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Form 8-K Lightning eMotors, Inc. For: May 06

May 12, 2021 5:27 PM EDT

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 6, 2021

 

 

Lightning eMotors, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39283   84-4605714

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

  (Commission
File Number)
 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

815 14th Street SW, Suite A100

Loveland, Colorado 80537

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

1-800-223-0740

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share   ZEV   New York Stock Exchange
Redeemable Warrants, each full warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   ZEV.WS   New York Stock Exchange

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

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

 

 

 


Introductory Note

On May 6, 2021, Lightning eMotors, Inc. (f/k/a GigCapital3, Inc. (“GigCapital3”)) (the “Company” or “Lightning eMotors”) consummated its business combination (the “Business Combination”) with Lightning Systems, Inc. (“Lightning Systems”) pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2020, by and among GigCapital3, Project Power Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), and Lightning Systems (the “Business Combination Agreement”). In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from GigCapital3, Inc. to Lightning eMotors, Inc. Certain terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K have the same meaning as set forth in the final proxy statement/prospectus (the “Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 2021 by GigCapital3.

 

Item 1.01.

Entry into Material Definitive Agreement.

Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company and certain stockholders of the Company (the “Holders”) entered into a Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement (the “Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement, the Company will be obligated to file a registration statement to register the resale of certain shares of Common Stock held by the Holders. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement and subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, including with the Company regarding the number of demand rights that may be exercised, the Holders may demand at any time or from time to time, that the Company file a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 to register certain shares of Common Stock held by such Holders. The Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement will also provide the Holders with “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions. The Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement further provides that, subject to certain exceptions, each of the Holders will not Transfer any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned or owned of record by such the Holders until the earlier of (i) 180 days after the date of the Closing or (ii) the date on which, subsequent to the Business Combination, the last sale price of the Common Stock (x) equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at least 90 days after the Business Combination, or (y) the date following the completion of the Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property; provided that in the sole discretion of the majority of the independent members of the Company’s board of directors, such lock-up period may end earlier than as provided therein upon written notice to the Holders.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Unsecured Convertible Notes and Indenture

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, (the “Indenture Trustee”) in its capacity as trustee thereunder, in respect of the $100,000,000 of unsecured convertible notes due in 2024 (“Convertible Notes”) that were issued to certain investors (collectively, the “Convertible Note Investors”) along with warrants to purchase up to 8,695,652 shares of the Company’s common stock for a per share exercise price of $11.50 (“Convertible Note Warrants”). The terms of the Convertible Notes are set forth in the convertible note subscription agreements entered into between the Company and each of the Convertible Note Investors (the


Convertible Note Subscription Agreements”), the Indenture and the form of Global Note attached as Exhibit A to the Indenture (the “Global Note”). The Convertible Notes are convertible into 8,695,652 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $11.50 in accordance with the terms thereof, and shall mature on May 6, 2024. The Company may force conversion of the Convertible Notes after the first anniversary of the issuance of the Convertible Notes, subject to a holder’s prior right to convert, if the trading price of the Company’s common stock exceeds 120% of the conversion price 20 out of the preceding 30 trading days and 30-day average daily trading volume ending on, and including, the last trading day of the applicable exercise period is greater than or equal to $3,000,000. Upon such conversion, the Company will be obligated to pay all regularly scheduled interest payments, if any, due on the converted Convertible Notes on each interest payment date occurring after the conversion date for such conversion to, but excluding, the maturity date. In the event that a holder of the Convertible Notes elects to convert the Convertible Notes prior to the maturity date, the Company will be obligated to pay an amount equal to twelve months of interest if prior to the second anniversary of the issuance of the Convertible Notes, or if on or after such second anniversary, any remaining amounts that would be owed to, but excluding, the maturity date in respect of such Convertible Notes. In addition, pursuant to a debt incurrence covenant in the Indenture, if the Company or any of its subsidiaries following the issuance of the Convertible Notes incurs, assumes, permits to exist, or otherwise becomes or remains directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any indebtedness (subject to certain specified exceptions), it will (a) offer to redeem, in full, all outstanding principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Convertible Notes, (b) make a prepayment premium equal to twelve months of interest on the principal amount of the Convertible Notes being repaid, from the date of such debt incurrence, if prior to the second anniversary of the issuance of the Convertible Notes, or if on or after such second anniversary, make a prepayment premium equal to the amount of interest which would otherwise have accrued on the Convertible Notes so repaid to, but excluding, the maturity date, and (c) issue to each holder of the Convertible Notes a warrant to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the amount of outstanding principal of the Convertible Notes then held by such holder, divided by (ii) $11.50, which warrant shall be (A) exercisable only during the period from the date of repayment of such Convertible Notes through and including the maturity date for an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Excluded from the debt incurrence covenant is (i) indebtedness in respect of capital lease obligations incurred by the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000, (ii) indebtedness under Lightning Systems’ existing accounts receivable facility, and (iii) any other indebtedness, in an amount for such permitted indebtedness under clauses (ii) and (iii) above not to exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that, such permitted indebtedness under clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall be reduced to an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 within thirty business days of the issue date of the Convertible Notes.

The foregoing description of the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements, the Indenture and the transactions contemplated thereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements, the form of which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and to the text of the Indenture, including the form of Global Note attached as Exhibit A thereto, which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”) entered into an Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement amended the existing Warrant Agreement dated May 18, 2020, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent to cover the Convertible Note Warrants being issued pursuant to the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements under the terms of such Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement. Such Convertible Note Warrants will be issued on substantially the same terms as the existing public warrants except that such Convertible Note Warrants will not be redeemable so long as they are held, either directly or indirectly through one or more participants, by the subscribers and/or their permitted transferees.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement to be entered into by the Company, and consistent with what is provided for in the Warrant Agreement with regard to the public warrants, the Company will agree that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen business days after the Closing, it shall use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants (the “Warrant Shares Registration Statement”). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such Warrant Shares Registration Statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement.


The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 2.01.

Completion of Acquisition of Disposition of Assets.

As previously reported in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2021, on April 21, 2021, GigCapital3 held a special meeting of its stockholders (the “Special Meeting”). At the Special Meeting, the GigCapital3 stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, the Business Combination Agreement. On May 6, 2021, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement consummated the Business Combination (such consummation, the “Closing”).

Prior to the Special Meeting, the holders of 5,816,664 shares of GigCapital3’s common stock sold in its initial public offering (“Public Shares”) exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of $10.1019 per share, for an aggregate of approximately $58.8 million, which redemption occurred concurrent with the consummation of the Business Combination. Immediately after giving effect to the Business Combination (including as a result of the redemptions described above and the automatic separation of GigCapital3 units into Lightning eMotors common stock and warrants), there were (i) 73,229,705 shares of Lightning eMotors’ issued and outstanding common stock, (ii) assumed Lightning Systems equity awards exercisable for 3,615,773 shares of Company common stock and (iii) 16,463,096 shares of common stock reserved for issuance to equity holders of Lightning Systems as contingent consideration upon satisfaction of the earnout conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement. Upon the Closing, GigCapital3’s units ceased trading, and Lightning eMotors’ common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ZEV.” Furthermore, also on May 7, 2021, Lightning eMotors’ warrants began trading on the NYSE as “ZEV.WS.” As of the date of Closing, our directors and executive officers and affiliated entities beneficially owned approximately 16.1% of Lightning eMotors’ outstanding shares of common stock, and the former stockholders of GigCapital3 beneficially owned approximately 27.4% of Lightning eMotors’ outstanding shares.

As noted above, the per share redemption price of $10.1019 for holders of Public Shares electing redemption was paid out of GigCapital3’s trust account, which after taking into account the redemptions, had a balance immediately prior to the Closing of approximately $143.3 million. In addition, approximately $53,000 remained in GigCapital3’s operating account immediately prior to the Closing.

FORM 10 INFORMATION

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as GigCapital3 was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if the Company were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company following the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. The words “anticipates,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s disclosure concerning the Company’s operations, cash flows, financial position and dividend policy. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the financial and business performance of the Company, including financial projections and business metrics and any underlying assumptions thereunder;


   

changes in the Company’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans;

 

   

the Company’s product development timeline and expected start of production;

 

   

the implementation, market acceptance and success of the Company’ business model;

 

   

the Company’s ability to scale in a cost-effective manner;

 

   

developments and projections relating to the Company’s competitors and industry;

 

   

the impact of health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on Lightning Systems’ business and the actions the Company may take in response thereto;

 

   

the Company’s expectations regarding its ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and not infringe on the rights of others;

 

   

expectations regarding the time during which the Company will be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act;

 

   

the Company’s future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash;

 

   

the Company’s ability to obtain funding for its operations;

 

   

the Company’s business, expansion plans and opportunities; and

 

   

the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in this Current Report on Form 8-K. Accordingly, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks that the Company describes in the reports it will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

In addition, statements that “the Company believes” and similar statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. And while the Company believes that information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, that information may be limited or incomplete. The Company’s statements should not be read to indicate that it has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and you are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements were reasonable at the time made, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section in connection with the forward looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K and any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by the Company or persons acting on the Company’s behalf.


Business

The business of the Company is described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information About Lightning Systems” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Risk Factors

The risks associated with the Company’s business are described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Risk Factors” and are incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Information

The financial information of the Company and related discussion and analysis by the management of the Company is contained in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Selected Historical Financial and Other Information of Lightning Systems and “Lightning Systems’ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Properties

The facilities of the Company are described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information About Lightning – Manufacturing and Production; Headquarters and Facilities” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock of the Company upon the Closing of the Business Combination by:

 

   

each person known by GigCapital3 to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the common stock of the Company upon the Closing of the Business Combination;

 

   

each of the Company’s officers and directors; and

 

   

all officers and directors of the Company, as a group upon the Closing of the Business Combination..

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

Unless otherwise indicated, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock of the Company beneficially owned by them.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

   Number of
Shares
     % of
Class
 

Dr. Avi Katz(2)

     6,122,500        8.3

Dr. Raluca Dinu

     —              

Neil Miotto

     —              

GigAcquisitions3, LLC(2)

     6,122,500        8.3

Robert Fenwick-Smith(3)

     4,962,984        6.8

Timothy Reeser(4)

     1,389,405        1.9

Teresa Covington

     —              

William Kelley(5)

     484,993            


Thaddeus Senko

     —              

Meghan Sharp

     —              

Diana Tremblay

     —              

Bruce Coventry

     —              

Aravaipa Venture Fund(6)

     4,598,976        6.3

BP Technology Ventures Inc. / BP Lubricants USA Inc.(7)

     22,925,496        31.3

Rosella Holdings Ltd.(8)

     11,170,688        15.6

All directors and officers as a group (11 individuals)

     12,959,881        17.6

 

*

Less than one percent.

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of GigAcquisitions3, LLC and each of Dr. Avi S. Katz, Dr. Raluca Dinu and Neil Miotto is 1731 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94303. The address for BP Technology Ventures Inc. is 501 Westlake Park Blvd., Houston, TX 77079. The address for Rosella Holdings Ltd. is Trafalgar Court, 3rd Floor, West Wing, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GYI 2JA. The address for all of the other individuals is c/o Lightning eMotors, Inc., 319 Foxtail Court Boulder, CO 80305.

(2)

Consists of (i) 5,635,000 shares of common stock and (ii) 487,500 shares of common stock underlying warrants, all held by the Company’s sponsor. The securities held by the Company’s sponsor are beneficially owned by Dr. Avi S. Katz, the Co-Chairman of the Company’s board of directors, and the manager of the Company’s sponsor, who has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by the Company’s sponsor.

(3)

Consists of (i) 243,495 shares of common stock and (ii) 120,513 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days of May 6, 2021. In addition, Mr. Fenwick-Smith is a co-founding partner and member of Aravaipa Venture Fund, LLC and the managing member of Aravaipa Ventures, LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by Aravaipa Venture Fund, LLC. Mr. Fenwick-Smith disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(4)

Consists of (i) 937,395 shares of common stock, (ii) 49,319 shares of common stock held by Mr. Reeser’s spouse and (iii) 402,691 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days of May 6, 2021.

(5)

Consists of (i) 329,208 shares of common stock and (ii) 155,786 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days of May 6, 2021.

(6)

The managing member of Aravaipa Venture Fund, LLC is Aravaipa Ventures, LLC. Robert Fenwick-Smith is a co-founding partner and member of Aravaipa Venture Fund, LLC and the managing member of Aravaipa Ventures, LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by Aravaipa Venture Fund, LLC. Mr. Fenwick-Smith disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(7)

The 22,925,496 shares of common stock are held by BP Technology Ventures, Inc., an investment holding vehicle incorporated in Guernsey. BP Technology Ventures, Inc. is owned 100% by BP Corporation North America Inc., which is owned 100% by BP America Inc., which is owned 100% by BP America Ltd., which is owned 100% by BP Holdings North America Ltd., which is owned 100% by BP P.L.C.

(8)

The 11,170,688 shares of common stock are held by Rosella Holdings Limited, an investment holding vehicle incorporated in Guernsey. The shareholders and members of the board of directors of Rosella Holdings Limited are International Company Management Limited and Portman Welbeck Limited, both of which are wholly owned by the administrator Rawlinson and Hunter Limited and hold their interest in Rosella Holdings Limited as nominees for the Trustees of three Guernsey discretionary trusts each of which beneficially own one third of Rosella Holdings Limited. In addition, Rosella Holdings Limited owns an indirect and non-controlling interest in Aravaipa Ventures.

Directors and Executive Officers

The Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing are described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management After the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.


Executive Compensation

The executive compensation of the Company’s executive officers and directors is described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management After the Business Combination—Post-Combination Company Executive Compensation” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The certain relationships and related party transactions of the Company are described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and are incorporated herein by reference. Director independence is described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management After The Business Combination—Committees of the Board of Directors” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Legal Proceedings

The Company’s legal proceedings are described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Information about the Company Prior to the Business Combination—Legal Proceedings” and “Information About Lightning Systems—Legal Proceedings” and are incorporated herein by reference.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The Company’s common stock and warrants began trading on the NYSE under the symbols “ZEV” and “ZEV.WS”, on May 7, 2021, subject to ongoing review of the Company’s satisfaction of all listing criteria post-Business Combination. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on shares of its common stock to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon the Company’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. It is the present intention of the Company’s board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in the Company’s business operations and, accordingly, the Company’s board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

Information regarding GigCapital3’s common stock, units and warrants and related stockholder matters are described in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “PRICE RANGE OF SECURITIES AND DIVIDENDS” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the sale and issuance of unsecured convertible notes, warrants to purchase common stock and shares of common stock.

Description of Registrant’s Securities

The description of the Company’s securities is contained in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning indemnification agreements entered into with each of the Company’s directors and executive officers.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial statements and supplementary data of Lightning Systems and GigCapital3.


Financial Statements and Exhibits

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Report concerning the financial information of Lightning Systems and GigCapital3.

 

Item 2.03.

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

In connection with the Closing, the Company issued $100,000,000 of unsecured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”) to the Note Investors pursuant to the terms of the Note Subscription Agreements, the Indenture and the Global Note. The disclosure contained in Item 1.01 of this Report is also incorporated herein by reference.

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements, the form of which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference, (ii) the Indenture, which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference and (iii) the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02.

Unregistered Securities

The Convertible Notes issued in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination are convertible into 8,695,652 shares of common stock. Also in connection with the Closing, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 8,695,652 shares of common stock to the Note Investors and 2,500,000 shares of common stock to BP Technology Ventures, Inc. The disclosure contained in Item 1.01 of this Report is also incorporated herein by reference.

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, the form of which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference, (ii) the Indenture, including the form of Global Note attached as Exhibit A thereto, which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference, (iii) the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference and (iv) the subscription agreement entered into on December 10, 2020, between the Company and BP Technology Ventures, Inc. which is included as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.03.

Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders

Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Immediately prior to the Closing of the Business Combination, GigCapital3’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, dated May 18, 2020 (the “Charter”), was further amended and restated to:

 

  (a)

change the post-combination company’s name to Lightning eMotors, Inc.;

 

  (b)

classify and divide the Board into three classes, each with terms expiring at different times;

 

  (c)

delete the second sentence in Article II and delete the prior provisions under, and references to, Article IX (Business Combination Requirements; Existence) of the prior amended and restated certificate of incorporation;

 

  (d)

amend certain terms in Article X (Corporate Opportunities) with respect to certain non-employee directors of the combined company pursuing outside business activities and corporate opportunities; and

 

  (e)

amend the exclusive forum provision in the prior amended and restated certificate of incorporation to conform to recent SEC guidance regarding the exclusion of certain potential claims from exclusive forum charter provisions.

As previously reported in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2021, the GigCapital3 stockholders approved this amendment and restatement of the Charter at the Special Meeting. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which is included as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.


Amended and Restated Bylaws

In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, GigCapital3’s bylaws were amended and restated to prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, which is included as Exhibit 3.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01.

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountants.

On May 11, 2021, the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2021. Grant Thornton served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Lightning Systems prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, BPM LLP (“BPM”), the independent registered public accounting firm of GigCapital3 was informed on May 11, 2021 that it would be replaced by Grant Thornton as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following its completion of the Company’s review of the quarter ended March 31, 2021, which consist only of the accounts of the pre-Business Combination special purpose acquisition company, GigCapital3.

The report of BPM on GigCapital3’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and the statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from February 3, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles, except that such audit report contained an explanatory paragraph in which BPM expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During the period from February 3, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim period through the date of BPM’s dismissal, there were no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) between the Company and BPM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BPM would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the Company’s financial statements for such periods.

During the period from February 3, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim period through the date of BPM’s dismissal, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).

During the period from February 3, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim period through the date of BPM’s dismissal, the Company did not consult with Grant Thornton regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the financial statements of GigCapital3 or the Company, and no written report or oral advice was provided that Grant Thornton concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) or a “reportable event” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).

The Company has provided BPM with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that BPM furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company set forth above. A copy of BPM’s letter, dated May 12, 2021, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 5.01.

Changes in Control of Registrant.

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 1— Approval of the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in Item 2.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Immediately after giving effect to the Business Combination, there were approximately 73.2 million shares of common stock of the Company outstanding. As of such time, our officers and directors and their affiliated entities held 16.1% of our outstanding shares of common stock.

 

Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Appointment of Directors and Officers

The following persons are serving as executive officers and directors of the Company upon the Closing, with Timothy Reeser, Teresa Covington, William Kelly and Robert Fenwick-Smith having been named as executive officers effective upon the Closing on May 6, 2021 and each of the directors having been elected by the GigCapital3 stockholders to the board also upon the Closing on May 6, 2021. For biographical and current compensatory information concerning the executive officers and directors, see the disclosure in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Management After the Business Combination” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Timothy Reeser

     50      Chief Executive Officer and Director

Teresa Covington

     57      Chief Financial Officer

William Kelley

     64      Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Robert Fenwick-Smith

     58      Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors

Dr. Avi Katz

     63      Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors

Dr. Raluca Dinu

     47      Director

Neil Miotto

     74      Director

Thaddeus Senko

     64      Director

Meghan Sharp

     49      Director

Diana Tremblay

     61      Director

Bruce Coventry

     68      Director

Effective upon the Closing on May 6, 2021, Dr. Avi S. Katz and Brad Weightman resigned as executive officers of GigCapital3, and each of Andrea Bett-Berutto, John Mikulsky and Peter Wang, following their not standing for re-election to the Board, resigned as directors of GigCapital3.

On May 11, 2021, the board of directors reclassified four directors, such that Dr. Avi S. Katz and Dr. Raluca Dinu were made Class I directors, Bruce Coventry was made a Class II director and Thaddeus Senko was made a Class III director.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

As previously reported in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2021, at the Special Meeting, the GigCapital3 stockholders considered and approved the Lightning eMotors, Inc. 2021 Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), and reserved 14,041,107 shares of common stock for issuance thereunder. The Incentive Plan was previously approved, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board of GigCapital3 on December 30, 2020. The Incentive Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing of the Business Combination. The number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2022 and continuing through January 1, 2032, by 5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares as may be determined by the board of directors.


In conjunction with the approval of the Incentive Plan, the Board of GigCapital3 also adopted a form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement (the “RSU Agreement”) and a form of Stock Option Agreement (the “Stock Option Agreement”) that the Company will use for grants under its Incentive Plan. The RSU Agreement provides that restricted stock units will vest over a fixed period and be paid as shares of common stock, and unvested restricted stock units will expire upon certain terminations of the grantees’ employment or relationship with the Company. The Stock Option Agreement provides that stock options will vest over a fixed period and unvested options will expire upon certain terminations of the grantees’ employment or relationship with the Company.

A more complete summary of the terms of the Incentive Plan is set forth in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 5—Incentive Plan Proposal”. That summary and the foregoing description of the Incentive Plan are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the Incentive Plan, which is filed as Exhibit 10.7 hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the form of RSU Agreement and form of Stock Option Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of RSU Agreement and form of Stock Option Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.8 and Exhibit 10.9, respectively.

Indemnification Agreements for Company Directors and Officers

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers (the “Indemnification Agreements”). The Indemnification Agreements provide the directors and executive officers with contractual rights to indemnification and expense advancement. The foregoing description of the Indemnification Agreements is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the form of Indemnification Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 5.03.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

The information set forth in Item 3.03 to this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

 

Item 5.06.

Change in Shell Company Status.

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 1— Approval of the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in Item 2.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 8.01.

Other Events

As a result of the Business Combination and by operation of Rule 12g-3(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Lightning Systems is a successor issuer to GigCapital3. Lightning Systems hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)-(b) Financial Statements.

The audited balance sheet of GigCapital3, Inc., as of December 31, 2020, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes thereto and report of independent registered public accounting firm, in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS— GigCapital3, Inc. –Financial Statements” are incorporated herein by reference.

The audited consolidated balance sheets of Lightning Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, other comprehensive income loss, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes thereto and report of independent registered public accounting firm, in the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS— Lightning Systems Inc. –Financial Statements” are incorporated herein by reference.


The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

  

Description

2.1†    Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December  10, 2020, by and among GigCapital3, Inc., Project Power Merger Sub, Inc. and Lightning Systems, Inc. (included as Annex A to the Final Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed under Rule 424(b)(3) on March 26, 2021)
3.1    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Lightning eMotors, Inc.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lightning eMotors, Inc.
10.1    Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement, dated May 6, 2021, by and among Lightning eMotors, Inc. and certain stockholders
10.2    Form of Convertible Note Subscription Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed on GigCapital3, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the Registrant on December 11, 2020)
10.3    Indenture dated May 6, 2021, by and between Lightning eMotors, Inc. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, in its capacity as trustee thereunder
10.4    Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, dated May 6, 2021, by and between GigCapital3, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent
10.5#    Form of Indemnification Agreement
10.6    Subscription Agreement, dated as of December  10, 2020, by and between GigCapital3, Inc. and BP Technology Ventures, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed on GigCapital3, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the Registrant on December 11, 2020)
10.7#    2021 Equity Incentive Plan
10.8#    Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement
10.9#    Form of Stock Option Agreement
10.10#    Amended Executive Employment Agreement dated February 24, 2021, by and between Lightning Systems, Inc. and Teresa Covington
10.11#    Promotion Letter dated April 25, 2019, by and between Lightning Systems, Inc. and William Kelley
10.12    Office Lease dated November 22, 2019, by and between Lightning Systems, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation & Technology, LLC
10.13    Office Lease dated November 10, 2020, by and between Lightning Systems, Inc. and RMCIT LLC
16.1    Letter from BPM dated May 12, 2021
99.1    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information as of December 31, 2020 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020

 

#

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

Schedules and similar attachments to this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of such omitted materials to the SEC upon request.


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.

 

   

Lightning eMotors, Inc.

Dated: May 12, 2021

     
   

By:

 

/s/ Timothy Reeser

      Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.

May 6, 2021

GigCapital3, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

1.    The name of the Corporation is “GigCapital3, Inc.”. The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 3, 2020, and an amended and restated certificate of incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 13, 2020 (as amended to date, the “Original Certificate”).

2.    This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Original Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).

3.    This Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

4.    The text of the Original Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is Lightning eMotors, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19801, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

Section 4.1    Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 251,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

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Section 4.2    Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

Section 4.3    Common Stock.

(a)    Voting.

(i)    Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

(ii)    Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation on which the holders of the shares of Common Stock are entitled to vote.

(iii)    Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

(b)    Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

(c)    Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

Section 4.4    Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 5.1    Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation (“Bylaws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

Section 5.2    Number, Election and Term.

(a)    The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

(b)    Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, the Board shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I, Class II, and Class III. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I, Class II, or Class III. The term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, and the term of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders following the effectiveness of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term or until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, if the number of directors that constitutes the Board is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions thereof, to assign members of the Board already in office to the aforesaid classes at the time this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (and therefore such classification) becomes effective in accordance with the DGCL.

(c)    Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, a director shall hold office until the next annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

(d)    Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

Section 5.3    Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

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Section 5.4    Removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, any or all of the directors may be removed from office, but only for cause, by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, at a meeting called for that purpose.

Section 5.5    Preferred Stock—Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors present at a regular or special meeting of the Board at which there is a quorum or by unanimous written consent. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders of the Corporation to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided further, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE VII

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

Section 7.1    Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by another person or persons.

Section 7.2    Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

Section 7.3    Action by Written Consent. Except as may be otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, subsequent to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities (the “Offering”), any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1    Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless a director violated his or her duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from its actions as a director. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

Section 8.2    Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

(a)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

(b)    The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

(c)    Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

(d)    This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

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ARTICLE IX

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

Section 9.1    Corporate Opportunities and Non-Employee Directors.

(a)    In recognition and anticipation that members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation (the “Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article IX are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith. For purposes of this Article IX, (i) “Affiliate” shall mean, (a) in respect of each Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (b) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation; and (ii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.

(b)    No Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Corporation in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her Affiliates (such Persons being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 9.1(c) of this Article IX. Subject to said Section 9.1(c) of this Article IX, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, or offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person.

(c)    The Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of this Corporation) if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section 9.1(b) of this Article IX shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.

(d)    In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation is unable, financially or legally, or is not contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or (iii) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

(e)    To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article IX.

 

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ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT OF SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article X.

ARTICLE XI

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS

Section 11.1    Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 11.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

Section 11.2    Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 11.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 11.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

ARTICLE XII

SEVERABILITY

If any provision or provisions (or any part thereof) of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person, entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (ii) the provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, GigCapital3, Inc. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.
By:  

/s/ Dr. Avi Katz

Name:   Dr. Avi Katz
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

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Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY LAWS

OF

LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC.

(THE “CORPORATION”)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.

Section 1.2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).

Section 2.3. Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

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Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these By Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

Section 2.5. Voting of Shares.

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

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(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, designate one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

Section 2.6. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

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Section 2.7. Advance Notice for Business.

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.

(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).

(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these By Laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

(iii) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action

 

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at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.

(iv) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.

(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these By Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

Section 2.8. Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By Laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 2.9. Consents in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders.

Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this section and the DGCL to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders entitled to vote to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

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ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 3.1. Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

Section 3.2. Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2.

(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.

(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name

 

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and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.3. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD MEETINGS

Section 4.1. Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.

Section 4.2. Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

Section 4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the

 

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meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.

Section 4.4. Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

Section 4.5. Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 4.6. Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

Section 5.1. Establishment. The Board may by resolution passed by a majority of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

Section 5.2. Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

Section 5.3. Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 5.4. Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has

 

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replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By Laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these By Laws.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

Section 6.1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and a Treasurer) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.

(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

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(e) Secretary.

(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.

(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

Section 6.2. Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.

Section 6.3. Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

Section 6.4. Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

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ARTICLE VII

SHARES

Section 7.1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

Section 7.2. Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

Section 7.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

Section 7.4. Consideration and Payment for Shares.

(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

Section 7.5. Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

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Section 7.6. Transfer of Stock.

(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

(ii)(A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and

(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

Section 7.7. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

Section 7.8. Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.

(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares prior to or within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

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Section 7.9. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1. Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

Section 8.2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

Section 8.3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to

 

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such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

Section 8.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Section 8.5. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Section 8.6. Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.

Section 8.7. Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By Laws inconsistent with this Article VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

Section 8.8. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

Section 8.9. Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

Section 8.10. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1. Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By Laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

Section 9.2. Fixing Record Dates.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 9.3. Means of Giving Notice.

(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent

 

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permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such

 

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as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

Section 9.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed before or after the date of such meeting by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

Section 9.5. Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

Section 9.6. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 9.7. Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

Section 9.8. Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

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Section 9.9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

Section 9.10. Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

Section 9.11. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

Section 9.12. Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or at the time of receipt of such notice if no time is specified or the specified time is earlier than the time of such receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 9.13. Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

Section 9.14. Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 9.15. Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 6, 2021 by and among Lightning eMotors, Inc., a Delaware corporation f/k/a GigCapital3, Inc. (the “Company”) and the parties listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”). Any capitalized term used but not defined herein will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Business Combination Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, Project Power Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Lightning Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Lightning”) are party to that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, on the Closing Date (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), Merger Sub will merge with and into Lightning (the “Merger”), with Lightning surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Company is issuing shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), to the Holders designated on Schedule A hereto and may in the future issue additional shares of Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to set forth certain matters regarding the ownership of the Registrable Securities (as defined below) by the Holders.

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

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings set forth below: “Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

Adverse Disclosure” means 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 outside 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, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

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

Business Combination” means any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.

Business Day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Change in Control” means the 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 transferee or group of affiliated transferees would hold Company securities entitling them to exercise more than 50% of all votes for the election of directors of the Company (or surviving entity) or would otherwise have the power to control the board of directors of the Company or to direct the operations of the Company.


Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals. “Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble. “Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

Demanding Holder” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

Earnout Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

Form S-1” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

Form S-3” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3. to time.

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

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

“Lightning” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Lock-up Period” means, with respect to the Registrable Securities, the period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days after the date of the closing pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination”) or (ii) the date on which, subsequent to the Business Combination, the last sale price of the Common Stock (x) equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 90 days after the Business Combination, or (y) the date following the completion of the Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange 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; provided that in the sole discretion of the majority of the independent members of the Board, the Lock-Up Period may end earlier than as provided herein upon written notice to the Holders.

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

Misstatement” means 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.

Notices” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.1.

 

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Prospectus” means 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.

Registrable Securities” means (i) any equity securities (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of any such equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following consummation of the Merger and (ii) all of the Earnout Shares. Registrable Securities include any warrants, shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of any of the securities described in the foregoing clauses (i) - (ii). As to any particular Registrable Security, such security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when: (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such security shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such security shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) such security shall have been otherwise transferred, a new certificate for such security not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such security shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (c) such security shall have ceased to be outstanding; or (d) such security is freely saleable under Rule 144 without volume limitations.

Registration” means a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement 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” means 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 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) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.

Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder for a public offering and sale of securities (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or their successors, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).

Requesting Holder” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

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Transfer” means to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any interest owned by a person or any interest (including a beneficial interest) in, or the ownership, control or possession of, any interest owned by a person.

Underwriter” means 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” means a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION

Section 2.1 Demand Registration

2.1.1 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the Effective Time, the Holders holding at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities held by all the Holders (such Holders, the “Demanding Holders”), may make a written demand for Registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this Section 2.1.1 initiated by Holders; provided, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

2.1.2 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) a Form S-1 filed with the Commission in connection with the Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing of such election, which notice shall be received by the Company not later than five (5) days after the removal of any such stop order or injunction; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration Statement until a Registration Statement that has been previously filed pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is terminated.

 

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2.1.3 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this Section 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.

2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter(s) for a Demand Registration that is to be an Underwritten Offering, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities which 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 which the Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other stockholders of the Company 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 Underwritten Offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of 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”, provided, however, that such Pro Rata proportion shall not include any unvested Earnout Shares)) 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 Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the 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.

2.1.5 Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration pursuant to a Registration under Section 2.1.1 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter(s) (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if with respect to a Demand Registration, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration so withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration, such Registration shall not count as a Demand Registration provided for in Section 2.1.1 and the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.5.

 

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Section 2.2 Piggy-Back Registration.

2.2.1 Piggy-Back Rights. If, at any time on or after the Effective Time, 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 stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (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, or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall 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, of the offering, and (y) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter(s) of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an Underwriter(s) shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Piggyback Registration.

2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter(s) for a Piggyback Registration that is to be an Underwritten Offering, 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 securities which the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration 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 under this Section 2.2, and (iii) the Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

(i) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the 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 Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company that pre-dates this Agreement, 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 Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, Pro Rata, 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 Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company not otherwise covered above, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and

(ii) If the Registration 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 (A) first, the 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 subsection 2.2.1, Pro Rata based on the number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included

 

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in such Underwritten Registration, 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 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 Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities 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(s) 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. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons 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. 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 subsection 2.2.3.

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

Section 2.3 Registration on Form S-3. The Holders of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S- 3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $5,000,000. Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.1.

Section 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 has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all 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

 

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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 thirty (30) days; provided, that the Company may not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.

ARTICLE III

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Section 3.1 General Procedures. If at any time on or after the Effective Time the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as practicable and in connection with any such request:

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;

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 the Holders 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;

3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ 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 the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best 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 the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request 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, 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 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

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;

 

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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 reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

3.1.8 advise each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed;

3.1.9 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel, including, without limitation, providing copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters received with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus;

3.1.10 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;

3.1.11 permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’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, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

3.1.12 obtain a “comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and may be found reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

3.1.13 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion and negative assurance letter, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent 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 Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and may be found reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;

3.1.14 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 Underwriters of such offering;

3.1.15 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 promulgated thereafter by the Commission);

3.1.16 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its 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 any Underwritten Offering; and

 

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3.1.17 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.

Section 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 the Holders shall bear 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.

Section 3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person or entity may participate in any Underwritten 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.

Section 3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. 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 such Holder 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 supplemented or amended Prospectus as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, 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 thirty (30) days, 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. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4, and upon the expiration of such period the Holders shall be entitled to resume the use of any such Prospectus in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities, and upon the expiration of such period the Holders shall be entitled to resume the use of any such Prospectus in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities

Section 3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be reporting 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. 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 Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), 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

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

Section 4.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of

 

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material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement to any of them, 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 is contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by the Holder expressly for use therein. The Company also shall indemnify any Underwriter of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriter (within the meaning of the Securities Act) on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Holder provided in this Section 4.1.

Section 4.2 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish 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 and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any 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 or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, 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. Each Holder shall indemnify any Underwriter of Registrable Securities sold by such Holder, their officers, directors and each person 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.

Section 4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any person 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 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 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 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.

Section 4.4 Survival. 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 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.

Section 4.5 Contribution. If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and 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,

 

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claims, damages, liabilities and 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 relates to information supplied by, 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; provided, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.5 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 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or 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 4.5 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 4.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

ARTICLE V

LOCK-UP

Section 5.1 Lock-Up.

5.1.1 Except as permitted by Section 5.2, during the Lock-up Period, each Holder shall not Transfer any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned or owned of record by such Holder.

Section 5.2 Exceptions. The provisions of Section 5.1 shall not apply to:

5.2.1 transactions relating to shares of Common Stock acquired in open market transactions;

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

5.2.3 Transfers of shares of Common Stock to a trust, or other entity formed for estate planning purposes for the primary benefit of the spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child or grandchild of the undersigned or any other person with whom the undersigned has a relationship by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first cousin;

5.2.4 Transfers by will or intestate succession upon the death of the undersigned;

5.2.5 the Transfer of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement;

5.2.6 if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership (whether general, limited or otherwise), limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (i) Transfers 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 the undersigned, or (ii) distributions of shares of Common Stock to partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the undersigned;

5.2.7 Transfers to the Company’s officers, directors or their affiliates;

5.2.8 pledges of shares of 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);

 

12


5.2.9 pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other transaction involving a Change in Control of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, recapitalization, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Common Stock subject to this Agreement shall remain subject to this Agreement; and

5.2.10 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 Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period,

provided, that in the case of any Transfer or distribution pursuant to Sections 5.2.2 through 5.2.7, 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.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 6.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including Schedule A hereto) constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties as to the matters covered herein and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case, written or oral, of any and every nature with respect thereto.

Section 6.2 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be delivered to any party under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly delivered, given and received (a) upon receipt when delivered by hand, (b) upon transmission, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission (in each case with receipt verified by electronic confirmation), or (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent by courier or express delivery service, specifying next day delivery, with proof of receipt. The addresses, email addresses and facsimile numbers for such notices and communications are those set forth on the signature pages hereof, or such other address, email address or facsimile numbers as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by any such person.

Section 6.3 Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. 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. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Holders hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such Holder in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Common Stock by any such Holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and the permitted assigns of the applicable Holder or of any assignee of the applicable Holder. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set forth in Article 4 and this Section 6.3. 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 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).

Section 6.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart and such counterparts may be delivered by the parties hereto via facsimile or electronic transmission.

Section 6.5 Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and any provision hereof may be waived, in whole or in part, at any time pursuant to an agreement in writing executed by the Company and Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities at such time; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or 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. Any failure by any party at any time to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed a waiver of such provision or any other provisions hereof.

 

13


Section 6.6 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto.

Section 6.7 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed within the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 6.8 Specific Performance. Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties hereto would be irreparably harmed and would not have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by such first party in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached by such first party. Accordingly, each party agrees that the other parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such parties are entitled at law or in equity.

[Signature Page Follows.]

 

14


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

 

COMPANY:
GIGCAPITAL3, INC.
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
Address for Notice:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDER:
[NAME]
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
Address for Notice:

 

 

 

 

Telephone No.:  

 

Facsimile No.:  

 

Email Address:  

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement]


Schedule A

Holders

 

Name of Holder    Number of Shares
Timothy R. Reeser   
Aravaipa Venture Fund, LLC   
BP Technology Ventures Inc.   
Rosella Holdings, Ltd.   
Ac Energy Technologies LLC   
Front Range Ventures LLC   
Cupola Infrastructure Income Fund, LLLP   
Steve Ivsan   
Kash Sethi   
William Kelley   
Teresa Covington   
Robert Fenwick—Smith   

Exhibit 10.3

LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC.

AND

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 6, 2021

7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

     1  

Section 1.01

  Definitions      1  

Section 1.02

  References to Interest      12  

ARTICLE 2 ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

     13  

Section 2.01

  Designation and Amount      13  

Section 2.02

  Form of Notes      13  

Section 2.03

  Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts      13  

Section 2.04

  Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes      15  

Section 2.05

  Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary      15  

Section 2.06

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes      21  

Section 2.07

  Temporary Notes      21  

Section 2.08

  Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc.      22  

Section 2.09

  CUSIP Numbers      22  

Section 2.10

  Additional Notes; Repurchases      22  

ARTICLE 3 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     23  

Section 3.01

  Satisfaction and Discharge      23  

ARTICLE 4 PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     23  

Section 4.01

  Payment of Principal and Interest      23  

Section 4.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      23  

Section 4.03

  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office      24  

Section 4.04

  Provisions as to Paying Agent      24  

Section 4.05

  Existence      25  

Section 4.06

  Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports      26  

Section 4.07

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      26  

Section 4.08

  Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults      26  

Section 4.09

  Further Instruments and Acts      26  

Section 4.10

  Indebtedness Incurrence      26  

ARTICLE 5 LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

     27  

Section 5.01

  Lists of Holders      27  

Section 5.02

  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists      28  

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     28  

Section 6.01

  Events of Default      28  

 

i


Section 6.02

  Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment      29  

Section 6.03

  Additional Interest      30  

Section 6.04

  Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor      31  

Section 6.05

  Application of Monies Collected by Trustee      32  

Section 6.06

  Proceedings by Holders      33  

Section 6.07

  Proceedings by Trustee      34  

Section 6.08

  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing      34  

Section 6.09

  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders      34  

Section 6.10

  Notice of Defaults      34  

Section 6.11

  Undertaking to Pay Costs      35  

Section 6.12

  Company’s Failure to Timely Convert      35  

ARTICLE 7 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     36  

Section 7.01

  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee      36  

Section 7.02

  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc.      38  

Section 7.03

  No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc.      39  

Section 7.04

  Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or Note Registrar May Own Notes      40  

Section 7.05

  Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust      40  

Section 7.06

  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee      40  

Section 7.07

  Officer’s Certificate as Evidence      41  

Section 7.08

  Eligibility of Trustee      41  

Section 7.09

  Resignation or Removal of Trustee      41  

Section 7.10

  Acceptance by Successor Trustee      42  

Section 7.11

  Succession by Merger, Etc.      42  

Section 7.12

  Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company      43  

ARTICLE 8 CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

     43  

Section 8.01

  Action by Holders      43  

Section 8.02

  Proof of Execution by Holders      43  

Section 8.03

  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners      44  

Section 8.04

  Company-Owned Notes Disregarded      44  

Section 8.05

  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound      44  

ARTICLE 9 HOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     45  

Section 9.01

  Purpose of Meetings      45  

Section 9.02

  Call of Meetings by Trustee      45  

Section 9.03

  Call of Meetings by Company or Holders      45  

Section 9.04

  Qualifications for Voting      45  

Section 9.05

  Regulations      45  

Section 9.06

  Voting      46  

Section 9.07

  No Delay of Rights by Meeting      46  

ARTICLE 10 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     46  

Section 10.01

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders      46  

Section 10.02

  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders      47  

Section 10.03

  Effect of Supplemental Indentures      47  

 

ii


Section 10.04

  Notation on Notes      49  

Section 10.05

  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee      49  

ARTICLE 11 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

     49  

Section 11.01

  Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms.      49  

Section 11.02

  Successor Corporation to Be Substituted      49  

Section 11.03

  Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee      50  

ARTICLE 12 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     50  

Section 12.01

  Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations      50  

ARTICLE 13 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

     51  

ARTICLE 14 CONVERSION OF NOTES

     51  

Section 14.01

  Conversion Privilege      51  

Section 14.02

  Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion      51  

Section 14.03

  Company’s Mandatory Conversion Option      53  

Section 14.04

  Adjustment of Conversion Rate      54  

Section 14.05

  Adjustments of Prices      62  

Section 14.06

  Shares to Be Fully Paid      62  

Section 14.07

  Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock      62  

Section 14.08

  Certain Covenants      64  

Section 14.09

  Responsibility of Trustee      65  

Section 14.10

  Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions      65  

Section 14.11

  Stockholder Rights Plans      66  

Section 14.12

  Exchange in Lieu of Conversion      66  

Section 14.13

  Limits Upon Issuance of Shares of Common Stock Upon Conversion      68  

ARTICLE 15 REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

     68  

Section 15.01

  [Intentionally Omitted]      68  

Section 15.02

  Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change      70  

Section 15.03

  Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice      71  

Section 15.04

  Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price      71  

Section 15.05

  Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes      72  

ARTICLE 16 NO REDEMPTION

     72  

Section 16.01

  No Redemption      72  

ARTICLE 17 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     72  

Section 17.01

  Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors      72  

Section 17.02

  Official Acts by Successor Corporation      72  

Section 17.03

  Addresses for Notices, Etc.      72  

 

iii


Section 17.04

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction      73  

Section 17.05

  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee      73  

Section 17.06

  Legal Holidays      73  

Section 17.07

  No Security Interest Created      74  

Section 17.08

  Benefits of Indenture      74  

Section 17.09

  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      74  

Section 17.10

  Authenticating Agent      74  

Section 17.11

  Execution in Counterparts      75  

Section 17.12

  Severability      75  

Section 17.13

  Waiver of Jury Trial      75  

Section 17.14

  Force Majeure      75  

Section 17.15

  Calculations      76  

Section 17.16

  USA PATRIOT Act      76  

Section 17.17

  Tax Withholding      76  

EXHIBIT

 

Exhibit A

  Form of Note      A-1  

 

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of May 6, 2021 between Lightning eMotors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Company,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01) and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000, and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Form of Note, the certificate of authentication to be borne by each Note, the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as provided in this Indenture, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and this Indenture the valid, binding and legal agreement of the Company and the Trustee, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Notes have in all respects been duly authorized.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

30-Day ADTV” means, as of any date and with respect to any shares of Common Stock, the arithmetic average of the products, for each Scheduled Trading Day in the 30 Scheduled Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding such date, of (i) the daily trading volume in such shares of Common Stock on the applicable exchange for such Scheduled Trading Day and (ii) the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock for such Scheduled Trading Day; provided that in the case of calculating the amount in this clause (ii) with respect


to any shares of Common Stock, in respect of any Scheduled Trading Day occurring on or subsequent to the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, such amount shall be increased by an amount of cash in U.S. dollars per share of Common Stock distributed, or to be distributed, in such dividend or distribution, net of any applicable withholding taxes, as determined by the Conversion Agent, in which case such amount shall be reduced to the amount that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

Additional Interest” means all amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6.03, as applicable.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the determination of whether one Person is an “Affiliate” of another Person for purposes of this Indenture shall be made based on the facts at the time such determination is made or required to be made, as the case may be, hereunder.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to a Depositary, as to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the issue date of the Notes, directly or indirectly managed or advised by a Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of such Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with such Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with such Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively such Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

Business Combination” means the business combination involving GigCapital3, Inc. and Lightning Systems, Inc., pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2020, by and among the GigCapital3, Inc., Lightning Systems, Inc. and Project Power Merger Sub, Inc.

