equity securities of Company after the date of this Support Agreement, or (c) any Shareholder acquires the right to vote or share in the voting of any Company Common Stock or other equity securities of Company after the date of this Support Agreement (such Company Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, collectively the “New Securities”), then such New Securities acquired or purchased by each such Shareholder shall be subject to the terms of this Support Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted Shares as of the date hereof.

 

4. No Challenge. Each Shareholder agrees not to commence, join in, facilitate, assist or encourage, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any claim, derivative or otherwise, against AAO, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective successors or directors (a) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Support Agreement or the Merger Agreement or (b) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of any person in connection with the evaluation, negotiation or entry into the Merger Agreement.

 

 
2

 

 

5. Waiver. Each Shareholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) waives any rights of appraisal, dissenter’s rights and any similar rights relating to the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the parties of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, that such Shareholder may have under applicable law, and (ii) waives its right to any payments upon liquidation of the Company that may be provided for in the Company’s Organizational Documents.

 

6. Consent to Disclosure. Each Shareholder hereby consents to the publication and disclosure in the Form S-4 or Form F-4 (as applicable) and the Proxy Statement (and, as and to the extent otherwise required by applicable securities Laws or the SEC or any other securities authorities, any other documents or communications provided by any AAO Party or the Company to any Governmental Authority or to securityholders of any AAO Party) of such Shareholder’s identity and beneficial ownership of Shares and the nature of such Shareholder’s commitments, arrangements and understandings under and relating to this Support Agreement and, if deemed appropriate by AAO or the Company, a copy of this Support Agreement. Each Shareholder will promptly provide any information reasonably requested by AAO or the Company for any regulatory application or filing made or approval sought in connection with the Transactions (including filings with the SEC).

 

7. Shareholder Representations: Each Shareholder represents and warrants to AAO and the Company, as of the date hereof, that:

 

 

a.

such Shareholder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Support Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within such Shareholder’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational actions on the part of such Shareholder;

 

 

 

 

b.

this Support Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Shareholder and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Support Agreement, this Support Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of such Shareholder, enforceable against such Shareholder in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies);

 

 

 

 

c.

the execution and delivery of this Support Agreement by such Shareholder does not, and the performance by such Shareholder of its obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of such Shareholder, or (ii) require any consent or approval from any third party that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any third party, in each case, to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by such Shareholder of its obligations under this Support Agreement;

 
3

 

 

 

d.

there are no Proceedings pending against such Shareholder or, to the knowledge of such Shareholder, threatened against such Shareholder, before (or, in the case of threatened Proceedings, that would be before) any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by such Shareholder of its obligations under this Support Agreement;

 

 

 

 

e.

no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with this Support Agreement or any of the respective transactions contemplated hereby, based upon arrangements made by such Shareholder or, to the knowledge of such Shareholder, by the Company;

 

 

 

 

f.

such Shareholder has not entered into, and shall not enter into, any agreement that would prevent it from performing any of its obligations under this Support Agreement;

 

 

 

 

g.

such Shareholder has good title to its Shares, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens, and such Shareholder has the sole power to vote or cause to be voted its Shares; and

 

 

 

 

h.

the Shares listed opposite such Shareholder’s name on Exhibit A are the only shares of the Company’s outstanding capital stock owned of record or beneficially owned by such Shareholder as of the date hereof, and none of its Shares are subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of Shares that is inconsistent with such Shareholder’s obligations pursuant to this Support Agreement.

 

8. Damages; Remedies. Each Shareholder hereby agrees and acknowledges that (a) AAO and the Company would be irreparably injured in the event of a breach by such Shareholder of its obligations under this Support Agreement, (b) monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for such breach and (c) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach.

 

9. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Support Agreement and the other agreements referenced herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Support Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

10. Assignment. No party hereto may, except as set forth herein, assign either this Support Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Support Agreement shall be binding on each Shareholder, AAO and the Company and each of their respective successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns and permitted transferees.

 

 
4

 

 

11. Counterparts. This Support Agreement may be executed in any number of original, electronic or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

12. Severability. This Support Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Support Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Support Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

13. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver. Sections 11.8 through 11.10 of the Merger Agreement is incorporated by reference herein to apply with full force to any disputes arising under this Support Agreement.