 

2


Capital Lease Obligations” shall mean, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Stock” means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity; provided that debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock shall not constitute Capital Stock prior to their conversion or exchange, as the case may be.

Clause A Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Clause B Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Clause C Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

close of business” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Equity” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.

Common Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, at the date of this Indenture, subject to Section 14.07.

Company” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Article 11, shall include its successors and assigns.

Company Mandatory Conversion Condition” means the conditions required for the Company to cause Notes to be converted pursuant to Section 14.03(a).

Company Order” means a written order of the Company, signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer.

Conversion Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.

Conversion Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(c).

Conversion Obligation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).

Conversion Price” means as of any time, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such time.

Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).

Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Wilmington Trust, National Association, Global Capital Markets, 50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, Attention: Lightning eMotors Notes Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

3


Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

Daily VWAP” means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “ZEV <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The “Daily VWAP” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Amounts” means any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, principal and interest) that are payable but are not punctually paid or duly provided for.

Depositary” means, with respect to each Global Note, the Person specified in Section 2.05(b) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

Distributed Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Effective Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the OTCQB or the OTCQX.

Equity Conditions” means, with respect to an given date of determination: (i) on each day during the period beginning thirty calendar days prior to such applicable date of determination and ending on and including such applicable date of determination either (x) one or more registration statements filed with the Commission pursuant to the Subscription Agreement shall be effective and the prospectus contained therein shall be available on such applicable date of determination (with, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Common Stock previously sold pursuant to such prospectus deemed unavailable) for the resale of all shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring this determination, as applicable, in the event requiring this determination (without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth herein)) (each, a “Required Minimum Securities Amount”) or (y) all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the applicable Notes shall be eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, without the need for registration under any applicable federal or state securities laws (in each case, disregarding any limitation on conversion of the

 

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Notes) and the Company is then current with its filings with the Commission; (ii) on each day during the period beginning thirty calendar days prior to the applicable date of determination and ending on and including the applicable date of determination (the “Equity Conditions Measuring Period”), the Common Stock (including all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants) is listed or designated for quotation (as applicable) on an Eligible Market and shall not have been suspended from trading on an Eligible Market (other than suspensions of not more than two (2) days and occurring prior to the applicable date of determination due to business announcements by the Company) nor shall delisting or suspension by an Eligible Market have been threatened (with a reasonable prospect of delisting occurring after giving effect to all applicable notice, appeal, compliance and hearing periods) or reasonably likely to occur or pending as evidenced by (A) a writing by such Eligible Market or (B) the Company falling below the minimum listing maintenance requirements of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation, as applicable; (iii) during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company shall have delivered all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes on a timely basis in accordance herewith; (iv) any shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring determination (or issuable upon conversion of the portion of the Notes being redeemed in the event requiring this determination) may be issued in full without violating Section 14.13 hereof; (v) any shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring determination (or issuable upon conversion of the portion of the Notes being redeemed in the event requiring this determination (without regards to any limitations on conversion set forth herein)) may be issued in full without violating the rules or regulations of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as applicable); (vi) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no public announcement of a pending, proposed or intended Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) shall have occurred which has not been abandoned, terminated or consummated; (vii) the Company shall have no knowledge of any fact that would reasonably be expected to cause (1) any registration statement required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Subscription Agreement to not be effective or the prospectus contained therein to not be available for the resale of the applicable Required Minimum Securities Amount of all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the applicable Notes in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement or (2) any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the applicable Notes to not be eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 without the need for registration under any applicable federal or state securities laws (in each case, disregarding any limitation on conversion of the Notes and the Company is then current with its filings with the Commission, (viii) none of the Holders shall be in possession of any material, non-public information provided to any of them by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates, employees, officers, representatives, agents or the like; (ix) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company otherwise shall have been in compliance with each, and shall not have breached any representation or warranty in any material respect (other than representations or warranties subject to material adverse effect or materiality, which may not be breached in any respect) or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, including, without limitation, the Company shall not have failed to timely make any payment pursuant to any Transaction Document; (x) on each Trading Day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred any Volume Failure as of such applicable date of determination; (xi) on the applicable date of determination all shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring this determination (or issuable upon conversion of the portion of this Note being redeemed in the event requiring this determination (without regards to any limitations on conversion set forth herein)) may be issued in full from the authorized and available shares of Common Stock of the Company; (xii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred and there shall not exist an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) or an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute an Event of Default; or (xiii) the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the event requiring the satisfaction of the Equity Conditions are duly authorized and listed and eligible for trading without restriction on an Eligible Market.

 

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Equity Conditions Failure” means, with respect to any date of determination, the Equity Conditions have not been satisfied (or waived in writing by the applicable Holder).

Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Ex-Dividend Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Election” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12.

Expiration Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(e).

Form of Assignment and Transfer” means the “Form of Assignment and Transfer” attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” means the “Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Form of Note” means the “Form of Note” attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Form of Notice of Conversion” means the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs prior to the Maturity Date:

(a) a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock;

(b) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination or changes solely in par value) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one of the Company’s direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither (x) a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (relative to each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction nor (y) any merger of the Company solely for the purpose of changing its jurisdiction or incorporation that results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of Common Stock solely into shares of Common Stock of the surviving entity shall be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (b);

 

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(c) the Company’s stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(d) the Common Stock (or other Common Equity underlying the Notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors);

provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clauses (a) or (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the common stockholders of the Company, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions such consideration becomes Reference Property for the Notes, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights (subject to the provisions of Section 14.02(a)). Any event, transaction or series of related transactions that constitute a Fundamental Change under both clause (a) and clause (b) above (determined without regard to the proviso in clause (b) above) shall be deemed to be a Fundamental Change solely under clause (b) above (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be subject to the proviso in clause (b) above). If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by the equity securities of another entity occurs. references to the Company in this definition shall instead be references to such other entity.

Fundamental Change Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b)(i).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

Global Note” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).

Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

Holder”, as applied to any Note, or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Register (and in the case of a Global Note and solely with respect to Section 6.12 and Section 14.13, the indirect holder of Notes held through its participant).

Indebtedness” means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for borrowed money (including any securitization facility) or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such the Company and its Subsidiaries upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all Capital Lease Obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (e) all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as an account party in respect of letters of credit and (f) all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of bankers’ acceptances.

 

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Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

Interest Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to the conversion of any Note, in an amount denominated in U.S. dollars, the sum of all regularly scheduled interest payments, if any, due on such Note on each Interest Payment Date occurring after the Conversion Date for such conversion and on or before the Maturity Date; provided, however, that (A) for these purposes, the amount of interest due on the Interest Payment Date immediately after such Conversion Date will be deemed to be the following amount: (x) if such Conversion Date is prior to January 15, 2023 , an amount equal to twelve months of interest and (y) if such Conversion Date is on or after January 15, 2023, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, at such Conversion Date, plus any remaining amounts that would be owed to, but excluding, the Maturity Date in respect of such Notes, including all regularly scheduled interest payments; and (B) if such Conversion Date occurs after the Company has sent a Mandatory Conversion Notice, then the Interest Make-Whole Amount for such conversion shall be the sum of all regularly scheduled interest payments, if any, due on such Note on each Interest Payment Date occurring after the Conversion Date for such conversion to, but excluding, the Maturity Date.

Interest Payment Date” means each May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2021.

Last Reported Sale Price” of the Common Stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is traded. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the last quoted bid price per share for the Common Stock (or such other security) in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so quoted, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices per share for the Common Stock (or such other security) on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose. The “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of regular trading session hours.

Mandatory Conversion” means a conversion pursuant to Section 14.03(a).

Mandatory Conversion Date” means the Conversion Date for a Mandatory Conversion, as provided in Section 14.03(c).

Market Disruption Event” means, for the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion (a) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock.

 

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Maturity Date” means May 15, 2024.

Note” or “Notes” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this Indenture.

Note Register” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

Note Registrar” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any assistant Treasurer, any assistant Secretary, General Counsel, any Assistant General Counsel, any Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”).

Officer’s Certificate,” when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate that is delivered to the Trustee and that is signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company that meets the requirements of Section 17.05.

open of business” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee.

outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Notes, or portions thereof, that have become due and payable and in respect of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent);

(c) Notes that have been paid pursuant to Section 2.06 or Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by protected purchasers in due course;

(d) Notes surrendered for purchase in accordance with Article 15 for which Paying Agent holds money sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, in accordance with Section 15.04(b);

(e) Notes converted pursuant to Article 14 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.08; and

 

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(f) Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.10 after the Company surrenders them to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08.

Paying Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.

Permitted Indebtedness” means Indebtedness consisting of (i) Indebtedness in respect of Capital Lease Obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000, (ii) Indebtedness under that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2019, by and between Cupola Infrastructure Income Fund, L.L.L.P and Lightning Hybrids, LLC, and (iii) any other Indebtedness, in an amount for the Permitted Indebtedness under clauses (ii) and (iii) not to exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that, such Permitted Indebtedness under clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall be reduced to an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 within thirty (30) Business Days of the issue date of the Notes.

Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

Physical Notes” means permanent certificated Notes in registered form issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples in excess thereof.

Physical Settlement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).

Physical Settlement Method” means, with respect to any conversion of Notes, the Physical Settlement.

Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of or in exchange for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.

Record Date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors, by statute, by contract or otherwise).

Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, means the May 1 or November 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable May 15 or November 15 Interest Payment Date, respectively.

Redemption” means the repurchase of any Note by the Company pursuant to 4.10.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

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Restricted Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Restrictive Legend” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(d).

Rule 144” means Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities Act.

Scheduled Trading Day” means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Trading Day” means a Business Day.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Settlement Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iv).

Share Exchange Event” has the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided that, in the case of a Subsidiary of the Company that meets the criteria of clause (3) of the definition thereof but not clause (1) or (2) thereof, such Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be a Significant Subsidiary unless the Subsidiary’s income (or loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles exclusive of amounts attributable to any non-controlling interests for the last completed fiscal year prior to the date of such determination exceeds $20,000,000.

Spin-Off” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Successor Company” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.01(a).

Trading Day” means a day on which (i) trading in the Common Stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then traded and (ii) a Last Reported Sale Price for the Common Stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market; provided that if the

 

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Common Stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “Trading Day” means a Business Day; and provided, further, that for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “Trading Day” means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event and (y) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading, except that if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.

transfer” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Trigger Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.

unit of Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

Valuation Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Volume Failure” means, with respect to a particular date of determination, the aggregate daily dollar trading volume (as reported on Bloomberg) of the Common Stock on the Principal Market on any Trading Day during the twenty (20) Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such date of determination (such period, the “Volume Failure Measuring Period”), is less than $2,000,000 (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions occurring after the Subscription Date). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such Volume Failure Measuring Period.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to “more than 50%” in the definition of “Subsidiary” shall be deemed replaced by a reference to “100%”.

Section 1.02 References to Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to Section 6.03. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

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ARTICLE 2

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Section 2.01 Designation and Amount. The Notes shall be designated as the “7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024.” The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is initially limited to $100,000,000, subject to Section 2.10 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes to the extent expressly permitted hereunder.

Section 2.02 Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. In the case of any conflict between this Indenture and a Note, the provisions of this Indenture shall control and govern to the extent of such conflict.

Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as the Officer executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect redemptions, repurchases, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the Holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, a Global Note shall be made to the Holder of such Note on the date of payment, unless a record date or other means of determining Holders eligible to receive payment is provided for herein.

Section 2.03 Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts. (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of such Note. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.

 

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(b) The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. The principal amount of any Note (x) in the case of any Physical Note, shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the United States, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office and in the case of any Global Note, shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company shall pay, or cause the Paying Agent to pay, interest (i) on any Physical Notes (A) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Note Register and (B) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each Holder or, upon application by such a Holder to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holder’s account within the United States, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies, in writing, the Note Registrar to the contrary or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

(c) Any Defaulted Amounts shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant payment date but shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, such relevant payment date, and such Defaulted Amounts together with such interest thereon shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the Defaulted Amounts proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than 25 days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Amounts or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Amounts as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of such special record date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor to be delivered to each Holder not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor having been so delivered, such Defaulted Amounts shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(c). The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of the Defaulted Amounts.

 

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(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Amounts in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Section 2.04 Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual, facsimile or other electronic signature of one of its Officers.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes, without any further action by the Company hereunder.

Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, executed manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 17.10), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the Officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer.

Section 2.05 Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary. (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. Such register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable period of time. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed the “Note Registrar” for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-Note Registrars in accordance with Section 4.02.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such legends as may be required by this Indenture.

Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, repurchase or conversion shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee or Note Registrar and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be imposed on a Holder by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of Notes, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of new Notes issued upon such exchange or registration of transfer being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer.

None of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion or (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 15.

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(a)

(b) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, subject to the fourth paragraph from the end of Section 2.05(c), all Notes shall be represented by one or more Notes in global form (each, a “Global Note”) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Physical Note shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Custodian) in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the Applicable Procedures.

(c) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(c) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (together with any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes that is required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), collectively, the “Restricted Securities”) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (including the legend set forth below), unless such restrictions on transfer shall be eliminated or otherwise waived by written consent of the Company, and the Holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(c), the term “transfer” encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.

(d) Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the “Restrictive Legend”) (or any similar legend, not inconsistent with this Indenture, required by the Depositary for such Global Note):

THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

 

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(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IS EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER, OR

(C) TO A PERSON THAT YOU REASONABLY BELIEVE TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THREE MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms or (ii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the Note Registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the Restrictive Legend required by this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned (or deemed assigned) a restricted CUSIP number. The Restrictive Legend set forth above and affixed on any Note will be deemed, in accordance with the terms of the certificate representing such Note, to be removed therefrom upon the Company’s delivery to the Trustee of written notice to such

 

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effect, without further action by the Company, the Trustee, the Holder(s) thereof or any other Person; at such time, such Note will be deemed to be assigned an unrestricted CUSIP number as provided in the certificate representing such Note, it being understood that the Depositary of any Global Note may require a mandatory exchange or other process to cause such Global Note to be identified by an unrestricted CUSIP number in the facilities of such Depositary. Without limiting the generality of any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive an instruction letter from the Company before taking any action with respect to effecting any such mandatory exchange or other process. The Company and the Trustee reserve the right to require the delivery of such legal opinions, certifications or other evidence as may reasonably be required in order to determine that any proposed transfer of any Note is being made in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian in writing to so surrender any Global Note as to which any of the conditions set forth in clause (i) and (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied, and, upon such instruction, the Custodian shall so surrender such Global Note for exchange; and any new Global Note so exchanged therefor shall not bear the Restrictive Legend specified in this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned (or deemed assigned) a restricted CUSIP number.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in this Section 2.05(c)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part except (i) by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary and (ii) for exchange of a Global Note or a portion thereof for one or more Physical Notes in accordance with the second immediately succeeding paragraph.

The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co.

If (i) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and a beneficial owner of any Note requests that its beneficial interest therein be issued as a Physical Note, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Notes, shall authenticate and deliver (x) in the case of clause (iii), a Physical Note to such beneficial owner in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Note corresponding to such beneficial owner’s beneficial interest and (y) in the case of clause (i) or (ii), Physical Notes to each beneficial owner of the related Global Notes (or a portion thereof) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes, and upon delivery of the Global Notes to the Trustee such Global Notes shall be canceled.

Physical Notes issued in exchange for all or a part of the Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, or, in the case of clause (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, the relevant beneficial owner, shall instruct the Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Physical Notes to the Persons in whose names such Physical Notes are so registered.

 

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At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been converted, canceled, repurchased or transferred, such Global Note shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and existing instructions between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Physical Notes, converted, canceled, repurchased or transferred to a transferee who receives Physical Notes therefor or any Physical Note is exchanged or transferred for part of such Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.

None of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Conversion Agent or any other agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any act or omission of the Depositary. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder(s) (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note).

The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(d) Any stock certificate representing Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such Common Stock has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or such Common Stock has been issued upon conversion of a Note that has transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company with written notice thereof to the Trustee and any transfer agent for the Common Stock):

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE SERIES OF NOTES UPON THE CONVERSION OF WHICH THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

 

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(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IS EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER, OR

(C) TO A PERSON THAT YOU REASONABLY BELIEVE TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR THE COMPANY TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

Any such Common Stock (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms, (ii) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (iii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(d).

(e) Any Note or Common Stock issued upon conversion or exchange of a Note that is repurchased or owned by any Affiliate of the Company (or any Person who was an Affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months immediately preceding) may not be resold by such Affiliate (or such Person, as the case may be) unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction that results in such Note or Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being a “restricted security” (as defined under Rule 144).

(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Note Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer complies with the registration provisions of, or exemptions from, the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws or other applicable law.

 

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Section 2.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Note, bearing a registration number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

The Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity as the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent upon the issuance of any substitute Note, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new substitute Note being different from the name of the Holder of the old Note that became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen. In case any Note that has matured or is about to mature or has been surrendered for required repurchase or is about to be converted in accordance with Article 14 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement, payment, conversion or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement, payment, conversion or repurchase of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.07 Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Physical Notes, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Physical Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Physical Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Physical Notes (other

 

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than any Global Note) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than any Global Note) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes upon the written request of the Company. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Physical Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.08 Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. The Company shall cause all Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment at maturity, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any Person that the Company controls other than the Trustee, to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation and they will no longer be considered outstanding under this Indenture upon their payment at maturity, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion. All Notes delivered to the Trustee shall be canceled promptly by it. Except for any Notes surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, or as otherwise expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture, no Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. After such cancellation, the Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company, at the Company’s written request in a Company Order.

Section 2.09 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in all notices issued to Holders as a convenience to such Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the CUSIP numbers as they appear on any Note, notice or elsewhere and that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or on such notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

Section 2.10 Additional Notes; Repurchases. The Company may, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, reopen this Indenture and issue additional Notes hereunder with the same terms as the Notes initially issued hereunder (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional Notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax or securities laws purposes, such additional Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number, ISIN or other identifying numbers. Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to cover such matters, in addition to those required by Sections 10.05 and 17.05, as the Trustee shall reasonably request. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law and without the consent of Holders, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. The Company may, at its option and to the extent permitted by applicable law, reissue, resell, hold or surrender to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08 any Notes that the Company may repurchase, in the case of a reissuance or resale, so long as such Notes do not constitute “restricted securities” (as defined under Rule 144) upon such reissuance or resale. Any Notes that the Company may repurchase shall be considered outstanding for all purposes under this Indenture (other than, at any time when such Notes are held by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates or any Subsidiary of any of such Affiliates, for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture) unless and until such time the Company surrenders them to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08 and, upon receipt of a written order from the Company, the Trustee shall cancel all Notes so surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE 3

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 3.01 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture and the Notes shall upon request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes, when (a) (i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced, paid or converted as provided in Section 2.06) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) after the Notes have (x) become due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date, on any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or otherwise and/or (y) been converted (and the related consideration due upon conversion has been determined), the Company has deposited with the Trustee cash and/or has delivered to Holders shares of Common Stock, as applicable, (in the case of Common Stock, solely to satisfy the Company’s Conversion Obligation) sufficient, without consideration of reinvestment, to pay all of the outstanding Notes and all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company; and (b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.06 shall survive.

ARTICLE 4

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed upon conversion on, and accrued and unpaid interest on, each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company or Paying Agent may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America from principal, premium or Interest or Defaulted Amounts payments hereunder.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the United States an office or agency where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase (“Paying Agent”) or for conversion (“Conversion Agent”) and where notices in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be made. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made at the Corporate Trust Office.

The Company may also from time to time designate a Paying Agent one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Conversion Agent” include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.

 

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The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as the Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent and the Corporate Trust Office as a place where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase (if applicable) or for conversion and where notices in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be made; provided that no office of the Trustee shall be a place for service of legal process on the Company.

Section 4.03 Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 4.04 Provisions as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(ii) that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust;

provided, that a Paying Agent appointed as contemplated under Section 15.02(f) shall not be required to deliver any such instrument.

The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) or such accrued and unpaid interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit must be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay, cause to be paid or deliver to the Trustee all sums or amounts held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums or amounts to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment or delivery by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability but only with respect to such sums or amounts.

 

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(d) Subject to applicable law, any money deposited with the Trustee, the Conversion Agent or any Paying Agent, or any money and shares of Common Stock then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued and unpaid interest on and the consideration due upon conversion of any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), interest or consideration due upon conversion has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust and the Trustee shall have no further liability with respect to such funds; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee, the Conversion Agent or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee with respect to such trust money and shares of Common Stock, shall thereupon cease.

Section 4.05 Existence. Subject to Article 11, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

Section 4.06 Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports. (a) At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and, upon written request, any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes or shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 144A.

(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the Commission, copies of any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall in no event be required to deliver to, or otherwise provide or disclose to, the Trustee or any Holder any information for which the Company is requesting (assuming such request has not been denied), or has received, confidential treatment from the Commission, or any correspondence with the Commission. Any such document or report that the Company files with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee for purposes of this Section 4.06(b) at the time such documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or any successor thereto); provided that the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether such documents or reports have been filed via the EDGAR system.

(c) Delivery of the reports and documents described in subsection (b) above to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate).

 

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Section 4.07 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.08 Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2021) an Officer’s Certificate stating whether the signers thereof have knowledge of any failure by the Company to comply with all conditions and covenants then required to be performed under this Indenture and, if so, specifying each such failure and the nature thereof.

In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after an officer of the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof; provided that the Company is not required to deliver such notice if such Event of Default or Default has been cured.

Section 4.09 Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.

Section 4.10 Indebtedness Incurrence. The Company covenants and agrees that so long as any amount of the Notes remains outstanding under this Indenture, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries creates, incurs, assumes, permits to exist, or otherwise becomes or remains directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness (other than the Notes, any additional Notes issued under this Indenture and any Permitted Indebtedness), the Company shall:

(a) offer to redeem, in full, all outstanding principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes outstanding under this Indenture; plus

(b) if such additional Indebtedness is incurred prior to January 15, 2023, such Redemption of the Notes shall be accompanied with a prepayment premium equal to twelve months of interest on the principal amount of the Notes being repaid, from the date of such debt incurrence, computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month;

(c) if such additional Indebtedness is incurred on or after January 15, 2023, such Redemption of the Notes shall be accompanied with a prepayment premium equal to the amount of interest which would otherwise have accrued on the Notes so repaid to, but excluding, the Maturity Date; and

(d) issue to each Holder a warrant to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the amount of outstanding principal of the Notes then held by such Holder, divided by (ii) $11.50, which warrant shall be (A) exercisable only during the period from the date of repayment of such Notes through and including the Maturity Date for an exercise price of $11.50 per share, (B) subject to registration rights in favor of the Holder thereof (covering such warrant and its underlying shares of Common Stock) substantially equivalent to the registration rights to which such Holder is entitled with

 

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respect to those warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock issued to such Holder in connection with the issuance of the Notes (the “Initial Warrants”), and (C) subject to a warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and such Holder (or the Company’s transfer agent on behalf of such Holder) containing terms and conditions otherwise substantially equivalent to the terms and conditions set forth in the warrant agreement governing the Initial Warrants.

(f) Pursuant to the Redemption requirement of this Section 4.10, the Company must send to each applicable Holder of such Notes (and to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, if required by applicable law), the Trustee and the Paying Agent no less than 10 days prior to the date of Redemption (the “Redemption Date”) a written notice of such Redemption (a “Redemption Notice”).

Such Redemption Notice must state:

(i) that the Notes have been called for Redemption, briefly describing the Company’s Redemption right under this Indenture;

(ii) the Redemption Date for such Redemption;

(iii) the Redemption price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such Redemption;

(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;

(v) that Notes called for Redemption may be converted at any time before the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately before the Redemption Date (or, if the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price due on such Redemption Date in full, at any time until such time as the Company pays such Redemption Price in full);

(vi) the Conversion Rate in effect on the Redemption Notice Date for such Redemption;

(vii) that Notes called for Redemption must be delivered to the Paying Agent (in the case of Physical Notes) or the Depositary Procedures must be complied with (in the case of Global Notes) for the Holder thereof to be entitled to receive the Redemption price; and

(viii) the CUSIP and ISIN numbers, if any, of the Notes.

On or before the Redemption Notice Date, the Company will send a copy of such Redemption Notice to the Trustee and the Paying Agent. Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Date, the Company will deposit with the Paying Agent cash in U.S. Dollars sufficient to pay the Redemption price. Notices of redemption may not be conditional and are irrevocable. The Company will comply with the Depositary Procedures in the case of Global Notes.

ARTICLE 5

LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Lists of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semi-annually, not more than 10 days after each May 15 and November 15 in each year beginning with November 15, 2021, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders as of a date not more than 10 days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee is acting as Note Registrar.

 

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Section 5.02 Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default. Each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:

(a) default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of thirty (30) days;

(b) default in the payment of principal of any Note when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(c) failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Notes in accordance with this Indenture upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right, and such failure continues for three (3) Business Days;

(d) failure by the Company to issue a Fundamental Change Company Notice in accordance with Section 15.02(c) when due, and such failure continues for five (5) Business Days,;

(e) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 11;

(f) failure by the Company for 60 days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding has been received by the Company to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture;

(g) default by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any Indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $20,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such Indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, if such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default shall not have been cured or waived, or such Indebtedness shall not have been paid or discharged, as the case may be, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding in accordance with this Indenture;

 

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(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall publicly admit in writing that it generally is not paying, or is unable to pay, its debts as they become due; or

(i) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days.

Section 6.02 Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment. If one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable.

The immediately preceding paragraph, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal or interest of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay installments of accrued and unpaid interest upon all Notes and the principal of any and all Notes that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, and on such principal at the rate borne by the Notes at such time) and amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06, and if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) any and all existing Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the uncured nonpayment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on Notes that shall have become due solely by such acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.09, then and in every such case (except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences and such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any Default or Event of Default resulting from (i) the nonpayment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, any Notes, (ii) a failure to repurchase any Notes when required or (iii) a failure to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes.

 

 

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Section 6.03 Additional Interest. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, to the extent the Company elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) shall after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to: (i) 2.00% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the period beginning on, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurs and ending on the earlier of (x) the date on which such Event of Default is cured or validly waived in accordance with this Article 6 and (y) the 180th day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurs and (ii) if such Event of Default has not been cured or validly waived prior to the 181st day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurs, 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of Notes outstanding for each day during the period beginning on, and including, the 181st day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurs and ending on the earlier of (x) the date on which the Event of Default is cured or validly waived in accordance with this Article 6 and (y) the 360th day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurs. If the Company so elects, such Additional Interest shall be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes and shall accrue on all outstanding Notes from, and including, the date on which the Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) first occurs to, and including, the 360th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which such Event of Default is cured or validly waived in accordance with this Article 6). On the 361st day after such Event of Default (if the Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) is not cured or validly waived in accordance with this Article 6 prior to such 361st day), such Additional Interest shall cease to accrue and the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders of Notes in the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b). In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default in accordance with this Section 6.03 or the Company has elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.

In order to elect to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 360 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company must notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Paying Agent in an Officer’s Certificate of such election on or before the open of business on the Business Day immediately succeeding the date on which such Event of Default first occurs. Upon the failure to timely give such notice, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. The Officer’s Certificate under this Section 6.03(b) shall state (i) the amount of such Additional Indenture that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest is payable.

In no event shall any Additional Interest that may accrue as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file any document or report that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K), accrue at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum pursuant to this Indenture, regardless of the number of events or circumstances giving rise to the requirement to pay such Additional Interest.

 

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Section 6.04 Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on any overdue principal and interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Notes at such time, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06. If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.

In the event there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company, the property of the Company, or in the event of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company, or to the creditors or property of the Company, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.04, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such other actions as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors, or its property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including agents and counsel fees, and including any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06, incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property that the Holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting such Holder or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of any waiver pursuant to Section 6.09 or any rescission and annulment pursuant to Section 6.02 or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 6.05 Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

First, to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee, including its agents and counsel, under Section 7.06;

Second, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of any interest on, and any cash due upon conversion of, the Notes in default in the order of the date due of the payments of such interest and cash due upon conversion, as the case may be, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) payable upon such overdue payments at the rate borne by the Notes at such time, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

Third, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount (including, if applicable, the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and, to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee, upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Notes at such time, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the payment of such principal (including, if applicable, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and interest without preference or priority of principal over interest, or of interest over principal or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal (including, if applicable, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and accrued and unpaid interest; and

Fourth, to the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

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Section 6.06 Proceedings by Holders. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal (including, if applicable, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as herein provided;

(b) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holders shall have offered, and, if requested, provided, to the Trustee such security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense to be incurred therein or thereby;

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of such security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and

(e) no direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within such 60-day period pursuant to Section 6.09,

it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Note with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are prejudicial to any other Holder), or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.06, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, each Holder shall have the contractual right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note or in this Indenture, and the contractual right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, on or after such respective dates, shall not be amended without the consent of each Holder.

 

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Section 6.07 Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.08 Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any Notes or does not produce any Notes in the proceeding.

Section 6.09 Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes; provided, however, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that it determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability or for which it has not received indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against loss, liability or expense (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to determine whether any direction is prejudicial to any Holder). The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes (x) waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, or the principal (including any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of, the Notes when due that has not been cured pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01, (ii) a failure by the Company to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 10 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected; and (y) rescind any resulting acceleration of the Notes and its consequences if (i) such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) all existing Events of Default (other than nonpayment of the principal of, and interest on, the Notes that have become due solely by such acceleration) have been cured or waived. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.09, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.10 Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, after the occurrence and continuance of a Default of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge, deliver to all Holders notice of such Default within 90 days after such Responsible Officer obtains such knowledge, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), or accrued and unpaid interest on, any of the Notes or a Default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

 

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Section 6.11 Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 6.11 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Note (including, but not limited to, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) on or after the due date expressed or provided for in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Note, or receive the consideration due upon conversion, in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.

Section 6.12 Companys Failure to Timely Convert. If at any time from and after the issue date of the Notes, the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, on or prior to the second (2nd) Trading Day after receipt of the applicable Conversion Notice (the “Share Delivery Deadline”), either (I) if the Company’s stock transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) is not participating in The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for such number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion of such portion of the applicable Note or (II) after the initial effective date of the registration statement filed pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, if the registration statement covering the resale of the shares of Common Stock that are the subject of the Conversion Notice (the “Unavailable Conversion Shares”) is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Conversion Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as required pursuant to the Subscription Agreement (x) notify such Holder and (y) deliver the shares of Common Stock electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred as a “Notice Failure” and together with the event described in clause (I) above, a “Delivery Failure”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, (X) the Company shall pay in cash to such Holder on each day after the Share Delivery Deadline that the issuance of such shares of Common Stock is not timely effected an amount equal to 1% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock not issued to such Holder on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline and to which such Holder is entitled, multiplied by (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by such Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable date of such Conversion Notice and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, and (Y) such Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Conversion Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, all, or any portion, of such Notes that has not been converted pursuant to such Conversion Notice; provided that the voiding of a Conversion Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 6.12 or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, from and after the issue date of the Notes, if on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline either (A) the Transfer Agent is not

 

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participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a certificate and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below or (B) a Notice Failure occurs, and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline such Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion that such Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with such Delivery Failure or Notice Failure, as applicable (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such Holder’s request and in such Holder’s discretion, either: (I) pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to such Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) or credit to the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (II) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to such Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (x) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (y) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (II). Nothing herein shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) upon the conversion of this Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent has any duty to determine whether a Notice Failure, Delivery Failure or Buy-In has occurred, calculate or verify the calculations of Buy-In Price or notify Holders of any of the foregoing.

ARTICLE 7

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs; provided that the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered, and if requested, provided to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of gross negligence and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any Paying Agent or any records maintained by any co-Note Registrar with respect to the Notes;

(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred;

(g) in the absence of written investment direction from the Company, all cash received by the Trustee shall be placed in a non-interest bearing trust account, and in no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon or for losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investments prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investment to provide timely written investment direction, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of such written investment direction from the Company; and

 

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(h) in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or transfer agent hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall also be afforded to such Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or transfer agent.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

Section 7.02 Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, judgment, order, bond, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and require an Opinion of Counsel and any advice of such counsel or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on such advice or Opinion of Counsel.

(d) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, judgment, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine in its reasonable judgment to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, at a reasonable time on any Business Day after reasonable notice, to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(e) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder, and the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

(f) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

(g) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

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(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default (except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of scheduled principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default (and stating the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default) is actually received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture and states that it is a “Notice of Default”.

(i) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.

(j) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(k) Neither the Trustee nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates shall be responsible for nor have any duty to monitor the performance or any action of the Company, or any of their respective directors, members, officers, agents, affiliates or employee, nor shall it have any liability in connection with the malfeasance or nonfeasance by such party. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy in the information obtained from the Company or for any inaccuracy or omission in the records which may result from such information or any failure by the Trustee to perform its duties as set forth herein as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness.

(l) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, incidental or any consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action other than any such loss or damage caused by the Trustee’s willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been actually received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, from the Company or any Holder of the Notes, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture and states that is a “Notice of Default.”

(m) Neither the Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

Section 7.03 No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes or other transaction documents relating to the Notes and this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture.

 

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Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent or Note Registrar (in each case, if other than an Affiliate of the Company), in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or Note Registrar.

Section 7.05 Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust. All monies and shares of Common Stock received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money and shares of Common Stock held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as may be agreed from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.

Section 7.06 Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to in writing between the Trustee and the Company, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture in any capacity hereunder (including the compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall have been caused by its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, its officers, directors, agents or employees, or such agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be, as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or in any other capacity hereunder (whether such claims arise by or against the Company or a third person), including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim of liability in the premises or enforcing the Company’s obligations hereunder. The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a senior lien to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except, subject to the effect of Section 6.05, funds held in trust herewith for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.06 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Company. The obligation of the Company under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the payment or conversion of the Notes and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The indemnification provided in this Section 7.06 shall extend to the officers, directors, agents and employees of the Trustee.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

 

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Section 7.07 Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.08 Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act (as if the Trust Indenture Act were applicable hereto) to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 7.09 Resignation or Removal of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly notify all Holders and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation to the Company, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders and at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(a) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(ii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in either case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

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(b) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, as determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee that shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Holder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 7.09(a) provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.

Section 7.10 Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.10 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior lien to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.11, each of the Company and the successor trustee, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders. If the Company fails to deliver such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be delivered at the expense of the Company.

Section 7.11 Succession by Merger, Etc. Any corporation or other entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that in the case of any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee such corporation or other entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.

 

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In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 7.12 Trustees Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three (3) Business Days after the date any officer that the Company has indicated to the Trustee should receive such application actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date), unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of any omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in accordance with this Indenture in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

ARTICLE 8

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01 Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining Holders entitled to take such action. The record date if one is selected shall be not more than fifteen days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 9.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register or by a certificate of the Note Registrar. The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.

 

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Section 8.03 Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name a Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal (including any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of and (subject to Section 2.03) accrued and unpaid interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Conversion Agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. The sole registered holder of a Global Note shall be the Depositary or its nominee. All such payments or deliveries so made to any Holder for the time being, or upon its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums or shares of Common Stock so paid or delivered, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable or shares deliverable upon any such Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes following an Event of Default, any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may directly enforce against the Company, without the consent, solicitation, proxy, authorization or any other action of the Depositary or any other Person, such holder’s right to exchange such beneficial interest for a Note in certificated form in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 8.04 Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes that are owned by the Company, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action only Notes that a Responsible Officer actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 8.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to so act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Subsidiary thereof or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

Section 8.05 Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Note that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof.

 

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ARTICLE 9

HOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 9.01 Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Holders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder (in each case, as permitted under this Indenture) and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;

(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 7;

(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.02; or

(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 9.02 Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 8.01, shall be delivered to Holders of such Notes. Such notice shall also be delivered to the Company. Such notices shall be delivered not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Any meeting of Holders shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Notes then outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.

Section 9.03 Call of Meetings by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Holders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have delivered the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by delivering notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.

Section 9.04 Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 9.05 Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

 

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The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting of Holders each Holder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him or her; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by it or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating it as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Holders. Any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 may be adjourned from time to time by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 9.06 Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was delivered as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Section 9.07 No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.

ARTICLE 10

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 10.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture pursuant to Article 11;

 

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(c) to add guarantees with respect to the Notes;

(d) to secure the Notes;

(e) to add to the covenants or Events of Default of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

(f) to make any change that, as certified in good faith by the Company in an Officer’s Certificate, does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

(g) in connection with any Share Exchange Event, to provide that the notes are convertible into Reference Property, subject to the provisions of Section 14.02, and make such related changes to the terms of the Notes to the extent expressly required by Section 14.07;

(h) comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act to the extent this Indenture is qualified thereunder;

(i) [reserved];

(j) provide for the appointment of a successor Trustee, Note Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent;

(k) comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary in a manner that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

(l) [reserved];

(m) increase the Conversion Rate as provided in this Indenture or

(n) to make any change to comply with rules of the Depositary, so long as such change does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder, as certified in good faith by the Company in an Officer’s Certificate.

Upon the written request of the Company and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee is hereby authorized to, and shall, join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 10.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.

Section 10.02 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, Notes), the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture or the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders;

 

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provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such supplemental indenture shall:

(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

(b) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;

(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of any Note;

(d) make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Notes other than as permitted or required by this Indenture;

(e) reduce the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders the Company’s obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

(f) make any Note payable in a currency, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Note;

(g) change the ranking of the Notes;

(h) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and the consideration due upon conversion of, its Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes or this Indenture;

(i) make any change in this Article 10 that requires each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions in Section 6.02 or Section 6.09; or

(j) provide for the issuance of additional Notes.

Upon the written request of the Company, and upon the delivery to the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

Holders do not need under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture. It shall be sufficient if such Holders approve the substance thereof. After any such supplemental indenture becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders a notice briefly describing such supplemental indenture. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the supplemental indenture.

Section 10.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

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Section 10.04 Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 may, at the Company’s expense, bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated, upon receipt of a Company Order, by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.10) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

Section 10.05 Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee. In addition to the documents required by Section 17.05, the Trustee shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 10 and is permitted or authorized by this Indenture and such Opinion of Counsel shall include a customary legal opinion stating that such supplemental indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Company, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.

ARTICLE 11

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 11.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Company shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person, unless:

(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”), if not the Company, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture; and

(c) if the Company is not the Successor Company, the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease complies with this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the supplemental indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Successor Company, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.

Section 11.02 Successor Corporation to Be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and upon the assumption by the Successor Company (if other than the Company), by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes, the due and punctual delivery and/or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the

 

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covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company, such Successor Company (if not the Company) shall succeed to and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the Company shall be discharged from its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries, taken as a whole). Such Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), upon compliance with this Article 11 the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture (or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 11) may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 11.03 Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee. If a supplemental indenture is required pursuant to this Article 11, no such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be effective unless the Trustee shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such assumption complies with the provisions of this Article 11.

ARTICLE 12

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 12.01 Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on, or the payment or delivery of consideration due upon conversion of, any Note, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, nor because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 13

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE 14

CONVERSION OF NOTES

Section 14.01 Conversion Privilege. Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such Note at any time prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, at an initial conversion rate of 86.9565 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 14, the “Conversion Rate”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to, and in accordance with, the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the “Conversion Obligation”).

Section 14.02 Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion.

(a) Subject to this Section 14.02 and Section 14.07(a), upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting Holder no later than two (2) Trading Days following the applicable conversion of the Notes, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted, shares of Common Stock, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with subsection (j) of this Section 14.02 (“Physical Settlement”) as set forth in this Section 14.02. The Company shall use the Physical Settlement Method for all conversions.

(i) The shares of Common Stock in respect of any conversion of Notes (the “Settlement Amount”) shall be computed as follows: (A) the Company shall deliver to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (plus cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion) plus (B)(x) if the average of the Daily VWAPs for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the Conversion Date (the “Average VWAP”) equals or exceeds $11.50 per share, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, deliver to the Holder the Interest Make-Whole Amount for such conversion in the form of cash or a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the Interest Make-Whole Amount by the Average Price VWAP and delivering cash in lieu of fractional shares or (y) if the Average VWAP is less than $11.50 per share, the Company shall deliver to the Holder the Interest Make-Whole Amount for such conversion solely in the form of cash.

(b) Subject to Section 14.02(e), before any Holder of a Note shall be entitled to convert a Note as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of a Global Note, comply with the procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time and, if required, pay funds equal to the interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) and, if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any, pursuant to Section 14.02(e) and (ii) in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice to the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile thereof) (a “Notice of Conversion”) at the office of the Conversion Agent and state in writing therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon settlement of the Conversion Obligation to be registered, (2) surrender such Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank (and accompanied by appropriate endorsement and transfer documents), at the office of the Conversion Agent, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, (4) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on

 

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the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) and (5) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any, pursuant to Section 14.02(e). The Trustee (and if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Article 14 on the Conversion Date for such conversion. No Notice of Conversion with respect to any Notes may be surrendered by a Holder thereof if such Holder has also delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Company in respect of such Notes and has not validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with Section 15.03. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent that an indirect holder of a Global Note held indirectly through a participant submits irrevocable instructions to convert any portion of such Note, such Holder shall be deemed for purposes of Regulation SHO to have converted the applicable portion of such Note at the time of delivery of such instructions, regardless of when shares of Common Stock are delivered to such Holder or its participant.

If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.

(c) A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the “Conversion Date”) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth in subsection (b) above. Except as set forth in Section 14.07(a), the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due in respect of the Conversion Obligation on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Company’s satisfaction of its Conversion Obligation through Physical Settlement for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, the settlement shall occur on the Maturity Date. If any shares of Common Stock are due to a converting Holder, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, and deliver (if applicable) to the Conversion Agent or to such Holder, or such Holder’s nominee or nominees, the full number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled, in book-entry format through the Depositary, in satisfaction of the Company’s Conversion Obligation.

(d) In case any Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Note so surrendered a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note, without payment of any service charge by the converting Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.

(e) If a Holder submits a Note for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder shall pay that tax. The Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Holder’s name until the Trustee receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax that is due by such Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.

(f) Except as provided in Section 14.04, no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article 14.

 

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(g) Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.

(h) Upon conversion, a Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the full Conversion Obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of Notes into shares of Common Stock, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date but prior to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date, Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. However, Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted on the corresponding Interest Payment Date (regardless of whether the converting Holder was the Holder of record on the corresponding Regular Record Date); provided that no such payment shall be required (1) for conversions following the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date and a conversion occurs after such Regular Record Date and on or prior to the open of business on such Interest Payment Date; or (3) to the extent of any Defaulted Amounts, if any Defaulted Amounts exist at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all Holders of record on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date described in clause (2) above shall receive the full interest payment due on the Maturity Date or other applicable Interest Payment Date in cash regardless of whether their Notes have been converted and/or repurchased, as applicable, following such Regular Record Date.

(i) The Person in whose name the shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon conversion shall be treated as a stockholder of record as of the close of business on the relevant Conversion Date. Upon a conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes surrendered for conversion.

(j) The Company shall not issue any fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion based on the Daily VWAP for the relevant Conversion Date.

Section 14.03 Companys Mandatory Conversion Option.

(a) On or after May 15, 2022 and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, the Company may, at its option, elect to convert the Original Principal Amount of the Notes in whole but not in part (x) if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 120% of the Conversion Price on each applicable Trading Day and (y) if the 30-Day ADTV ending on, and including, the last Trading Day of the applicable exercise period is greater than or equal to $3,000,000 (the “Company Mandatory Conversion Condition”).

 

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(b) To exercise the Company Mandatory Conversion Right, the Company will send notice of the Company’s election (a “Mandatory Conversion Notice”) to Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day after the last VWAP Trading Day of such 30 consecutive VWAP Trading Day period.

Such Mandatory Conversion Notice must state:

(i) that the Notes have been called for Mandatory Conversion, briefly describing the Company Mandatory Conversion Right under this Indenture;

(ii) the Mandatory Conversion Date;

(iii) the current Conversion Rate;

(iv) the Interest Make-Whole amount;

(v) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent; and

(vi) the CUSIP and ISIN numbers, if any, of the Notes

(c) If the Company exercises the Company Mandatory Conversion Right in accordance with this Section 14.03, then a Conversion Date will automatically, and without the need for any action on the part of any Holder, the Trustee or the Conversion Agent, be deemed to occur, with respect to each Note then outstanding, on the Mandatory Conversion Date. The Mandatory Conversion Date will be a Business Day of the Company’s choosing that is no more than thirty (30), nor less than ten (10), Business Days after the Company sends the Mandatory Conversion Notice.

(d) Each share of Common Stock delivered upon a Mandatory Conversion of any Note will be a newly issued or treasury share and will be duly and validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, free from preemptive rights and free of any lien or adverse claim. If the Common Stock is then listed on any securities exchange, or quoted on any inter-dealer quotation system, and has been registered on an effective registration statement with the Commission, then the Company will cause each shares of Common Stock, when delivered upon a Mandatory Conversion of any Note, to be admitted for listing on such exchange or quotation on such system. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be permitted to effect any Company Mandatory Conversion hereunder unless as of such Mandatory Conversion Date no Equity Conditions Failure then exists.

Section 14.04 Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 14.04, without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.

 

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(a) If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

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where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date, as applicable;
OS0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date, as applicable, before giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination; and
OS’    =   

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.

Any adjustment made under this Section 14.04(a) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 14.04(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(b) If the Company issues to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than pursuant to a stockholders rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

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OS0

   =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
X    =    the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
Y    =    the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants.

Any increase made under this Section 14.04(b) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of the Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.

For purposes of this Section 14.04(b), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement for such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

(c) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its Indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding (i) dividends, distributions or issuances (including share splits) as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) or Section 14.04(e), (ii) except as otherwise described in Section 14.11, rights issued pursuant to any stockholders rights plan of the Company then in effect, (iii)dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in Section 14.04(d) shall apply, (iv) dividends or distributions of Reference Property in exchange for or upon conversion of the Common Stock in a Share Exchange Event, and (v) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 14.04(c) shall apply (any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of Indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities, the “Distributed Property”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

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LOGO

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
SP0    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and
FMV =       the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

Any increase made under the portion of this Section 14.04(c) above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. If the Company issues rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities that are exercisable only upon the occurrence of certain triggering events, the Company shall not adjust the conversion rate pursuant to the clauses above until the earliest of these triggering events occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock receive the Distributed Property, the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution. If the Board of Directors determines the “FMV” (as defined above) of any distribution for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) by reference to the actual or when-issued trading market for any securities, it shall in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

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where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the Valuation Period;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the end of the Valuation Period;
FMV0    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of the Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of Last Reported Sale Price as set forth in Section 1.01 as if references therein to Common Stock were to such Capital Stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the “Valuation Period”); and
MP0    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period.

 

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The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall occur at the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period; provided that if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the Valuation Period, references to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed between the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off and the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared or announced.

For purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and subject in all respect to Section 14.11), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 14.04(c). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of Indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.

For purposes of Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) and this Section 14.04(c), if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable also includes one or both of:

(A) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 14.04(a) is applicable (the “Clause A Distribution”); or

 

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(B) a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 14.04(b) is applicable (the “Clause B Distribution”),

then, in either case, (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable (the “Clause C Distribution”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 14.04(c) with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 14.04(a) and Section 14.04(b) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(a) or “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(b).

(d) If the Company pays or makes any cash dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;
SP0    =    the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; and
C    =    the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock.

Any increase pursuant to this Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

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(e) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock that is subject to the then-applicable tender offer rules under the Exchange Act (other than an odd lot tender offer), to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires (the date such tender offer or exchange offer expires, the “Expiration Date”);
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date;
AC    =    the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Board of Directors) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer;
OS0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Expiration Date (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);
OS’    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Expiration Date (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and SP’ = the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date.

The increase to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(e) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed between the Expiration Date of such tender or exchange offer and the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate. In addition, if the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires is after the 10th Trading Day immediately preceding, and including, the date immediately preceding the relevant Conversion Date in respect of a conversion of Notes, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph and this paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced, solely in respect of that conversion of Notes, with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires to, and including, the last Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Conversion Date.

In the event that the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Company is, or such Subsidiary is, permanently prevented by applicable law from consummating any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made or had been made only in respect of the purchases that have been consummated.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding this Section 14.04 or any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date, and a Holder that has converted its Notes on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related Record Date would be treated as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock as of the related Conversion Date as described under Section 14.02(i) based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding the Conversion Rate adjustment provisions in this Section 14.04, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date shall not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder shall be treated as if such Holder were the record owner of the shares of Common Stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

(g) Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

(h) In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 14.04, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of The New York Stock Exchange, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of The New York Stock Exchange, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall deliver to the Holder of each Note a notice of the increase at least 15 days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

(i) Except as stated in this Indenture, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities. For illustrative purposes only and without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:

(i) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;

(ii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries;

 

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(iii) upon the issuance of any shares of the Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued;

(iv) upon the repurchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction, including structured or derivative transactions, that is not a tender or exchange offer of the nature described in Section 14.04(e);

(v) solely for a change in the par value (or lack of par value) of the Common Stock; or

(vi) for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

(j) All calculations and other determinations under this Article 14 shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share.

(k) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a written notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall deliver such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee). Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.

(l) For purposes of this Section 14.04, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.

Section 14.05 Adjustments of Prices. Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices or the Daily VWAPs over a span of multiple days, the Board of Directors shall make appropriate adjustments (without duplication in respect of any adjustment made pursuant to Section 14.04) to each to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date or Expiration Date, as the case may be, of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the Last Reported Sale Prices or the Daily VWAPs are to be calculated.

Section 14.06 Shares to Be Fully Paid. The Company shall reserve, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion.

Section 14.07 Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock.

(a) In the case of:

 

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(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes in par value or resulting from a subdivision or combination),

(ii) any consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction involving the Company,

(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or

(iv) any statutory share exchange,

in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a “Share Exchange Event”), then at and after the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Share Exchange Event would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “Reference Property,” with each “unit of Reference Property” meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive) upon such Share Exchange Event and, prior to or at the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, the Company or the successor or acquiring Person, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture permitted under Section 10.01(g) providing for such change in the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes; provided, however, that at and after the effective time of the Share Exchange Event (A) the Company or the successor or acquiring company, as the case may be, shall continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 and (B) (I) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall continue to be payable in cash, (II) any shares of Common Stock that the Company would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall instead be deliverable in the amount and type of Reference Property that a holder of that number of shares of Common Stock would have been entitled to receive in such Share Exchange Event and (III) the Daily VWAP shall be calculated based on the value of a unit of Reference Property.

If the Share Exchange Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then (i) the Reference Property into which the Notes will be convertible shall be deemed to be (x) the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election or (y) if no holders of Common Stock affirmatively make such an election, the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Common Stock, and (ii) the unit of Reference Property for purposes of the immediately preceding paragraph shall refer to the consideration referred to in clause (i) attributable to one share of Common Stock. If the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in such Share Exchange Event, then for all conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the effective date of such Share Exchange Event (A) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date, multiplied by the price paid per share of Common Stock in such Share Exchange Event and (B) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying such cash amount to converting Holders on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. The Company shall notify in writing Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such weighted average as soon as reasonably practicable after such determination is made.

 

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If the Reference Property in respect of any Share Exchange Event includes, in whole or in part, shares of common equity, such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Article 14 with respect to the portion of the Reference Property consisting of such common equity. If, in the case of any Share Exchange Event, the Reference Property includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets (other than cash and/or cash equivalents) of a Person other than the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such Share Exchange Event, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other Person, if such other Person is an affiliate of the Company or the successor or acquiring company, and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Notes as the Board of Directors shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing, including the provisions providing for the purchase rights set forth in Article 15.

(b) When the Company executes a supplemental indenture pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 14.07, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or property or asset that will comprise a unit of Reference Property after any such Share Exchange Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly deliver notice thereof to all Holders. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be delivered to each Holder within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.

(c) The Company shall not become a party to any Share Exchange Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 14.07. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a holder of Notes to convert its Notes into shares of Common Stock, as set forth in Section 14.01 and Section 14.02 prior to the effective date of such Share Exchange Event.

(d) The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive Share Exchange Events.

Section 14.08 Certain Covenants. (a) Subject to Sections 14.02(d) and 14.02(e), the Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

(b) The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Common Stock may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission, secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.

(c) The Company further covenants that if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system the Company will list and use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.

Section 14.09 Responsibility of Trustee. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto.

 

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Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 14.07 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 14.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in conclusively relying upon, the Officer’s Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to deliver to the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent may conclusively rely upon any notice with respect to the commencement or termination of such conversion rights.

Section 14.10 Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case of any:

(a) action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 or Section 14.11;

(b) Share Exchange Event; or

(c) voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company;

then, in each case (unless notice of such event is otherwise required pursuant to another provision of this Indenture) and to the extent applicable, the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and to be delivered to each Holder, a notice stating the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record are to be determined for the purposes of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries no later than the earlier of the date notice of such date is required to be provided under Rule 10b-17 of the Exchange Act, other applicable Commission rule or applicable rules of the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading and such date is publicly announced by the Company. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, Share Exchange Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.

Section 14.11 Stockholder Rights Plans. If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, each share of Common Stock, if any, issued upon such conversion shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, under such stockholder rights plan and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any such stockholder rights plan, as the same may be amended from time to time. However, if, prior to any conversion of Notes, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights plan, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock Distributed Property as provided in Section 14.04(c), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

 

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Section 14.12 Exchange in Lieu of Conversion. When a Holder surrenders its Notes for conversion, the Company may, at its election (an “Exchange Election”), direct the Conversion Agent to deliver, on or prior to the first Trading Day following the Conversion Date, such Notes to a financial institution designated by the Company for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any Notes surrendered for conversion, the designated financial institution must agree to timely deliver, in exchange for such Notes, the shares of Common Stock due upon conversion as described in Section 14.02. If the Company makes an Exchange Election, the Company shall, by the close of business on the first Trading Day following the relevant Conversion Date, notify in writing the Trustee, the Conversion Agent and the Holder surrendering its Notes for conversion that it has made the Exchange Election, and the Company shall notify the designated financial institution of the Physical Settlement Method it with respect to such conversion and the relevant deadline for payment and/or delivery of shares of Common Stock due upon conversion.

Any Notes exchanged by the designated financial institution shall remain outstanding. If the designated financial institution agrees to accept any Notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver the required shares of Common Stock due upon conversion, or if such designated financial institution does not accept the Notes for exchange, the Company shall notify in writing the Trustee, the Conversion Agent and the Holder surrendering its Notes for conversion, and pay and/or deliver the required shares of Common Stock due upon conversion to the converting Holder at the time and in the manner required under this Indenture as if the Company had not made an Exchange Election.

The Company’s designation of a financial institution to which the Notes may be submitted for exchange does not require that financial institution to accept any Notes (unless the financial institution has separately made an agreement with the Company). The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into a separate agreement with any designated financial institution that would compensate it for any such transaction.

Section 14.13 Limits Upon Issuance of Shares of Common Stock Upon Conversion. The Company shall not effect the conversion of any of the Notes held by a Holder, and such Holder shall not have the right to convert any of the Notes held by such Holder pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Indenture and any such conversion shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, such Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by such Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, nonconverted Notes beneficially owned by such Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes, convertible preferred stock or warrants, including the Notes and the Initial Warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 14.13. For purposes of this Section 14.13, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock a Holder may acquire upon the conversion of such Warrants without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, such Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of

 

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Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Commission, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives a Conversion Notice from a Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall notify such Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Conversion Notice would otherwise cause such Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 14.13, to exceed the Maximum Percentage, such Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such Conversion Notice. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of any Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including such Notes, by such Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon conversion of such Notes results in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which such Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and such Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, any Holder may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Maximum Percentage of such Holder to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to such Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other Holder that is not an Attribution Party of such Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable to a Holder pursuant to the terms of this Indenture in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by such Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to convert such Notes pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 14.13 to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph (or any portion of this paragraph) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 14.13 or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of such Notes. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall have any responsibility to determine the Maximum Percentage or whether the issuance of any shares results in a Holder or Attribution Party having Excess Shares or otherwise determine or monitor compliance with the terms of this Section 14.13.

 

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ARTICLE 15

REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 15.01 [Intentionally Omitted].

Section 15.02 Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change. (a) If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, on the date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 Business Days or more than 35 Business Days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus any remaining amounts that would be owed to, but excluding, the Maturity Date, including all regularly scheduled interest payments (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Price”), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest (to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date) to Holders of record as of such Regular Record Date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 15, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus any remaining amounts that would be owed to, but excluding, the Maturity Date, including all regularly scheduled interest payments. The Fundamental Change Repurchase Date shall be subject to postponement in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law.

(b) Repurchases of Notes under this Section 15.02 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:

(i) delivery to the paying agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Applicable Procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and

(ii) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the paying agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the office of the paying agent, or book- entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.

The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Notes to be repurchased shall state:

(iii) in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;

(iv) the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be in minimum denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and

(v) that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture;

provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with the Applicable Procedures.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the paying agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.02 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the paying agent in accordance with Section 15.03.

The paying agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

(c) On or before the 20th Business Day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders of Notes, the Trustee, the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and the paying agent (in the case of a paying agent other than the Trustee) a written notice (the “Fundamental Change Company Notice”) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:

(i) the events causing the Fundamental Change;

(ii) the effective date of the Fundamental Change;

(iii) the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 15;

(iv) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;

(v) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;

(vi) the name and address of the paying agent and the Conversion Agent, if applicable;

(vii) if applicable, the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate;

(viii) that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(ix) the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes.

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 15.02. Simultaneously with providing such notice, the Company will publish such information on its website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.

At the Company’s written request, given at least five days prior to the date the Fundamental Change Company Notice is to be sent, the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Fundamental Change Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders in connection with a Fundamental Change if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The paying agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the Applicable Procedures shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the Company shall not be required to repurchase, or to make an offer to repurchase, the Notes upon a Fundamental Change if a third party makes such an offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth in this Article 15 (including, without limitation, the requirement to comply with applicable securities laws), and such third party purchases all Notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth in this Article 15 (including the requirement to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the later of the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the relevant Notes); provided that the Company shall continue to be obligated to (x) deliver the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Holders (which Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice shall state that such third party shall make such an offer to purchase the Notes) and to simultaneously with such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice publish a notice containing such information in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York or publish the information on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time, (y) comply with applicable securities laws as set forth in this Indenture in connection with any such purchase and (z) pay the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the later of the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the relevant Notes in the event such third party fails to make such payment in such amount at such time.

(f) For purposes of this Article 15, the paying agent may be any agent, depositary, tender agent, paying agent or other agent appointed by the Company to accomplish the purposes set forth herein.

Section 15.03 Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice. (a) A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the office of the paying agent in accordance with this Section 15.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:

(i) the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof,

(ii) if Physical Notes have been issued, the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000;

 

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provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the notice of withdrawal must comply with appropriate procedures of the Depositary.

Section 15.04 Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. (a) The Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company), or if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04 on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (subject to extension in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law) an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 15.02) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 15.02 by mailing checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

(a) If by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to make payment on all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be repurchased on such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, or, if extended in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law, such later date, then, with respect to the Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the procedures of the Depositary, (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest will cease to accrue on such Notes on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or, if extended in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law, such later date (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or paying agent) and (iii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes with respect to the Notes will terminate on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or, if extended in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law, such later date (other than (x) the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and (y) if the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, the right of the Holder of record on such Regular Record Date to receive the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date).

(b) Upon surrender of a Physical Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 15.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Physical Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Physical Note surrendered.

Section 15.05 Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes. In connection with any repurchase offer, the Company will, if required:

(a) comply with the provisions of any tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable;

(b) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and

 

71


(c) otherwise comply in all material respects with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;

in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 15 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 15 subject to postponement in order to allow the Company to comply with applicable law. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Company’s obligations to purchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

ARTICLE 16

NO REDEMPTION

Section 16.01 No Redemption. Other than as provided in Section 4.10, the Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to the Maturity Date, and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

ARTICLE 17

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 17.01 Provisions Binding on Companys Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 17.02 Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or Officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation or other entity that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.

Section 17.03 Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders on the Company shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is delivered by the Company to the Trustee) to Lightning eMotors, Inc., 815 14th Street SW, Suite A100, Loveland, CO 80537, Attention: General Counsel, with a copy sent to DLA Piper LLP (US), 555 Mission Street, Suite 2400, San Francisco, CA 94105-2933, Attention: Jeffrey C. Selman, Esq. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if it is in writing and actually received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office. In no event shall the Trustee or the Conversion Agent be obligated to monitor any website maintained by the Company or any press releases issued by the Company.

The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Physical Notes shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Global Notes shall be delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary and shall be sufficiently given to it if so delivered within the time prescribed.

 

72


Failure to mail or deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered, as the case may be, in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Section 17.04 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF).

The Company irrevocably consents and agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes and the Trustee, that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the Notes may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and, until amounts due and to become due in respect of the Notes have been paid, hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues.

The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 17.05 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with. With respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Each Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel provided for, by or on behalf of the Company in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with this Indenture (other than the Officer’s Certificates provided for in Section 4.08) shall include (a) a statement that the person signing such certificate is familiar with the requested action and this Indenture; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement contained in such certificate is based; (c) a statement that, in the judgment of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such action is permitted by this Indenture; and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the judgment of such person, such action is permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with.

Section 17.06 Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue on any such payment in respect of the delay.

 

73


Section 17.07 No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

Section 17.08 Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders, the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any Custodian, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 17.09 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 17.10 Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04 and Section 15.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.08.

Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.

Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall deliver notice of such appointment to all Holders.

The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services although the Company may terminate the authenticating agent, if it determines such agent’s fees to be unreasonable.

 

74


The provisions of Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 8.03 and this Section 17.10 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section 17.10, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

______________________________,

as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described

in the within-named Indenture.

By: __________________________________________

Authorized Signatory

Section 17.11 Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, PDF or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. Unless otherwise provided in this Indenture or in any Note, the words “execute,” “execution,” “signed” and “signature” and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture, any Note or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including amendments, waivers, consents and other modifications) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee.

Section 17.12 Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 17.13 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 17.14 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, pandemics, epidemics, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex write or communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

75


Section 17.15 Calculations. The Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock, the Daily VWAPs, accrued interest payable on the Notes, any Additional Interest on the Notes, the Conversion Rate of the Notes, Buy-In Price, Maximum Percentage, Excess Shares, . The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, the Company’s calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes. The Company shall provide a schedule of its calculations to each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and Conversion Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations to any registered Holder of Notes upon the written request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent will have any responsibility to make calculations under this Indenture, nor will either of them have any responsibility to monitor the Company’s stock or trading price, determine whether the conditions to convertibility of the Notes have been met or determine whether the circumstances requiring changes to the Conversion Rate have occurred.

Section 17.16 USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 17.17 Tax Withholding. The Company or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and any current or future regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto, in each case, that a Holder is subject to pursuant to the Indenture (“Applicable Tax Law”), or by virtue of the relevant Holder failing to satisfy any certification or other requirements under Applicable Tax Law in respect of the Notes, in which event the Company or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted and shall have no obligation to gross up any payment hereunder or pay any additional amount as a result of such withholding tax.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, if the Company or other applicable withholding agent pays withholding taxes or backup withholding on behalf of the Holder as a result of an adjustment or the nonoccurrence of an adjustment to the Conversion Rate, the Company or other applicable withholding agent may, at its option, withhold from or set off such payments against payments of cash and shares of Common Stock on the Note (or any payments on the Company’s Common Stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of the Holder.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

76


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


Lightning eMotors, Inc.

7.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2024

No. [     ]

[Initially]1 $100,000,000

CUSIP No. [53228R AA3]2

Lightning eMotors, Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]3 [     ]4, or registered assigns, the principal sum [as set forth in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Notes” attached hereto]5 [of $[     ]]6, which amount, taken together with the principal amounts of all other outstanding Notes, shall not, unless permitted by the Indenture, exceed $100,000,000 in aggregate at any time, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary, on May 15, 2024, and interest thereon as set forth below.

This Note shall bear interest at the rate of 7.50% per year from May 6, 2021, or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until May 15, 2024. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15 of each year (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), commencing on November 15, 2021, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding May 1 and November 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. Additional Interest will be payable as set forth in Section 6.03 of the within-mentioned Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to Section 6.03, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof where such express mention is not made.

Any Defaulted Amounts shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such Defaulted Amounts shall have been paid by the Company, at its election, in accordance with Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.

The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on this Note, if and so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or

 

1 

Include if a global note.

2 

Subject to the procedures of the Depositary, at such time as the Company notifies the Trustee that the Restrictive Legend is to be removed in accordance with the Indenture, the CUSIP number for this Note shall be deemed to be [ ].

3 

Include if a global note.

4 

Include if a physical note.

5 

Include if a global note.

6 

Include if a physical note.

 

A-1


agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Note Registrar in respect of the Notes and the Corporate Trust Office located in the United States of America as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer and exchange.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the Holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into shares of Common Stock on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Note, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof).

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC.

By:    
 

Name:

 

Title:

Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee, certifies that this is one

of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

 

By:    
 

Authorized Signatory

 

A-3


[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

Lightning eMotors, Inc.

7.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2024

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 6, 2021 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used in this Note and not defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture.

In case certain Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or any provision of this Note, each Holder shall have the contractual right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, this Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in this Note or in the Indenture, and the contractual right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, on or after such respective dates, shall not be amended without the consent of each Holder.

The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples in excess thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.

 

A-4


The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund or otherwise.

Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Holder has the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.

 

A-5


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM = as tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

CUST = Custodian

TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A-6


SCHEDULE A7

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

Lightning eMotors, Inc.

7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000). The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of exchange   

Amount of

decrease in

principal amount

of this Global

Note

  

Amount of

increase in

principal amount

of this Global

Note

  

Principal amount

of this Global

Note following

such decrease or

increase

  

Signature of

authorized

signatory of

Trustee or

Custodian

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

7 

Include if a global note.

 

A-7


ATTACHMENT 1

[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]

 

To:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Global Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: Lighting eMotors Notes Administrator

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash for any fractional share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e) of the Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

 

Dated:                                                                           

                 

    

         

     Signature

             

    
Signature Guarantee     

Signature(s) must be guaranteed by

an eligible Guarantor Institution

(banks, stock brokers, savings and

loan associations and credit unions)

with membership in an approved

signature guarantee medallion program

pursuant to Securities and Exchange

Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares of Common Stock are to

be issued, or

Notes are to be delivered, other than

to and in the name of the registered holder.

Fill in for registration of shares if to be issued,

and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name

of the registered holder:

(Name)

 

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(Street Address)

 

(City, State and Zip Code)

Please print name and address

 

Principal amount to be converted (if less than all):
$__________,000
NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

             

Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

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ATTACHMENT 2

[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]

To: Paying Agent

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Lightning eMotors, Inc. (the “Company”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 15.02 of the Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

In the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:

Dated: __________

 

 

Signature(s)

                 

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Principal amount to be repaid (if less than all):
$__________,000
NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

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ATTACHMENT 3

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]

For value received _______________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _______________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _______________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

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Dated:                             

 

 

Signature(s)

Signature Guarantee Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible

Guarantor Institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings

and loan associations and credit unions) with

membership in an approved signature guarantee

medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if Notes are to

be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.

NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must

correspond with the name as written upon the face of

the Note in every particular without alteration or

enlargement or any change whatever.

 

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Exhibit 10.4

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.

and

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY

AMENDED AND RESTATED WARRANT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 6, 2021, is by and between GigCapital3, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”, also referred to herein as the “Transfer Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Company entered into Unit Purchase Agreements dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “Unit Purchase Agreements”), with each of GigAcquisitions3 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), Nomura Securities International, Inc. (“Nomura”), Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) and Odeon Capital Group LLC (“Odeon” and, collectively with Sponsor, Nomura and Oppenheimer, the “Founders”), pursuant to which the Founders have purchased an aggregate of [●] units (the “Private Placement Units”), each such unit comprised of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company, and three-fourths of one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock (each, a “Founder Warrant”), simultaneously with the closing of the Offering (as defined below), for a purchase price of $10.00 per unit;

WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with an intended initial merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), Sponsor or any of its affiliates, or certain of the Company’s executive officers or directors may loan to the Company funds as the Company may require, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into up to an additional 150,000 units of the Company’s equity securities (the “Working Capital Units”), each such Working Capital Unit comprised of one share of one share of Common Stock and three-fourths of one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock (the “Working Capital Warrants”), at a price of $10.00 per Working Capital Unit;

WHEREAS, on May 18, 2020, the Company completed an initial public offering (the “Offering”) of units of the Company’s equity securities (the “Public Units” and, together with the Private Placement Units and the Working Capital Units, the “Units”), each such unit comprised of one share of Common Stock and three-fourths of one redeemable warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock (the “Public Warrants” and, together with the Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants, the “Initial Warrants”) and, in connection therewith, issued and delivered up to 15,000,000 Public Warrants to public investors in the Offering;

WHEREAS, the Company and Warrant Agent entered into that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2020 (the “Original Warrant Agreement”), which provides for the form and provisions of the Initial Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitations of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the holders of the Initial Warrants;

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-236626 (the “Registration Statement”), and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Offering;


WHEREAS, the Company, Project Power Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), and Lightning Systems, Inc. (the “Target”) have entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which the parties thereto shall, among other things, consummate a Business Combination in which Merger Sub shall merge with and into the Target, with the Target surviving such Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, the Company has, concurrently with entering into the Business Combination Agreement, entered into Subscription Agreements, dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “Subscribers”), pursuant to which the Subscribers have agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Subscribers, effective as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, (a) an aggregate amount of $100,000,000 of unsecured promissory notes convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock, and (b) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 8,695,652 shares of Common Stock for an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock (the “Note Financing Warrants” and, together with the Initial Warrants, the “Warrants”);

WHEREAS, each whole Warrant entitles (or, in the case of the Note Financing Warrants, will upon its issuance pursuant to the Subscription Agreements entitle) the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock for $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein;

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants;

WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Warrant Agent desire to amend and restate the Original Warrant Agreement in the form of this Agreement, in accordance with Section 9.8 of the Original Warrant Agreement, such that this Agreement will take effect and supersede the Original Warrant Agreement in its entirety as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (concurrently with the issuance of the Note Financing Warrants); and

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2. Warrants.

2.1 Form of Warrant. Each Warrant shall initially be issued in registered form only.

 

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2.2 Effect of Countersignature. If a physical certificate is issued, unless and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Warrant shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.

2.3 Registration.

2.3.1 Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall maintain books (the “Warrant Register”), for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants in book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Public Warrants shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by institutions that have accounts with the Depositary (such institution, with respect to a Warrant in its account, a “Participant”).

If The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for the Public Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding making other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Public Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Public Warrants available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depositary to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each book-entry Public Warrant, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent to deliver to the Depositary definitive certificates in physical form evidencing such Warrants which shall be in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Initial Warrant, or portion thereof, may be issued as part of, and be represented by, a Unit. Any Initial Warrant so issued shall have the same terms, force and effect as a certificated Initial Warrant that has been duly countersigned by the Warrant Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Certificates representing the Warrants, if issued, shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or other executive officer of the Company. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance. Each certificate representing a Founder Warrant or Working Capital Warrant held by the Sponsor shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto. Each certificate representing a Founder Warrant or Working Capital Warrant held by a Founder (other than the Sponsor) shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit C hereto. Each certificate representing a Note Financing Warrant shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit D hereto.

2.3.2 Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant is registered in the Warrant Register (the “Registered Holder”) as the absolute owner of such Warrant and of each Warrant represented thereby, for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

2.4 Detachability of Warrants. The Common Stock and Warrants comprising the Public Units trade separately.

2.5 No Fractional Warrants Other Than as Part of Units. The Company shall not issue fractional Warrants other than as part of the Units, each of which is comprised of one share of Common Stock and three-fourths of one Initial Warrant. If, upon the detachment of Initial Warrants from Units or otherwise, a holder of Initial Warrants would be entitled to receive a fractional Initial Warrant, the Company shall round down to the nearest whole number the number of Initial Warrants to be issued to such holder.

 

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2.6 Founder Warrants and Working Capital Warrants. The Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants shall be identical to the Public Warrants, except that so long as they are held by a Founder or any of its Permitted Transferees (as defined below) the Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants: (i) may be exercised for cash or, pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) hereof, on a cashless basis, (ii) shall be subject to the Lock-up (as defined below), and (iii) in accordance with Section 6.4 hereof shall not be redeemable by the Company; provided, however, that in the case of (ii), the Founder Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants and any shares of Common Stock held by a Founder or its Permitted Transferees and issued upon exercise of the Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants may be transferred by the holders thereof:

(a) amongst the Sponsor and its affiliates, to the Company’s executive officers or directors, or to any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s executive officers or directors;

(b) in the case of an entity, as a distribution to its partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation;

(c) in the case of an individual, (i) by bona fide gift to such person’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such person’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order;

(d) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities;

(e) through private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Founder Warrants were originally purchased;

(f) in the case of a Founder (other than the Sponsor), to such Founder’s affiliates or any entity controlled by such Founder; or

(g) to the Company for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination; provided, however, that, in each case (except clause (g)), these transferees (the “Permitted Transferees”) shall enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions agreed to by the original holder in connection with the purchase of the securities being transferred.

For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Lock-up” means the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 7 of the Unit Purchase Agreements.

2.7 Exercise Period for Certain Founders. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants held by the Founders (other than the Sponsor) or their respective designees or affiliates shall not be exercisable on the date immediately following the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the Registration Statement.

2.8 Note Financing Warrants. The Note Financing Warrants shall be identical to the Public Warrants, except that the Note Financing Warrants in accordance with Section 6.5 hereof shall not be redeemable by the Company.

3. Terms and Exercise of Warrants.

3.1 Exercise Price. Each whole Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, entitle the Registered Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock stated therein, at the price of $11.50 per share, subject to the adjustments provided in Section 4 hereof and in the

 

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last sentence of this Section 3.1. The term “Exercise Price” as used in this Agreement shall mean the price per share at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased at the time a Warrant is exercised. The Company in its sole discretion may lower the Exercise Price at any time prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) for a period of not less than twenty (20) Business Days, provided, that the Company shall provide at least twenty (20) days prior written notice of such reduction to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such reduction shall be identical among all of the Warrants.

3.2 Duration of Warrants. A Warrant may be exercised only during the period (the “Exercise Period”) commencing on the later of: (i) the date that is thirty (30) days after the first date on which the Company completes its initial Business Combination, or (ii) the date that is twelve (12) months from the date of the closing of the Offering, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the earlier to occur of: (x) the date that is five (5) years after the date on which the Company completes its initial Business Combination, or (y) other than with respect to the Founder Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants and the Note Financing Warrants to the extent then held, directly or indirectly, by the original purchasers thereof or their Permitted Transferees, the Redemption Date (as defined below) as provided in Section 6.2 hereof (the “Expiration Date”); provided, however, that the exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to the satisfaction of any applicable conditions, as set forth in subsection 3.3.2 below, with respect to an effective registration statement. Except with respect to the right to receive the Redemption Price (as defined below) (other than with respect to a Founder Warrant, a Working Capital Warrant or a Note Financing Warrant to the extent then held, directly or indirectly, by the original purchasers thereof or their Permitted Transferees) in the event of a redemption (as set forth in Section 6 hereof), each Warrant (other than a Founder Warrant, Working Capital Warrant or Note Financing Warrant in the event of a redemption to the extent then held, directly or indirectly, by the original purchasers thereof or their Permitted Transferees) not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date; provided, that the Company shall provide at least twenty (20) days prior written notice of any such extension to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such extension shall be identical in duration among all the Warrants.

3.3 Exercise of Warrants.

3.3.1 Payment. Subject to the provisions of the Warrant and this Agreement, a Warrant, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, may be exercised by the Registered Holder thereof by surrendering it, at the office of the Warrant Agent, or at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent, in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, with the subscription form, as set forth in the Warrant, duly executed, and by paying in full the Exercise Price for each share of Common Stock as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for the shares of Common Stock and the issuance of such Common Stock, as follows:

(a) in lawful money of the United States, in good certified check or good bank draft payable to the order of the Warrant Agent;

(b) in the event of a redemption pursuant to Section 6 hereof in which the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) has elected to require all holders of the Warrants to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by surrendering the Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Exercise Price and the Fair Market Value, as defined in this subsection 3.3.1(b) by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3, the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Common Stock for the five (5) trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Warrants, pursuant to Section 6 hereof;

 

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(c) with respect to any Founder Warrant or Working Capital Warrant, so long as such Founder Warrant or Working Capital Warrant is held by a Founder or a Permitted Transferee of a Founder, by surrendering such Founder Warrants or Working Capital Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Exercise Price and the Fair Market Value, as defined in this subsection 3.3.1(c), by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this subsection 3.3.1(c), the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Common Stock for the five (5) trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of exercise of the Warrant is sent to the Warrant Agent; or

(d) as provided in Section 7.4 hereof.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent that a holder that holds Warrants indirectly through a Participant submits irrevocable instructions to exercise such Warrant, such holder shall be deemed for purposes of Regulation SHO to have exercised such Warrant at the time of delivery of such instructions, regardless of when shares of Common Stock are delivered to such holder or its Participant.

3.3.2 Issuance of Shares of Common Stock on Exercise. As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Exercise Price (if payment is pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(a)), the Company shall issue to the Registered Holder of such Warrant a book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, for the number of full shares of Common Stock to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if such Warrant shall not have been exercised in full, a new book-entry position or countersigned Warrant, as applicable, for the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Public Warrant or a Note Financing Warrant and shall have no obligation to settle such Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrant is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company’s satisfying its obligations under Section 7.4. No Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant shall be exercisable and the Company shall not be obligated to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of a Public Warrant or a Note Financing Warrant unless the Common Stock issuable upon such Public Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt from registration or qualification under the securities laws of the state of residence of the Registered Holder of the Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Public Warrant or a Note Financing Warrant, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant and such Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In such case the purchaser of a Public Unit containing such Public Warrant shall have paid the full purchase price for the Public Unit solely for the share of Common Stock underlying such Public Unit. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Public Warrant or the Note Financing Warrant exercise. The Company may require holders of Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants to settle the Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant on a “cashless basis” pursuant to Section 7.4. If, by reason of any exercise of Warrants on a “cashless basis”, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round down to the nearest whole number, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such holder. As used in this Agreement, “trading day” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange or quoted for trading on one or more OTC Markets.

 

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3.3.3 Valid Issuance. All shares of Common Stock issued upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

3.3.4 Date of Issuance. Each person in whose name any book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, for shares of Common Stock is issued shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock on the date on which the Warrant, or book-entry position representing such Warrant, was surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate in the case of a certificated Warrant, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the share transfer books of the Company or book-entry system of the Warrant Agent are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares of Common Stock at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the share transfer books or book-entry system are open.

3.3.5 Maximum Percentage. A holder of a Warrant may notify the Company in writing in the event it elects to be subject to the provisions contained in this subsection 3.3.5; however, no holder of a Warrant shall be subject to this subsection 3.3.5 unless he, she or it makes such election. If the election is made by a holder, the Warrant Agent shall not effect the exercise of the holder’s Warrant, and such holder shall not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant Agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon (x) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of the Warrant beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates and (y) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). For purposes of the Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (1) the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, current report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Commission as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other notice by the Company or Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. For any reason at any time, upon the written request of the holder of the Warrant, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days, confirm orally and in writing to such holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of equity securities of the Company by the holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. By written notice to the Company, the holder of a Warrant may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage applicable to such holder to any other percentage specified in such notice; provided, however, that any such increase shall not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company.

 

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4. Adjustments.

4.1 Stock Dividends.

4.1.1 Split-Ups. If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 below, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

4.1.2 Extraordinary Dividends. If the Company, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, shall pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of the Common Stock on account of such shares of Common Stock (or other shares of the Company’s capital stock into which the Warrants are convertible) (an “Extraordinary Dividend”), then the Exercise Price shall be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such Extraordinary Dividend, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value (as determined by the Board, in good faith) of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such Extraordinary Dividend; provided, however, that none of the following shall be deemed an Extraordinary Dividend for purposes of this provision: (a) any adjustment described in subsection 4.1.1 above, (b) any cash dividend or cash distribution which, when combined on a per share basis with the per share amounts of all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in other subsections of this Section 4 and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the Exercise Price or to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividend or cash distribution equal to or less than $0.50, (c) any payment to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of the shares of Common Stock in connection with a proposed initial Business Combination or (d) any payment in connection with the Company’s liquidation and the distribution of its assets upon its failure to consummate a Business Combination. Solely for purposes of illustration, if the Company, at a time while the Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pays a cash dividend of $0.35 and previously paid an aggregate of $0.40 of cash dividends and cash distributions on the Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such $0.35 dividend, then the Warrant Price will be decreased, effectively immediately after the effective date of such $0.35 dividend, by $0.25 (the absolute value of the difference between $0.75 (the aggregate amount of all cash dividends and cash distributions paid or made in such 365-day period, including such $0.35 dividend) and $0.50 (the greater of (x) $0.50 and (y) the aggregate amount of all cash dividends and cash distributions paid or made in such 365-day period prior to such $0.35 dividend)).