 

14. Notice. Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Support Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent or given in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 of the Merger Agreement to the applicable party, with respect to the Company and AAO, at the address set forth in Section 11.1 of the Merger Agreement, and, with respect to each Shareholder, at its address set forth on Exhibit A.

 

15. Termination. This Support Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of the Closing or the termination of the Merger Agreement. No such termination shall relieve any Shareholder, AAO or the Company from any liability resulting from a breach of this Support Agreement occurring prior to such termination.

 

16. Adjustment for Stock Split. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Shares by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means, equitable adjustment shall be made to the provisions of this Support Agreement as may be required so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to each Shareholder, AAO and the Company and the Shareholder Shares as so changed.

 

17. Further Actions. Each of the parties hereto agrees to execute and deliver hereafter any further document, agreement or instrument of assignment, transfer or conveyance as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes hereof and as may be reasonably requested in writing by another party hereto.

 

18. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof, and accordingly, that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court within the State of New York without proof of actual damages or otherwise, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity as expressly permitted in this Agreement. Each of the parties further waives (i) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement to post security or a bond as prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

 

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5

 

 

SHAREHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE

 

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

 

 

ROYALTY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Sauve

 

 

Name:

Thomas Sauve

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Name:

Mark C. Jensen

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 
6

 

 

SHAREHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE

 

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

 

  WHITE RIVER HOLDINGS LLC
       
By:

 

Name:

Mark C. Jensen   
  Title: Managing Member  

      

  FIRST FRONTIER CAPITAL LLC
       
By:

 

Name:

Thomas M Sauve   
  Title: Managing Member  

     

  HOMEWOOD HOLDINGS LLC
       
By:

 

Name:

Mark J. LaVerghetta    
  Title: Managing Member  

      

 
7

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Shareholders

 

Shareholder

Number of Shares

Address for Notices

White River Holdings LLC

 

1,814,000

 

c/o Mark C. Jensen

12505 Kelly Place

Fishers, IN 46038

First Frontier Capital LLC

 

1,448,000

 

c/o Thomas M Sauve

16459 E. 186 Street

Noblesville, IN 46038

Homewood Holdings LLC

 

700,000

 

c/o Mark J. LaVerghetta

12206 Greenspring Avenue

Owings Mills, MD, 21117

 

 
8

 

EXHIBIT 10.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of this [*] day of [*], 2022, is made and entered into by and among, (i) Royalty Management Corporation, a Delaware corporation formerly known as American Acquisition Opportunity Inc. (the “Company”), (ii) the equityholders designated as Sponsor Equityholders on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Sponsor Equityholders”); and (iii) the equity holders of Royalty Management Operating Corporation, an Indiana corporation formerly known as Royalty Management Corporation, designated as RMC Legacy Equityholders on Schedule A hereto (the “RMC Legacy Equityholders” and, together with the Sponsor Equityholders and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and each individually a “Holder”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor Equityholders are parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2021 (the “Prior Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company, Royalty Merger Sub Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Royalty Management Operating Corporation, an Indiana corporation formerly known as Royalty Management Corporation (“RMC”), are party to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 2022 (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, on the date hereof, Merger Sub merged (the “Merger”) with and into RMC, with RMC surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Legacy RMC Equityholders are receiving shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on or about the date hereof, pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Merger Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, the Founder Shares held prior to the Merger by each of the Sponsor Equityholders have been converted into the same number of shares of Common Stock on or about the date hereof;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the parties to the Prior Agreement desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein, and all of the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities and each Lock-Up Party will agree to a Lock-Up on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Prior Agreement, no amendment, modification or termination of the Prior Agreement shall be binding upon any party unless executed in writing by such party;

 

WHEREAS, all of the parties to the Prior Agreement desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Closing; and

 

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms in these Recitals that are not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

 
1

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

Block Trade” shall mean an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction.

 

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Change in Control” shall mean any transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, stock purchase, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons of the Company’s voting securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of outstanding voting securities of the Company (or surviving entity) or would otherwise have the power to control the Board or to direct the operations of the Company.

 

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Founder Shares” shall mean the 2,875,000 Class B Common Shares of the Company issued to its initial shareholders prior to the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble, for so long as such person or entity holds any Registrable Securities.

 

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period under this Agreement and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company, and to any transferee thereafter.