4.2 Aggregation of Shares. If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 hereof, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock.

4.3 Adjustments in Exercise Price.

4.3.1 Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in subsection 4.1.1 or Section 4.2 above, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Exercise Price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.

 

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4.3.2 If (a) the Company issues additional shares of Common Stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Common Stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Board, and in the case of any such issuance to Founders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by them prior to such issuance), (b) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 65% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (c) the volume weighted average trading price of Common Stock during the 20 trading-day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates the initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the Warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of (i) the Market Value or (ii) the price at which the Company issues the additional shares of Common Stock or equity-linked securities.

4.4 Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change under subsections 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 or Section 4.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or conversion of the Company into another entity (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the holders of the Warrants shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in shares of Common Stock covered by Sections 4.1 or 4.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2 and this Section 4.4. The provisions of this Section 4.4 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers. In no event will the Exercise Price be reduced to less than the par value per share issuable upon exercise of the Warrant.

4.5 Notices of Changes in Warrant. Upon every adjustment of the Exercise Price or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, the Company shall give written notice of the occurrence of such event to each holder of a Warrant, at the last address set forth for such holder in the Warrant Register, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event.

4.6 No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such holder.

 

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4.7 Form of Warrant. The form of Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Exercise Price and the same number of shares of Common Stock as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.

4.8 Other Events. In case any event shall occur affecting the Company as to which none of the provisions of preceding subsections of this Section 4 are strictly applicable, but which would require an adjustment to the terms of the Warrants in order to (i) avoid an adverse impact on the Warrants and (ii) effectuate the intent and purpose of this Section 4, then, in each such case, the Company shall appoint a firm of independent public accountants, investment banking or other appraisal firm of recognized national standing, which shall give its opinion as to whether or not any adjustment to the rights represented by the Warrants is necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Section 4 and, if they determine that an adjustment is necessary, the terms of such adjustment, provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the Warrants be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4.8 as a result of any issuance of securities in connection with the initial Business Combination. The Company shall adjust the terms of the Warrants in a manner that is consistent with any adjustment recommended in such opinion.

5. Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.

5.1 Registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant upon the Warrant Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer, in the case of certificated Warrants, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. In the case of certificated Warrants, the Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.

5.2 Procedure for Surrender of Warrants. Warrants may be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the Registered Holder of the Warrants so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants; provided, however, that in the event that a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend (as in the case of the Founder Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants or the Note Financing Warrants), the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and issue new Warrants in exchange thereof until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.

5.3 Fractional Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which shall result in the issuance of a warrant certificate or book-entry position for a fraction of a warrant, except as part of the Units.

5.4 Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.

5.5 Warrant Execution and Countersignature. The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, shall supply the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.

 

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5.6 Transfer of Warrants. Each transfer of a Unit on the register relating to such Units shall operate also to transfer the Warrants included in such Unit. This Section 5.6 shall not apply to the Note Financing Warrants as they are not issued in conjunction with Units.

5.7 Transfer of Note Financing Warrants to Affiliates. The Subscribers shall be permitted to transfer the Note Financing Warrants to their respective affiliates so long as such affiliates have entered into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to comply with any applicable transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Agreements and this Agreement.

6. Redemption.

6.1 Redemption. Subject to Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 hereof, not less than all of the outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, at any time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon notice to the Registered Holders of the Warrants, as described in Section 6.2 below, at the price of $0.01 per Warrant (the “Redemption Price”), provided that the last sales price of the Common Stock reported has been at least $18.00 per share (subject to adjustment in compliance with Section 4 hereof), on each of twenty (20) trading days within the thirty (30) trading-day period ending on the third Business Day prior to the date on which notice of the redemption is given and provided that there is an effective registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and a current prospectus relating thereto, available throughout the 30-day Redemption Period (as defined in Section 6.2 below) or the Company has elected to require the exercise of the Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to subsection 3.3.1; provided, however, that if and when the Public Warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may not exercise such redemption right if the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or the Company is unable to effect such registration or qualification.

6.2 Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption. In the event that the Company elects to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall fix a date for the redemption (the “Redemption Date”). Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Redemption Date (such 30-day period, the “Redemption Period”) to the Registered Holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Registered Holder received such notice.

6.3 Exercise After Notice of Redemption. The Warrants may be exercised, for cash (or on a “cashless basis” in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) of this Agreement) at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the Redemption Date. In the event that the Company determines to require all holders of Warrants to exercise their Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to subsection 3.3.1, the notice of redemption shall contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of Common Stock to be received upon exercise of the Warrants, including the Fair Market Value (as such term is defined in subsection 3.3.1(b) hereof) in such case. On and after the Redemption Date, the record holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.

6.4 Exclusion of Founder Warrants and Working Capital Warrants. The Company agrees that the redemption rights provided in this Section 6 shall not apply to the Founder Warrants or the Working Capital Warrants if at the time of the redemption such Founder Warrants or Working Capital Warrants continue to be held by the Founders and/or their Permitted

 

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Transferees. However, once such Founder Warrants or Working Capital Warrants are transferred (other than to Permitted Transferees under Section 2.7), the Company may redeem the Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants, provided that the criteria for redemption are met, including the opportunity of the holder of such Founder Warrants or Working Capital Warrants to exercise the Founder Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants prior to redemption pursuant to Section 6.3. Founder Warrants and Working Capital Warrants that are transferred to persons other than Permitted Transferees shall upon such transfer cease to be Founder Warrants or Working Capital Warrants, as applicable, and shall become Public Warrants under this Agreement.

6.5 Exclusion of Note Financing Warrants. The Company agrees that the redemption rights provided in this Section 6 shall not apply to the Note Financing Warrants if at the time of the redemption such Note Financing Warrants continue to be held, either directly or indirectly through one or more Participants, by the Subscribers and/or their Permitted Transferees. However, once such Note Financing Warrants are transferred, the Company may redeem the Note Financing Warrants, provided that the criteria for redemption are met, including the opportunity of the holder of such Note Financing Warrants to exercise the Note Financing Warrants prior to redemption pursuant to Section 6.3. Note Financing Warrants that are transferred shall upon such transfer cease to be Note Financing Warrants and shall become Public Warrants under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Note Financing Warrants that were originally purchased by a Subscriber shall not be deemed to have been transferred so long as such Note Financing Warrants continue to be held by such Subscriber and/or its Permitted Transferees, in each case directly or indirectly through one or more Participants.

7. Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Warrants.

7.1 No Rights as Stockholder. A Warrant does not entitle the Registered Holder thereof to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as stockholders in respect of the meetings of stockholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

7.2 Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Warrants. If any Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor, and date as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

7.3 Reservation of Common Stock. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock that shall be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement.

7.4 Registration of Common Stock; Cashless Exercise at Company’s Option.

7.4.1 Registration of the Common Stock. The Company agrees that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) Business Days after the closing of its initial Business Combination, it shall use its best efforts to file with the Commission a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. If any such registration statement has not been declared effective by the 90th day following the closing of the Business Combination, holders of the Warrants shall have the right,

 

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during the period beginning on the 91st day after the closing of the Business Combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the Commission, and during any other period when the Company shall fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by exchanging the Warrants (in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act (or any successor rule) or another exemption) for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Exercise Price and the Fair Market Value (as defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this subsection 7.4.1, “Fair Market Value” shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the five (5) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date that notice of exercise is received by the Warrant Agent from the holder of such Warrants or its securities broker or intermediary. The date that notice of cashless exercise is received by the Warrant Agent shall be conclusively determined by the Warrant Agent. In connection with the “cashless exercise” of a Public Warrant or a Note Financing Warrant, the Company shall, upon request, provide the Warrant Agent with an opinion of counsel for the Company (which shall be an outside law firm with securities law experience) stating that (i) the exercise of the Warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with this subsection 7.4.1 is not required to be registered under the Securities Act and (ii) the shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise shall be freely tradable under United States federal securities laws by anyone who is not an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule)) of the Company and, accordingly, shall not be required to bear a restrictive legend. Except as provided in subsection 7.4.2, for the avoidance of any doubt, unless and until all of the Warrants have been exercised, the Company shall continue to be obligated to comply with its registration obligations under the first three sentences of this subsection 7.4.1.

7.4.2 Cashless Exercise at Company’s Option. If the Common Stock is at the time of any exercise of a Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act (or any successor rule), the Company may, at its option, (i) require holders of Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants who exercise Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants to exercise such Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act (or any successor rule) as described in subsection 7.4.1 and (ii) in the event the Company so elects, the Company shall not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary. If the Company does not elect at the time of exercise to require a holder of Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants who exercises Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants to exercise such Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants on a “cashless basis,” it agrees to use its best efforts to register or qualify for sale the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the Public Warrants or Note Financing Warrants were initially offered by the Company of the exercising Public Warrant or Note Financing Warrant holder to the extent an exemption is not available.

8. Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters.

8.1 Payment of Taxes. The Company shall from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such shares of Common Stock.

8.2 Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent.

 

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8.2.1 Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of a Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations.

8.2.2 Notice of Successor Warrant Agent. In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment.

8.2.3 Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent. Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without any further act.

8.3 Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent.

8.3.1 Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and shall, pursuant to its obligations under this Agreement, reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

8.3.2 Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

8.4 Liability of Warrant Agent.

8.4.1 Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the President, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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8.4.2 Indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement, except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

8.4.3 Exclusions. The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof). The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for the manner, method, or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any shares of Common Stock shall, when issued, be valid and fully paid and non-assessable.

8.5 Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and pay to the Company, all monies received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of shares of Common Stock through the exercise of the Warrants.

8.6 Waiver. The Warrant Agent has no right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The Warrant Agent hereby waives any and all Claims against the Trust Account and any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account.

9. Miscellaneous Provisions.

9.1 Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

9.2 Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:

GigCapital3, Inc.

1731 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 200

Palo Alto, CA 94303

Attn: Dr. Avi S. Katz

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

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Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street Plaza, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attention: Compliance Department

9.3 Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.

9.4 Persons Having Rights under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Registered Holders of the Warrants any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns and of the Registered Holders of the Warrants.

9.5 Examination of the Warrant Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the Registered Holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such holder to submit his Warrant for inspection by it.

9.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original 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.

9.7 Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.

9.8 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent of any Registered Holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Registered Holders. All other modifications or amendments, including any amendment to increase the Exercise Price or shorten the Exercise Period and any amendment to the terms of only the Founder Warrants or the Working Capital Warrants and/or the Note Financing Warrants, shall require the vote or written consent of the Registered Holders of 50% of the then outstanding Public Warrants. Any amendment solely to the Founder Warrants or the Working Capital Warrants shall also require the vote or written consent of a majority of the holders of the then outstanding Founder Warrants or the Working Capital Warrants, as applicable. Any amendment solely to the Note Financing Warrants shall also require the vote or written consent of a majority of the holders of the then outstanding Note Financing Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may lower the Exercise Price or extend the duration of the Exercise Period pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, without the consent of the Registered Holders.

9.9 Severability. This 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 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 Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

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9.10 Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Original Warrant Agreement).

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.
By:  

/s/ Avi Katz

  Name: Avi Katz
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent
By:  

/s/ Isaac J. Kagan

  Name: Isaac J. Kagan
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement


EXHIBIT A

Form of Warrant Certificate]

[FACE]

Number

Warrants

THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO

THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR IN THE

WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.

Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware

CUSIP 37519D2062

Warrant Certificate

This Warrant Certificate certifies that , or its registered assigns, is the registered holder of ____ warrant(s) evidenced hereby (the Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value (Common Stock), of GigCapital3, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the Exercise Price) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

Each whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

The initial Exercise Price per share of Common Stock for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.


This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.

This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY as Warrant Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Reverse]

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive shares of Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to an Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated as of ___, 2020 (the Warrant Agreement), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the Warrant Agent), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words holdersor holdermeaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Exercise Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.

Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the shares of Common Stock is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.


The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the holder of the Warrant.

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of the Company.

Election to Purchase

(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive shares of Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such shares of Common Stock to the order of GigCapital3, Inc. (the Company) in the amount of $     in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of , whose address is         and that such shares of Common Stock be delivered to whose address is . If said number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of , whose address is and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to , whose address is .

In the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the Company pursuant to Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement and the Company has required cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant is a Founder Warrant, Working Capital Warrant or Note Financing Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.


In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following: The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive shares of Common Stock. If said number of shares is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of                     , whose address is and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to                     , whose address is .

[Signature Page follows]

Date: , 20

 

(Signature)
(Address)
(Tax Identification Number)

Signature Guaranteed:

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE)).


EXHIBIT B

LEGEND

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THIS CORPORATION IS AVAILABLE. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO LOCKUP PURSUANT TO A UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GIGCAPITAL3, INC. AND GIGACQUISITIONS3, LLC AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT.


EXHIBIT C

LEGEND

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THIS CORPORATION, IS AVAILABLE.

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO LOCKUP PURSUANT TO A UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GIGCAPITAL3, INC. AND THE SUBSCRIBERS NAMED THEREIN AND MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PURSUANT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT.


EXHIBIT D

LEGEND

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THIS CORPORATION, IS AVAILABLE.

Exhibit 10.5

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of [•], by and between Lightning eMotors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [•] (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and the Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The Charter, Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

WHEREAS, Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer, director, advisor or in another capacity without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified; and

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. SERVICES TO THE COMPANY. In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

2. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement:

(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof.

(c) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur, after the date of this Agreement, of the following events:

(i) Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. The date on which any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;

(ii) Change in Board of Directors. The date on which the individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election for nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Continuing Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries (as defined below)) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination;

 

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(iv) Liquidation. The date of the receipt by the Company of the requisite approval by its stockholders, under the Charter and the Bylaws, of (A) a complete liquidation of the Company, or (B) an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such stockholder approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or

(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or any successor rule) (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

(d) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

(e) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.

(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below). Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

(k) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(l) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as

 

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defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

(m) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her, or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the

fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

(n) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

3. INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

4. INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.

5. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,

 

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indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

6. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee was or is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

7. ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, except for Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.

8. CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY.

(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

9. EXCLUSIONS. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;

(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f)-(g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the

 

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Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.

10. ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws of the Company, applicable law or otherwise. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

11. PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise. (b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

12. PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

(a) A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods: (i) if no Change in Control has occurred, (x) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (y) by a committee of Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, or (z) if there are no Disinterested Directors, or if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (ii) if a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

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(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

13. PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

 

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(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

14. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE.

(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Delaware law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.

(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).

(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration

 

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commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Charter, or the Bylaws now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).

(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

15. SECURITY. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except for Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

16. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION.

(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Bylaws or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) The DGCL, the Charter and the Bylaws permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her, or incurred by or on behalf of him or her, or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.

 

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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.

17. DURATION OF AGREEMENT. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.

18. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

19. ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.

 

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(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter or Bylaws of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by law.

20. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

21. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.

(b) If to the Company, to:

Lightning eMotors, Inc.

815 14 Street SW, Suite A100

Loveland, CO 80537

Attn: General Counsel

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to

DLA Piper LLP (US)

555 Mission Street, Suite 2400

San Francisco, CA 94105

Attn: Jeffrey C. Selman, Esq.

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.

 

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22. APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.

23. IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

24. MISCELLANEOUS. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

25. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

26. ADDITIONAL ACTS. If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

27. WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT. Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever.

28. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification

obligations under this Agreement. Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.

[Signature page to follow]

 

12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnification Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:

 

LIGHTNING EMOTORS, INC.

 

 

Dr. Avi S. Katz
Co-Chairman

Signature page to Indemnification Agreement


INDEMNITEE:
 

 

[Name]
Address:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature page to Indemnification Agreement

Exhibit 10.7

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

1.   Establishment, Purpose and term of Plan.

     1  

1.1  Establishment

     1  

1.2  Purpose

     1  

1.3  Term of Plan

     1  

2.   Definitions and Construction.

     1  

2.1  Definitions

     1  

2.2  Construction

     8  

3.   Administration.

     8  

3.1  Administration by the Committee

     8  

3.2  Authority of Officers

     8  

3.3  Administration with Respect to Insiders

     8  

3.4  Powers of the Committee

     9  

3.5  Option or SAR Repricing

     10  

3.6  Indemnification

     10  

4.   Shares Subject to Plan.

     10  

4.1  Maximum Number of Shares Issuable

     10  

4.2  Share Counting

     11  

4.3  Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure

     11  

4.4  Assumption or Substitution of Awards

     12  

5.   Eligibility, Participation and Award Limitations.

     12  

5.1  Persons Eligible for Awards

     12  

5.2  Participation in the Plan

     12  

5.3  Incentive Stock Option Limitations

     12  

5.4  Nonemployee Director Award Limit

     13  

6.   Stock Options.

     13  

6.1  Exercise Price

     13  

6.2  Exercisability and Term of Options

     14  

6.3  Payment of Exercise Price

     14  

6.4  Effect of Termination of Service

     15  

6.5  Transferability of Options

     16  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

7.   Stock Appreciation Rights.

     16  

7.1  Types of SARs Authorized

     16  

7.2  Exercise Price

     17  

7.3  Exercisability and Term of SARs

     17  

7.4  Exercise of SARs

     17  

7.5  Deemed Exercise of SARs

     18  

7.6  Effect of Termination of Service

     18  

7.7  Transferability of SARs

     18  

8.   Restricted Stock Awards.

     18  

8.1  Types of Restricted Stock Awards Authorized

     19  

8.2  Purchase Price

     19  

8.3  Purchase Period

     19  

8.4  Payment of Purchase Price

     19  

8.5  Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer

     19  

8.6  Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions

     20  

8.7  Effect of Termination of Service

     20  

8.8  Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights

     20  

9.   Restricted Stock Units.

     20  

9.1  Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards

     21  

9.2  Purchase Price

     21  

9.3  Vesting

     21  

9.4  Voting Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions

     21  

9.5  Effect of Termination of Service

     22  

9.6  Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards

     22  

9.7  Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Unit Awards

     22  

10.  Performance Awards.

     22  

10.1  Types of Performance Awards Authorized

     23  

10.2  Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units

     23  

10.3  Establishment of Performance Period, Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula

     23  

10.4  Measurement of Performance Goals

     23  

10.5  Settlement of Performance Awards

     25  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

10.6  Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions

     26  

10.7  Effect of Termination of Service

     27  

10.8  Nontransferability of Performance Awards

     27  

11.  Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

     27  

11.1  Grant of Cash-Based Awards

     28  

11.2  Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards

     28  

11.3  Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards

     28  

11.4  Payment or Settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

     28  

11.5  Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions

     28  

11.6  Effect of Termination of Service

     29  

11.7  Nontransferability of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

     29  

12.  Standard Forms of Award Agreement

     29  

12.1  Award Agreements

     29  

12.2  Authority to Vary Terms

     29  

13.  Change in Control

     30  

13.1  Effect of Change in Control on Awards

     30  

13.2  Effect of Change in Control on Nonemployee Director Awards

     31  

13.3  Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code

     31  

14.  Compliance with Securities Law

     32  

15.  Compliance with Section 409A

     32  

15.1  Awards Subject to Section 409A

     32  

15.2  Deferral and/or Distribution Elections

     33  

15.3  Subsequent Elections

     33  

15.4  Payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation

     34  

16.  Tax Withholding.

     36  

16.1  Tax Withholding in General

     36  

16.2  Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares

     36  

17.  Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan

     36  

18.  Miscellaneous Provisions

     37  

18.1  Repurchase Rights

     37  

18.2  Forfeiture Events

     37  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

18.3  Provision of Information

     38  

18.4  Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director

     38  

18.5  Rights as a Stockholder

     38  

18.6  Delivery of Title to Shares

     38  

18.7  Fractional Shares

     38  

18.8  Retirement and Welfare Plans

     38  

18.9  Beneficiary Designation

     38  

18.10 Severability

     39  

18.11 No Constraint on Corporate Action

     39  

18.12 Unfunded Obligation

     39  

18.13 Choice of Law

     39  

 

 

iv


GigCapital3, Inc.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.

1.1 Establishment. The GigCapital3, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is hereby established effective as of May 6, 2021, the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by that certain business combination agreement entered into by and between GigCapital3, Inc., Project Power Merger Sub, Inc., and Lightning Systems, Inc., and certain other parties, following the Plan’s approval by the stockholders of the Company (the “Effective Date”).

1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Participating Company Group. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards.

1.3 Term of Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect until its termination by the Committee; provided, however, that all Awards shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date that the Plan was approved by the Board or the stockholders of the Company.

2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

(a) “Affiliate” means (i) a parent entity, other than a Parent Corporation, that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities, controls the Company or (ii) a subsidiary entity, other than a Subsidiary Corporation, that is controlled by the Company directly or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities. For this purpose, the terms “parent,” “subsidiary,” “control” and “controlled by” shall have the meanings assigned to such terms for the purposes of registration of securities on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

(b) “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Purchase Right, Restricted Stock Bonus, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.

(c) “Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to an Award.

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

1


(e) “Cash-Based Award” means an Award denominated in cash and granted pursuant to Section 11.

(f) “Cashless Exercise” means a Cashless Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(i).

(g) “Cause” means any of the following: (i) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Participating Company documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to abide by a Participating Company’s code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of a Participating Company (including, without limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of a Participating Company’s confidential or proprietary information); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on a Participating Company’s reputation or business; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment, service, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement (except with respect to a disclosure protected by applicable law); or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.

(h) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one or a combination of the following:

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Fair Market Value or total combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if such degree of beneficial ownership results from any of the following: (A) an acquisition by any person who on the Effective Date is the beneficial owner of more than fifty percent (50%) of such voting power, (B) any acquisition directly from the Company, including, without limitation, pursuant to or in connection with a public offering of securities, (C) any acquisition by the Company, (D) any acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary under an employee benefit plan of a Participating Company or (E) any acquisition by an entity owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the voting securities of the Company; or

 

2


(ii) an Ownership Change Event or series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a “Transaction”) in which the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors or, in the case of an Ownership Change Event described in Section 2.1(dd)(iii), the entity to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the “Transferee”), as the case may be; or

(iii) a date specified by the Committee following approval by the stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

provided, however, that a Change in Control shall be deemed not to include a transaction described in subsections (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.1(h) in which a majority of the members of the board of directors of the continuing, surviving or successor entity, or parent thereof, immediately after such transaction is comprised of Incumbent Directors.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The Committee shall determine whether multiple events described in subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.1(h) are related and to be treated in the aggregate as a single Change in Control, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations and administrative guidelines promulgated thereunder.

(j) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee and such other committee or subcommittee of the Board, if any, duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers in each instance as shall be specified by the Board. If, at any time, there is no committee of the Board then authorized or properly constituted to administer the Plan, the Board shall exercise all of the powers of the Committee granted herein, and, in any event, the Board may in its discretion exercise any or all of such powers and, in such instances, references herein to the Committee shall mean the Board. Unless the Board specifically determines otherwise, each member of the Committee shall, at the time it takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan, be a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an “independent director” under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Stock is listed. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as “non-employee director” or an “independent director” shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee which Award is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

(k) “Company” means GigCapital3, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation thereto.

(l) “Consultant” means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on registration on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

(m) “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

3


(n) “Disability” means the permanent and total disability of the Participant, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(o) “Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right of a Participant, granted at the discretion of the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan, to receive a credit for the account of such Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one share of Stock for each share of Stock represented by an Award held by such Participant.

(p) “Employee” means any person treated as an employee (including an Officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a Director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individual’s employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individual’s rights, if any, under the terms of the Plan as of the time of the Company’s determination of whether or not the individual is an Employee, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive as to such rights, if any, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination as to such individual’s status as an Employee.

(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(r) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

(i) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, if, on such date, the Stock is listed or quoted on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock as quoted on the national or regional securities exchange or quotation system constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or quotation system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded or quoted prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion.

(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed or quoted on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Committee in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code to the extent applicable.

 

4


(s) “Full Value Award” means any Award settled in Stock, other than (i) an Option, (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right, or (iii) a Restricted Stock Purchase Right or an Other Stock-Based Award under which the Company will receive monetary consideration equal to the Fair Market Value (determined on the effective date of grant) of the shares subject to such Award.

(t) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

(u) “Incumbent Director” means a director who either (i) is a member of the Board as of the Effective Date or (ii) is elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but excluding a director who was elected or nominated in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company).

(v) “Insider” means an Officer, a Director or other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(w) “Net Exercise” means a Net Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(iii).

(x) “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

(y) “Nonemployee Director Award” means any Award granted to a Nonemployee Director.

(z) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which does not qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

(aa) “Officer” means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.

(bb) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

(cc) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award denominated in shares of Stock and granted pursuant to Section 11.

(dd) “Ownership Change Event” means the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; or (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (other than a sale, exchange or transfer to one or more subsidiaries of the Company).

 

5


(ee) “Parent Corporation” means any present or future “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(ff) “Participant” means any eligible person who has been granted one or more Awards.

(gg) “Participating Company” means the Company or any Parent Corporation, Subsidiary Corporation or Affiliate.

(hh) “Participating Company Group” means, at any point in time, the Company and all other entities collectively which are then Participating Companies.

(ii) “Performance Award” means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units.

(jj) “Performance Award Formula” means, for any Performance Award, a formula or table established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3 which provides the basis for computing the value of a Performance Award at one or more levels of attainment of the applicable Performance Goal(s) measured as of the end of the applicable Performance Period.

(kk) “Performance Goal” means a performance goal established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3.

(ll) “Performance Period” means a period established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3 at the end of which one or more Performance Goals are to be measured.

(mm) “Performance Share” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Share, as determined by the Committee, based upon attainment of applicable Performance Goal(s).

(nn) “Performance Unit” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Unit, as determined by the Committee, based upon attainment of applicable Performance Goal(s).

(oo) “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right.

(pp) “Restricted Stock Bonus” means Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.

(qq) “Restricted Stock Purchase Right” means a right to purchase Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.

 

6


(rr) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9 to receive on a future date or occurrence of a future event a share of Stock or cash in lieu thereof, as determined by the Committee.

(ss) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

(tt) “SAR” or “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 to receive payment, for each share of Stock subject to such Award, of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the Award over the exercise price thereof.

(uu) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

(vv) “Section 409A Deferred Compensation” means compensation provided pursuant to an Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A.

(ww) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(xx) “Service” means a Participant’s employment or service with the Participating Company Group, whether as an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service or a change in the Participating Company for which the Participant renders Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Service. Furthermore, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have been interrupted or terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company. However, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if any such leave taken by a Participant exceeds ninety (90) days, then on the ninety-first (91st) day following the commencement of such leave the Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated, unless the Participant’s right to return to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, an unpaid leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Participant’s Award Agreement. A Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the business entity for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participant’s Service has terminated and the effective date of and reason for such termination.

(yy) “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.

(zz) “Stock Tender Exercise” means a Stock Tender Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(ii).

(aaa) “Subsidiary Corporation” means any present or future “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

7


(bbb) “Ten Percent Owner” means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a Participating Company (other than an Affiliate) within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.

(ccc) “Trading Compliance Policy” means the written policy of the Company pertaining to the purchase, sale, transfer or other disposition of the Company’s equity securities by Directors, Officers, Employees or other service providers who may possess material, nonpublic information regarding the Company or its securities.

(ddd) “Vesting Conditions” mean those conditions established in accordance with the Plan prior to the satisfaction of which an Award or shares subject to an Award remain subject to forfeiture or a repurchase option in favor of the Company exercisable for the Participant’s monetary purchase price, if any, for such shares upon the Participant’s termination of Service or failure of a performance condition to be satisfied.

2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

3. ADMINISTRATION.

3.1 Administration by the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. All questions of interpretation of the Plan, of any Award Agreement or of any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or Award Agreement or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest therein. All expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

3.2 Authority of Officers. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Company herein, provided that the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.

3.3 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.

 

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3.4 Powers of the Committee. In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:

(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock, units or monetary value to be subject to each Award;

(b) to determine the type of Award granted;

(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;

(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise or purchase price of shares pursuant to any Award, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with any Award, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, (v) the Performance Measures, Performance Period, Performance Award Formula and Performance Goals applicable to any Award and the extent to which such Performance Goals have been attained, (vi) the time of expiration of any Award, (vii) the effect of any Participant’s termination of Service on any of the foregoing, and (viii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any Award or shares acquired pursuant thereto not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;

(e) to determine whether an Award will be settled in shares of Stock, cash, other property or in any combination thereof;

(f) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;

(g) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto;

(h) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including with respect to the period following a Participant’s termination of Service;

(i) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt sub-plans or supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy, accounting principles or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose residents may be granted Awards; and

(j) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Committee may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law.

 

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3.5 Option or SAR Repricing. Without the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Stock cast in person or by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of Stock is present or represented by proxy, the Committee shall not approve a program providing for either (a) the cancellation of outstanding Options or SARs having exercise prices per share greater than the then Fair Market Value of a share of Stock (“Underwater Awards”) and the grant in substitution therefor of new Options or SARs having a lower exercise price, Full Value Awards or payments in cash, or (b) the amendment of outstanding Underwater Awards to reduce the exercise price thereof. This Section shall not be construed to apply to (i) “issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) applies,” within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code, (ii) adjustments pursuant to the assumption of or substitution for an Option or SAR in a manner that would comply with Section 409A, or (iii) an adjustment pursuant to Section 4.

3.6 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or the Committee or as officers or employees of the Participating Company Group, to the extent permitted by applicable law, members of the Board or the Committee and any officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board, the Committee or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.

4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be equal to 14,041,107 shares, plus an annual increase, effective as of the first day of the Company’s fiscal year beginning in the year following the fiscal year in which the Company’s stockholders approved the Plan and the first day of each subsequent fiscal year through and including the first day of the Company’s fiscal year beginning on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the commencement of such annual increase, equal to the lesser of (i) five percent (5%) of the number of shares of Stock outstanding as of the conclusion of the Company’s immediately preceding fiscal year, or (ii) such amount, if any, as the Board may determine, and such shares shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination thereof.

 

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4.2 Share Counting. If an outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company for an amount not greater than the Participant’s purchase price, the shares of Stock allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or such forfeited or repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares of Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash. Upon payment in shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of an SAR, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the SAR is exercised. If the exercise price of an Option is paid by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant, or by means of a Net Exercise, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced only by the net number of shares for which the Option is exercised. Shares purchased in the open market with proceeds from the exercise of Options shall not be added to the limit set forth in Section 4.1. Shares withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to the exercise or settlement of Options or SARs pursuant to Section 16.2 and Shares withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to the vesting or settlement of Full Value Awards pursuant to Section 16.2 shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.

4.3 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the requirements of Section 409A and Section 424 of the Code to the extent applicable, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting regular, periodic cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and kind of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, the annual increase set forth in Section 4.1, the Award limits set forth in Section 5.3, and in the exercise or purchase price per share under any outstanding Award in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.” If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the “New Shares”), the Committee may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise or purchase price per share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion and in accordance with Section 409A and Section 424 of the Code to the extent applicable. Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the exercise or purchase price per share

 

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shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the exercise or purchase price, if any, under any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to such Award. The Committee in its discretion, may also make such adjustments in the terms of any Award to reflect, or related to, such changes in the capital structure of the Company or distributions as it deems appropriate, including modification of Performance Goals, Performance Award Formulas and Performance Periods. The adjustments determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section shall be final, binding and conclusive.

4.4 Assumption or Substitution of Awards. The Committee may, without affecting the number of shares of Stock reserved or available hereunder, authorize the issuance or assumption of equity awards under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, subject to compliance with Section 409A and any other applicable provisions of the Code, without reducing the number of shares otherwise available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, subject to compliance with applicable laws, and listing requirements, shares available for grant under a stockholder approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for awards under the Plan to individuals who were not Employees or Directors of the Participating Company Group prior to the transaction and shall not reduce the number of shares otherwise available for issuance under the Plan.

5. ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPATION AND AWARD LIMITATIONS.

5.1 Persons Eligible for Awards. Awards may be granted only to Employees, Consultants and Directors.

5.2 Participation in the Plan. Awards are granted solely at the discretion of the Committee. Eligible persons may be granted more than one Award. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.

5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations.

(a) Maximum Number of Shares Issuable Pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed 14,041,107 shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to all Awards other than Incentive Stock Options shall be the number of shares determined in accordance with Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.

(b) Persons Eligible. An Incentive Stock Option may be granted only to a person who, on the effective date of grant, is an Employee of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation (each being an “ISO-Qualifying Corporation”). Any person who is not an Employee of an ISO-Qualifying Corporation on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

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(c) Fair Market Value Limitation. To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a limitation different from that set forth in this Section, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Upon exercise of the Option, shares issued pursuant to each such portion shall be separately identified.

5.4 Nonemployee Director Award Limit. Annual compensation awarded to any Nonemployee Director during each calendar year, including both shares of Stock subject to Awards and any cash fees paid to such Nonemployee Director (but excluding any cash retainer fees, including cash retainer fees converted into equity awards at the election of the Nonemployee Director, expense reimbursements or distributions from any deferred compensation program applicable to the Nonemployee Director), may not exceed $1,000,000 in total value, or $2,000,000 in the calendar year in which any Nonemployee Director is initially elected to the Board (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).

6. STOCK OPTIONS.

Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

6.1 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall have an exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with an exercise price less than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner that would qualify under the provisions of Section 409A or Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

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6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option and (c) no Option granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of such Option (except in the event of such Employee’s death, disability or retirement, upon a Change in Control, or as otherwise permitted by the Worker Economic Opportunity Act). Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of an Option, each Option shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

6.3 Payment of Exercise Price.

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent; (ii) if permitted by the Committee and subject to the limitations contained in Section 6.3(b), by means of (1) a Cashless Exercise, (2) a Stock Tender Exercise or (3) a Net Exercise; (iii) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (iv) if permitted by the Committee, by any combination thereof. The Committee may at any time or from time to time grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

(i) Cashless Exercise. A “Cashless Exercise” means the delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise, including with respect to one or more Participants specified by the Company notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to other Participants.

 

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(ii) Stock Tender Exercise. A “Stock Tender Exercise” means the delivery of a properly executed exercise notice accompanied by a Participant’s tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, in a form acceptable to the Company of whole shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. A Stock Tender Exercise shall not be permitted if it would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. If required by the Company, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for a period of time required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

(iii) Net Exercise. A “Net Exercise” means the delivery of a properly executed exercise notice followed by a procedure pursuant to which (1) the Company will reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option by the largest whole number of shares having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant shall pay to the Company in cash the remaining balance of such aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued.

6.4 Effect of Termination of Service.

(a) Option Exercisability. Subject to earlier termination of the Option as otherwise provided by this Plan and unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in an Award Agreement, an Option shall terminate immediately upon the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section and thereafter shall terminate.

(i) Disability. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option’s term as set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option (the “Option Expiration Date”).

(ii) Death. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the Participant’s termination of Service for any reason other than Cause.

 

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(iii) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Participant’s Service is terminated for Cause or if, following the Participant’s termination of Service and during any period in which the Option otherwise would remain exercisable, the Participant engages in any act that would constitute Cause, the Option shall terminate in its entirety and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service or act.

(iv) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

(b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of Service for Cause, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.4(a) or an Award Agreement is prevented by the provisions of Section 14 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until the later of (i) thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions or (ii) the end of the applicable time period under Section 6.4(a), but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

6.5 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Participant, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. An Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, an Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, only as permitted by applicable regulations under Section 421 of the Code in a manner that does not disqualify such Option as an Incentive Stock Option.

7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

Stock Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

7.1 Types of SARs Authorized. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or any portion of a related Option (a “Tandem SAR”) or may be granted independently of any Option (a “Freestanding SAR”). A Tandem SAR may only be granted concurrently with the grant of the related Option.

 

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7.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each SAR shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share subject to a Tandem SAR shall be the exercise price per share under the related Option and (b) the exercise price per share subject to a Freestanding SAR shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an SAR may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another stock appreciation right in a manner that would qualify under the provisions of Section 409A.

7.3 Exercisability and Term of SARs.

(a) Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent, and only to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable, subject to such provisions as the Committee may specify where the Tandem SAR is granted with respect to less than the full number of shares of Stock subject to the related Option. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Tandem SAR that such SAR may not be exercised without the advance approval of the Company and, if such approval is not given, then the Option shall nevertheless remain exercisable in accordance with its terms. A Tandem SAR shall terminate and cease to be exercisable no later than the date on which the related Option expires or is terminated or canceled. Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR with respect to some or all of the shares subject to such SAR, the related Option shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the Tandem SAR was exercised. Upon the exercise of an Option related to a Tandem SAR as to some or all of the shares subject to such Option, the related Tandem SAR shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the related Option was exercised.

(b) Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR; provided, however, that (i) no Freestanding SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such SAR and (ii) no Freestanding SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of such SAR (except in the event of such Employee’s death, disability or retirement, upon a Change in Control, or as otherwise permitted by the Worker Economic Opportunity Act). Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of a Freestanding SAR, each Freestanding SAR shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the SAR, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

7.4 Exercise of SARs. Upon the exercise (or deemed exercise pursuant to Section 7.5) of an SAR, the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the SAR by reason of the Participant’s death) shall be entitled to receive payment of an amount for each share with respect to which the SAR is exercised equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price. Payment of such amount shall be made (a) in the case of a Tandem SAR, solely in shares of Stock in a lump sum upon the date of exercise of the SAR and (b) in the

 

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case of a Freestanding SAR, in cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, in a lump sum upon the date of exercise of the SAR. When payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of shares to be issued shall be determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR. For purposes of Section 7, an SAR shall be deemed exercised on the date on which the Company receives notice of exercise from the Participant or as otherwise provided in Section 7.5.

7.5 Deemed Exercise of SARs. If, on the date on which an SAR would otherwise terminate or expire, the SAR by its terms remains exercisable immediately prior to such termination or expiration and, if so exercised, would result in a payment to the holder of such SAR, then any portion of such SAR which has not previously been exercised shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion. The Company may elect to discontinue the deemed exercise of SARs pursuant to this Section 7.5 at any time upon notice to a Participant or to apply the deemed exercise feature only to certain groups of Participants. The deemed exercise of a SAR pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall apply only to a SAR that has been timely accepted by a Participant under procedures specified by the Company from time to time.

7.6 Effect of Termination of Service. Subject to earlier termination of the SAR as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in an Award Agreement, an SAR shall be exercisable after a Participant’s termination of Service only to the extent and during the applicable time period determined in accordance with Section 6.4 (treating the SAR as if it were an Option) and thereafter shall terminate.

7.7 Transferability of SARs. During the lifetime of the Participant, an SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. An SAR shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award, a Tandem SAR related to a Nonstatutory Stock Option or a Freestanding SAR shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

8. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.

Restricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying whether the Award is a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right and the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

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8.1 Types of Restricted Stock Awards Authorized. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted in the form of either a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 10.4. If either the grant of or satisfaction of Vesting Conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 10.3 through 10.5(a).

8.2 Purchase Price. The purchase price for shares of Stock issuable under each Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be established by the Committee in its discretion. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding) shall be required as a condition of receiving shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Bonus, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award.

8.3 Purchase Period. A Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be exercisable within a period established by the Committee, which shall in no event exceed thirty (30) days from the effective date of the grant of the Restricted Stock Purchase Right.

8.4 Payment of Purchase Price. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the purchase price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be made (a) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent, (b) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (c) by any combination thereof.

8.5 Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Shares issued pursuant to any Restricted Stock Award may (but need not) be made subject to Vesting Conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. During any period in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, such shares may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event or as provided in Section 8.8. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award that, if the satisfaction of Vesting Conditions with respect to any shares subject to such Restricted Stock Award would otherwise occur on a day on which the sale of such shares would violate the provisions of the Trading Compliance Policy, then satisfaction of the Vesting Conditions automatically shall be determined on the next trading day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

 

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8.6 Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions. Except as provided in this Section, Section 8.5 and any Award Agreement, during any period in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding shares of Stock, including the right to vote such shares and to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares; provided, however, that if so determined by the Committee and provided by the Award Agreement, such dividends and distributions shall be subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid, and otherwise shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year in which such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders (or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders). In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Award shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid or adjustments were made.

8.7 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award, if a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (including the Participant’s death or disability), then (a) the Company shall have the option to repurchase for the purchase price paid by the Participant any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Purchase Right which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service and (b) the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Bonus which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

8.8 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights. Rights to acquire shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Restricted Stock Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

9. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

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9.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be granted upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 10.4. If either the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award or the Vesting Conditions with respect to such Award is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 10.3 through 10.5(a).

9.2 Purchase Price. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) shall be required as a condition of receiving a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.

9.3 Vesting. Restricted Stock Unit Awards may (but need not) be made subject to Vesting Conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award.

9.4 Voting Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Restricted Stock Units until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Restricted Stock Unit Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid by crediting the Participant with a cash amount or with additional whole Restricted Stock Units as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Stock, as determined by the Committee. The number of additional Restricted Stock Units (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of shares of Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Units previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. If so determined by the Committee and provided by the Award Agreement, such cash amount or additional Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions and shall be settled in the same manner and at the same time as the Restricted Stock Units originally subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as are applicable to the Award.

 

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9.5 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award, if a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (including the Participant’s death or disability), then the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the Award which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service.