 

Private Placement Warrants” shall mean the 3,901,201 Private Placement Warrants issued by the Company that were privately purchased simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

 
2

 

 

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Merger Shares, (b) the Founder Shares and the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Founder Shares, (c) the Private Placement Warrants and the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, (d) the Working Capital Warrants and any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Warrants and (e) any outstanding share of the Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, and (f) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest occur of: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred (other than to a Permitted Transferee), new certificates for such securities not bearing (or book entry positions not subject to) a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

 

Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement, Prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

 

(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

 

(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

 

(F) in an Underwritten Offering, reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders (not to exceed $50,000 without the prior written consent of the Company).

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Shelf” shall mean the Form S-1 Shelf, the Form S-3 Shelf or any subsequent Shelf Registration.

 

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).

 

 
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Sponsor” shall mean American Opportunity Ventures LLC.

 

Transfer” shall mean the (a) the sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b).

 

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

 

Working Capital Warrants” shall mean any warrants issued in payment for working capital loans from the Sponsor to the Company.

 

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1 Shelf Registration.

 

2.1.1 Filing. The Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the Closing Date, use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf”) covering, subject to Section 3.4, the public resale of all of the Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing) on a delayed or continuous basis and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Form S-1 Shelf to be declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) the ninetieth (90th) calendar day (or as soon as reasonably practicable if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement) following the Closing Date and (ii) the 10th business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Such Form S-1 Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. The Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Following the filing of a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf,” and with the Form S-1 Shelf, each, a “Shelf”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. As soon as reasonably practicable following the effective date of a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1.1, the Company shall notify the Holders of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.1 shall, for the avoidance of doubt be subject to Section 3.4 hereto. As to the RMC Legacy Shareholders only, this Section 2.1.1 is subject to the Lock-Up provisions of Article IV hereof

 

 
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2.1.2 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.2 shall, for the avoidance of doubt be subject to Section 3.4 hereto.

 

2.1.3 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. At any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, a majority-in interest of the Sponsor Equityholders or a majority-in-interest of the RMC Legacy Equityholders (any such Equityholder being, in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Offering if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder(s), either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Offering. Subject to Section 2.3.4, the Company shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the initial Demanding Holder’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Legacy RMC Equityholders, on the one hand, and the Sponsor Equityholders, on the other hand, may each demand not more than three (3) Underwritten Offerings pursuant to this Section 2.1.3 in any 12-month period; and notwithstanding the provisions set forth herein, the right to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under this Section 2.1.3 with respect to the Registrable Securities held by Kingswood may only be exercised one (1) time and shall terminate on the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement (file no. 333-252751). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering.

 

2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and Holders requesting piggyback rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Requesting Holders”) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

 
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2.1.5 Withdrawal. Prior to the pricing of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Underwritten Offering shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Underwritten Offering for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Offering; provided that any Legacy RMC Equityholder or Sponsor Equityholder may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Offering if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Offering by the Legacy RMC Equityholders and the Sponsor Equityholders. If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Offering shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Offering by the withdrawing Demanding Holder for purposes of Section 2.1.3, unless either (i) such Demanding Holder has not previously withdrawn any Underwritten Offering or (ii) such Demanding Holder reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Offering (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering); provided that, if a Legacy RMC Equityholder or a Sponsor Equityholder elects to continue an Underwritten Offering pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Offering shall instead count as an Underwritten Offering demanded by the Legacy RMC Equityholders or the Sponsor Equityholders, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2.1.3. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with an Underwritten Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.5, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to clause (ii) of the second sentence of this Section 2.1.5.

 

2.2 Piggyback Registration.

 

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (iv) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (v) for a dividend reinvestment plan, or (vi) for a Block Trade, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this Section 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.

 

 
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2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights of stockholders of the Company other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

(a) If the Registration or a registered offering is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or a registered offering (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1 hereof, Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested to be included in such Registration or such registered offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights of stockholders of the Company other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

 

(b) If the Registration or a registered offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or a registered offering (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1, Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested to be included in such Registration or such registered offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and

 

(c) If the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities in the priority set forth in Section 2.1.4.

 

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.5) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or abandon the Underwritten Shelf Takedown in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the launch of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.

 

 
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2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Underwritten Shelf Takedown effected under Section 2.1 hereof.

 

2.3 Block Trades.

 

2.3.1 Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder wishes to engage in a Block Trade, (x) with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed $75 million in the aggregate or (y) with respect to all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then such Demanding Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade at least five (5) business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade; provided that the Demanding Holders representing a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade.

 

2.3.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Block Trade shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.3.2.

 

2.3.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 hereof shall not apply to a Block Trade initiated by a Demanding Holder pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.3.4 The Demanding Holder in a Block Trade shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such Block Trade (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).

 

2.3.5 The Legacy RMC Equityholders, on the one hand, and the Sponsor Equityholders, on the other hand, may each demand no more than one (1) Block Trade pursuant to this Section 2.3 in any twelve (12) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.3 hereof.

 

2.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) consecutive days; or more than one hundred and twenty (120) total calendar days, in each case, during any 12-month period.

 

 
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ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

 

3.1 General Procedures. If the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall:

 

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission within the time frame required by Section 2.1.1 (to the extent applicable) a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective, until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

 

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder with Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

 

3.1.3 at least five days prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto (or such shorter period of time as may be (a) necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or (b) advisable in order to reduce the number of days that sales are suspended pursuant to Section 3.4), furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and each such Holder’s legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided, that the Company shall have no obligation to furnish any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) and provided further, the Company shall provide each Holder and their legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall consider in good faith any comments provided by such Holder or their legal counsel;

 

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

3.1.5 use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities included in any Registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise designated for trading in the same manner as similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or designated;

 

 
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3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

3.1.8 [reserved]

 

3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;

 

3.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, in each of the cases to the extent customary for a transaction of its type, permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating such Underwritten Offering, Block Trade or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriters to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Underwriters or financial institutions enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

 

3.1.11 obtain a “comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “comfort” letters for a transaction of its type as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.12 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, to the extent customary for a transaction of its type, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the broker, placement agents or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, broker, placement agents, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters;

 

3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule then in effect), and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $50,000,000, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and

 

 
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3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter, broker, sales agent or placement agent if such Underwriter, broker, sales agent or placement agent has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a registration as an Underwriter, broker, sales agent or placement agent, as applicable.

 

3.2 Registration Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that each Holder shall bear, with respect to such Holder’s Registrable Securities being sold, all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

 

3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not provide the Company with its requested Holder Information (as defined in Section 5.1.2), the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that it is necessary or advisable to include such information in the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. In addition, no person or entity may participate in any Underwritten Offering or other offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person or entity (i) agrees to sell such person’s or entity’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.

 

3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure.

 

3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

 

3.4.2 If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, or (c) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board such Registration, be seriously detrimental to the Company and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than ninety (90) consecutive days; or more than one hundred and twenty (120) total calendar days, in each case, during any 12-month period, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents. The Company shall as promptly as reasonably practicable notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.

 

 
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3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act or Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

ARTICLE IV

LOCK-UP

 

4.1 Lock-up.

 

4.1.1 Except as permitted by Section 4.2, and notwithstanding the grant of registration rights to the RMC Legacy Equityholders elsewhere in this Agreement, each RMC Legacy Equityholder (each, a “Lock-up Party”) shall not Transfer any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchanged for Common Stock beneficially owned or owned of record by such Holder (the “Lock-up”) until the date that is the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date hereof or (ii) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Lock-up Period”).

 

4.2 Exceptions. The provisions of Section 4.1 shall not apply to:

 

4.2.1 transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or warrants acquired in open market transactions;

 

4.2.2 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock as a bona fide gift or charitable contribution;

 

4.2.3 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to a trust, family limited partnership or other entity formed for estate planning purposes for the primary benefit of the spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child or grandchild of a Holder or any other person with whom a Holder has a relationship by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first cousin and Transfers to any such family member;

 

4.2.4 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock by will or intestate succession or the laws of descent and distributions upon the death of a Holder (it being understood and agreed that the appointment of one or more executors, administrators or personal representatives of the estate of a Holder shall not be deemed a Transfer hereunder to the extent that such executors, administrators and/or personal representatives comply with the terms of this Article IV on behalf of such estate);

 

4.2.5 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement;

 

 
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4.2.6 if a Holder is a corporation, partnership (whether general, limited or otherwise), limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (i) Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control or management with a Holder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where such Holder is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), or (ii) Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock as part of a dividend, distribution, transfer or other disposition of shares of Common Stock to partners, limited liability company members, direct or indirect stockholders or other equity holders of a Holder, including, for the avoidance of doubt, where such Holder is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership, fund or investment vehicle, or any other partnerships, funds or investment vehicles controlled or managed by such partnership;