9.6 Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Company shall issue to a Participant on the date on which Restricted Stock Units subject to the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit Award vest or on such other date determined by the Committee in compliance with Section 409A, if applicable, and set forth in the Award Agreement one (1) share of Stock (and/or any other new, substituted or additional securities or other property pursuant to an adjustment described in Section 9.4) for each Restricted Stock Unit then becoming vested or otherwise to be settled on such date, subject to the withholding of applicable taxes, if any. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award that if the settlement date with respect to any shares issuable upon vesting of Restricted Stock Units would otherwise occur on a day on which the sale of such shares would violate the provisions of the Trading Compliance Policy, then the settlement date shall be deferred until the next trading day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy but in any event no later than the 15th day of the third calendar month following the year in which such Restricted Stock Units vest. If permitted by the Committee, the Participant may elect, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to defer receipt of all or any portion of the shares of Stock or other property otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Section, and such deferred issuance date(s) and amount(s) elected by the Participant shall be set forth in the Award Agreement or an Election (as defined in Section 15.2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in an Award Agreement for settlement of any Restricted Stock Unit Award by payment to the Participant in cash of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value on the payment date of the shares of Stock or other property otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Section.

9.7 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The right to receive shares pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.

Performance Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

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10.1 Types of Performance Awards Authorized. Performance Awards may be granted in the form of either Performance Shares or Performance Units. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award shall specify the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units subject thereto, the Performance Award Formula, the Performance Goal(s) and Performance Period applicable to the Award, and the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

10.2 Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in granting a Performance Award, each Performance Share shall have an initial monetary value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, on the effective date of grant of the Performance Share, and each Performance Unit shall have an initial monetary value established by the Committee at the time of grant. The final value payable to the Participant in settlement of a Performance Award determined on the basis of the applicable Performance Award Formula will depend on the extent to which Performance Goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period established by the Committee.

10.3 Establishment of Performance Period, Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula. In granting each Performance Award, the Committee shall establish in writing the applicable Performance Period, Performance Award Formula and one or more Performance Goals which, when measured at the end of the Performance Period, shall determine on the basis of the Performance Award Formula the final value of the Performance Award to be paid to the Participant. The Company shall notify each Participant granted a Performance Award of the terms of such Award, including the Performance Period, Performance Goal(s) and Performance Award Formula.

10.4 Measurement of Performance Goals. Performance Goals shall be established by the Committee on the basis of targets to be attained (“Performance Targets”) with respect to one or more measures of business or financial performance or other criteria established by the Committee (each, a “Performance Measure”), subject to the following:

(a) Performance Measures. Performance Measures based on objective criteria shall be calculated in accordance with the Company’s financial statements, or, if such measures are not reported in the Company’s financial statements, they shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, a method used generally in the Company’s industry, or in accordance with a methodology established by the Committee prior to the grant of the Performance Award. Performance Measures based on subjective criteria shall be determined on the basis established by the Committee in granting the Award. As specified by the Committee, Performance Measures may be calculated with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary Corporation consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes, one or more Subsidiary Corporations or such division or other business unit of any of them selected by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee prior to the grant of the Performance Award, the Performance Measures applicable to the Performance Award shall be calculated prior to the accrual of expense for any Performance Award for the same Performance Period and excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) on the Performance Measures of any change in accounting standards or any unusual or infrequently occurring event or transaction, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the establishment of the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Award. Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for the purpose of providing a consistent basis from period to period for the calculation of Performance Measures in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the Participant’s rights with respect to a Performance Award. Performance Measures may be based upon one or more of the following, without limitation, as determined by the Committee:

 

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(i) revenue;

(ii) sales;

(iii) expenses;

(iv) operating income;

(v) gross margin;

(vi) operating margin;

(vii) earnings before any one or more of: stock-based compensation expense, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

(viii) pre-tax profit;

(ix) net operating income;

(x) net income;

(xi) economic value added;

(xii) free cash flow;

(xiii) operating cash flow;

(xiv) balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities;

(xv) stock price;

(xvi) earnings per share;

(xvii) return on stockholder equity;

(xviii) return on capital;

(xix) return on assets;

(xx) return on investment;

(xxi) total stockholder return;

(xxii) employee satisfaction;

 

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(xxiii) employee retention;

(xxiv) market share;

(xxv) customer satisfaction;

(xxvi) product development;

(xxvii) research and development expenses;

(xxviii)    completion of an identified special project;

(xxix) completion of a joint venture or other corporate transaction; and

(xxx) personal performance objectives established for an individual Participant or group of Participants.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee retains discretion to select any other Performance Measures whether or not listed herein.

(b) Performance Targets. Performance Targets may include a minimum, maximum, target level and intermediate levels of performance, with the final value of a Performance Award determined under the applicable Performance Award Formula by the Performance Target level attained during the applicable Performance Period. A Performance Target may be stated as an absolute value, an increase or decrease in a value, or as a value determined relative to an index, budget or other standard selected by the Committee.

10.5 Settlement of Performance Awards.

(a) Determination of Final Value. As soon as practicable following the completion of the Performance Period applicable to a Performance Award, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained and the resulting final value of the Award earned by the Participant and to be paid upon its settlement in accordance with the applicable Performance Award Formula.

(b) Discretionary Adjustment of Award Formula. In its discretion, the Committee may, either at the time it grants a Performance Award or at any time thereafter, provide for the positive or negative adjustment of the Performance Award Formula applicable to a Performance Award to reflect such Participant’s individual performance in his or her position with the Company or such other factors as the Committee may determine.

(c) Effect of Leaves of Absence. Unless otherwise required by law or a Participant’s Award Agreement, payment of the final value, if any, of a Performance Award held by a Participant who has taken in excess of thirty (30) days in unpaid leaves of absence during a Performance Period shall be prorated on the basis of the number of days of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period during which the Participant was not on an unpaid leave of absence.

 

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(d) Notice to Participants. As soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination in accordance with Sections 10.5(a) and (b), the Company shall notify each Participant of the determination of the Committee.

(e) Payment in Settlement of Performance Awards. As soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination in accordance with Sections 10.5(a) and (b), but in any event within the Short-Term Deferral Period described in Section 15.1 (except as otherwise provided below or consistent with the requirements of Section 409A), payment shall be made to each eligible Participant (or such Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to receive such payment by reason of the Participant’s death) of the final value of the Participant’s Performance Award. Payment of such amount shall be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award, payment shall be made in a lump sum. If permitted by the Committee, the Participant may elect, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to defer receipt of all or any portion of the payment to be made to the Participant pursuant to this Section, and such deferred payment date(s) elected by the Participant shall be set forth in the Award Agreement or an Election. If any payment is to be made on a deferred basis, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, provide for the payment during the deferral period of Dividend Equivalent Rights or interest.

(f) Provisions Applicable to Payment in Shares. If payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of such shares shall be determined by dividing the final value of the Performance Award by the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock determined by the method specified in the Award Agreement. Shares of Stock issued in payment of any Performance Award may be fully vested and freely transferable shares or may be shares of Stock subject to Vesting Conditions as provided in Section 8.5. Any shares subject to Vesting Conditions shall be evidenced by an appropriate Award Agreement and shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 8.5 through 8.8 above.

10.6 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Performance Share Awards until the date of the issuance of such shares, if any (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Performance Share Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date the Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date on which the Performance Shares are settled or the date on which they are forfeited. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be credited to the Participant either in cash or in the form of additional whole Performance Shares as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Stock, as determined by the Committee. The number of additional Performance Shares (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be so credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of shares of Stock represented by the Performance Shares previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be accumulated and paid to the extent that the

 

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related Performance Shares become nonforfeitable. Settlement of Dividend Equivalent Rights may be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee, and may be paid on the same basis as settlement of the related Performance Share as provided in Section 10.5. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall not be paid with respect to Performance Units. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participant’s Performance Share Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the Performance Share Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Performance Goals as are applicable to the Award.

10.7 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award, the effect of a Participant’s termination of Service on the Performance Award shall be as follows:

(a) Death or Disability. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the death or Disability of the Participant before the completion of the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award, the final value of the Participant’s Performance Award shall be determined by the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained with respect to the entire Performance Period and shall be prorated based on the number of months of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period. Payment shall be made following the end of the Performance Period in any manner permitted by Section 10.5.

(b) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason except death or Disability before the completion of the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award, such Award shall be forfeited in its entirety; provided, however, that in the event of an involuntary termination of the Participant’s Service, the Committee, in its discretion, may waive the automatic forfeiture of all or any portion of any such Award and determine the final value of the Performance Award in the manner provided by Section 10.7(a). Payment of any amount pursuant to this Section shall be made following the end of the Performance Period in any manner permitted by Section 10.5.

10.8 Nontransferability of Performance Awards. Prior to settlement in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, no Performance Award shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Performance Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

11. CASH-BASED AWARDS AND OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

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11.1 Grant of Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Cash-Based Awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions, including the achievement of performance criteria, as the Committee may determine.

11.2 Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted securities, stock-equivalent units, stock appreciation units, securities or debentures convertible into common stock or other forms determined by the Committee) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Other Stock-Based Awards may be made available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Stock to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Stock and may include, without limitation, Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States.

11.3 Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a monetary payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of shares of Stock or units based on such shares of Stock, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may require the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance criteria, the final value of Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance criteria are met.

11.4 Payment or Settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment or settlement, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award or an Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash, shares of Stock or other securities or any combination thereof as the Committee determines and set forth in the Award Agreement. To the extent applicable, payment or settlement with respect to each Cash-Based Award and Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.

11.5 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Other Stock-Based Awards until the date of the issuance of such shares of Stock (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), if any, in settlement of such Award. However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Other Stock-Based Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to

 

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each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 9.4. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall not be granted with respect to Cash-Based Awards. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.3, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participant’s Other Stock-Based Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of such Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions and performance criteria, if any, as are applicable to the Award.

11.6 Effect of Termination of Service. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain such Award following termination of the Participant’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination, subject to the requirements of Section 409A, if applicable.

11.7 Nontransferability of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Prior to the payment or settlement of a Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award, the Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may impose such additional restrictions on any shares of Stock issued in settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such shares of Stock are then listed and/or traded, or under any state securities laws or foreign law applicable to such shares of Stock.

12. STANDARD FORMS OF AWARD AGREEMENT.

12.1 Award Agreements. Each Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Award Agreement approved by the Committee and as amended from time to time. No Award or purported Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a Company-executed Award Agreement, which execution may be evidenced by electronic means.

12.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Committee shall have the authority from time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Award Agreement either in connection with the grant or amendment of an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

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13. CHANGE IN CONTROL.

13.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the definitive agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the Change in Control. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A, if applicable, the Committee may provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise for any one or more of the following:

(a) Accelerated Vesting. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the grant of any Award or at any other time may take such action as it deems appropriate to provide for acceleration of the exercisability, vesting and/or settlement in connection with a Change in Control of each or any outstanding Award or portion thereof and shares acquired pursuant thereto upon such conditions, including termination of the Participant’s Service prior to, upon, or following the Change in Control, and to such extent as the Committee determines.

(b) Assumption, Continuation or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiror”), may, without the consent of any Participant, assume or continue the Company’s rights and obligations under each or any Award or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control or substitute for each or any such outstanding Award or portion thereof a substantially equivalent award with respect to the Acquiror’s stock, as applicable, with appropriate adjustments in accordance with Section 4.3. For purposes of this Section, if so determined by the Committee in its discretion, an Award denominated in shares of Stock shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Committee may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award, for each share of Stock subject to the Award, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. Any Award or portion thereof which is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised or settled as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control.

(c) Cash-Out of Outstanding Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion and without the consent of any Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Award denominated in shares of Stock or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control and not previously exercised or settled shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested share (and each unvested share, if so determined by the Committee) of Stock subject to such canceled Award in

 

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(i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control, reduced (but not below zero) by the exercise or purchase price per share, if any, under such Award. In the event such determination is made by the Committee, an Award having an exercise or purchase price per share equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control may be canceled without notice or payment of consideration to the holder thereof. Payment pursuant to this Section (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be made to Participants in respect of the vested portions of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control and in respect of the unvested portions of their canceled Awards in accordance with the vesting schedules applicable to such Awards or, if determined by the Committee and in compliance with Section 409A, as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control.

(d) Adjustments and Earnouts. In making any determination pursuant to this Section 13.1 in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine that an Award shall or shall not be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, earnouts and similar conditions as the other holders of the Company’s Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A or Section 424 of the Code.

13.2 Effect of Change in Control on Nonemployee Director Awards. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A, if applicable, including as provided by Section 15.4(f), in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Nonemployee Director Award shall become immediately exercisable and vested in full and, except to the extent assumed, continued or substituted for pursuant to Section 13.1(b) or otherwise restricted by Section 409A, shall be settled effective immediately prior to the time of consummation of the Change in Control.

13.3 Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code.

(a) Excess Parachute Payment. If any acceleration of vesting pursuant to an Award and any other payment or benefit received or to be received by a Participant would subject the Participant to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code due to the characterization of such acceleration of vesting, payment or benefit as an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, then, provided such election would not subject the Participant to taxation under Section 409A, the Participant may elect to reduce the amount of any acceleration of vesting called for under the Award in order to avoid such characterization.

(b) Determination by Tax Firm. To aid the Participant in making any election called for under Section 13.3(a), no later than the date of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in an “excess parachute payment” to the Participant as described in Section 13.3(a), the Company shall request a determination in writing by the professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes, or, if the tax firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the Acquiror, the Company will

 

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appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section (the “Tax Firm”). As soon as practicable thereafter, the Tax Firm shall determine and report to the Company and the Participant the amount of such acceleration of vesting, payments and benefits which would produce the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant. For the purposes of such determination, the Tax Firm may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Participant shall furnish to the Tax Firm such information and documents as the Tax Firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the Tax Firm charges in connection with its services contemplated by this Section.

14. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW.

The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock pursuant to any Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities and the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised or shares issued pursuant to an Award unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of such exercise or issuance be in effect with respect to the shares issuable pursuant to the Award, or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable pursuant to the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares under the Plan shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to issuance of any Stock, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

15. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A.

15.1 Awards Subject to Section 409A. The Company intends that Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall either be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, and the Plan shall be so construed. The provisions of this Section 15 shall apply to any Award or portion thereof that constitutes or provides for payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation. Such Awards may include, without limitation:

(a) A Nonstatutory Stock Option or SAR that includes any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the later of (i) the exercise or disposition of the Award or (ii) the time the stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Award first becomes substantially vested.

(b) Any Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Award, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award that either (i) provides by its terms for settlement of all or any portion of the Award at a time or upon an event that will or may occur later than the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period (as defined below) or (ii) permits the Participant granted the Award to elect one or more dates or events upon which the Award will be settled after the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period.

 

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Subject to the provisions of Section 409A, the term “Short-Term Deferral Period” means the 2 1/2 month period ending on the later of (i) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Participant’s taxable year in which the right to payment under the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or (ii) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the right to payment under the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. For this purpose, the term “substantial risk of forfeiture” shall have the meaning provided by Section 409A.

15.2 Deferral and/or Distribution Elections. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A and the Company, the following rules shall apply to any compensation deferral and/or payment elections (each, an “Election”) that may be permitted or required by the Committee pursuant to an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation:

(a) Elections must be in writing and specify the amount of the payment in settlement of an Award being deferred, as well as the time and form of payment as permitted by this Plan.

(b) Elections shall be made by the end of the Participant’s taxable year prior to the year in which services commence for which an Award may be granted to the Participant.

(c) Elections shall continue in effect until a written revocation or change in Election is received by the Company, except that a written revocation or change in Election must be received by the Company prior to the last day for making the Election determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above or as permitted by Section 15.3.

15.3 Subsequent Elections. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, any Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation which permits a subsequent Election to delay the payment or change the form of payment in settlement of such Award shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) No subsequent Election may take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the subsequent Election is made.

(b) Each subsequent Election related to a payment in settlement of an Award not described in Section 15.4(a)(ii), 15.4(a)(iii) or 15.4(a)(vi) must result in a delay of the payment for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made.

(c) No subsequent Election related to a payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(vi) shall be made less than twelve (12) months before the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made.

 

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(d) Subsequent Elections shall continue in effect until a written revocation or change in the subsequent Election is received by the Company, except that a written revocation or change in a subsequent Election must be received by the Company prior to the last day for making the subsequent Election determined in accordance the preceding paragraphs of this Section 15.3.

15.4 Payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation.

(a) Permissible Payments. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation must provide for payment in settlement of the Award only upon one or more of the following:

(i) The Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined by Section 409A);

(ii) The Participant’s becoming “disabled” (as defined by Section 409A);

(iii) The Participant’s death;

(iv) A time or fixed schedule that is either (i) specified by the Committee upon the grant of an Award and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award or (ii) specified by the Participant in an Election complying with the requirements of Section 15.2 or 15.3, as applicable;

(v) A change in the ownership or effective control or the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 409A; or

(vi) The occurrence of an “unforeseeable emergency” (as defined by Section 409A).

(b) Installment Payments. It is the intent of this Plan that any right of a Participant to receive installment payments (within the meaning of Section 409A) shall, for all purposes of Section 409A, be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

(c) Required Delay in Payment to Specified Employee Pursuant to Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, no payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(i) in settlement of an Award providing for Section 409A Deferred Compensation may be made to a Participant who is a “specified employee” (as defined by Section 409A) as of the date of the Participant’s separation from service before the date (the “Delayed Payment Date”) that is six (6) months after the date of such Participant’s separation from service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. All such amounts that would, but for this paragraph, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date shall be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.

 

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(d) Payment Upon Disability. All distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation payable pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(ii) by reason of a Participant becoming disabled shall be paid in a lump sum or in periodic installments as established by the Participant’s Election. If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation upon becoming disabled, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum or commence upon the determination that the Participant has become disabled.

(e) Payment Upon Death. If a Participant dies before complete distribution of amounts payable upon settlement of an Award subject to Section 409A, such undistributed amounts shall be distributed to his or her beneficiary under the distribution method for death established by the Participant’s Election upon receipt by the Committee of satisfactory notice and confirmation of the Participant’s death. If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation upon death, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum upon receipt by the Committee of satisfactory notice and confirmation of the Participant’s death.

(f) Payment Upon Change in Control. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount constituting Section 409A Deferred Compensation would become payable under this Plan by reason of a Change in Control, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Change in Control would also constitute a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A. Any Award which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation and which would vest and otherwise become payable upon a Change in Control as a result of the failure of the Acquiror to assume, continue or substitute for such Award in accordance with Section 13.1(b) shall vest to the extent provided by such Award but shall be converted automatically at the effective time of such Change in Control into a right to receive, in cash on the date or dates such award would have been settled in accordance with its then existing settlement schedule (or as required by Section 15.4(c)), an amount or amounts equal in the aggregate to the intrinsic value of the Award at the time of the Change in Control.

(g) Payment Upon Unforeseeable Emergency. The Committee shall have the authority to provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Award providing for Section 409A Deferred Compensation for payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(vi) in settlement of all or a portion of such Award in the event that a Participant establishes, to the satisfaction of the Committee, the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. In such event, the amount(s) distributed with respect to such unforeseeable emergency cannot exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution(s), after taking into account the extent to which such emergency need is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship) or by cessation of deferrals under the Award. All distributions with respect to an unforeseeable emergency shall be made in a lump sum upon the Committee’s determination that an unforeseeable emergency has occurred. The Committee’s decision with respect to whether an unforeseeable emergency has occurred and the manner in which, if at all, the payment in settlement of an Award shall be altered or modified, shall be final, conclusive, and not subject to approval or appeal.

 

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(h) Prohibition of Acceleration of Payments. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, this Plan does not permit the acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation, except as permitted by Section 409A.

(i) No Representation Regarding Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company makes no representation that Awards shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A. No Participating Company shall be liable for any tax, penalty or interest imposed on a Participant by Section 409A.

16. TAX WITHHOLDING.

16.1 Tax Withholding in General. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any and all payments made under the Plan, or to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, to make adequate provision for, the federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including social insurance), if any, required by law to be withheld by any Participating Company with respect to an Award or the shares acquired pursuant thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock, to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to an Award Agreement, or to make any payment in cash under the Plan until the Participating Company Group’s tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant.

16.2 Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to a Participant upon the exercise or settlement of an Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates (or the maximum individual statutory withholding rates for the applicable jurisdiction if use of such rates would not result in adverse accounting consequences or cost). The Company may require a Participant to direct a broker, upon the vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award, to sell a portion of the shares subject to the Award determined by the Company in its discretion to be sufficient to cover the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company and to remit an amount equal to such tax withholding obligations to such Participating Company in cash.

17. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN.

The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Sections 4.2 and 4.3, (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s stockholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Stock may then be listed or quoted. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee. Except as provided by the next sentence,

 

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no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may have a materially adverse effect on any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the consent of any Participant, amend the Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as it deems necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or such Award Agreement to any present or future law, regulation or rule applicable to the Plan, including, but not limited to, Section 409A.

18. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

18.1 Repurchase Rights. Shares issued under the Plan may be subject to one or more repurchase options, or other conditions and restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time the Award is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

18.2 Forfeiture Events.

(a) The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of Service for Cause or any act by a Participant, whether before or after termination of Service, that would constitute Cause for termination of Service, or any accounting restatement due to material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirements of securities laws as a result of which, and to the extent that, such reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment is required by applicable securities laws. In addition, to the extent that claw-back or similar provisions applicable to Awards are required by applicable law, listing standards and/or policies adopted by the Company, Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to such provisions.

(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, any Participant who knowingly or through gross negligence engaged in the misconduct, or who knowingly or through gross negligence failed to prevent the misconduct, and any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, shall reimburse the Company for (i) the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award received by such Participant during the twelve- (12-) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement, and (ii) any profits realized by such Participant from the sale of securities of the Company during such twelve- (12-) month period.

 

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18.3 Provision of Information. Each Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally made available to the Company’s common stockholders.

18.4 Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director. No person, even though eligible pursuant to Section 5, shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant. Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant a right to remain an Employee, Consultant or Director or interfere with or limit in any way any right of a Participating Company to terminate the Participant’s Service at any time. To the extent that an Employee of a Participating Company other than the Company receives an Award under the Plan, that Award shall in no event be understood or interpreted to mean that the Company is the Employee’s employer or that the Employee has an employment relationship with the Company.

18.5 Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as provided in Section 4 or another provision of the Plan.

18.6 Delivery of Title to Shares. Subject to any governing rules or regulations, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award and shall deliver such shares to or for the benefit of the Participant by means of one or more of the following: (a) by delivering to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Stock credited to the account of the Participant, (b) by depositing such shares of Stock for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship, or (c) by delivering such shares of Stock to the Participant in certificate form.

18.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise or settlement of any Award.

18.8 Retirement and Welfare Plans. Neither Awards made under this Plan nor shares of Stock or cash paid pursuant to such Awards may be included as “compensation” for purposes of computing the benefits payable to any Participant under any Participating Company’s retirement plans (both qualified and non-qualified) or welfare benefit plans unless such other plan expressly provides that such compensation shall be taken into account in computing a Participant’s benefit. In addition, unless a written employment agreement or other service agreement specifically references Awards, a general reference to “benefits” or a similar term in such agreement shall not be deemed to refer to Awards granted hereunder.

18.9 Beneficiary Designation. Subject to local laws and procedures, each Participant may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any benefit under the Plan to which the Participant is entitled in the event of such Participant’s death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s

 

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lifetime. If a married Participant designates a beneficiary other than the Participant’s spouse, the effectiveness of such designation may be subject to the consent of the Participant’s spouse. If a Participant dies without an effective designation of a beneficiary who is living at the time of the Participant’s death, the Company will pay any remaining unpaid benefits to the Participant’s legal representative.

18.10 Severability. If any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be modified so as to make it valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of the Plan shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

18.11 No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to: (a) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s or another Participating Company’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or (b) limit the right or power of the Company or another Participating Company to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.

18.12 Unfunded Obligation. Participants shall have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Company. Any amounts payable to Participants pursuant to the Plan shall be considered unfunded and unsecured obligations for all purposes, including, without limitation, Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. No Participating Company shall be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Committee or any Participating Company and a Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or the Participant’s creditors in any assets of any Participating Company. The Participants shall have no claim against any Participating Company for any changes in the value of any assets which may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Plan.

18.13 Choice of Law. Except to the extent governed by applicable federal law, the validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law rules.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Secretary of the Company certifies that the foregoing sets forth the GigCapital3, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan as duly adopted by the Board on December 30, 2020.

 

/s/ Avi S. Katz

Avi S. Katz, Secretary

 

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Exhibit 10.8

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT

(U.S. Participants)

GigCapital3, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units (the Grant Notice) to which this Restricted Stock Units Agreement (the Agreement) is attached an Award consisting of Restricted Stock Units (each a Unit) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement. The Award has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the GigCapital3, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), as amended, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a) acknowledges receipt of and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan and a prospectus for the Plan prepared in connection with the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the shares issuable pursuant to the Award (the Plan Prospectus), (b) accepts the Award subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan.

1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan.

1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

2. ADMINISTRATION.

All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan or any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or the Award shall be determined by the Committee. All such determinations by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or the Award or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.


3. THE AWARD.

3.1 Grant of Units. On the Date of Grant, the Participant shall acquire, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Total Number of Units set forth in the Grant Notice, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9. Each Unit represents a right to receive on a date determined in accordance with the Grant Notice and this Agreement one (1) share of Stock.

3.2 No Monetary Payment Required. The Participant is not required to make any monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) as a condition to receiving the Units or shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Units, the consideration for which shall be past services actually rendered or future services to be rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Units.

4. VESTING OF UNITS.

Units acquired pursuant to this Agreement shall become Vested Units as provided in the Grant Notice.

5. COMPANY REACQUISITION RIGHT.

5.1 Grant of Company Reacquisition Right. Except to the extent otherwise provided by the Superseding Agreement, if any, in the event that the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, the Participant shall forfeit and the Company shall automatically reacquire all Units which are not, as of the time of such termination, Vested Units (“Unvested Units”), and the Participant shall not be entitled to any payment therefor (the “Company Reacquisition Right”).

5.2 Ownership Change Event, Non-Cash Dividends, Distributions and Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of an Ownership Change Event, a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company paid in shares of Stock or other property, or any other adjustment upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 9, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends paid on Stock pursuant to the Company’s dividend policy) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participant’s ownership of Unvested Units shall be immediately subject to the Company Reacquisition Right and included in the terms “Units” and “Unvested Units” for all purposes of the Company Reacquisition Right with the same force and effect as the Unvested Units immediately prior to the Ownership Change Event, dividend, distribution or adjustment, as the case may be. For purposes of determining the number of Vested Units following an Ownership Change Event, dividend, distribution or adjustment, credited Service shall include all Service with any corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before and after any such event.

 

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6. SETTLEMENT OF THE AWARD.

6.1 Issuance of Shares of Stock. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.3, the Company shall issue to the Participant within 30 days of the Settlement Date with respect to each Vested Unit to be settled on such date one (1) share of Stock. The Settlement Date with respect to a Unit shall be the date on which such Unit becomes a Vested Unit as provided by the Grant Notice (an Original Settlement Date); provided, however, that if the tax withholding obligations of a Participating Company, if any, will not be satisfied by the share withholding method described in Section 7.3 and the Original Settlement Date would occur on a date on which a sale by the Participant of the shares to be issued in settlement of the Vested Units would violate the Trading Compliance Policy of the Company, then the Settlement Date for such Vested Units shall be deferred until the next day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy, but in any event on or before the 15th day of the third calendar month following calendar year of the Original Settlement Date. Shares of Stock issued in settlement of Units shall not be subject to any restriction on transfer other than any such restriction as may be required pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 7 or the Company’s Trading Compliance Policy.

6.2 Beneficial Ownership of Shares; Certificate Registration. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit any or all shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to the settlement of the Award with the Company’s transfer agent, including any successor transfer agent, to be held in book entry form, or to deposit such shares for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship of which the Company has notice. Except as provided by the foregoing, a certificate for the shares acquired by the Participant shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.

6.3 Restrictions on Grant of the Award and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Award and issuance of shares of Stock upon settlement of the Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. No shares of Stock may be issued hereunder if the issuance of such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any shares subject to the Award shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the settlement of the Award, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

6.4 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the settlement of the Award.

 

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7. TAX WITHHOLDING.

7.1 In General. At the time the Grant Notice is executed, or at any time thereafter as requested by a Participating Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax (including any social insurance) withholding obligations of the Participating Company, if any, which arise in connection with the Award, the vesting of Units or the issuance of shares of Stock in settlement thereof. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company have been satisfied by the Participant.

7.2 Assignment of Sale Proceeds. Subject to compliance with applicable law and the Company’s Trading Compliance Policy, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may satisfy the Participating Company’s tax withholding obligations in accordance with procedures established by the Company providing for delivery by the Participant to the Company or a broker approved by the Company of properly executed instructions, in a form approved by the Company, providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon settlement of Units.

7.3 Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Participant to satisfy all or any portion of a Participating Company’s tax withholding obligations by deducting from the shares of Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant in settlement of the Award a number of whole shares having a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date on which the tax withholding obligations arise, not in excess of the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates if required to avoid liability classification of the Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Any determination by the Company with respect to whether to permit the withholding of shares of Stock to satisfy the tax withholding obligation shall be made by the Committee if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

8. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.

In the event of a Change in Control, the Award shall be subject to and treated as set forth in Section 13 of the Plan.

9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.

The Award shall be subject to and treated as set forth in Section 4.3 of the Plan.

10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.

The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares which may be issued in settlement of this Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the shares are issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as

 

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otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the Participant’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participant’s Service at any time.

11. LEGENDS.

The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock issued pursuant to this Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to this Award in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section.

12. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A.

It is intended that any election, payment or benefit which is made or provided pursuant to or in connection with this Award that may result in Section 409A Deferred Compensation shall comply in all respects with the applicable requirements of Section 409A (including applicable regulations or other administrative guidance thereunder, as determined by the Committee in good faith) to avoid the unfavorable tax consequences provided therein for non-compliance. In connection with effecting compliance with or an exemption from Section 409A, the following shall apply:

12.1 Separation from Service; Required Delay in Payment to Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement on account of the Participant’s termination of Service which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation shall be paid unless and until the Participant has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the Section 409A Regulations). Furthermore, to the extent that the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations as of the date of the Participant’s separation from service, no Section 409A Deferred Compensation which is payable on account of the Participant’s separation from service shall be paid to the Participant before the date (the Delayed Payment Date) which is first day of the seventh month after the date of the Participant’s separation from service or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death following such separation from service. All such amounts that would, but for this Section, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date will be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.

12.2 Other Changes in Time of Payment. Neither the Participant nor the Company shall take any action to accelerate or delay the payment of any benefits under this Agreement in any manner which would not be in compliance with the Section 409A Regulations.

12.3 Installment Payments. It is the intent that any right of Participant to receive installment payments (within the meaning of Section 409A) with respect to the Units subject to this Agreement shall, for all purposes of Section 409A, be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

 

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12.4 Amendments to Comply with Section 409A; Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company is authorized to amend this Agreement, to void or amend any election made by the Participant under this Agreement and/or to delay the payment of any monies and/or provision of any benefits in such manner as may be determined by the Company, in its discretion, to be necessary or appropriate to comply with or be exempt from the Section 409A Regulations without prior notice to or consent of the Participant. The Participant hereby releases and holds harmless the Company, its directors, officers and stockholders from any and all claims that may arise from or relate to any tax liability, penalties, interest, costs, fees or other liability incurred by the Participant in connection with the Award, including as a result of the application of Section 409A.

12.5 Advice of Independent Tax Advisor. The Company has not obtained a tax ruling or other confirmation from the Internal Revenue Service with regard to the application of Section 409A to the Award, and the Company does not represent or warrant that this Agreement will avoid adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including as a result of the application of Section 409A to the Award. The Participant hereby acknowledges that he or she has been advised to seek the advice of his or her own independent tax advisor prior to entering into this Agreement and is not relying upon any representations of the Company or any of its agents as to the effect of or the advisability of entering into this Agreement.

13. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

13.1 Termination or Amendment. The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan or this Agreement at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may have a materially adverse effect on the Participant’s rights under this Agreement without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law or government regulation, including, but not limited to, Section 409A. No amendment or addition to this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

13.2 Nontransferability of the Award. Prior to the issuance of shares of Stock on the applicable Settlement Date, neither this Award nor any Units subject to this Award shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to the Award shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

13.3 Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

13.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

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13.5 Delivery of Documents and Notices. Any document relating to participation in the Plan or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by a Participating Company, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

(a) Description of Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan Prospectus, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Company’s stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically. In addition, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the Internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company. Any and all such documents and notices may be electronically signed.

(b) Consent to Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read Section 13.5(a) of this Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the delivery of the Grant Notice, as described in Section 13.5(a). The Participant agrees that any and all such documents requiring a signature may be electronically signed and that such electronic signature shall have the same effect as handwritten signature for the purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility. The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in Section 13.5(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in Section 13.5(a).

13.6 Integrated Agreement. The Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, together with the Superseding Agreement, if any, shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan shall survive any settlement of the Award and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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13.7 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware.

13.8 Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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Exhibit 10.9

GIGCAPITAL3, INC.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(U.S. Participants)

GigCapital3, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the Grant Notice) to which this Stock Option Agreement (the Option Agreement) is attached an option (the Option) to purchase a number of shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the GigCapital3, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), as amended, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a) acknowledges receipt of, and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan and a prospectus for the Plan prepared in connection with the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of shares issuable pursuant to the Option (the Plan Prospectus), (b) accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement or the Plan.

1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan.

1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

2. TAX CONSEQUENCES.

2.1 Tax Status of Option. This Option is intended to have the tax status designated in the Grant Notice.

(a) Incentive Stock Option. If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.)


(b) Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

2.2 ISO Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Participant under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)

3. ADMINISTRATION.

All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan or any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or the Option shall be determined by the Committee. All such determinations by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Option, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or the Option or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.

4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.

4.1 Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Vesting Date and prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9.

 

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4.2 Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by means of electronic or written notice (the Exercise Notice) in a form authorized by the Company. An electronic Exercise Notice must be digitally signed or authenticated by the Participant in such manner as required by the notice and transmitted to the Company or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). In the event that the Participant is not authorized or is unable to provide an electronic Exercise Notice, the Option shall be exercised by a written Exercise Notice addressed to the Company, which shall be signed by the Participant and delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the Company, or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). Each Exercise Notice, whether electronic or written, must state the Participant’s election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Participant’s investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. Further, each Exercise Notice must be received by the Company prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6 and must be accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such electronic or written Exercise Notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.

4.3 Payment of Exercise Price.

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent; (ii) if permitted by the Company and subject to the limitations contained in Section 4.3(b), by means of (1) a Cashless Exercise, (2) a Net-Exercise, or (3) a Stock Tender Exercise; or (iii) by any combination of the foregoing.

(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedure providing for payment of the Exercise Price through any of the means described below, including with respect to the Participant notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to others. Any determination by the Company with respect to whether to permit the withholding or tendering of shares of Stock to satisfy the Exercise Price shall be made by the Committee if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(i) Cashless Exercise. A Cashless Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option in an amount not less than the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).

 

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(ii) Net-Exercise. A Net-Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice electing a procedure pursuant to which (1) the Company will reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option by the largest whole number of shares having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant shall pay to the Company in cash the remaining balance of such aggregate Exercise Price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Following a Net-Exercise, the number of shares remaining subject to the Option, if any, shall be reduced by the sum of (1) the net number of shares issued to the Participant upon such exercise, and (2) the number of shares deducted by the Company for payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(iii) Stock Tender Exercise. A Stock Tender Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice accompanied by (1) the Participant’s tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, in a form acceptable to the Company of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant’s payment to the Company in cash of the remaining balance of such aggregate Exercise Price not satisfied by such shares’ Fair Market Value. A Stock Tender Exercise shall not be permitted if it would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. If required by the Company, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for a period of time required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

4.4 Tax Withholding.

(a) In General. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by a Participating Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax (including any social insurance) withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Participant.

(b) Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Participant to satisfy all or any portion of a Participating Company’s tax withholding obligations upon exercise of the Option by deducting from the shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon such exercise a number of whole shares having a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates if required to avoid liability classification of the Option under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Any determination by the Company with respect to whether to permit the withholding of shares of Stock to satisfy the tax withholding obligations shall be made by the Committee if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

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4.5 Beneficial Ownership of Shares; Certificate Registration. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship of which the Company has notice any or all shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option. Except as provided by the preceding sentence, a certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.

4.6 Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

4.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

5. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION.

During the lifetime of the Participant, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. The Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

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6. TERMINATION OF THE OPTION.

The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the first to occur of (a) the close of business on the Option Expiration Date, (b) the close of business on the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Participant’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in Section 8.

7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.

7.1 Option Exercisability. The Option shall terminate immediately upon the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period as determined below and thereafter shall terminate.

(a) Disability. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

(b) Death. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months after the Participant’s termination of Service other than for Cause.

(c) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement to the contrary, if the Participant’s Service is terminated for Cause or if, following the Participant’s termination of Service and during any period in which the Option otherwise would remain exercisable, the Participant engages in any act that would constitute Cause, the Option shall terminate in its entirety and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service or act.

(d) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares by the Participant on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

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7.2 Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of the Participant’s Service for Cause, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until the later of (a) thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, or (b) the end of the applicable time period under Section 7.1, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

8. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.

In the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall be subject to and treated as set forth in Section 13 of the Plan.

9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.

The Option shall be subject to and treated as set forth in Section 4.3 of the Plan.

10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.

The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the shares are issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the Participant’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participant’s Service as a Director, an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time.

11. NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.

The Participant shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, if the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Participant disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Participant exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Grant and (b) provide the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Participant disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Participant shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Participant’s name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Grant. At any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company’s stock to notify the Company of any such transfers.

 

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The obligation of the Participant to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

12. LEGENDS.

The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

“THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (“ISO). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO EITHER THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE OF GRANT OR THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE OF EXERCISE. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER’S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.”

13. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

13.1 Termination or Amendment. The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may have a materially adverse effect on the Option or any unexercised portion thereof without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

13.2 Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Option Agreement.

13.3 Binding Effect. This Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

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13.4 Delivery of Documents and Notices. Any document relating to participation in the Plan or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by a Participating Company, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

(a) Description of Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan Prospectus, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Company’s stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically. In addition, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice called for by Section 4.2 to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the Internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company. Any and all such documents and notices may be electronically signed.

(b) Consent to Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read Section 13.4(a) of this Option Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the delivery of the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice, as described in Section 13.4(a). The Participant agrees that any and all such documents requiring a signature may be electronically signed and that such electronic signature shall have the same effect as handwritten signature for the purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility. The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in Section 13.4(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if the Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in Section 13.4(a).

 

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13.5 Integrated Agreement. The Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, together with the Superseding Agreement, if any, shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.

13.6 Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware.

13.7 Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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Exhibit 10.10

AMENDED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of February 24, 2021, is between LIGHTNING SYSTEMS. INC., dba Lightning eMotors (the “Company”) and Teresa Covington (the “Executive” and together with the Company, the “Parties”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS:

The Parties wish to enter the arrangements set forth herein with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and covenants contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Employment and Term. The Company agrees to, and does hereby, employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to, and does hereby accept, such employment, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Executive’s employment will begin on January 4, 2021 (the “Start Date”) and continue at will, which means that the Executive or the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time for any reason, or for no reason, with or without cause (the “Term”). If the Company terminates this Agreement and the Executive’s employment, the Company shall provide the Executive with notice and reason for the termination at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the effective date of such termination.

2. Position and Duties.

(a) During the Term, the Company shall employ the Executive as Chief Financial Officer. The Executive shall perform the duties and have the responsibilities customarily associated with the position of Chief Financial Officer, which shall include, without limitation, overseeing the financial performance and operations of the Company, and ensuring the Company meets its compliance financial control requirements, and shall render such other services, and assume such other responsibilities, as may be directed to the Executive by the Chief Executive Officer or such other person as may be designated by the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) The Executive shall devote her best efforts and her full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company.

(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Executive owes the Company a duty of loyalty as a fiduciary of the Company, and (ii) the obligations described in this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligations the Executive owes the Company under the common law.

 

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3. Base Salary, Bonus, Equity/Options, and Benefits.

(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive’s base salary shall be $350,000.00 per annum (“Base Salary”), which salary shall be payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices. The Base Salary will be subject to review on an annual basis and may be adjusted in accordance with the procedures set forth by the Company’s Compensation Committee.

(b) Annual Bonus. During the Term, provided that the Executive is employed by the Company on December 31st of the applicable year, the Executive will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan pursuant to which she will be entitled to receive an annual target bonus in the amount of 40 percent (40%) of her Base Salary for the applicable year, pro-rated for any partial year (the “Target Bonus”), upon achievement by the Executive and the Company of certain targets as determined solely in the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Annual Bonus”). The Target Bonus, may change in any given year as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee, and the Annual Bonus actually paid, if any, will depend on the actual performance of the Company and the Executive as determined by the Compensation Committee. In all events the Annual Bonus, if earned, will be paid no later than March 15th following the applicable year for which it is earned. For 2021, the company is committing to award at least 50% of the Target Bonus ($70,000), payable March 15th, 2022. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective as of the date the Company is public, the Annual Bonus shall be paid in the calendar year following the applicable service year as soon as practicable after completion of the annual audit.

(c) Options. Effective as of February 24, 2021 the Company shall grant the Executive 129,450 ISOs with a strike price of $6.18 (equal to the fair market value of one share of the Company’s common stock on 2/24/21) representing an option to purchase an aggregate value of $800,000 worth of the Company’s common stock. The Initial Options shall vest in three equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the Start Date, and the Subsequent Options shall vest in three equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the applicable grant date (each, a “Vesting Date”), provided in each case that the Executive is employed by the Company on the applicable Vesting Date. The Vesting Date shall be accelerated and all outstanding options shall become fully vested upon a Change in Control of the Company. The Initial Options and the Subsequent Options (collectively, the “Stock Options”) shall have a ten-year term (subject to earlier termination upon termination of employment as described herein and in the applicable option agreement) and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan and option agreements, all of which shall be consistent with the Executive’s rights set forth in this Section 3(c). The Executive may receive additional stock options or other equity compensation grants in the future in the sole discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

(d) Employee Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s various employee benefit plans that are, from time to time, made generally available to the Company’s employees, as such plans are established and pursuant to the terms and conditions of such plans.