 

4.2.7 if the Holder is a trust, Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to a trustor or beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust;

 

4.2.8 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to the Company’s or the Holder’s officers, directors, members, consultants or their affiliates;

 

4.2.9 pledges of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock as security or collateral in connection with any borrowing or the incurrence of any indebtedness by any Holder (provided such borrowing or incurrence of indebtedness is secured by a portfolio of assets or equity interests issued by multiple issuers);

 

4.2.10 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, asset acquisition, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation, business combination or other transaction or series of related transactions involving a Change in Control of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, asset acquisition, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation, business combination or other such transaction is not completed, the securities subject to this Agreement shall remain subject to this Agreement;

 

4.2.11 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to the Company in connection with the liquidation or dissolution of the Company by virtue of the laws of the state of the Company’s organization and the Company’s organizational documents;

 

4.2.12 the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for the Transfer of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period; and

 

4.2.13 Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, or local income tax obligations of the Lock-up Party (or its direct or indirect owners) arising from a change in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”) after the date on which the Merger Agreement was executed by the parties, and such change prevents the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368 of the Code (and the Merger does not qualify for similar tax-free treatment pursuant to any successor or other provision of the Code or Regulations taking into account such changes), in each case solely and to the extent necessary to cover any tax liability as a direct result of the transaction;

 

PROVIDED, THAT IN THE CASE OF ANY TRANSFER OR DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 4.2.2 THROUGH 4.2.8 AND 4.2.13, EACH DONEE, DISTRIBUTEE OR OTHER TRANSFEREE SHALL AGREE IN WRITING, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

 
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4.3 Null and Void. If any Transfer of shares of Common Stock prior to the end of the Lock-up Period is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such purported Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such purported transferee of the Common Stock as one of its equityholders for any purpose.

 

4.4 Legend. During the Lock-up Period, each certificate evidencing any Common Stock shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN AN AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF [•], 2022 (AS MAY BE AMENDED OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME), A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY. NO TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE MADE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH AGREEMENT.”

 

Promptly upon the expiration of the Lock-up Period, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the removal of such legend and, if determined appropriate by the Company, any restrictive legend related to compliance with the federal securities laws from the certificates evidencing the Common Stock.

 

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

5.1 Indemnification.

 

5.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents and each person or entity who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation actual, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.

 

5.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers and agents and each person or entity who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation actual, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) the Holder Information; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.

 

 
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5.1.3 Any person or entity entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s or entity’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one (1) counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault and culpability on the part of such indemnified party or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

5.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person or entity of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

 

5.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 5.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by, in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action and the benefits received by such indemnified party or indemnifying party; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 5.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 5.1.1, 5.1.2 and 5.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 5.1.5. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 5.1.5 from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1 Notices. Any notice hereunder shall be sent in writing, addressed as specified below, and shall be deemed given: (a) if by hand or recognized courier service, by 4:00PM on a business day, addressee’s day and time, on the date of delivery, and otherwise on the first business day after such delivery; (b) if by fax or email, on the date that transmission is confirmed electronically, if by 4:00PM on a business day, addressee’s day and time, and otherwise on the first business day after the date of such confirmation; or (c) five days after mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notices shall be addressed to the respective parties as follows, or to such other address as a party shall specify to the others in accordance with this Section 6.1: if to the Company, to: American Acquisition Opportunity Inc., 12115 Visionary Way, Suite 174, Fishers, Indiana 46038, Attn: [*], email [*], with a copy to Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, Attn: Mitchell Nussbaum, Esq., email: mnussbaum@loeb.com; and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records.

 

 
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6.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

6.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

 

6.2.2 Subject to Section 6.2.4 and Section 6.2.5, this Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of a Holder hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part to such Holder’s Permitted Transferees; provided that with respect to the Legacy RMC Equityholders and the Sponsor Equityholders, the rights hereunder that are personal to such Holders may not be assigned or delegated in whole or in part, except that (x) the Legacy RMC Equityholders shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as a Legacy RMC Equityholders to one or more affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of the Legacy RMC Equityholders (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of the Legacy RMC Equityholders or such transferees), and (y) the Sponsor Equityholders shall be permitted to transfer their rights hereunder as the Sponsor Equityholders to one or more of their respective affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of the Sponsor Equityholders (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of the Sponsor Equityholders or such transferees).