 

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(e) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to 4 weeks paid vacation time per calendar year, pro-rated for any partial year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s vacation time policy.

(f) Expense Reimbursement. The Executive shall receive reimbursement for direct and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including those related to maintenance of a license as a Certified Public Accountant, continuing professional education and membership in National and State Professional Associations, incurred by her in connection with the performance of her duties hereunder, according to the policies of the Company. All requests for reimbursement of business-related expenses shall be subject to the Company’s travel policy and requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of expenses.

4. Compensation Upon Termination, Resignation, Disability or Death.

(a) Termination without Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, the Company shall pay the Executive any Base Salary and Annual Bonus from the preceding calendar year to the extent accrued but unpaid as of the effective date of the Executive’s termination; accrued but unused vacation in accordance with Company policy; and all business expenses that were incurred and not reimbursed but eligible for reimbursement (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”). In addition, subject to Section 19, the Company will pay the Executive an amount equal to six (6) months of the Executive’s Base Salary and Target Bonus at the rate in effect on the date of termination, plus a pro rata portion of the Target Bonus equal to number of months of completed employment during the year in which termination occurs divided by twelve (12) (“Pro Rata Bonus”), all payable in a lump sum within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of termination. Provided the Executive timely elects continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), the Company shall also pay, on the Executive’s behalf, the portion of monthly premiums for the Executive’s group health insurance, including coverage for the Executive’s dependents, that the Company paid immediately prior to the date of termination, during the six (6) month period following the date of termination, subject to the Executive’s continued eligibility for COBRA coverage. The Company will pay for such COBRA coverage for eligible dependents only for those dependents who were enrolled immediately prior to the date of termination. The Executive will continue to be required to pay that portion of the premium for the Executive’s health coverage, including coverage for the Executive’s eligible dependents, that the Executive was required to pay as an active employee immediately prior to the date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that under applicable guidance the reimbursement of COBRA premiums causes the Company’s group health plan to violate any applicable nondiscrimination rule, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith a mutually agreeable alternative arrangement. Upon termination under this Section 4(a), (i) the Initial Options, to the extent unvested, shall immediately vest, (ii) the Subsequent Options shall cease vesting and (iii) all vested Stock Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) the date one hundred eighty(180) calendar days following termination of employment or (y) the expiration of the original option term.

 

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(b) Resignation for Good Reason. If the Executive resigns for Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive the same sums and in the same manner, and her rights to the Stock Options shall be the same, as to which the Executive would be entitled if she had been terminated by the Company without Cause, as set forth in subsection (a) above. The Executive shall provide 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company of her decision to resign for Good Reason subject to the ability of the Company to cure such basis for Good Reason during such notice period.

(c) Termination for Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Obligations. Upon termination under this Section 4(c), any outstanding Stock Options shall cease to be exercisable and will be forfeited.

(d) Resignation without Good Reason. If the Executive resigns without Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Obligations. The Executive shall provide 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company of his decision to resign without Good Reason. The Stock Options, to the extent exercisable at the Executive’s termination of employment, shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the date ninety (90) calendar days following termination of employment under this Section 4(d) or (ii) the expiration of the original option term.

(e) Disability. Subject to any state or federal law or regulation governing employees with disabilities, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment upon the Disability of the Executive. In the event the Executive is terminated under this Section 4(e), the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Obligations and the Pro Rata Bonus. In addition, subject to Section 19, the Company will pay the Executive an amount equal to six (6) months of the Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect on the date of termination, payable in a lump sum within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of termination. In addition, in such event, the Company shall cause Executive to fully vest in all Stock Options referred to in Section 3(c) of this Agreement, and the Stock Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the date one (1) year following termination of employment under this Section 4(e) or (ii) the expiration of the original option term.

(f) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay the Executive’s estate the Accrued Obligations and the Pro Rata Bonus. In addition, in such event, the Company, shall cause Executive’s estate to fully vest in all Stock Options referred to in Section 3(c) of this Agreement, and the Stock Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the date one (1) year following termination of employment under this Section 4(f) or (ii) the expiration of the original option term.

(g) For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) “Cause” means the Executive’s (a) conviction of, guilty plea to or confession of guilt of, or plea of nolo contendere to a felony, or an act involving moral turpitude which could have a material adverse effect on the Company; (b) material willful dishonesty, fraud or conduct that constitutes a felony or an act involving moral turpitude or a breach of fiduciary duty or any material misrepresentation in connection with the Executive’s employment; (c) intentional negligent action that exposes the Company to a material risk of legal liability or public disgrace or disrepute including, without limitation, violation of any law, rule or regulation that could expose the Company to a material legal or monetary fine or penalty; (d) gross neglect of her duties or substantial failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or Board of Directors; (e)

 

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gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to Company affairs or the Executive’s obligations hereunder; or (f) any other material breach of this or any other agreement with the Company or any material Company policy, which breach in each case listed above where cure is possible, is not cured within at least fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt by the Executive of written notice from the Company of such breach,

(ii) “Good Reason” means: (a) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, except where such reduction occurs as part of and is commensurate in amount with an across-the-board reduction in salary affecting all senior executives of the Company; (b) a material change in the geographic location of the Executive’s principal business office; in order for a change to be material hereunder, the Executive’s principal business office must be moved to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s office as of the Start Date, except for required travel on Company business; or (c) any other action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach of this Agreement. The foregoing shall constitute Good Reason only if (i) the Executive provides written notice to the Company of any event(s) alleged to constitute Good Reason within ninety (90) calendar days of the initial occurrence of the event, with such notice providing a detailed description of the circumstances constituting Good Reason (a “Good Reason Notice”), (ii) any such reduction, change, or breach is not remedied or cured within thirty (30) calendar days after the Company’s receipt of a written Good Reason Notice from the Executive (the “Cure Period”) and (iii) the Executive actually terminates employment within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration of the Cure Period.

(iii) “Disability” shall mean that the Executive is disabled within the meaning of the Company’s group long-term disability insurance policy. If no long term disability insurance is in place, then Disability shall mean that the Executive, due to illness, accident, or other physical or mental incapacity, has been substantially unable to perform his duties under this Agreement for a period of at least six (6) consecutive months during the Term as established by the written opinion of a licensed independent physician selected by the Company.

(h) Deemed Resignation. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and the Executive prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment, any termination of the Executive’s employment shall constitute an automatic resignation of the Executive as an officer of the Company, and an automatic resignation of the Executive from the board of directors or similar governing body of the Company or any affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company or any affiliate holds an equity interest and with respect to which board or similar governing body the Executive serves as the Company’s or such affiliate’s designee or other representative.

(i) Clawback. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that any and all compensation the Executive receives pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to clawback by the Company in the event of a financial restatement or in such other circumstances as may be required by applicable law or as may be provided in any clawback policy that is adopted by the Company and is generally applicable to senior executives of the Company.

 

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5. Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation.

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means (i) communications, data, formulae and related concepts, business plans (both current and under development), profit and loss statements, spreadsheets, contact or distribution lists, non-public personnel lists, promotion and marketing programs, trade secrets, or any other confidential or proprietary business information relating to development programs, costs, revenues, marketing, trading, investments, sales activities, promotions, credit and financial data, financing methods, research, plans or the business and affairs of the Company; (ii) any other information which is to be treated as confidential or non-public because of any duty of confidentiality owed by the Company to a third party; and (iii) any other information which the Company shall, in the ordinary course, use and not release externally, except subject to restrictions on use and disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information that (A) is or becomes generally publicly available other than as a result, directly or indirectly, of the Executive’s disclosure or (B) is or becomes available to the Executive on a non-confidential basis from a source other than through the Company or its representatives, provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information to the Executive by a contractual or legal obligation.

(b) The Executive acknowledges the trade secret status of the Confidential Information and that the Confidential Information constitutes a protectable business interest of the Company. The Executive agrees (i) not to use or allow or help another to use or access (whether for compensation or not) any Confidential Information for himself or others (other than the Company); and (ii) not to take any Company material or reproductions (including but not limited to writings, correspondence, notes, drafts, records, invoices, technical and business policies, computer programs or disks) thereof from the Company’s offices at any time during or after the Executive’s employment by the Company, except as required in the execution of the Executive’s duties to the Company and then conditioned upon the prompt return of all originals and reproductions thereof (in whatever form).

(c) During the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of himself or any other person or entity, without the prior written consent of the Company solicit or induce any employee of or consultant or service provider to the Company (each, a “Service Provider”) to leave the employ of or cease performing services for the Company, or engage in any plan or coordinate with any Service Provider to leave the employ of or cease performing services for the Company, or hire, participate with or attempt to participate with in any venture for any purpose any Service Provider or any Service Provider who has left the employment of or ceased to perform services for the Company within one year of the termination of such Service Provider’s services for the Company.

 

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(d) The Executive acknowledges that any breach of her obligations under this Section 5 cannot be adequately compensated by damages in an action at law and may cause the Company great and irreparable injury and damage. Accordingly, in the event that the Executive breaches or threatens to breach any provisions of this Section 5, then in addition to any other rights which the Company may have, the Company shall be entitled, without the necessity of (i) proving irreparable harm, (ii) establishing that monetary damages are inadequate or (iii) posting any bond or other security with respect thereto, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief to redress any breach, and no proof of special damages shall be necessary for the enforcement of or for any action for breach of the Executive’s obligations. In the event that a proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this Section 5, the Executive shall not urge as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law nor shall the Company be prevented from seeking any other remedies which may be available. Nothing contained in this Section 5(d) shall be construed as a waiver by the Company of any other rights, including, without limitation, rights to damages or profits.

(e) The Executive agrees that the period during which the covenants contained in this Section 5 shall be effective shall be computed by excluding from such computation any time during which the Executive is in violation of any provision of this Section 5.

(f) The Company and the Executive agree that it was their intent to enter into a valid and enforceable agreement. The Executive and the Company thereby acknowledge the reasonableness of the restrictions set forth in this Section 5, including the reasonableness of the duration as to time and the scope of activity restrained. The Executive agrees that if any covenant contained in Section 5 of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to contain limitations as to time or scope of activity that are not reasonable and impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of the Company, then the court shall reform the covenant to the extent necessary to cause the limitations contained in the covenant as to time and scope of activity to be restrained to be reasonable and to impose a restraint that is not greater than necessary to protect the goodwill and other business interests of the Company and to enforce the covenants as reformed.

(g) If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Executive agrees to advise the Company of the name of the Executive’s new employer if reemployed during the one (1) year period following executive’s termination with the Company. The Executive further agrees that the Company may notify any person or entity employing the Executive or evidencing an intention of employing the Executive during such one year period of the existence and provisions of this Agreement.

6. The Executive’s Representations. The Executive represents to the Company that:

(a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Executive is a party or by which she is bound;

 

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(b) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the Executive, enforceable against her in accordance with its terms.

(c) as of the Start Date, the Executive will not be a party to any agreement with any person, other than an agreement with the Company, restricting the use of another person’s confidential information or restricting the Executive from providing future employment, consulting or other service;

(d) no prior or pending litigation, arbitration, investigation or other proceeding of any kind will prevent or hinder the Executive from performing his duties under this Agreement; and

(e) the Executive has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding her rights and obligations under this Agreement and that she fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

7. Change in Control.

(a) Definitions.

(i) For purposes of this Section 7, “Change in Control” means (I) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, own less than a controlling interest in the surviving entity immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization; (II) any transaction or series of related transactions in which control of the Company is acquired by a person or group of persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or any successor provisions thereto; or (III) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided that in no event will a Change in Control include any of the following transactions: (A) any consolidation, merger or similar transaction effected exclusively to change the domicile of the Company; (B) any transaction or series of transactions in which voting securities of the Company are issued principally for bona fide financing purposes or any successor or indebtedness or equity securities of the Company are cancelled or converted or a combination thereof, including, without limitation, an initial public offering or other offering of the Company’s capital stock; or (C) any acquisition of such voting power by an individual or entity that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.

(ii) “Control” (including its correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means, with respect to any person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the beneficial ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

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(b) Change in Control Severance Benefits. If there is a Change in Control, and within one (1) year of such Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated under the circumstances described in Sections 4(a) or 4(b) above, the Company shall pay the Executive the compensation as set forth in subsection 4(a) above and all outstanding Initial Options and Subsequent Options shall be fully vested as of the date of such termination and shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) the date one hundred eighty(180) calendar days following termination of employment or (y) the expiration of the original option term.

(c) Termination Preceding Change in Control. Notwithstanding the provisions of the above subsection 7(b), if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause within three (3) months preceding the occurrence of a Change in Control and such termination without Cause occurred in anticipation of a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits described in the above subsection 7(b).

8. Taxes. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payment or benefit provided under this Agreement an amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding requirements.

9. Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

Notices to the Executive:

Teresa Covington

 

                                 

Notices to the Company:

Attention: Tim Reeser

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered, sent or mailed.

10. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

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11. Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with the agreements referred to herein in Section 3(d), contains the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company and activities following termination. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company and activities following termination. This Agreement may not be changed or modified except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

13. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive, the Company and their respective heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators, successors and assigns, except that the Executive may not assign his rights or delegate his duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company.

14. Choice of Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado and the federal laws of the United States of America, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Colorado and the federal laws of the United States of America.

15. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration. Subject to Section 5(d), the Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement promptly by negotiation. If the matter has not been resolved within thirty (30) calendar days of a Party’s request for negotiation, either Party may initiate proceedings or arbitration only as provided herein. Subject to Section 5(d), if any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination or validity thereof has not been resolved by negotiation, such dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the then current rules of JAMS by a single independent and impartial arbitrator who is located in Denver, Colorado. The arbitrator selected must have an expertise in the matter(s) in dispute. Each party shall bear his/its own fees and costs; the fees, costs and all administrative expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the Company and the Executive. The Parties understand and agree that the arbitration is subject to the rules of JAMS; that the arbitrator’s decision and award shall be final and binding as to all claims that were, or could have been, raised in arbitration; and that judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction. Any award rendered hereunder may include an award of attorneys’ fees and costs but shall not include punitive damages. The statute of limitations of the state of Colorado applicable to the commencement of a lawsuit shall apply to the commencement of an arbitration.

 

10


16. Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

17. Survival. In the event of the Executive’s termination of, or resignation from, employment, Sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 16 shall survive and continue in full force to the extent necessary to enforce their terms.

18. Jobs Act Compliance.

(a) This Agreement is intended to provide payments that are exempt from or compliant with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”), and the Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly. Each payment under this Agreement is intended to be excepted from Section 409A, including, but not limited to, by compliance with the short-term deferral exception as specified in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-l(b)(4), and the provisions of this Agreement will be administered, interpreted and construed accordingly (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed).

(b) All reimbursements or provision of in-kind benefits pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(l)(iv) such that the reimbursement or provision will be deemed payable at a specified time or on a fixed schedule relative to a permissible payment event. Specifically, the amount reimbursed, or in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement during the Executive’s taxable year may not affect the amounts reimbursed or provided in any other taxable year (except that total reimbursements may be limited by a lifetime maximum under a group health plan), the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred, and the right to reimbursement or provision of in-kind benefit is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(c) For all purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company when the Executive incurs a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i).

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the parties agree that any benefit or benefits under this Agreement that the Company determines are subject to the suspension period under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B) shall not be paid or commence until the first business day next following the earlier of (i) the date that is six months and one day following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, (ii) the date of the Executive’s death or (iii) such earlier date as complies with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

11


19. Release. Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to Sections 4 and 7, other than (i) compensation accrued but unpaid as of the effective date of the Executive’s termination; (ii) accrued but unused vacation in accordance with Company policy; and (iii) all business expenses that were incurred but not reimbursed, shall only be payable if the Executive executes and delivers to the Company, within 60 days after termination of employment, in the Company’s standard form, a general release of all claims of the Executive up to the date of such release in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

12


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

 

LIGHTNING SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Tim Reeser

Name:   Tim Reeser
Title:   CEO
EXECUTIVE
By:  

/s/ Teresa Covington

Name:   Teresa Covington

Exhibit 10.11

 

LOGO

 

William Kelley    April 25, 2019

Dear Bill:

In the name of the whole Board, I would first like to thank you for your extraordinary contribution over the last two years - we are all aware that we would not be where we are today without you.

We would all like to assure you remain on board and fully motivated for the next three years as we grow the Company and sell the Company. We, therefore, offer you the following:

 

 

Promotion to COO\CTO of the Company reporting to the CEO, Tim Reeser. The Board, thereby, signals strongly that you and Tim are the top two executives in the Company and the ones that the Board will look to for continued success.

 

 

Base Annual Salary increased to $200,000 - as of May 1st, 2019.

 

 

New additional ISO grant of 300,000 units (in addition to the 250,000 you already have). Vesting is 100,000 per year for the next three years. This total of 550,000 gives you approximatively a 2% ownership of the company - before any further funding.

 

 

We agree to pay up to $15,000 moving costs should you need to move within Colorado anytime in the next two years.

I very much look forward to continuing working with you to turn LS into the undisputed leader in electric powertrains.

 

LIGHTNING SYSTEMS

/s/ Robert Fenwick-Smith

Robert Fenwick-Smith
Executive Chairman of the Board

 

Employee acceptance of job offer:   
/s/ William Kelley    5/1/2019            
Signature    Date

 

Cc:

Tim Reeser, Rob Mulcair

815 14TH STREET SW, SUITE A100    LOVELAND, COLORADO 80537 800-223-0740

WWW.LIGHTNINGHYBRIDS.COM

Exhibit 10.12

OFFICE LEASE

THIS OFFICE LEASE is made this            day of November, 2019 , by and between ROCKY MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Lightning Hybrids, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, doing business as LIGHTNING HYBRIDS, LLC (“Tenant”), and upon the Commencement Date shall replace the Office Lease between the parties dated May 16, 2017.

ARTICLE 1 – LEASE OF PREMISES

Section 1.01. Basic Lease Provisions and Definitions.

 

  (a)

Leased Premises (shown outlined on Exhibit A attached hereto): Approximately 124,006 square feet of Building A (the “Building”) of the Development. The exact size and dimensions (based upon BOMA space measurement methods) are subject to verification by Tenant’s architects.

 

  (b)

Intentionally omitted.

 

  (c)

Development: Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation & Technology, Loveland, Colorado, an approximate 811,000 square foot mixed use center. The total square footage of Building A is approximately 142,386

 

  (d)

Minimum Annual Rent: Minimum Annual Rent during the Initial Lease Term shall be asset forth below in Section 1.01(e). The Minimum Annual Rent is considered to be a modified gross rent including the base lease amount along with prorated operating expenses, the prorated share of property tax and property insurance as well as base utility consumption (lighting, heating and cooling). Notwithstanding the foregoing, provided Tenant is not in Default (as defined herein), Minimum Annual Rent for the first seven (7) months shall be abated in full.

 

  (e)

Annual Rental Escalations: Minimum Annual Rent shall increase 3% each year of the Lease Term over the Minimum Annual Rent of the immediately prior year effective upon the anniversary of the Commencement Date, and calculated in accordance with the below chart, reflecting the rate and applicable square footage to which the rate applies, less the amount of rent abatement.

 

Lease Terms

   Rate      SQFT      Total      Abatement  

12/l/l9 to 12/31/19

   $ 10.61        45,960      $ 40,636      ($ 40,636

Year 1 (2020)

   $ 10.93        85,880      $ 938,668      ($ 469,334

Year 2 (2021)

   $ 11.26        85,880      $ 967,009        —    

Year 3 (2022)

   $ 11.60        111,422      $ 1,292,495        —    

Year 4 (2023)

   $ 11.94        124,006      $ 1,480,632        —    

Year 5 (2024)

   $ 12.30        124,006      $ 1,525,274        —    

 

  (f)

Commencement Date: The Commencement Date shall be December 1, 2019. Landlord agrees to allow Tenant access to the Leased Premises to begin approved renovation and building improvements upon the execution of this lease and delivery of the Security Deposit as specified in Section 1.01(i). Tenant also agrees to provide Landlord with proof of all required insurance policies as stated in this lease agreement prior to the start of any renovations or improvements. By executing this lease agreement Tenant agrees that all other contractual and legal requirements as stated in this Lease become effective immediately during the early move in period (other than the obligation to pay rent).

 

  (g)

Initial Lease Term: Five (5) years.

 

  (h)

Intentionally omitted

 

  (i)

Security Deposit: Landlord holds a Security Deposit of $43,125.00.

 

  (j)

Broker(s): None.


  (k)

Permitted Use: General office, light manufacturing and lawfully related purposes.

 

  (l)

Address for notices and payments are as follows:

 

Landlord:

   Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation & Technology,
   LLC
   c/o Cumberland and Western Resources, LLC
   Attn.: Bill Murphree
   2200 Lapsley Lane
   Bowling Green, KY 42103

Tenant:

   Lightning Hybrids
   Attn. Robert C. Mulcair
   815 14th Street SW
   Loveland, CO. 80537

 

  (m)

Guarantor(s): None.

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A – Leased Premises

Exhibit B – Tenant Improvements

Exhibit C – Rules and Regulations

Section 1.02. Lease of Premises. Landlord hereby leases to Tenant and Tenant hereby leases from Landlord the Leased Premises, under the terms and conditions herein, together with a non-exclusive right, in common with others, to use the following (collectively, the “Common Areas”): the areas of the Development and the underlying land and improvements thereto that are designed for use in common by all tenants and their respective employees, agents, customers, invitees and others.

ARTICLE 2 – TERM AND POSSESSION

Section 2.01. Term.

(a) The Commencement Date, Initial Lease Term and Renewal Term shall be as set forth in Sections 1.01(f)

Section 2.02. Construction of Tenant Improvements. Tenant shall be responsible to construct and install all leasehold improvements to the Leased Premises (collectively, the “Tenant Improvements”) in accordance with Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof..

Section 2.03. Surrender of the Premises. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense, promptly (a) surrender the Leased Premises to Landlord in good order, condition and repair subject only to condemnation or casualty, (b) remove from the Leased Premises (i) Tenant’s Property (as defined in Section 8.01 below), (ii) any alterations required to be removed pursuant to Section 7.03 below, and (c) repair any damage caused by any such removal and restore the Leased Premises to the condition existing upon the Commencement Date, reasonable wear and tear excepted. All of Tenant’s Property that is not removed within twenty (20) days following Landlord’s written demand therefor shall be conclusively deemed to have been abandoned and Landlord shall be entitled to dispose of such property at Tenant’s cost without incurring any liability to Tenant. This Section 2.03 shall survive the expiration or any earlier termination of this Lease.

Section 2.04. Holding Over. If Tenant retains possession of the Leased Premises after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall be a tenant at sufferance at one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Monthly Rental Installments and Annual Rental Adjustment (as hereinafter defined) for the Leased Premises in effect upon the date of such expiration or earlier termination, and otherwise upon the terms, covenants and conditions herein specified, so far as applicable. Acceptance by Landlord of rent after such expiration or earlier termination shall not result in a renewal of this Lease, nor shall such acceptance create a month-to-month tenancy. In the event a month-to-month tenancy is created by operation of law, either party shall have the right to terminate such month-to-month tenancy upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the other, whether or not said notice is given on the rent paying date. This Section 2.04 shall in no way constitute a consent by Landlord to any holding over by Tenant upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, nor limit Landlord’s remedies in such event.

 

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ARTICLE 3 – RENT

Section 3.01. Minimum Annual Rent.

(a) Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Minimum Annual Rent in the Monthly Rental Installments in advance, without demand, deduction or offset, unless expressly provided in this Lease, beginning with the eighth (8th) month after Commencement Date (to allow full abatement of Minimum Annual Rent for the first seven (7) months. In addition to the rent abatement for the first seven (7) months there are adjustments to the square footage to which the rate applies to reflect the timing of the improvements to be undertaken by Tenant. Tenant shall have possession of the entire Leased Premises on the Commencement Date. Payment is due on or before the first day of each and every calendar month thereafter during the Lease Term.

(b) Intentionally Omitted

(c) The Monthly Rental Installments for partial calendar months shall be prorated.

(d) Intentionally Omitted

Tenant shall be responsible for delivering the Monthly Rental Installments to the payment address set forth in Section 1.01(1) above in accordance with this Section 3.01. Upon Mutual consent, Landlord agrees to accept electronic payments (via ACH) of Monthly Rental Installments by Tenant. Bank and routing information for electronic payment is:

JP Morgan Chase, N.A.

ACH Routing: 083000137

Account Name: Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology, LLC

Account Number: 938863552

Section 3.02. Annual Rental Adjustment Definitions.

(a) “Annual Rental Adjustment” Operating expenses, property insurance and property taxes are included in the modified gross rent of the lease.

Section 3.03. Payment of Additional Rent.

(a) Any amount required to be paid by Tenant hereunder (in addition to Minimum Annual Rent) and any charges or expenses incurred by Landlord on behalf of Tenant under the terms of this Lease shall be considered “Additional Rent” payable net 30 days to Landlord.

Section 3.04. Late Charges. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord shall incur certain additional unanticipated administrative and legal costs and expenses if Tenant fails to pay timely any payment required hereunder. Therefore, in addition to the other remedies available to Landlord hereunder, if any payment required to be paid by Tenant to Landlord hereunder shall become overdue, such late payment shall be subject to a late fee equal to five percent (5%) of the amount then due. Any sums due longer than 30 days shall bear interest from the due date thereof to the date of payment at the prime rate of interest, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (the “Prime Rate”) plus six percent (6%) per annum.

ARTICLE 4 – SECURITY DEPOSIT

Tenant has this day paid to Landlord the Security Deposit to be held by Landlord, as security for the payment and performance by Tenant of all obligations imposed on Tenant hereunder, in an account the proceeds of which may be commingled by Landlord with any other account or proceeds. If Tenant shall perform all such obligations, the Security Deposit shall be refunded to Tenant, without interest, within forty-five (45) days following the end of the Term. If Tenant shall default in any such obligation, Landlord shall be entitled to apply all or any portion of the Security Deposit, pro tanto, to cure any such default, and Tenant shall replenish the Security Deposit to the full amount within ten (10) days after receipt of a written notice from Landlord which sets forth the amount to be replenished. If the Security Deposit is not fully restored, it shall constitute an immediate Event of Default under the terms of this Lease (without need of notice or the expiration of any cure period), and Landlord shall have the benefit of all remedies permitted pursuant to the terms of this Lease.

ARTICLE 5 – OCCUPANCY AND USE

Section 5.01. Use. Tenant shall use the Leased Premises for the Permitted Use and for no other purpose without the prior written consent of Landlord.

Section 5.02. Covenants of Tenant Regarding Use.

 

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(a) Tenant shall (i) use and maintain the Leased Premises and conduct its business thereon in a safe, careful, reputable and lawful manner, (ii) comply with all covenants that encumber the Development which have been disclosed to Tenant in writing prior to the date hereof, and all laws, rules, regulations, orders, ordinances, directions and requirements of any governmental authority or agency, now in force or which may hereafter be in force in connection with Tenant’s manner of use of the Leased Premises, Including, without limitation, those which shall impose upon Landlord or Tenant any duty with respect to or triggered by a change in the use or occupation of, or any improvement or alteration to, the Leased Premises, provided, however that Tenant shall not be responsible for making any alterations outside of the Leased Premises unless those alterations are trigged by Tenant’s specific use of the Leased Premises (as opposed to occupancy in general) or Tenant’s alterations to the Leased Premises, and (iii) as long as they are not inconsistent with the terms of this Lease, comply with and obey all Building Rules and Regulations attached hereto as Exhibit C and made a part hereof, as may be reasonably modified from time to time by Landlord on reasonable notice to Tenant, so long as such modification does not affect or impair Tenant’s rights under the Lease, and are applicable to all tenants in the Building.

(b) Tenant shall not do or permit anything to be done in or about the Leased Premises that will in any way cause a nuisance, obstruct or interfere with the rights of other tenants or occupants of the Building or injure or annoy them. Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant for the non-performance by any other tenant or occupant of the Building of any of Landlord’s directions, rules and regulations, but agrees that any enforcement thereof shall be done uniformly. Tenant shall not use the Leased Premises, nor allow the Leased Premises to be used, for any purpose or in any manner that would (i) invalidate any policy of insurance now or hereafter carried by Landlord on the Building and Development, or ((ii) increase the rate of premiums payable on any such insurance policy unless Tenant reimburses Landlord for any documented increase in premium charged.

(c) Tenant shall comply with any use restrictions or declarations of restrictive covenants affecting the Premises which are of record in the real estate records in the county in which the Premises are located, including but not limited to that certain Environmental Covenant dated as of February 11, 2011 recorded as Reception Number 20110010350 in Larimer County, Colorado on February 11, 2011 (the “Covenant”), attached hereto as Schedule 1 and incorporated herein by reference. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that, (i) the Lease and Tenant’s use and occupancy of the Premises shall be subject to all the terms and provisions of the Covenant; (ii) the terms and provisions of the Covenants shall be incorporated herein as part of the Lease; and (iii) Tenant shall be obligated to comply with all of the terms and provisions of the Covenant to the extent applicable.

Section 5.03. Landlord’s Rights Regarding Use. Without limiting any of Landlord’s rights specified elsewhere in this Lease (a) Landlord shall have the right at any time, with at least five (5) days written notice to Tenant, to control, change or otherwise alter the Common Areas in such manner as it deems necessary or proper, and (b) Landlord, its agents, employees and contractors and any mortgagee of the Development shall have the right to enter any part of the Leased Premises at reasonable times upon reasonable notice (except in the event of an emergency where no notice shall be required) for the purposes of examining or inspecting the same (including, without limitation, testing to confirm Tenant’s compliance with this Lease), showing the same to prospective purchasers, mortgagees or, within the last six (6) months of the Lease term, to tenants, and making such repairs, alterations or improvements to the Leased Premises or the Building as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable as permitted herein, for the safety, protection or preservation of the Leased Premises, the Building or the Development, or as may be necessary or desirable in the operation or improvement of the Building and/or the Development, or in order to comply with all laws, orders and requirements of governmental or other authority; provided, however, that Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perform the foregoing in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with Tenant’s business operations. Landlord shall incur no liability to Tenant for such entry, nor shall such entry constitute an eviction of Tenant or a termination of this Lease, or entitle Tenant to any abatement of rent therefor.

ARTICLE 6—UTILITIES AND OTHER BUILDING SERVICES

Section 6.01. Utilities to be Provided. The following utilities and other services to the extent reasonably necessary for Tenant’s use of the Leased Premises for the Permitted Use, are made available to tenant; however, Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of all utilities and shall contract for payment directly to the utility companies serving the Premises when possible. Tenant shall secure separate metering for the Leased Premises, and shall be responsible for the monthly charges for its use. If separate service is not available, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord monthly for any utility usage cost associated with ongoing service to/for the Premises, as the same is reasonably determined by Landlord. Tenant will be responsible for the cost of such submeters if not paid for by the utility company. Tenant shall be responsible for any and all connection fees relating to utilities. (Note: the basic utility consumption for-(lighting, healing and cooling) is included in (he base lease amount for this modified gross lease; however, any tenant equipment that requires significant power consumption will require separate monitoring and billing.

 

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Section 6.02. Building Services. Provided Tenant is not in default beyond any grace period, the following Building Services will be provided as a part of this Lease:

 

  (a)

Water in the Common Areas of the Building and Leased Premises for lavatory and drinking purposes;

 

  (b)

Intentionally omitted

 

  (c)

Tenant shall be responsible for janitorial service within the Leased Premises;

 

  (d)

Exterior washing of windows at intervals reasonably established by Landlord;

 

  (e)

Intentionally omitted.

 

  (f)

Maintenance of the Common Areas of the Development, including the removal of rubbish, ice and snow in the parking areas of the Development; and

 

  (g)

High-speed internet access/data service. (Note: tenant will be responsible for connection and monthly provider fees... These fees and services are not included in the gross rent amount)

Section 6.03. Additional Services.

(a) If Tenant requests utilities or building services in addition to those identified above, or if Tenant uses any of the above utilities or services in frequency, scope, quality or quantity substantially greater than that which Landlord determines is normally required by other tenants in the Building, then Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to attempt to furnish Tenant with such additional utilities or services. In the event Landlord is able to and does furnish such additional utilities or services, the costs thereof (which shall be deemed to mean the cost that Tenant would have incurred had Tenant contracted directly with the utility company or service provider) shall be borne by Tenant, who shall reimburse Landlord monthly for the same as Additional Rent.

(b) If any lights, density of staff, machines or equipment used by Tenant in the Leased Premises materially affect the temperature otherwise maintained by the Building’s air-conditioning system or generate substantially more heat in the Leased Premises than that which would normally be generated by other tenants in the Building or by tenants in comparable office buildings, then Landlord shall have the right to install any machinery or equipment that Landlord considers reasonably necessary in order to restore the temperature balance between the Leased Premises and the rest of the Building, including, without limitation, equipment that modifies the Building’s air-conditioning system. All costs expended by Landlord to install any such machinery and equipment and any additional costs of operation and maintenance in connection therewith shall be borne by Tenant, who shall reimburse Landlord for the same as provided in this Section 6.03.

Section 6.04. Interruption of Services. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that any one or more of the utilities or other services identified in Sections 6.01, 6.02. or 6.03 or otherwise hereunder may be interrupted by reason of accident, emergency or other causes beyond Landlord’s control, or may be discontinued or diminished temporarily by Landlord or other persons until certain repairs, alterations or improvements can be made. Except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord, its employees, contractors or agents, Landlord shall not be liable in damages or otherwise for any failure or interruption of any utility or service and no such failure or interruption shall entitle Tenant to terminate this Lease or withhold sums due hereunder, except if such interruption continues for more than five (5) consecutive days, then Rent shall abate until such service is restored.

ARTICLE 7—REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE AND ALTERATIONS

Section 7.01. Repair and Maintenance of Building. Landlord shall make all necessary repairs and replacements to die Building structure, roof, exterior walls, exterior doors, windows, air conditioning, heating, electric, and hot and cold water . Likewise, Landlord will maintain all parking areas in the Development insured and in good order and repair. The cost of such repairs, replacements and maintenance are included in the base lease rate; provided however, to the extent any such repairs, replacements or maintenance are required because of the negligence, misuse or default of Tenant, its employees, agents. contractors, customers or invitees, Landlord shall make such repairs at Tenant’s sole expense.

 

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Section 7.02. Repair and Maintenance of Leased Premises. Tenant shall keep and maintain the Leased Premises in good condition and repair. Tenant shall be solely responsible for any repair or replacement with respect to Tenant’s Property and Tenant’s Improvements located in the Leased Premises. Nothing in this Article 7 shall obligate Landlord or Tenant to repair normal wear and tear to any paint, wall covering or carpet in the Leased Premises.

Section 7.03. Alterations. Tenant shall not permit alterations costing more than $10,000, or affecting the structural elements of the Building or Building systems, unless and until Landlord has approved the plans therefor in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. As a condition of such approval, Landlord may require Tenant to remove the alterations and restore the Leased Premises upon termination of this Lease; otherwise, all such alterations shall at Landlord’s option become a part of the realty and the property of Landlord, and shall not be removed by Tenant. Tenant shall ensure that all alterations shall be made in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and building codes, in a good and workmanlike manner and of quality equal to or better than the original construction of the Building. No person shall be entitled to any lien derived through or under Tenant for any labor or material furnished to the Leased Premises, and nothing in this Lease shall be construed to constitute Landlord’s consent to the creation of any lien. If any lien is filed against the Leased Premises for work claimed to have been done for or material claimed to have been furnished to Tenant, Tenant shall cause such lien to be discharged of record within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice thereof. Tenant shall indemnify Landlord from all costs, losses, expenses and attorneys* fees in connection with any construction or alteration and any related lien. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Tenant shall have the right, from lime to time without Landlord’s consent, but with notice to Landlord, to perform alterations that do not cost more than $ 10,000 and that do not affect the structural elements of the Building or the Building systems (i.e. infrastructure), provided however, Tenant shall have no obligation to provide notice to Landlord to perform alterations costing less than $10,000 which do not affect the structural elements of the Building or the Building systems. For clarification purposes, Tenant does not need Landlord’s consent or to provide notice to Landlord to paint and install wall coverings, install workstations, equipment, and/or carpet and other floor coverings, replace the existing exterior door that will become Tenant’s main office entrance.

ARTICLE 8—INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE

Section 8.01. Release. All of Tenant’s trade fixtures, merchandise, inventory and all other personal property in or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Common Areas, which is deemed to include the trade fixtures, merchandise, inventory and personal properly of others located in or about the Leased Premises or Common Areas at the invitation, direction or acquiescence (express or implied) of Tenant (all of which property shall be referred to herein, collectively, as Tenant’s Property”), shall be and remain at Tenant’s sole risk. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant or to any other person for, and Tenant hereby releases Landlord from (a) any and all liability for theft or damage to Tenant’s Property, and (b) any and all liability for any injury to Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, guests and invitees in or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Common Areas, except to the extent of personal injury (but not property loss or damage) caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord, its agents, employees or contractors. Nothing contained in this Section 8.01 shall limit (or be deemed to limit) the waivers contained in Section 8.06 below. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of Section 8.06 below and this Section 8.01. the provisions of Section 8.06 shall prevail. This Section 8.01 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

Section 8.02. Indemnification by Tenant. Tenant shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold Landlord, its agents, employees and contractors harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, demands, penalties, costs, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses at the trial and appellate levels) to the extent (a) arising out of or relating to any act, omission, negligence, or willful misconduct of Tenant or Tenant’s agents, employees, contractors, customers or invitees in or about the Leased Premises, the Building, the Development or the Common Areas. Nothing contained in this Section 8.02 shall limit (or be deemed to limit) the waivers contained in Section 8.06 below. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of Section 8.06 below and this Section 8.02. the provisions of Section 8.06 shall prevail. This Section 8.02 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

Section 8.03. Intentionally Omitted

Section 8.04. Tenant’s Insurance.

(a) During the Lease Term (and any period of early entry or occupancy or holding over by Tenant, if applicable), Tenant shall maintain the following types of insurance, in the amounts specified below:

(i) Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability Insurance (which insurance shall not exclude blanket, contractual liability, broad form property damage, personal injury, or

 

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fire damage coverage) covering the Leased Premises and Tenant’s use thereof against claims for bodily injury or death and property damage, which insurance shall provide coverage on an occurrence basis with a per occurrence limit of not less than $3,000,000, for each policy year, which limit may be satisfied by any combination of primary and excess or umbrella per occurrence policies.

(ii) Property Insurance. Special Form Insurance in the amount of the full replacement cost of Tenant’s Property and betterments (including alterations or additions performed by Tenant pursuant hereto), which insurance shall include an agreed amount endorsement waiving coinsurance limitations.

(iii) Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Worker’s Compensation insurance in amounts required by applicable law.

(b) All insurance required by Tenant hereunder shall (i) be issued by one or more insurance companies reasonably acceptable to Landlord, licensed to do business in the State in which the Leased Premises is located and having an AM Best’s rating of A IX or better, and (ii) provide that said insurance shall not be canceled or permitted to lapse on less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Landlord. In addition, Tenant’s insurance shall protect Tenant and Landlord as their interests may appear, naming Landlord, Landlord’s managing agent, and any mortgagee requested by Landlord, as additional insureds under its commercial general liability policies. On or before the Commencement Date (or the date of any earlier entry or occupancy by Tenant), and thereafter, within thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of each such policy. Tenant shall furnish Landlord with certificates of insurance in the form of A CORD 25 or A CORD 25-S (or other evidence of insurance reasonably acceptable to Landlord), evidencing all required coverages. If Tenant fails to carry such insurance and furnish Landlord with such certificates of insurance or copies of insurance policies (if applicable), Landlord may obtain such insurance on Tenant’s behalf and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for the cost thereof as Additional Rent. Landlord reserves the right from time to time to require Tenant to obtain higher minimum amounts or different types of insurance if it becomes customary for other landlords of similar buildings in the area to require similar sized tenants in similar industries to carry insurance of such higher minimum amounts or of such different types.

Section 8.05. Landlord’s Insurance. During the Lease Term, Landlord shall maintain the following types of insurance, in the amounts specified below (the cost of which shall be included in Operating Expenses):

(a) Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability Insurance (which insurance shall not exclude blanket, contractual liability, broad form property damage, personal injury, or fire damage coverage) covering the Common Areas against claims for bodily injury or death and property damage, which insurance shall provide coverage on an occurrence basis with a per occurrence limit of not less than $3,000,000, for each policy year, which limit may be satisfied by any combination of primary and excess or umbrella per occurrence policies.

(b) Property Insurance. Special Form Insurance (which insurance may include flood or earthquake if Landlord determines such coverage to be prudent) in the amount of not less than 90% of the full replacement cost of the Building, including, without limitation, any improvements, if any, made pursuant to Section 2.02 above, but excluding Tenant’s Property and any other items required to be insured by Tenant pursuant to Section 8.04 above.

(c) Self-Insurance by Landlord. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord may self-insure its insurance obligations as set forth above by this Section 8.05. In the event Landlord chooses to self-insure, the cost of insurance passed through to tenants in the Building will be based upon a fair market quote by an independent insurance broker for similar commercial liability and properly insurance on the Building and Development.