 

6.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

 

6.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons or entities that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 6.2 hereof.

 

6.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 6.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 6.2 shall be null and void.

 

6.3 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which shall constitute one agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon delivery to each party of an executed counterpart or the earlier delivery to each party of original, photocopied, or electronically transmitted signature pages that together (but need not individually) bear the signatures of all other parties.

 

6.4 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Any Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding or Action, (ii) waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, (iii) agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding or Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and (iv) agrees not to bring any proceeding or Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence Proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action brought pursuant to this Section 6.4.

 

6.5 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT EACH SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, IN ANY COURT IN WHICH AN ACTION MAY BE COMMENCED, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT, OR BY REASON OF ANY OTHER CAUSE OR DISPUTE WHATSOEVER BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT OF ANY KIND OR NATURE. NO PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED PUNITIVE OR OTHER EXEMPLARY DAMAGES RESPECTING ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT.

 

6.6 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

 

6.7 Other Registration Rights. Other than as provided in the warrant agreement dated as of January 6, 2021 between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company represents and warrants that no person or entity, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person or entity. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. This Agreement supersedes, and amends and restates in its entirety, the Prior Agreement.

 

6.8 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement, (ii) the date as of which all of the Registrable Securities have been sold or disposed of or (iii) with respect to any particular Holder, on the date such Holder no longer holds Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.

 

6.9 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.

 

6.10 Severability. A determination by a court or other legal authority that any provision that is not of the essence of this Agreement is legally invalid shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. The parties shall cooperate in good faith to substitute (or cause such court or other legal authority to substitute) for any provision so held to be invalid a valid provision, as alike in substance to such invalid provision as is lawful.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:

 

 

ROYALTY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

     
By:

Name:

Mark C. Jensen  
Title:   Chief Executive Officer  
    

SPONSOR EQUITYHOLDERS:

 

 

 

[to come]

 

 

 

LEGACY RMC EQUITYHOLDERS:

 

 

 

[to come]

 

 

 
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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

 

 

ROYALTY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION TO BECOME PUBLICLY LISTED THROUGH MERGER WITH AMERICAN ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY INC.

 

RMC is the next-generation royalty company focused on expanding its current cashflow and revenue streams by identifying undervalued assets while constructively supporting communities

 

The transaction positions RMC to capitalize on organic and inorganic growth opportunities with the goal of paying dividends from cashflow as early as 2023

 

AMAO is an operator-led Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation focused on building value through social and positive environmental outcomes

 

RMC and AMAO will host a joint investor conference call on Thursday July 7th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ET to discuss the proposed transaction.

 

FISHERS, IN / June 28, 2022 / American Acquisition Opportunity Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAOU) (the “Company”) announced today that Royalty Management Co (“RMC”), an innovative royalty company and American Acquisition Opportunity Inc (“AMAO”) (Nasdaq: AMAO), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, had entered into a definitive agreement that will result in RMC becoming a publicly listed company. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named Royalty Management Company and expects to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “RMCO.” The resulting company will continue to be based in Fishers, Indiana and will be led by a diverse board of innovators in mineral, agriculture, natural resources, intellectual property and energy transition sectors.

 

Mark Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of AMAO, said, “Our focus for AMAO was to partner with a dynamic cash flowing company that didn’t require a complicated or highly dilutive financing as part of the de-SPAC process in order to thrive on its own as a public company. We evaluated over 50 targets during our process and went to in-depth analysis on over five targets. Once we reduced the size of capital in trust, we gained a significant amount of flexibility to focus on opportunities that better fit our intended thesis that we believe will be accretive to our shareholders. We also wanted to invest in a company that understood the importance of generating strong returns in today’s market without the immediate need for raising capital while also having a vision on how to grow the business in line with how the economy and world markets are trending. RMC fits this mold with how it is transforming the royalty industry, focusing on current cash flow while creating a broad funnel of future long-term royalty streams in transitionary industries. We are excited to create this synergistic relationship between RMC and AMAO so that the combined company can continue to build on its impressive growth trajectory as a public company and deliver both yield and growth to our shareholders.”