Section 8.06. Waiver of Subrogation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any rights each may have against the other on account of any loss of or damage to their respective property, the Leased Premises, its contents, or other portions of the Building or Common Areas arising from any risk which is required to be insured against by Sections8.04(a)(ii) and 8.05(b) above, and/or which is actually insured against under insurance actually carried by either party (even if not so required). The special form coverage insurance policies maintained by Landlord and Tenant as provided in this Lease shall include an endorsement containing an express waiver of any rights of subrogation by the insurance company against Landlord and Tenant, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE 9—CASUALTY

In the event of total or partial destruction of the Building or the Leased Premises by fire or other casualty, Landlord agrees promptly to restore and repair same; provided, however, Landlord’s obligation hereunder with respect to the Leased Premises shall be limited to the reconstruction of such of the leasehold improvements as were originally required to be made by Landlord pursuant to Section 2.02 above, if any. Rent shall proportionately abate during the time that the Leased Premises or part thereof are unusable because of any such damage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Leased Premises are (a) so destroyed that they cannot be repaired or rebuilt within one hundred eighty (180) days from the casualty date; or (b) destroyed by a casualty that is not covered by the insurance required hereunder or, if covered, such insurance proceeds are not released by any mortgagee entitled thereto; then, in case of a clause (a) casualty, either Landlord or Tenant may, or, in the case of a clause (b) casualty, then Landlord may, upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party, terminate this Lease with respect to matters thereafter accruing. Tenant waives any right under applicable laws inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph.

ARTICLE 10—EMINENT DOMAIN

If all or any substantial part of the Building is to be acquired by the exercise of eminent domain, Landlord may terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Tenant on or before the date possession thereof is so taken. If all or any part of the Leased Premises or access to the Leased Premises shall be acquired by the exercise of eminent domain so that the Leased Premises shall become impractical for Tenant to use for the Permitted Use, Tenant may terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Landlord as of the date possession thereof is so taken. if neither party terminates as provided herein, all rent due hereunder shall be adjusted based upon the amount of the Leased Premises taken. All damages awarded shall belong to Landlord; provided, however, that Tenant may claim dislocation damages if such amount is not subtracted from Landlord’s award.

ARTICLE 11—ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE

Section 11.01. Assignment and Sublease.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth below, Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublet the Leased Premises in whole or in part without Landlord’s prior written consent. In the event of any permitted assignment or subletting. Tenant shall remain primarily liable hereunder. The acceptance of rent from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any of the provisions of this Lease or to be a consent to the assignment of this Lease or the subletting of the Leased Premises. Any assignment or sublease consented to by Landlord shall not relieve Tenant (or its assignee) from obtaining Landlord’s consent to any subsequent assignment or sublease.

(b) If Tenant shall make any assignment or sublease, with Landlord’s consent, for a rental in excess of the rent payable under this Lease, Tenant shall pay to Landlord fifty percent (50%) of any such excess rental upon receipt. Tenant agrees to pay Landlord $500.00 upon demand by Landlord for reasonable accounting and attorneys’ fees incurred in conjunction with the processing and documentation of any requested assignment, subletting or any other hypothecation of this Lease or Tenant’s interest in and to the Leased Premises as consideration for Landlord’s consent.

Section 11.02. Permitted Transfer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 11.01 above, Tenant shall have the right, without Landlord’s consent, to (a) sublet all or part of the Leased Premises to any related corporation or other entity which controls Tenant, is controlled by Tenant or is under common control with Tenant; (b) assign all or any part of this Lease to any related corporation or other entity which controls Tenant, is controlled by Tenant, or is under common control with Tenant, or to a successor entity into which or with which Tenant is merged or consolidated or which acquires substantially all of Tenant’s assets or property; or (c) effectuate any public offering of Tenant’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange or in the NASDAQ over the counter market, provided that in the event of a transfer, such successor entity assumes all of the obligations and liabilities of Tenant (any such entity hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”). Tenant shall give notice of such permitted transfer prior to or promptly after such transfer. For the purpose of this Article 11 “control” shall mean ownership of not less than fifty percent (50%) of all voting stock or legal and equitable interest in such corporation or entity. Any such transfer shall not relieve Tenant of its obligations under this Lease. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to nor shall permit Tenant to transfer its interest under this Lease as part of a fraud or subterfuge to intentionally avoid its obligations under this Lease (for example, transferring its interest to a shell corporation that subsequently files a bankruptcy), and any such transfer shall constitute a Default hereunder. Any change in control of Tenant resulting from a merger, consolidation, or a transfer of partnership or membership interests, a stock transfer, or any sale of substantially all of the assets of Tenant that do not meet the requirements of this Section 11.02 shall be deemed an assignment or transfer that requires Landlord’s prior written consent pursuant to Section 11.01 above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Landlord acknowledges and agrees that Tenant may effectuate any public offering of Tenant’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ over the counter market, and any such public offering and or subsequent transfers of stock as a result thereof shall not constitute an assignment or sublease or other transfer requiring Landlord’s consent hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE 12 - TRANSFERS BY LANDLORD

Section 12.01. Sale of the Building. Landlord shall have the right to sell the Building at any time during the Lease Term, subject only to the rights of Tenant hereunder; and such sale shall operate to release Landlord from liability hereunder after the date of such conveyance.

Section 12.02. Estoppel Certificate. Within ten (10) business days following receipt of a written request from either party, the other party shall execute and deliver to the requesting party, without cost to the requesting party, an estoppel certificate in such form as the requesting party may reasonably request certifying (a) that this Lease is in full force and effect and unmodified or stating the nature of any modification, (b) the date to which rent has been paid, (c) that there are not, to such party’s knowledge, any uncured defaults or specifying such defaults if any are claimed, and (d) any other matters or state of facts reasonably required respecting the Lease. Such estoppel may be relied upon by and by any purchaser or mortgagee of the Building and assignee, subtenant, purchaser or lender of tenant.

Section 12.03. Subordination. Landlord shall have the right to subordinate this Lease to any mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust or other instrument in the nature thereof, and any amendments or modifications thereto (collectively, a “Mortgage”) presently existing or, so long as such mortgagee executes a Non-Disturbance Agreement in a commercially reasonable form. Within ten (10) business days following receipt of a written request from Landlord, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord, without cost, any instrument that Landlord deems reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm the subordination of this Lease so long as such instrument is reasonably acceptable to Tenant.

ARTICLE 13 - DEFAULT AND REMEDY

Section 13.01. Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall be a “Default”:

(a) Tenant fails to pay any Monthly Rental Installments or Additional Rent within five (5) days after the same is due and such failure continues for five (5) days after Tenant receives written notice thereof from Landlord; provided, however, that Landlord shall not be required to give notice of such monetary default more than two (2) times during any calendar year.

(b) Tenant fails to perform or observe any other term, condition, covenant or obligation required under this Lease for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Landlord; provided, however, that if the nature of Tenant’s default is such that more than thirty (30) days are reasonably required to cure, then such default shall be deemed to have been cured if Tenant commences such performance within said thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently completes the required action within a reasonable time.

(c) Intentionally Deleted.

(d) Intentionally Deleted.

(e) All or substantially all of Tenant’s assets in the Leased Premises or Tenant’s interest in this Lease are attached or levied under execution (and Tenant does not discharge the same within sixty (60) days thereafter); a petition in bankruptcy, insolvency or for reorganization or arrangement is filed by or against Tenant (and Tenant fails to secure a stay or discharge thereof within sixty (60) days thereafter); Tenant is insolvent and unable to pay its debts as they become due; Tenant makes a genera] assignment for the benefit of creditors; Tenant takes the benefit of any insolvency action or law; the appointment of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy for Tenant or its assets if such receivership has not been vacated or set aside within thirty (30) days thereafter; or, dissolution or other termination of Tenant’s corporate charter if Tenant is a corporation.

Section 13.02. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Default, Landlord shall have the following rights and remedies, in addition to those stated elsewhere in this Lease and those allowed by law or in equity, any one or more of which may be exercised without further notice to Tenant:

(a) Landlord may re-enter the Leased Premises and cure any Default of Tenant, and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord as Additional Rent upon written demand for any costs and expenses which Landlord thereby incurs; and Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for any loss or damage which Tenant may sustain by reason of Landlord’s action, unless caused by Landlord willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(b) Without terminating this Lease, Landlord may terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Premises, and thereafter, neither Tenant nor any person claiming under or through Tenant shall be entitled to possession of the Leased Premises, and Tenant shall immediately surrender the Leased Premises to Landlord, and Landlord may re-enter the Leased Premises and dispossess Tenant and any other occupants of the Leased Premises by any lawful means and may remove their effects, without

 

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prejudice to any other remedy that Landlord may have. Upon termination of possession, re-let all or any part thereof for a term different from that which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the Lease Term and for rent and on terms and conditions different from those contained herein, whereupon Tenant shall be immediately obligated to pay to Landlord an amount equal to the present value (discounted at the Prime Rate) of the difference between the rent provided for herein and that provided for in any lease covering a subsequent re-letting of the Leased Premises, for the period which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the Lease Term (the “Accelerated Rent”). Upon termination of possession. Tenant shall be obligated to pay to Landlord (A) the Accelerated Rent, (B) all loss or damage that Landlord may sustain by reason of Tenant’s Default (“Default Damages”), which shall include, without limitation, expenses of preparing the Leased Premises for re-letting, demolition, repairs, tenant finish improvements, brokers’ commissions and attorneys’ fees, and (C) all unpaid Minimum Annual Rent and Additional Rent that accrued prior to the date of termination of possession, plus any interest and late fees due hereunder (the “Prior Obligations”).

(c) Landlord may terminate this Lease and declare the Accelerated Rent to be immediately due and payable, whereupon Tenant shall be obligated to pay to Landlord (i) the Accelerated Rent; (ii) all of Landlord’s Default Damages, and (iii) all Prior Obligations. It is expressly agreed and understood that all of Tenant’s liabilities and obligations set forth in this subsection (c) shall survive termination.

(d) Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that the payment of the Accelerated Rent as set above shall not be deemed a penalty, but merely shall constitute payment of liquidated damages, it being understood that actual damages to Landlord are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain. Neither the filing of a dispossessory proceeding nor an eviction of personalty in the Leased Premises shall be deemed to terminate the Lease.

(e) Landlord may sue for injunctive relief or to recover damages for any loss resulting from the Default.

Section 13.03. Landlord’s Default and Tenant’s Remedies. Landlord shall be in default if it fails to perform any term, condition, covenant or obligation required under this Lease for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Tenant to Landlord; provided, however, that if the term, condition, covenant or obligation to be performed by Landlord is such that it cannot reasonably be performed within thirty (30) days, such default shall be deemed to have been cured if Landlord commences such performance within said thirty-day period and thereafter diligently undertakes to complete the same. In the event Landlord fails to cure any Landlord breach within a reasonable period of time, then Tenant shall have the right, but not the obligation, to perform such obligation on Landlord’s behalf. Upon the occurrence of any such default, Tenant may sue for injunctive relief or to recover damages for any loss directly resulting from the breach, but Tenant shall not be entitled to terminate this Lease. If any action is taken by Tenant pursuant to this paragraph, then Tenant may offset from rent coming due any reasonable and documented costs and expenses in taking such action.

Section 13.04. Limitation of Landlord’s Liability. If Landlord shall fait to perform any term, condition, covenant or obligation required to be performed by it under this Lease and if Tenant shall, as a consequence thereof, recover a money judgment against Landlord, Tenant agrees that it shall look solely to Landlord’s right, title and interest in and to the Building for the collection of such judgment; and Tenant further agrees that no other assets of Landlord shall be subject to levy, execution or other process for the satisfaction of Tenant’s judgment.

Section 13.05. Nonwaiver of Defaults. Neither party’s failure or delay in exercising any of its rights or remedies or other provisions of this Lease shall constitute a waiver thereof or affect its right thereafter to exercise or enforce such right or remedy or other provision. No waiver of any default shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other default. Landlord’s acceptance of rent, with or without knowledge of any breach of the Lease, shall not be considered a waiver of the Landlord’s right to evict Tenant from the Premises, recover any amounts due under the Lease, or take any other legal action Landlord may be entitled to take, under the Lease or otherwise available at law or equity. Specifically, Landlord and Tenant agree that Landlord may accept a partial payment of rent (whether now or in the future) without waiving Landlord’s right to bring or maintain an action to recover possession of the Premises. Landlord’s acceptance of a partial payment of rent, however, shall not be considered a waiver of Landlord’s right to reject any future partial payment of rent. Landlord’s receipt of less than the full rent due shall not be construed to be other than a payment on account of rent then due, nor shall any statement on Tenant’s check or any letter accompanying Tenant’s check be deemed an accord and satisfaction. No act or omission by Landlord or its employees or agents during the Lease Term shall be deemed an acceptance of a surrender of the Leased Premises, and no agreement to accept such a surrender shall be valid unless in writing and signed by Landlord.

 

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Section 13.06. Attorneys’ Fees. If either party defaults in the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants or obligations contained in this Lease and the non-defaulting party obtains a judgment against the defaulting party, then the defaulting party agrees to reimburse the non- defaulting party for reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith. In addition, if a monetary Default shall occur and Landlord engages outside counsel to exercise its remedies hereunder, and then Tenant cures such monetary Default, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, on demand, all expenses incurred by Landlord as a result thereof, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and expenses actually incurred.

ARTICLE 14—INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

ARTICLE 15—TENANTS RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Section 15.01. Environmental Definitions.

(a) “Environmental Laws” shall mean all present or future federal, state and municipal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to the environmental and ecological condition of the Leased Premises, and the rules and regulations of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and any other federal, state or municipal agency or governmental board or entity having jurisdiction over the Leased Premises.

(b) “Hazardous Substances” shall mean those substances included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “toxic substances” “solid waste” or “infectious waste” under Environmental Laws and petroleum products.

Section 15.02. Restrictions on Tenant. Tenant shall not cause or permit the use, generation, release, manufacture, refining, production, processing, storage or disposal of any Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Leased Premises, or the transportation to or from the Leased Premises of any Hazardous Substances, except as necessary and appropriate for its Permitted Use in which case the use, storage or disposal of such Hazardous Substances shall be performed in compliance with the Environmental Laws and the highest standards prevailing in the industry. In the interest of clarity, the parties acknowledge and agree that Tenant’s responsibility hereunder shall not cover any Hazardous Materials on, under or about the Leased Premises on or before the Commencement Date (or such earlier date if caused by Tenants earlier entry) or caused to be made present after the commencement Date by Landlord, its employees, agents, contractors or invitees.

Section 15.03. Notices, Affidavits, Etc. Tenant shall immediately (a) notify Landlord of (i) any violation by Tenant, its employees, agents, representatives, customers, invitees or contractors of any Environmental Laws on, under or about the Leased Premises, or (ii) the presence or suspected presence of any Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Leased Premises, and (b) deliver to Landlord any notice received by Tenant relating to (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above from any source. Tenant shall execute affidavits, representations and the like within five (5) days of Landlord’s request therefor concerning Tenant’s best knowledge and belief regarding the presence of any Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Leased Premises.

Section 15.04. Tenant’s Indemnification. Tenant shall indemnify Landlord and Landlord’s managing agent from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses and damages, including attorneys’ fees, costs of testing and remediation costs, incurred by Landlord as a result of any breach by Tenant of its obligations under this Article 15. The covenants and obligations under this Article 15 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease for two (2) years.

ARTICLE 16—MISCELLANEOUS

Section 16.01. Benefit of Landlord and Tenant. This Lease shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Landlord and Tenant and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 16.02. Governing Law. This Lease shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State where the Building is located.

Section 16.03. Force Majeure. Landlord and Tenant (except with respect to the payment of any monetary obligation) shall be excused for the period of any delay in the performance of any obligation hereunder when such delay is occasioned by causes beyond its control, including but not limited to work stoppages, boycotts, slowdowns or strikes; shortages of materials, equipment, labor or energy; unusual weather conditions; or acts or omissions of governmental or political bodies.

Section 16.04. Examination of Lease. Submission of this instrument by Landlord to Tenant for examination or signature does not constitute an offer by Landlord to lease the Leased Premises. This Lease shall become effective, if at all, only upon the execution by and delivery to both Landlord and Tenant.

 

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Section 16.05. Indemnification for Leasing Commissions. The parties hereby represent and warrant that the only real estate broker(s) involved in the negotiation and execution of this Lease is the Broker and that no other party is entitled, as a result of the actions of the respective party, to a commission or other fee resulting from the execution of this Lease. Each party shall indemnify the other from any and all liability for the breach of this representation and warranty on its part and shall pay any compensation to any other broker or person who may be entitled thereto. Landlord shall pay any commission due Broker based on this Lease pursuant to a separate agreement between Landlord and Broker.

Section 16.06. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Lease or by law shall be deemed to have been given if it is written and delivered in person or by overnight courier or mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party who is to receive such notice at the address specified in Section 1.01(1). If sent by overnight courier, the notice shall be deemed to have been given one (1) day after sending. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date that is three (3) business days following mailing. Either party may change its address by giving written notice thereof to the other party. Upon mutual consent, Tenant and Landlord agree notices, approvals and other communications may be sent by authorized parties via email.

Section 16.07. Partial Invalidity; Complete Agreement. If any provision of this Lease shall be held to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. This Lease represents the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant covering everything agreed upon or understood in this transaction. There are no oral promises, conditions, representations, understandings, interpretations or terms of any kind as conditions or inducements to the execution hereof or in effect between the parties. No change or addition shall be made to this Lease except by a written agreement executed by Landlord and Tenant.

Section 16.08. Financial Statements. Intentionally Deleted.

Section 16.09. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Tenant hereby represents and warrants that (i) Tenant is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) in accordance with the laws of the State under which it was organized; (ii) Tenant is authorized to do business in the State where the Building is located; and (iii) the individual(s) executing and delivering this Lease on behalf of Tenant has been properly authorized to do so, and such execution and delivery shall bind Tenant to its terms.

(b) Landlord hereby represents and warrants that (i) Landlord is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) in accordance with the laws of the State under which it was organized; (ii) Landlord is authorized to do business in the State where the Building is located; (iii) the individual(s) executing and delivering this Lease on behalf of Landlord has been properly authorized to do so, and such execution and delivery shall bind Landlord to its terms.

Section 16.10. Signage. Landlord, at its cost and expense, shall provide Tenant with Building standard signage on the main Building directory and at the entrance to the Leased Premises. Tenant may request to have its name excluded on the main Building directory and entrance to the Leased Premises and such request shall be granted by Landlord provided it does not prevent or delay the signage for the entire site. Any changes requested by Tenant to the initial directory or suite signage shall be made at Tenant’s sole cost and expense and shall be subject to Landlord’s approval. Landlord may install such other signs, advertisements, notices or tenant identification information on the Building directory, tenant access doors or other areas of the Building, as it shall deem necessary or proper. Tenant shall not place any exterior signs on the Leased Premises or interior signs visible from the exterior of the Leased Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease to the contrary, Landlord may immediately remove any sign(s) placed by Tenant in violation of this Section 16.10.

Section 16.11. Parking. Tenant shall be entitled to the non-exclusive use of the parking spaces designated in the Development by Landlord. Tenant agrees not to overburden the parking facilities and agrees to cooperate with Landlord and other tenants in the use of the parking facilities. Landlord reserves the right in its absolute discretion to determine whether parking facilities are becoming crowded and, in such event, to allocate parking spaces between Tenant and other tenants. There will be no assigned parking unless Landlord, in its sole discretion, deems such assigned parking advisable. No vehicle may be repaired or serviced in the parking area and any vehicle brought into the parking area by Tenant, or any of Tenant’s employees, contractors or invitees, and deemed abandoned by Landlord will be towed and all costs thereof shall be borne by the Tenant. All driveways, ingress and egress, and all parking spaces are for the joint use of all tenants. In addition, Tenant agrees that its employees will not park in the spaces designated visitor parking.

 

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Section 16.12. Consent. Where the consent of a party is required, such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 16.13. Time. Time is of the essence of each term and provision of this Lease.

Section 16.14. Patriot Act. Each of Landlord and Tenant, each as to itself, hereby represents its compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act, and the laws administered by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, including, without limitation, Executive Order 13224 (“Executive Order”). Each of Landlord and Tenant further represents (i) that it is not, and it is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly by any person or entity, on the SDN List published by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and (ii) that it is not a person otherwise identified by government or legal authority as a person with whom a U.S. Person is prohibited from transacting business. As of the date hereof, a list of such designations and the text of the Executive Order are published under the internet website address www.uslreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac.

Section 16.15. Quiet Enjoyment. Tenant shall at all times during the Lease Term peacefully and quietly have and enjoy possession of the Premises without any encumbrance or hindrance.

Section 16.16. Intentionally Omitted

Section 16.17. Intentionally Omitted

[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Lease as of the day and year first above written.

 

    LANDLORD:
Signed, sealed and delivered
In the presence of:
    ROCKY MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY
& INNOVATION, LLC,
    a Colorado limited liability company
LOGO    
Print:   LOGO     By:   LOGO
  LOGO     Its:   LOGO
Print:   LOGO      

 

STATE OF   LOGO         )
                                 ) SS:
COUNTY OF   LOGO          )

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared [Graphics] , by me known and by me known to be the LOGO , of Rocky Mountain Center for Technology & Innovation, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company. who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing “Office Lease” on behalf of said company. The above-named person (check one) ☐ is personally known to me or ☐ produced                          as identification.

WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 22 day of November, 2019.

 

    LOGO
    Notary Public
LOGO     LOGO
    (Printed Signature)
My Commission Expires:   LOGO    
My County of Residence:   LOGO    

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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TENANT:

Lightning Hybrid, LLC;

a Delaware limited liability Company

By:   LOGO
Name:   LOGO
Title:   LOGO

STATE OF LOGO      )

                                              ) SS:

COUNTY OF LOGO )

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared LOGO , by me known and by me known to be the LOGO , of Lightning Hybrid, LLC. The above-named person (check one) ✓ is personally known to me or ☐ produced                          as identification.

WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 22 day of November, 2019.

 

LOGO      LOGO
     Notary Public
     LOGO
     (Printed Signature)

My Commission Expires: LOGO

My County of Residence: LOGO

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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EXHIBIT A

SITE PLAN OF LEASED PREMISES

[TO BE ADDED]


EXHIBIT B

TENANT IMPROVEMENTS

1. Landlord’s Obligations. Landlord delivers the Leased Premises to Tenant in its “AS IS WHERE IS” condition.

2. Tenant Improvements.

(a) Promptly following the Effective Date, Tenant shall provide to Landlord, Tenant’s space plan for the Leased Premises (the “Space Plan”) for the Tenant Improvements. The Space Plan will include a final design plan, contractor selection, cost estimates and funding methodology. Preliminary design costs of the Space Plan are attached hereto as Exhibit B-2. Landlord shall provide any comments to such Space Plan within twenty (20) days after receipt of the Space Plan. If Landlord requests any changes to the Space Plan, Tenant shall work in good faith to accommodate those changes which are reasonably requested and shall within ten (10) days of its receipt of such request submit the revised portion of the Space Plan to Landlord. Tenant and Landlord shall continue to review the Space Plan until approved by both parties.

(b) Tenant shall be responsible for the cost to construct and install the Tenant Improvements.

3. Plans and Permits. Promptly after approval of the Space Plan, Tenant shall contract for final design plans and shall thereafter diligently pursue approved construction permits (“Permits”) based on said plans as approved by Landlord. All such plans shall be subject to Landlord’s prior approval. In the event that Tenant is unable to obtain its Permits within One Hundred Eighty (180) days from the Effective Date, Landlord will have the option to terminate the Lease.

4. Completion. Tenant will conduct Tenant Improvements in several Phases. The plan for each Phase will be submitted to Landlord and approved by Landlord prior to commencement. Tenant shall have each Phase of Tenant Improvements completed within 180 days of the commencement of construction of that Phase of Tenant Improvements (“Tenant Improvements Completion Date”). Within thirty (30) days after completion of each Phase, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord final, “as-built” drawings of the completed Space Plan, together with full lien releases for any and all contractors and subcontractors employed to complete that Phase of Tenant Improvements.

All items of work shall be performed by Tenant at Tenant’s expense in accordance with Tenant’s final plans and specifications, as approved by Landlord. Tenant shall be responsible for the purchase, performance and installation of all parts of Tenant Improvements. Tenant Improvements shall include all necessary architectural, engineering or design related fees, code related items, permits, special assessments or taxes relating to such work.

5. Tenant Contractor. NO WORK SHALL BE DONE ON THE PREMISES BY TENANT UNTIL LANDLORD HAS APPROVED TENANT’S PLANS AND CONTRACTOR IN WRITING. In instances where Tenant Improvements may coincide with construction by Landlord or other tenants, Tenant’s contractor shall work in conjunction with other contractors so that Tenant’s contractor does not interfere or delay the construction process of others in the Building. Tenant’s contractor must perform the work in such a manner as not to cause harm to others’ on-going construction, delay the progress of such work or create conflicts with labor organizations. Landlord reserves the right to cause the removal of the Tenant’s contractor if any such labor problems arise. Tenant’s contractor must keep the area, HVAC system and restrooms clean and free of dust and debris, with a minimum of noise and interruption to the Common Areas of the Development. Tenant’s contractor is responsible for keeping interior and exterior areas clean of construction debris at all times. If the Tenant contractor fails or refuses to keep these areas clean at all times, Landlord reserves the right to clean these areas at Tenant’s expense. Tenant’s contractor shall erect temporary partitions, dust barriers, etc. as required by Landlord to minimize impact of construction activities on the common areas of the Development.

6. Temporary Utilities. Landlord agrees to provide reasonable access to power and water at the start of construction.

7. Hazardous Materials. The Building has been subjected to an extensive asbestos remediation and abatement process. Landlord is unaware of any exposed asbestos in the Premises. However, it is possible that asbestos could potentially be encountered in previously inaccessible locations of the Building as a part of construction. In partial consideration for the rent abatement, Tenant has agreed that during construction of Tenant Improvements, the Tenant agrees that any asbestos found will be removed at Tenant’s cost and with due prudence and in accordance with all applicable laws, and without any liability, financial or otherwise, to Landlord.


8. Special Requirements for Roof Penetrations/ Slab Grade Cutting and Patching ..Any work, including cutting, venting, or duct installations, which involves cutting into, or penetrating in any manner, the existing roof structure and/or roofing material MUST BE PERFORMED BY LANDLORD’S ROOFING CONTRACTOR AT TENANT’S EXPENSE. Tenant shall not permit his contractor or any subcontractor to perform such work. Tenant shall be liable for all damage resulting from unauthorized roof penetrations and their consequent effect on the integrity of the roof and its guarantee by the Manufacturer or Contractor. Any work which involves penetration of the building slab, shall be repaired per the replacement details and methods set forth by Landlord.

9. Notice of Non- Responsibility. Landlord shall have the right to post and record a notice of non-responsibility for work being performed by Tenant within the Premises as permitted by law. Tenant shall give Landlord prompt written notice of the commencement of the Tenant Improvements.

10. Bonds or Other Security. Landlord shall have the right to require Tenant to furnish a payment bond or other security in form satisfactory to Landlord for the prompt and faithful payment of all costs and expenses incurred in the performance of construction of the Tenant Improvements. Tenant shall be responsible for promptly discharging any mechanics’ liens recorded against the Development.

11. Certificate of Occupancy. Upon completion of the Tenant Improvements, Tenant shall provide Landlord with a copy of the certificate of occupancy issued by the appropriate governmental agency for occupancy of the Premises.


EXHIBIT C

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The sidewalks, entrances, passages, courts, elevators, vestibules, stairways, corridors or halls shall not be obstructed or used for any purpose other than ingress and egress. Landlord shall control the Common Areas.

2. No sign, advertisement, notice or handbill shall be exhibited, distributed, painted or affixed by any tenant on, about or from any part of the Leased Premises, the Building, the Development or in the Common Areas including the parking area without the prior written consent of Landlord. In the event of the violation of the foregoing by any tenant, Landlord may remove or stop same without any liability, and may charge the expense incurred in such removal or stopping to tenant. The lobby directory will be provided exclusively for the display of the name and location of tenants only, and Landlord reserves the right to exclude any other names therefrom. Nothing may be placed on the exterior of corridor walls or corridor doors other than Landlord’s standard lettering.

3. The sashes, sash doors, windows, and doors that reflect or admit light and air into halls, passageways or other public places in the Building shall not be covered or obstructed by tenant.

4. The sinks and toilets and other plumbing fixtures shall not be used for any purpose other than those for which they were constructed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, or other substances shall be thrown therein. All damages resulting from any misuse of the fixtures shall be borne by the tenant who, or whose subtenants, assignees or any of their servants, employees, agents, visitors or licensees shall have caused the same.

5. No tenant shall mark, paint, drill into, or in any way deface any part of the Leased Premises or the Building (except for nails for the display of artwork). No boring, cutting or stringing of wires or laying of any permanent floor coverings shall be permitted, except with the prior written consent of the Landlord and as the Landlord may direct. Landlord shall direct electricians as to where and how telephone or data cabling are to be introduced. No boring or cutting for wires or stringing of wires will be allowed without written consent of Landlord. The location of telephones, call boxes and other office equipment affixed to the Leased Premises shall be subject to the approval of Landlord.

6. With the exception of a Key FOB access system, no additional locks or bolts of any kind shall be placed upon any of the doors or windows by any tenant, nor shall any changes be made to existing locks or the mechanism thereof. Each tenant must upon the termination of his tenancy, restore to the Landlord all keys of doors, offices, and toilet rooms, either furnished to, or otherwise procured by, such tenant and in the event of the loss of keys so furnished, such tenant shall pay to the Landlord the cost of replacing the same or of changing the lock or locks opened by such lost key if Landlord shall deem it necessary to make such changes.

7. No tenant shall overload the floors of the Leased Premises. All damage to the floor, structure or foundation of the Building due to improper positioning or storage items or materials shall be repaired by Landlord at the sole cost and expense of tenant, who shall reimburse Landlord immediately therefor upon demand. All removals or the carrying in or out of any safes, freight, furniture, or bulky matter of any description must take place during the hours that Landlord shall reasonably determine from time to time. The moving of exceptionally heavy fixtures or bulky matter of any kind must be done upon previous notice to Landlord and under Landlord’s supervision, and the persons employed by any tenant for such work must be acceptable to Landlord. Landlord reserves the right to inspect all equipment, freight or other bulky articles to be brought into the Building and to exclude from the Building all equipment, freight or other bulky articles which violate any of these Rules and Regulations or the Lease of which these Rules and Regulations are a part. The Landlord reserves the right to prescribe the weight and position of all heavy equipment (>750 pounds), which must be placed upon supports approved by Landlord to distribute the weight.

8. Landlord shall have the right to prohibit any advertising by any tenant that, in Landlord’s opinion tends to impair the reputation of the Building or its desirability as an office location, and upon written notice from Landlord any tenant shall refrain from or discontinue such advertising.

9. The business hours for the Building shall be 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, excluding legal holidays. Landlord reserves the right to require all persons entering the Building between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and at all hours on legal holidays to register with Landlord’s security personnel (provided that Landlord has security personnel on site). Landlord reserves the right to modify the business hours for the Building, if, in the reasonable judgment of Landlord, the modification is necessary for the security of the Building and surrounding campus. Each tenant shall be


responsible for all persons entering the Building at tenant’s invitation, express or implied. Landlord shall in no case be liable for damages for any error with regard to the admission to or exclusion from the Building of any person. In case of an invasion, mob riot, public excitement or other circumstances rendering such action advisable in Landlord’s opinion, Landlord reserves the right without any abatement of rent to require all persons to vacate the Building and to prevent access to the Building during the continuance of the same for the safety of the tenants and the protection of the Building and the property in the Building.

Exhibit 10.13

OFFICE LEASE

THIS OFFICE LEASE (this “Lease”) is made this 10th day of November, 2020, by and between RMCIT LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Lightning Systems Inc., a Delaware Corporation, doing business as LIGHTNING eMOTORS (“Tenant”). This Lease shall be treated as a supplement to the lease dated November 22, 2019 (the “Original Lease”), except that where there is any conflict or difference in the terms of this Lease and the Original Lease, the terms of this Lease shall govern.

ARTICLE 1 - LEASE OF PREMISES

Section 1.01. Basic Lease Provisions and Definitions.

 

  (a)

Leased Premises (shown outlined on Exhibit A attached hereto): Approximately 107,773 square feet of Building B (the “Building”) of the Development.

 

  (b)

Intentionally omitted.

 

  (c)

Development: Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation & Technology, Loveland, Colorado, an approximate 811,000 square foot mixed use center. The total square footage of Building B is approximately 129,232. The kitchen, cafeteria, workout rooms and locker rooms may be used by Tenant, but not exclusively and shall not be included in the leased area.

 

  (d)

Minimum Annual Rent: Minimum Annual Rent during the Initial Lease Term shall be $11.50 per square foot. The Minimum Annual Rent is considered to be a modified gross rent including the base lease amount along with prorated operating expenses, the prorated share of property tax and property insurance as well as base utility consumption (heating and cooling).

 

  (e)

Annual Rental Escalations: Minimum Annual Rent shall increase 3% each year of the Lease Term over the Minimum Annual Rent of the immediately prior year effective December first each year, and calculated in accordance with the below chart, reflecting the rate and applicable square footage to which the rate applies.

 

Lease Terms

   Rate      SQFT      Monthly      Total  

11/1/2020 to 2/28/2021

   $ —           107,773         $ —    

3/1/21 to 11/30/21

   $ 11.50        107,773        103,282      $ 929,542  

12/1/21 to 11/30/22

   $ 11.85        107,773        106,381      $ 1,276,571  

12/1/22 to 11/30/23

   $ 12.20        107,773        109,572      $ 1,314,868  

12/1/23 to 11/30/24

   $ 12.57        107,773        112,860      $ 1,354,314  

12/1/24 to 11/30/25

   $ 12.94        107,773        116,245      $ 1,394,944  

12/1/25 to 2/28/27

   $ 13.33        107,773        119,733      $ 1,795,990  

 

  (f)

Commencement Date: The Commencement Date shall be November 1, 2020. Landlord agrees to allow Tenant access to the Leased Premises to begin approved renovation and building improvements upon the execution of this Lease. Tenant also agrees to provide Landlord with proof of all required insurance policies as stated in this lease agreement prior to the start of any renovations or improvements. By executing this lease agreement Tenant agrees that all other contractual and legal requirements as stated in this Lease become effective immediately during the early move in period (other than the obligation to pay rent).

 

  (g)

Initial Lease Term: Seventy Six (76) months, ending February 28, 2027.

 

  (h)

Extension of original leased premises: The original leased premises shall be extended through February 28, 2027 per the schedule below:

 

Building A Lease Extention Schedule  
Lease Terms    Rate      SQFT      Monthly      Total  

12/1/2024 to 11/30/2025

   $ 12.67        124,006      $ 130,929.67      $ 1,571,156.02  

12/1/2025 to 2/28/2027

   $ 13.05        124,006      $ 134,856.53      $ 2,022,847.88  

 

  (i)

Security Deposit: Landlord holds an additional Security Deposit of $100,000.


  (j)

Broker(s): Lessee is represented by Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage Inc.

 

  (k)

Permitted Use: General office, light manufacturing and lawfully related purposes.

 

  (l)

Address for notices and payments are as follows:

 

Landlord:   

RMCIT LLC

Attn.: Dan Kamrath

815 14th Street SW

Loveland, CO 80537

Tenant:   

Lightning Systems

Attn: Carol Murin

815 14th Street SW

Loveland, CO 80537

 

  (m)

Guarantor(s): None

 

  (n)

Option to Renew: Tenant shall have the Option to Renew for two (2) additional five (5) year periods (“Renewal Period”) with not less than nine (9) months or more than twelve (12) months prior written notice to the end of the Term. The rent for the option periods shall be at the then Fair Market Value for comparable space in the area. In the event that Tenant and Landlord cannot agree on Fair Market Value, Tenant shall have the option to rescind its Option to Renew and vacate the Premises according to the terms of the Lease or exercise an extension based on the lessor of a) a 3% annual increase in the then current base rent or b) the average lease rate for other tenants on the property.

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A - Leased Premises

Exhibit B - Tenant Improvements

Exhibit C - Rules and Regulations

Section 1.02. Lease of Premises. Landlord hereby leases to Tenant and Tenant hereby leases from Landlord the Leased Premises, under the terms and conditions herein, together with a non-exclusive right, in common with others, to use the following (collectively, the “Common Areas”): the areas of the Development and the underlying land and improvements thereto that are designed for use in common by all tenants and their respective employees, agents, customers, invitees and others.

ARTICLE 2 - TERM AND POSSESSION

Section 2.01. Term.

(a) The Commencement Date, Initial Lease Term and Renewal Term shall be as set forth in Sections 1.01

Section 2.02. Construction of Tenant Improvements. Tenant shall be responsible to construct and install all leasehold improvements to the Leased Premises (collectively, the “Tenant Improvements”) in accordance with Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof.

Section 2.03. Surrender of the Premises. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense, promptly (a) surrender the Leased Premises to Landlord in good order, condition and repair subject only to condemnation or casualty, (b) remove from the Leased Premises (i) Tenant’s Property (as defined in Section 8.01 below), (ii) any alterations required to be removed pursuant to Section 7.03 below, and (c) repair any damage caused by any such removal and restore the Leased Premises to the condition existing upon the Commencement Date, reasonable wear and tear excepted. All of Tenant’s Property that is not removed within twenty (20) days following Landlord’s written demand therefor shall be conclusively deemed to have been abandoned and Landlord shall be entitled to dispose of such property without incurring any liability to Tenant. This Section 2.03 shall survive the expiration or any earlier termination of this Lease.

Section 2.04. Holding Over. If Tenant retains possession of the Leased Premises after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall be a tenant at sufferance at one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Monthly Rental Installments and Annual Rental Adjustment (as hereinafter defined) for the Leased Premises in effect upon the date of such expiration or earlier termination, and otherwise upon the terms, covenants and conditions herein specified, so far as applicable. Acceptance by Landlord of rent

 

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after such expiration or earlier termination shall not result in a renewal of this Lease. In the event a month-to-month tenancy is created by operation of law, either party shall have the right to terminate such month-to-month tenancy upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the other, whether or not said notice is given on the rent paying date. This Section 2.04 shall in no way constitute a consent by Landlord to any holding over by Tenant upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, nor limit Landlord’s remedies in such event.

ARTICLE 3 - RENT

Section 3.01. Minimum Annual Rent.

(a) Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Minimum Annual Rent in Monthly Rental Installments in advance, without demand, deduction or offset (except as set forth in subsection 3.01(b) below), unless expressly provided in this Lease, beginning March 1, 2021. Tenant shall have possession of the entire Leased Premises on the Commencement Date. Payment is due on or before the first day of each and every calendar month thereafter during the Lease Term.

(b) Tenant Improvement Allowance shall be paid by Landlord to Tenant within 10 days of successful completion of Agreed Tenant Improvements and evidence of expenditure. Tenant Improvement will include remediation of all asbestos currently existing in Bldg B within this allowance (in leased area only). Upon agreement of both Parties, Tenant Improvement Allowance may be broken into several phases and paid at the completion of each phase. If documented, completed and undisputed Tenant Improvement Allowance isn’t paid within thirty (30) days of when due, Tenant can deduct from rent payments.

(c) The Monthly Rental Installments for partial calendar months shall be prorated.

(d) Tenant shall be responsible for delivering the Monthly Rental Installments to the payment address set forth in Section 1.01(1) above in accordance with this Section 3.01. Upon Mutual consent, Landlord agrees to accept electronic payments (via ACH) of Monthly Rental Installments by Tenant. Bank and routing information for electronic payment is:

Bank of Colorado

ACH Routing 107002448

Account Name: RMCIT LLC

Account Number: 7201186505

Section 3.02. Annual Rental Adjustment Definitions.

(a) “Annual Rental Adjustment” Operating expenses, property insurance and property taxes are included in the modified gross rent of the lease in addition to utilities (including heating, cooling,). Any changes in operating expense during the term of the lease shall not be an additional expense or cost to Tenant or change the rent schedule in Section 1.01(e).

Section 3.03. Payment of Additional Rent.

(a) Any amount required to be paid by Tenant hereunder (in addition to Minimum Annual Rent) and any charges or expenses incurred by Landlord on behalf of Tenant under the terms of this Lease shall be considered “Additional Rent” payable net 30 days to Landlord.

Section 3.04. Late Charges. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord shall incur certain additional unanticipated administrative and legal costs and expenses if Tenant fails to pay timely any payment required hereunder. Therefore, in addition to the other remedies available to Landlord hereunder, if any payment required to be paid by Tenant to Landlord hereunder shall become overdue more than 5 days, such late payment shall be subject to a late fee equal to five percent (5%) of the amount then due. Any sums due longer than 30 days shall bear interest from the due date thereof to the date of payment at the prime rate of interest, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (the “Prime Rate”) plus six percent (6%) per annum.

ARTICLE 4 - SECURITY DEPOSIT

Tenant will pay $100,000 on March lst, 2021 to Landlord as Security Deposit to be held by Landlord, as security for the payment and performance by Tenant of all obligations imposed on Tenant hereunder, in an account the proceeds of which may be commingled by Landlord with any other account or proceeds. If Tenant shall perform all such obligations, the Security Deposit shall be refunded to Tenant, without interest, within forty-five (45) days following the end of the Term. If Tenant shall default in any

 

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such obligation, Landlord shall be entitled to apply all or any portion of the Security Deposit, pro tanto, to cure any such default, and Tenant shall replenish the Security Deposit to the full amount within ten (10) days after receipt of a written notice from Landlord which sets forth the amount to be replenished. If the Security Deposit is not fully restored, it shall constitute an immediate Event of Default under the terms of this Lease (without need of notice or the expiration of any cure period), and Landlord shall have the benefit of all remedies permitted pursuant to the terms of this Lease.

ARTICLE 5 - OCCUPANCY AND USE

Section 5.01. Use. Tenant shall use the Leased Premises for the Permitted Use and for other commercial purposes with the prior written consent of Landlord.

Section 5.02. Covenants of Tenant Regarding Use.