 

 

 

 

Leading Royalty Company Focused on Sustainable Outcomes for all Stakeholders

 

Founded in 2021, RMC is changing the way operators and investors view royalty streams. The world is changing, and the monetization of more diverse revenue streams is needed as well. RMC focuses on current revenue streams through undervalued resources that fit today’s infrastructure market while making investments in assets that fit tomorrow’s electrification, mineral resources and infrastructure needs. Additionally, RMC looks at all ways to monetize end of life assets through sustainable development and stakeholder engagement to generate solid cash flow streams while also driving communities forward.

 

RMC’s long-term recurring revenue streams are based on three pillars; natural resources & land assets, sustainable assets and intellectual property and digital assets.

 

Resources & Land: Acquire assets and or rights for the development of critical and rare earth element, metallurgical carbon for steel and specialty alloy metals, traditional resource deposits and land resources that can be proven out and monetized for current and long-term cash flow streams.

 

Sustainable Assets: Invest in sustainable revenue streams that have the ability to monetize unique aspects of property and land through innovation where others have traditionally focused only on legacy revenue streams. RMC targets water, agriculture, sustainable timber and sustainable building solutions through long term financial structures.

 

Intellectual Property & Digital Assets: Acquire the rights to intellectual property, patents and the development or sponsor of data centers which capitalize on the digital and data-oriented transition of many industries. These investments are focused on generating long term cash flow streams from new and existing technology.

 

 Transaction Overview

 

The business combination values RMC at an implied $111 million pro forma enterprise value, at a price of $10.00 per share, assuming no redemptions by AMAO shareholders. The boards of directors of AMAO and RMC have approved the proposed transaction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to, among other things, the approval by AMAO’s stockholders and by RMC’s shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions. The transaction will result in gross proceeds of approximately $16 million to RMC (assuming no redemptions by AMAO stockholders and prior to the payment of transaction expenses).

 

Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the merger agreement and investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by AMAO with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at https://www.sec.gov/.

 

 
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Financial Scale with Track Record of Rapid Growth

 

Since RMC’s inception in 2021, the company has grown revenue, cash flow and has a growing backlog of attractive near-term cash flow-oriented growth opportunities. This growth has been achieved while generating free cash flow and profitability. Through this transaction, RMC will have operational and financial flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves that can further drive shareholder value. The strength of RMC’s financial performance reduces the need for a separate PIPE transaction, which can often times complicate a balance sheet or capital structure.

 

Advisors

 

EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, is serving as capital markets advisor and served as underwriter for AMAO’s initial public offering in March 2021. Loeb & Loeb, LLP is serving as legal advisor to AMAO. Law Office of Clifford J. Hunt, P.A. is serving as SEC legal advisor to RMC and Barnes & Thornburg LLP is serving as Indiana corporate law advisor to RMC.

 

Investor Conference Call Information

 

RMC and AMAO will host a joint investor conference call on Thursday July 7th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ET to discuss the proposed transaction. To listen to the prepared remarks, dial 1-877-407-4019 (U.S.) and reference the American Acquisition Opportunity (AMAO) Merger Call.

 

About Royalty Management Corporation

 

Royalty Management Corporation is a royalty company building shareholder value to benefit both its shareholders and communities by acquiring and developing high value assets in a sustainable market environment. The model is to acquire and structure cashflow streams around assets that can support the communities by monetizing the current existing cash flow streams while identifying transitionary cash flow from the assets for the future.

 

About American Acquisition Opportunity Inc.

 

American Acquisition Opportunity Inc. is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, stock purchase or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company is able to evaluate opportunities in many sectors, it intends to focus its search on land and resource holding companies. The Company’s units, common stock and warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the initial public offering. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those that will be set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus to be filed with the SEC. Copies will be available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

 

 
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Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

 

This document relates to a proposed transaction between the Company and RMC. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor will there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which will include a document that serves as a prospectus and proxy statement of the Company, referred to as a proxy statement/prospectus. A proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all of the Company’s stockholders. The Company also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of the Company are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.

 

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

The Company and RMC and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of the directors and executive officers of the Company and RMC and information regarding their interests in the proposed transaction will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.

 

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor will there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction.

 

Company Contact:

Kirk P. Taylor, CPA

President & Chief Financial Officer

(317) 855-9926

 

SOURCE: American Acquisition Opportunity Inc.

 

 
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EXHIBIT 99.2