(a) Tenant shall (i) use and maintain the Leased Premises and conduct its business thereon in a safe, reputable and lawful manner, (ii) comply with all covenants that encumber the Development and which have been disclosed to Tenant in writing prior to the date hereof, and all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, ordinances, directions and requirements of any governmental authority or agency, now in force or which may hereafter be in force in connection with Tenant’s manner of use of the Leased Premises, including, without limitation, those which shall impose upon Landlord or Tenant any duty with respect to or triggered by a change in the use or occupation of, or any improvement or alteration to, the Leased Premises, provided, however that Tenant shall not be responsible for making any alterations outside of the Leased Premises unless those alterations are trigged by Tenant’s specific use of the Leased Premises (as opposed to occupancy in general) or Tenant’s alterations to the Leased Premises, and (iii) as long as they are not inconsistent with the terms of this Lease, comply with and obey all Building Rules and Regulations attached hereto as Exhibit C and made a part hereof, as may be reasonably modified from time to time by Landlord on reasonable notice to Tenant, so long as such modification does not affect or impair Tenant’s rights under the Lease, and are applicable to all tenants in the Building.

(b) Tenant shall not do or permit anything to be done in or about the Leased Premises that will in any way cause a nuisance, obstruction or interference with the rights of other tenants or occupants of the Building. Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant for the non-performance by any other tenant or occupant of the Building of any of Landlord’s directions, rules and regulations, and agrees that any enforcement thereof shall be completed uniformly. Tenant shall not use the Leased Premises, nor allow the Leased Premises to be used, for any purpose or in any manner that would (i) invalidate any policy of insurance now or hereafter carried by Landlord on the Building and Development, or (ii) increase the rate of premiums payable on any such insurance policy unless Tenant reimburses Landlord for any documented increase in premium charged.

(c) Tenant shall comply with any use restrictions or declarations of restrictive covenants affecting the Premises which are of record in the real estate records in the county in which the Premises are located, including but not limited to that certain Environmental Covenant dated as of February 11, 2011 recorded as Reception Number 20110010350 in Larimer County, Colorado on February 11, 2011 (the “Covenant”), attached hereto as Schedule 1 and incorporated herein by reference. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that, (i) the Lease and Tenant’s use and occupancy of the Premises shall be subject to all the terms and provisions of the Covenant; (ii) the terms and provisions of the Covenant shall be incorporated herein as part of the Lease; and (iii) Tenant shall be obligated to comply with all of the terms and provisions of the Covenant to the extent applicable.

Section 5.03. Landlord’s Rights Regarding Use. Without limiting any of Landlord’s rights specified elsewhere in this Lease (a) Landlord shall have the right at any time, with at least five (5) days advance written notice to Tenant, to control, change or otherwise alter the Common Areas in such manner as it deems necessary or proper, and (b) Landlord, its agents, employees and contractors and any mortgagee of the Development shall have the right to enter any part of the Leased Premises at reasonable times upon reasonable notice (except in the event of an emergency where no notice shall be required), subject to the safety and access regulations of Tenant, for the purposes of examining or inspecting the same to confirm Tenant’s compliance with this Lease, or, within six months of the expiry of the Term to show the Premises to prospective purchasers, mortgagees or tenants, and making such repairs, alterations or improvements to the Leased Premises or the Building as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable as permitted herein, for the safety, protection or preservation of the Leased Premises, the Building or the Development, or as may be necessary or desirable in the operation or improvement of the Building and/or the Development, or in order to comply with all laws, orders and requirements of governmental or other authority; provided, however, that Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perform the foregoing in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with Tenant’s business operations. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant as a result from any entry on the premises in accordance with this Section 5.03, nor shall such entry constitute an eviction of Tenant or a termination of this Lease, or entitle Tenant to any abatement of rent therefor.

 

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ARTICLE 6 - UTILITIES AND OTHER BUILDING SERVICES

Section 6.01. Utilities to be Provided. The following utilities and other services to the extent reasonably necessary for Tenant’s use of the Leased Premises for the Permitted Use, are made available to Tenant; however, Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of all electric utilities (not including HVAC) corresponding to its exclusively used Premises and shall contract for payment directly to the electric utility companies serving the Premises when possible. Tenant shall secure separate metering for the Leased Premises, and shall be responsible for the monthly charges for its use. If separate service is not available, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord monthly for any utility usage cost associated with ongoing service to/for the Premises, as the same is reasonably determined by Landlord. Landlord shall reimburse Tenant monthly for any utility usage cost associated with ongoing service to/for the Premises for the Common Space, as is reasonably mutually agreed to. Tenant will be responsible for the cost of such submeters if not paid for by the utility company. Tenant shall be responsible for any and all connection fees relating to utilities. (Note: the basic utility consumption for heating and cooling is included in the base lease amount for this modified gross lease;

Section 6.02. Building Services. Provided Tenant is not in material default beyond any grace period, the following Building Services will be provided as a part of this Lease:

 

  (a)

Water in the Common Areas of the Building and Leased Premises for lavatory and drinking purposes;

 

  (b)

Intentionally omitted

 

  (c)

Tenant shall be responsible for janitorial service within the Leased Premises;

 

  (d)

Exterior washing of windows at least every 120 days, or as determined by the Landlord, in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

  (e)

Intentionally omitted.

 

  (f)

Maintenance of the Common Areas of the Development, including the removal of rubbish, ice and snow in the parking areas of the Development, maintenance of the trees, shrubs, ground cover, sidewalks, and pavement;

 

  (g)

High-speed internet access/data service. (Note: Tenant will be responsible for connection and monthly provider fees as these fees and services are not included in the gross rent amount)

 

  (h)

Common area exercise room. Landlord agrees to make available a common exercise room in Building B.

 

  (i)

Common cafeteria. Landlord agrees to make available a common cafeteria to all tenants.

 

  (j)

Common areas and areas under the control of the Landlord that are kept reasonably clean, sanitary, and free from all accumulations of debris, filth, rubbish, and garbage and that have appropriate extermination in response to the infestation of rodents or vermin;

 

  (k)

Locks on all exterior doors and locks or security devices on windows designed to be opened that are maintained in good working order; and

 

  (l)

Common areas and areas under the control of the Landlord shall be in compliance with all applicable building and health codes applicable to the Premises.

 

  (m)

Landlord will manage the HVAC system at the site level and allow Tenant to use and manage the HVAC system at the building level. Both Parties will seek to optimize use and efficiencies of the systems. In the case of any dispute regarding this Section 6.02 (m) that is not is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Tenant, the parties agree to engage a third party neutral assessor experienced in commercial HVAC services to conduct an analysis of Tenant’s use and the current standard requirements for HVAX systems for premises of similar size and use.

 

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Section 6.03. Additional Services.

(a) If Tenant requests utilities or building services in addition to those identified above, or if Tenant uses any of the above utilities or services in frequency, scope, quality or quantity substantially greater than that which Landlord determines is normally required by other tenants in the Building, then Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to attempt to furnish Tenant with such additional utilities or services. In the event Landlord is able to and does furnish such additional utilities or services, the costs thereof (which shall be deemed to mean the actual and documented costs that Tenant would have incurred had Tenant contracted directly with the utility company or service provider) shall be borne by Tenant, who shall reimburse Landlord monthly for the same as Additional Rent.

(b) Section removed.

Section 6.04. Interruption of Services. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that any one or more of the utilities or other services identified in Sections 6.01, 6.02, or 6.03 or otherwise hereunder may be interrupted by reason of accident, emergency or other causes beyond Landlord’s control, or may be discontinued or diminished temporarily by Landlord or other persons until certain repairs, alterations or improvements can be made. Except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord, its employees, contractors or agents, Landlord shall not be liable in damages or otherwise for any failure or interruption of any utility or service and no such failure or interruption shall entitle Tenant to terminate this Lease or withhold sums due hereunder, except if such interruption continues for more than five (5) consecutive days, or for two or more times of three (3) consecutive days in a 12 month period, then Rent shall abate until such service is restored.

ARTICLE 7 - REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE AND ALTERATIONS

Section 7.01. Repair and Maintenance of Building. Once the Tenant Improvements are completed, Landlord shall make all necessary repairs and replacements to the Building structure, roof, exterior walls, exterior doors, windows, air conditioning, heating, electric, and hot and cold water. Likewise, Landlord will maintain all grounds and parking areas in the Development insured and in good order and repair. The cost of such repairs, replacements and maintenance are included in the base lease rate; provided however, to the extent any such repairs, replacements or maintenance are required because of the negligence, misuse or default of Tenant, its employees, agents, contractors, customers or invitees, Landlord shall make such repairs at Tenant’s sole expense.

Section 7.02. Repair and Maintenance of Leased Premises. Tenant shall keep and maintain the Leased Premises in good condition and repair. Tenant shall be solely responsible for any repair or replacement with respect to Tenant’s Property and Tenant’s Improvements located in the Leased Premises. Nothing in this Article 7 shall obligate Landlord or Tenant to repair normal wear and tear to any paint, wall covering or carpet inside the Leased Premises.

Section 7.03. Alterations. . Tenant shall not permit alterations costing more than $25,000, or affecting the structural elements of the Building or Building systems, unless and until Landlord has approved the plans therefor in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. As a condition of such approval, Landlord may require Tenant to remove the alterations and restore the Leased Premises upon termination of this Lease; otherwise, all such alterations shall at Landlord’s option become a part of the realty and the property of Landlord, and shall not be removed by Tenant. Tenant shall ensure that all alterations shall be made in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and building codes, in a good and workmanlike manner and of quality equal to or better than the original construction of the Building. No person shall be entitled to any lien derived through or under Tenant for any labor or material furnished to the Leased Premises, and nothing in this Lease shall be construed to constitute Landlord’s consent to the creation of any lien. If any lien is filed against the Leased Premises for work claimed to have been done for or material claimed to have been furnished to Tenant, Tenant shall cause such lien to be discharged of record within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice thereof. Tenant shall indemnify Landlord from all costs, losses, expenses and attorneys’ fees in connection with any construction or alteration and any related lien. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Tenant shall have the right, from time to time without Landlord’s consent, but with notice to Landlord, to perform alterations that do not cost more than $25,000 and that do not affect the structural elements of the Building or the Building systems (i.e. infrastructure), provided however, Tenant shall have no obligation to provide notice to Landlord to perform alterations costing less than $25,000 which do not affect the structural elements of the Building or the Building systems. For clarification purposes, Tenant does not need Landlord’s consent or to provide notice to Landlord to paint and install wall coverings, install workstations, equipment, and/or carpet and other floor coverings, replace the existing exterior door that will become Tenant’s main office entrance. In addition, Tenant may install in the Premises its usual trade fixtures, signage (including Tenant’s corporate

 

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lettering and logo in the common area outside the Building occupied by Tenant, subject to Section 16.10). and personal property in a proper, lawful and workmanlike manner, without causing damage to the Premises, provided that no such installation shall interfere with or damage the mechanical or electrical systems or the structure of the Building. Prior to the vacation of the Premises, if applicable, or expiration or early termination of the Lease, trade fixtures and personal property installed in the Premises by Tenant shall, at Tenant’s expense, be removed from the Premises, and Tenant shall promptly repair at its own expense any damage to the Premises or Building resulting from such installation and removal.

Section 7.04. Required Improvements. Landlord, at its expense, will install and maintain a wall and secured doors in Bldg B to separate Tenant’s Premises space from the common cafeteria and exercise rooms. This wall will be completed no later than March 31sl , 2021.

ARTICLE 8 - INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE

Section 8.01. Release. All of Tenant’s trade fixtures, merchandise, inventory and all other personal property in or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Common Areas, which is deemed to include the trade fixtures, merchandise, inventory and personal property of others located in or about the Leased Premises or Common Areas at the invitation, direction or acquiescence (express or implied) of Tenant (all of which property shall be referred to herein, collectively, as “Tenant’s Property”), shall be and remain at Tenant’s sole risk. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant or to any other person for, and Tenant hereby releases Landlord from (a) any and all liability for theft or damage to Tenant’s Property, and (b) any and all liability for any injury to Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, guests and invitees in or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Common Areas, except to the extent of personal injury (but not property loss or damage) caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord, its agents, employees or contractors. Nothing contained in this Section 8.01 shall limit (or be deemed to limit) the waivers contained in Section 8.06 below. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of Section 8.06 below and this Section 8.01, the provisions of Section 8.06 shall prevail. This Section 8.01 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

Section 8.02. Indemnification by Tenant. Tenant shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold Landlord, its agents, employees and contractors harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, demands, penalties, costs, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses at the trial and appellate levels) to the extent (a) arising out of or relating to any negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant or Tenant’s agents, employees, contractors, customers or invitees in or about the Leased Premises. Nothing contained in this Section 8.02 shall limit (or be deemed to limit) the waivers contained in Section 8.06 below. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of Section 8.06 below and this Section 8.02, the provisions of Section 8.06 shall prevail. Nothing contained in this Section 8.02 shall be deemed to require Tenant to indemnify Landlord to any extent prohibited by law. This Section 8.02 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

Section 8.03. Intentionally Omitted

Section 8.04. Tenant’s Insurance.

(a) During the Lease Term (and any period of early entry or occupancy or holding over by Tenant, if applicable), Tenant shall maintain the following types of insurance, in the amounts specified below:

(i) Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability Insurance (which insurance shall not exclude blanket, contractual liability, broad form property damage, personal injury, or fire damage coverage) covering the Leased Premises and Tenant’s use thereof against claims for bodily injury or death and property damage, which insurance shall provide coverage on an occurrence basis with a per occurrence limit of not less than $3,000,000, for each policy year, which limit may be satisfied by any combination of primary and excess or umbrella per occurrence policies.

(ii) Property Insurance. Special Form Insurance in the amount of the full replacement cost of Tenant’s Property and betterments (including alterations or additions performed by Tenant pursuant hereto), which insurance shall include an agreed amount endorsement waiving coinsurance limitations.

(iii) Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Worker’s Compensation insurance in amounts required by applicable law.

 

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(b) All insurance required by Tenant hereunder shall (i) be issued by one or more insurance companies reasonably acceptable to Landlord, licensed to do business in the Stale in which the Leased Premises is located and having an AM Best’s rating of A IX or better, and (ii) provide that said insurance shall not be canceled or permitted to lapse on less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Landlord. In addition, Tenant’s insurance shall protect Tenant and Landlord as their interests may appear, naming Landlord, Landlord’s managing agent, and any mortgagee requested by Landlord, as additional insureds under its commercial general liability policies. On or before the Commencement Date (or the date of any earlier entry or occupancy by Tenant), and thereafter, within thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of each such policy, Tenant shall furnish Landlord with certificates of insurance in the form of ACORD 25 or ACORD 25-S (or other evidence of insurance reasonably acceptable to Landlord), evidencing all required coverages. If Tenant fails to carry such insurance and furnish Landlord with such certificates of insurance or copies of insurance policies (if applicable), Landlord may obtain such insurance on Tenant’s behalf and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for the cost thereof as Additional Rent. Landlord reserves the right from time to time to require Tenant to obtain higher minimum amounts or different types of insurance if it becomes customary for other landlords of similar buildings in the area to require similar sized tenants in similar industries to carry insurance of such higher minimum amounts or of such different types.

Section 8.05. Landlord’s Insurance. During the Lease Term, Landlord shall maintain the following types of insurance, in the amounts specified below (the cost of which shall be included in Operating Expenses):

(a) Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability Insurance (which insurance shall not exclude blanket, contractual liability, broad form property damage, personal injury, or fire damage coverage) covering the Common Areas against claims for bodily injury or death and property damage, which insurance shall provide coverage on an occurrence basis with a per occurrence limit of not less than $3,000,000, for each policy year, which limit may be satisfied by any combination of primary and excess or umbrella per occurrence policies.

(b) Property Insurance. Special Form Insurance (which insurance may include flood or earthquake if Landlord determines such coverage to be prudent) in the amount of not less than $40,000,000, but excluding Tenant’s Property and any other items required to be insured by Tenant pursuant to Section 8.04 above.

(c) Self-Insurance by Landlord. This section is removed. Landlord is not self-insured.

Section 8.06. Waiver of Subrogation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any rights each may have against the other on account of any loss of or damage to their respective property, the Leased Premises, its contents, or other portions of the Building or Common Areas arising from any risk which is required to be insured against by Sections 8.04(a)(ii) and 8.05(b) above, and/or which is actually insured against under insurance actually carried by either party (even if not so required). The special form coverage insurance policies maintained by Landlord and Tenant as provided in this Lease shall include an endorsement containing an express waiver of any rights of subrogation by the insurance company against Landlord and Tenant, as applicable.

ARTICLE 9 - CASUALTY

In the event of total or partial destruction of the Building or the Leased Premises by fire or other casualty, Landlord agrees promptly to restore and repair same; provided, however, Landlord’s obligation hereunder with respect to the Leased Premises shall be limited to the reconstruction of such of the leasehold improvements as were originally required to be made by Landlord pursuant to Section 2.02 above, if any. Rent shall proportionately abate during the time that the Leased Premises or part thereof are unusable because of any such damage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Leased Premises are (a) so destroyed that they cannot be repaired or rebuilt within one hundred eighty (180) days from the casualty date; or (b) destroyed by a casualty that is not covered by the insurance required hereunder or, if covered, such insurance proceeds are not released by any mortgagee entitled thereto; then, in case of a clause (a) casualty, either Landlord or Tenant may, or, in the case of a clause (b) casualty, then Landlord may, upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party, terminate this Lease with respect to matters thereafter accruing. Tenant waives any right under applicable laws inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph.

ARTICLE 10 - EMINENT DOMAIN

If all or any substantial part of the Building is to be acquired by the exercise of eminent domain, Landlord may terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Tenant on or before the date possession thereof is so taken. If all or any part of the Leased Premises or access to the Leased Premises shall be acquired by the exercise of eminent domain so that the Leased Premises shall become impractical for Tenant to use for the Permitted Use, Tenant may terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Landlord as of the date possession thereof is so taken. If neither party terminates as provided herein, all rent due hereunder shall be adjusted based upon the amount of the Leased Premises taken. All damages awarded shall belong to Landlord; provided, however, that Tenant may claim dislocation damages if such amount is not subtracted from Landlord’s award.

 

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ARTICLE 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE

Section 11.01. Assignment and Sublease.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth below, Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublet the Leased Premises in whole or in part without Landlord’s prior written consent. In the event of any permitted assignment or subletting, Tenant shall remain primarily liable hereunder. The acceptance of rent from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any of the provisions of this Lease or to be a consent to the assignment of this Lease or the subletting of the Leased Premises. Any assignment or sublease consented to by Landlord shall not relieve Tenant (or its assignee) from obtaining Landlord’s consent to any subsequent assignment or sublease.

(b) If Tenant shall make any assignment or sublease, with Landlord’s consent, for a rental in excess of the rent payable under this Lease, Tenant shall pay to Landlord fifty percent (50%) of any such excess rental upon receipt. Tenant agrees to pay Landlord $500.00 upon demand by Landlord for reasonable accounting and attorneys’ fees incurred in conjunction with the processing and documentation of any requested assignment, subletting or any other hypothecation of this Lease or Tenant’s interest in and to the Leased Premises as consideration for Landlord’s consent.

Section 11.02. Permitted Transfer, Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 11.01 above, Tenant shall have the right, without Landlord’s consent, to (a) sublet all or part of the Leased Premises to any related corporation or other entity which controls Tenant, is controlled by Tenant or is under common control with Tenant; (b) assign all or any part of this Lease to any related corporation or other entity which controls Tenant, is controlled by Tenant, or is under common control with Tenant, or to a successor entity into which or with which Tenant is merged or consolidated or which acquires substantially all of Tenant’s assets or property; or (c) effectuate any public offering of Tenant’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange or in the NASDAQ over the counter market, provided that in the event of a transfer, such successor entity assumes all of the obligations and liabilities of Tenant (any such entity hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”). Tenant shall give notice of such permitted transfer prior to or promptly after such transfer. For the purpose of this Article 11 “control” shall mean ownership of not less than fifty percent (50%) of all voting stock or legal and equitable interest in such corporation or entity. Any such transfer shall not relieve Tenant of its obligations under this Lease. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to nor shall permit Tenant to transfer its interest under this Lease as part of a fraud or subterfuge to intentionally avoid its obligations under this Lease (for example, transferring its interest to a shell corporation that subsequently files a bankruptcy), and any such transfer shall constitute a Default hereunder. Any change in control of Tenant resulting from a merger, consolidation, or a transfer of partnership or membership interests, a stock transfer, or any sale of substantially all of the assets of Tenant that do not meet the requirements of this Section 11.02 shall be deemed an assignment or transfer that requires Landlord’s prior written consent pursuant to Section 11.01 above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Landlord acknowledges and agrees that Tenant may effectuate any public offering of Tenant’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ over the counter market, and any such public offering and or subsequent transfers of stock as a result thereof shall not constitute an assignment or sublease or other transfer requiring Landlord’s consent hereunder.

ARTICLE 12 - TRANSFERS BY LANDLORD

Section 12.01. Sale of the Building. Landlord shall have the right to sell the Building at any time during the Lease Term, subject only to the rights of Tenant hereunder; and such sale shall operate to release Landlord from liability hereunder after the date of such conveyance.

Section 12.02. Estoppel Certificate. Within ten (10) business days following receipt of a written request from either party, the other party shall execute and deliver to the requesting party, without cost to the requesting party, an estoppel certificate in such form as the requesting party may reasonably request certifying (a) that this Lease is in full force and effect and unmodified or stating the nature of any modification, (b) the date to which rent has been paid, (c) that there are not, to such party’s knowledge, any uncured defaults or specifying such defaults if any are claimed, and (d) any other matters or state of facts reasonably required respecting the Lease. Such estoppel may be relied upon by and by any purchaser or mortgagee of the Building and assignee, subtenant, purchaser or lender of tenant.

Section 12.03. Subordination. Landlord shall have the right to subordinate this Lease to any mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust or other instrument in the nature thereof, and any amendments or modifications thereto (collectively, a “Mortgage”) presently existing or so long as such mortgagee executes a Non-Disturbance Agreement in a commercially reasonable form. Within ten (10) business days following receipt of a written request from Landlord, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord, without cost, any instrument that Landlord deems reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm the subordination of this Lease so long as such instrument is reasonably acceptable to Tenant. Tenant will be provided an SNDA from any future lender.

 

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ARTICLE 13 - DEFAULT AND REMEDY

Section 13.01. Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall be a “Default”:

(a) Tenant fails to pay any Monthly Rental Installments or Additional Rent within five (5) days after the same is due and such failure continues for five (5) days after Tenant receives written notice thereof from Landlord; provided, however, that Landlord shall not be required to give notice of such monetary default more than two (2) times during any calendar year.

(b) Tenant fails to perform or observe any other term, condition, covenant or obligation required under this Lease for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Landlord; provided, however, that if the nature of Tenant’s default is such that more than thirty (30) days are reasonably required to cure, then such default shall be deemed to have been cured if Tenant commences such performance within said thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently completes the required action within a reasonable time.

(c) Intentionally Deleted.

(d) Intentionally Deleted.

(e) All or substantially all of Tenant’s assets in the Leased Premises or Tenant’s interest in this Lease are attached or levied under execution (and Tenant does not discharge the same within sixty (60) days thereafter); a petition in bankruptcy, insolvency or for reorganization or arrangement is filed by or against Tenant (and Tenant fails to secure a stay or discharge thereof within sixty (60) days thereafter); Tenant is insolvent and unable to pay its debts as they become due; Tenant makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; Tenant takes the benefit of any insolvency action or law; the appointment of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy for Tenant or its assets if such receivership has not been vacated or set aside within thirty (30) days thereafter; or, dissolution or other termination of Tenant’s corporate charter if Tenant is a corporation.

Section 13.02. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Default, Landlord shall have the following rights and remedies, in addition to those stated elsewhere in this Lease and those allowed by law or in equity, any one or more of which may be exercised without further notice to Tenant:

(a) Landlord may re-enter the Leased Premises and cure any Default of Tenant, and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord as Additional Rent upon written demand for any costs and expenses which Landlord thereby incurs; and Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for any loss or damage which Tenant may sustain by reason of Landlord’s action, unless caused by Landlord willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(b) Without terminating this Lease, Landlord may terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Premises, and thereafter, neither Tenant nor any person claiming under or through Tenant’shall be entitled to possession of the Leased Premises, and Tenant shall immediately surrender the Leased Premises to Landlord, and Landlord may re-enter the Leased Premises and dispossess Tenant and any other occupants of the Leased Premises by any lawful means and may remove their effects, without prejudice to any other remedy that Landlord may have. Upon termination of possession, re-let all or any part thereof for a term different from that which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the Lease Term and for rent and on terms and conditions different from those contained herein, whereupon Tenant shall be immediately obligated to pay to Landlord an amount equal to the present value (discounted at the Prime Rate) of the difference between the rent provided for herein and that provided for in any lease covering a subsequent re-letting of the Leased Premises, for the period which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the Lease Term (the “Accelerated Rent”). Upon termination of possession, Tenant shall be obligated to pay to Landlord (A) the Accelerated Rent, (B) all loss or damage that Landlord may sustain by reason of Tenant’s Default (“Default Damages”), which shall include, without limitation, expenses of preparing the Leased Premises for re-letting, demolition, repairs, tenant finish improvements, brokers’ commissions and attorneys’ fees, and (C) all unpaid Minimum Annual Rent and Additional Rent that accrued prior to the date of termination of possession, plus any interest and late fees due hereunder (the “Prior Obligations”).

(c) Landlord may terminate this Lease and declare the Accelerated Rent to be immediately due and payable, whereupon Tenant shall be obligated to pay to Landlord (i) the Accelerated Rent; (ii) all of Landlord’s Default Damages, and (iii) all Prior Obligations. It is expressly agreed and understood that all of Tenant’s liabilities and obligations set forth in this subsection (c) shall survive termination.

(d) Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that the payment of the Accelerated Rent as set above shall not be deemed a penalty, but merely shall constitute payment of liquidated damages, it being understood that actual damages to Landlord are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain. Neither the filing of a dispossessory proceeding nor an eviction of personality in the Leased Premises shall be deemed to terminate the Lease.

 

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(e) Landlord may sue for injunctive relief or to recover damages for any loss resulting from the Default.

Section 13.03. Landlord’s Default and Tenant’s Remedies. Landlord shall be in default if it fails to perform any term, condition, covenant or obligation required under this Lease for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Tenant to Landlord; provided, however, that if the term, condition, covenant or obligation to be performed by Landlord is such that it cannot reasonably be performed within thirty (30) days, such default shall be deemed to have been cured if Landlord commences such performance within said thirty-day period and thereafter diligently undertakes to complete the same. In the event Landlord fails to cure any Landlord breach within a reasonable period of time, then Tenant shall have the right, but not the obligation, to perform such obligation on Landlord’s behalf. Upon the occurrence of any such default, Tenant may sue for injunctive relief or to recover damages for any loss directly resulting from the breach, but Tenant shall not be entitled to terminate this Lease. If any action is taken by Tenant pursuant to this paragraph, then Tenant may offset from rent coming due any reasonable and documented costs and expenses in taking such action.

Section 13. 04. Limitation of Landlord’s Liability. If Landlord shall fail to perform any term, condition, covenant or obligation required to be performed by it under this Lease and if Tenant shall, as a consequence thereof, recover a money judgment against Landlord, Tenant agrees that it shall look solely to Landlord’s right, title and interest in and to the Building for the collection of such judgment; and Tenant further agrees that no other assets of Landlord shall be subject to levy, execution or other process for the satisfaction of Tenant’s judgment.

Section 13.05. Nonwaiver of Defaults. Neither party’s failure or delay in exercising any of its rights or remedies or other provisions of this Lease shall constitute a waiver thereof or affect its right thereafter to exercise or enforce such right or remedy or other provision. No waiver of any default shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other default. Landlord’s acceptance of rent, with or without knowledge of any breach of the Lease, shall not be considered a waiver of the Landlord’s right to evict Tenant from the Premises, recover any amounts due under the Lease, or take any other legal action Landlord may be entitled to take, under the Lease or otherwise available at law or equity. Specifically, Landlord and Tenant agree that Landlord may accept a partial payment of rent (whether now or in the future) without waiving Landlord’s right to bring or maintain an action to recover possession of the Premises. Landlord’s acceptance of a partial payment of rent, however, shall not be considered a waiver of Landlord’s right to reject any future partial payment of rent. Landlord’s receipt of less than the full rent due shall not be construed to be other than a payment on account of rent then due, nor shall any statement on Tenant’s check or any letter accompanying Tenant’s check be deemed an accord and satisfaction. No act or omission by Landlord or its employees or agents during the Lease Term shall be deemed an acceptance of a surrender of the Leased Premises, and no agreement to accept such a surrender shall be valid unless in writing and signed by Landlord.

Section 13.06. Attorneys’ Fees. If either party defaults in the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants or obligations contained in this Lease and the non-defaulting party obtains a judgment against the defaulting party, then the defaulting party agrees to reimburse the non-defaulting party for reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith. In addition, if a monetary Default shall occur and Landlord engages outside counsel to exercise its remedies hereunder, and then Tenant cures such monetary Default, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, on demand, all expenses incurred by Landlord as a result thereof, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and expenses actually incurred.

ARTICLE 14 - INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

ARTICLE 15 - TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Section 15.01. Environmental Definitions.

(a) “Environmental Laws” shall mean all present or future federal, state and municipal laws, ordinance, rules and regulations applicable to the environmental and ecological condition of the Leased Premises, and the rules and regulations of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and any other federal, state or municipal agency or governmental board or entity having jurisdiction over the Leased Premises.

(b) “Hazardous Substances” shall mean those substances included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “toxic substances” “solid waste” or “infectious waste” under Environmental Laws and petroleum products.

 

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Section 15.02. Restrictions on Tenant. Tenant shall not cause or permit the use, generation, release, manufacture, refining, production, processing, storage or disposal of any Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Leased Premises, or the transportation to or from the Leased Premises of any Hazardous Substances, except as necessary and appropriate for its Permitted Use in which case the use, storage or disposal of such Hazardous Substances shall be performed in compliance with the Environmental Laws and the highest standards prevailing in the industry. In the interest of clarity, the parties acknowledge and agree that Tenant’s responsibility hereunder shall not cover any Hazardous Materials on, under or about the Leased Premises on or before the Commencement Date (or such earlier date if caused by Tenants earlier entry) or caused to be made present after the commencement Date by Landlord, its employees, agents, contractors or invitees.

Section 15.03. Notices, Affidavits, Etc. Tenant shall immediately (a) notify Landlord of (i) any violation by Tenant, its employees, agents, representatives, customers, invitees or contractors of any Environmental Laws on, under or about the Leased Premises, or (ii) the presence or suspected presence of any Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Leased Premises, and (b) deliver to Landlord any notice received by Tenant relating to (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above from any source. Tenant shall execute affidavits, representations and the like within five (5) days of Landlord’s request therefor concerning Tenant’s best knowledge and belief regarding the presence of any Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Leased Premises.

Section 15. 04. Tenant’s Indemnification. Tenant shall indemnify Landlord and Landlord’s managing agent from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses and damages, including attorneys’ fees, costs of testing and remediation costs, incurred by Landlord as a result of any breach by Tenant of its obligations under this Article 15. The covenants and obligations under this Article 15 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease for two (2) years.

ARTICLE 16 - MISCELLANEOUS

Section 16.01. Benefit of Landlord and Tenant. This Lease shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Landlord and Tenant and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 16.02. Governing Law. This Lease shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State where the Building is located.

Section 16.03. Force Majeure. Landlord and Tenant (except with respect to the payment of any monetary obligation) shall be excused for the period of any delay in the performance of any obligation hereunder when such delay is occasioned by causes beyond its control, including but not limited to work stoppages, boycotts, slowdowns or strikes; shortages of materials, equipment, labor or energy; unusual weather conditions; or acts or omissions of governmental or political bodies.

Section 16. 04. Examination of Lease. Submission of this instrument by Landlord to Tenant for examination or signature does not constitute an offer by Landlord to lease the Leased Premises. This Lease shall become effective, if at all, only upon the execution by and delivery to both Landlord and Tenant.

Section 16.05. Indemnification for Leasing Commissions. The parties hereby represent and warrant that the only real estate broker(s) involved in the negotiation and execution of this Lease is the Broker and that no other party is entitled, as a result of the actions of the respective party, to a commission or other fee resulting from the execution of this Lease. Each party shall indemnify the other from any and all liability for the breach of this representation and warranty on its part and shall pay any compensation to any other broker or person who may be entitled thereto. Landlord shall pay any commission due Broker based on this Lease pursuant to a separate agreement between Landlord and Broker.

Section 16.06. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Lease or by law shall be deemed to have been given if it is written and delivered in person or by overnight courier or mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the party who is to receive such notice at the address specified in Section 1.01(1). If sent by overnight courier, the notice shall be deemed to have been given one (1) day after sending. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date that is three (3) business days following mailing. Either party may change its address by giving written notice thereof to the other party. Upon mutual consent, Tenant and Landlord agree notices, approvals and other communications may be sent by authorized parties via email.

Section 16.07. Partial Invalidity; Complete Agreement. If any provision of this Lease shall be held to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. This Lease represents the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant covering everything agreed upon or understood in this transaction. There are no oral promises, conditions, representations, understandings, interpretations or terms of any kind as conditions or inducements to the execution hereof or in effect between the parties. No change or addition shall be made to this Lease except by a written agreement executed by Landlord and Tenant.

 

- 12 -


Section 16.08. Financial Statements. Intentionally Deleted.

Section 16.09. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Tenant hereby represents and warrants that (i) Tenant is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) in accordance with the laws of the State under which it was organized; (ii) Tenant is authorized to do business in the State where the Building is located; and (iii) the individual(s) executing and delivering this Lease on behalf of Tenant has been properly authorized to do so, and such execution and delivery shall bind Tenant to its terms.

(b) Landlord hereby represents and warrants that (i) Landlord is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) in accordance with the laws of the State under which it was organized; (ii) Landlord is authorized to do business in the State where the Building is located; (iii) the individual(s) executing and delivering this Lease on behalf of Landlord has been properly authorized to do so, and such execution and delivery shall bind Landlord to its terms.

Section 16.10. Signage. Landlord, at its cost and expense, shall provide Tenant with Building standard signage on the main Building directory and at the entrance to the Leased Premises. Tenant may request to have its name excluded on the main Building directory and entrance to the Leased Premises and such request shall be granted by Landlord provided it does not prevent or delay the signage for the entire site. Any changes requested by Tenant to the initial directory or suite signage shall be made at Tenant’ sole cost and expense and shall be subject to Landlord’s approval. Landlord may install such other signs, advertisements, notices or tenant identification information on the Building directory, tenant access doors or other areas of the Building, as it shall deem necessary or proper. Tenant shall not place any exterior signs on the Leased Premises or interior signs visible from the exterior of the Leased Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease to the contrary, Landlord may immediately remove any sign(s) placed by Tenant in violation of this Section .16.10.

Section 16.11. Parking. Tenant shall be entitled to the non-exclusive use of the parking spaces designated in the Development by Landlord. Tenant agrees not to overburden the parking facilities and agrees to cooperate with Landlord and other tenants in the use of the parking facilities. Landlord reserves the right in its absolute discretion to determine whether parking facilities are becoming crowded and, in such event, to allocate parking spaces between Tenant and other tenants. Landlord must keep the parking lot and driveways in good condition and repair all potholes within a reasonable amount of time. There will be no assigned parking unless Landlord, in its sole discretion, deems such assigned parking advisable. No vehicle may be repaired or serviced in the parking area and any vehicle brought into the parking area by Tenant, or any of Tenant’s employees, contractors or invitees, and deemed abandoned by Landlord will be towed and all costs thereof shall be borne by the Tenant. All driveways, ingress and egress, and all parking spaces are for the joint use of all tenants. In addition, Tenant agrees that its employees will not park in the spaces designated visitor parking.

Section 16.12. Consent. Where the consent of a party is required, such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 16.13. Time. Time is of the essence of each term and provision of this Lease.

Section 16.14. Patriot Act. Each of Landlord and Tenant, each as to itself, hereby represents its compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, including, without limitation, the USA Act, and the laws administered by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, including, without limitation, Executive Order 13224 (“Executive Order”) Each of Landlord and Tenant further represents (i) that it is not, and it is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly by any person or entity, on the SDN List published by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and (ii) that it is not a person otherwise identified by government or legal authority as a person with whom a U.S. Person is prohibited from transacting business. As of the date hereof, a list of such designations and the text of the Executive Order are published under the internet website address www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac.

Section 16.15. Quiet Enjoyment. Tenant shall at all times during the Lease Term peacefully and quietly have and enjoy possession of the Premises without any encumbrance or hindrance.

Section 16.16. Intentionally Omitted

Section 16.17. Intentionally Omitted

Section 16.18. Right of First offer: Subject to existing rights as of the Lease Commencement Date, Landlord shall provide Tenant a continuous and on-going Right of First Offer on any contiguous space that becomes available in Buildings A, B, C & D as well as on any new building to be constructed on the RMCIT property. This Right of First Offer is only in the case of a current tenant vacating leased space or proposal of a newly constructed building on the sight. Tenant may make an offer at any time on currently vacant space on the property. Landlord will notify Tenant as soon as reasonable possible when an upcoming vacancy is anticipated. Tenant will have ten (10) business days following notice to accept the Right of First Offer space.

 

- 13 -


Section 16.19. Advisory Board: Landlord intends to create an Advisory Board in conjunction with the Warehouse Business Accelerator which will advise Landlord on common issues of the property including exterior and interior common areas of the property (cafeteria, food service, workout and locker rooms etc). Tenant shall have a position on the Advisory Board for the duration of the Lease Term.

Section 16.20. Signage: Irrespective of any other Tenant Improvement, allowance or clause of this Agreement, Tenant shall be granted prominent building signage at a mutually agreeable location (subject to local ordinances). Tenant shall be responsible for the cost and installation of said signage.

[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

- 14 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Lease as of the day and year first above written.

 

      LANDLORD:
Signed, sealed and delivered In the presence of:      

RMCIT LLC

a Colorado limited liability company

 

                  
Print:  

 

      By:   

/s/ Daniel D Kamrath

 

      Its:    Manager, Daniel D Kamrath
Print:  

 

     

STATE OF Colorado )

                                     )SS:

COUNTY OF Larimer)

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared Daniel D Kamrath, by me known and by me known to be the Manager, of RMCIT LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing “Office Lease” on behalf of said company. The above-named person (check one) ☒ is personally known to me or ☐ produced                                                               as identification.

WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 11 day of November, 2020.

 

/s/ Patricia A Clark

Notary Public

Patricia A Clark

(Printed Signature)

My Commission Expires: 12/14/2023

My County of Residence:Larimer

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

- 15 -


TENANT:

Lightning Systems Inc.,

a Delaware Corporation

By:  

/s/ Timothy Reeser

Name:   Timothy Reeser
Title:   CEO

 

STATE OF Colorado    )   
   )    SS:
COUNTY OF Larimer    )   

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared Timothy Reeser, by me known and by me known to be the CEO, of Lightning Systems. The above-named person (check one) ☐ is personally known to me or ☐ produced Lightning Systems as identification.

WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal this 11 day of Nov., 2020.

 

LOGO  

Melanie Fink

Notary Public

 

Melanie Fink

(Printed Signature)

My Commission Expires: 12/11/2022

My County of Residence: Larimer

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

- 16 -


EXHIBIT A

SITE PLAN OF LEASED PREMISES

[TO BE ADDED]


EXHIBIT B

TENANT IMPROVEMENTS

1. Landlord’s Obligations. Landlord delivers the Leased Premises to Tenant in its “AS IS WHERE IS” condition.

2. Initial Tenant Improvements.

(a) Promptly following the Effective Date, Tenant shall provide to Landlord, Tenant’s space plan for the Leased Premises (the “Space Plan”) for the Tenant Improvements. The Space Plan will include a final design plan, contractor selection, cost estimates and funding methodology. Preliminary design costs of the Space Plan are attached hereto as Exhibit B-2. Landlord shall provide any comments to such Space Plan within five (5) business days after receipt of the Space Plan. If Landlord requests any changes to the Space Plan, Tenant shall work in good faith to accommodate those changes which are reasonably requested and shall within ten (10) days of its receipt of such request submit the revised portion of the Space Plan to Landlord. Tenant and Landlord shall continue to review the Space Plan until approved by both parties. Tenant Improvement allowance up to $646,638.00 shall be paid from Landlord to Tenant within 10 days of completion of the agreed Tenant Improvements and submission of expenditures. Tile removal (including asbestos abatement) in the leased space must be completed to receive any of the Tenant Improvement funds.

(b) Tenant shall be responsible for the cost to construct and install the Tenant Improvements.

3. Intentionally left blank

4. Completion. Tenant may conduct Tenant Improvements in several Phases. The plan for each Phase will be submitted to Landlord and approved by Landlord prior to commencement. Tenant shall have each Phase of Tenant Improvements completed within 180 days of the commencement of construction of that Phase of Tenant Improvements, if possible (“Tenant Improvements Completion Date” ), unless there are delays of more than 30 days caused by contractors. Within thirty (60) days after completion of each Phase, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord final, “as-built” drawings of the completed Space Plan, together with full lien releases for any and all contractors and subcontractors employed to complete that Phase of Tenant Improvements.

All items of work shall be performed by Tenant and/or its contractors at Tenant’s expense in accordance with Tenant’s final plans and specifications, as reasonably approved by Landlord. Tenant shall be responsible for the purchase, performance and installation of all parts of Tenant Improvements. Tenant Improvements shall include all necessary architectural, engineering or design related fees, code related items, permits, special assessments or taxes relating to such work.

5. Tenant Contractor. Except as set forth in the Lease, NO WORK SHALL BE DONE ON THE PREMISES BY TENANT UNTIL LANDLORD HAS APPROVED TENANT’S PLANS AND CONTRACTOR IN WRITING. In instances where Tenant Improvements may coincide with construction by Landlord or other tenants, Tenant’s contractor shall work in conjunction with other contractors so that Tenant’s contractor does not interfere or delay the construction process of others in the Building. Tenant’s contractor must perform the work in such a manner as not to cause harm to others’ on-going construction, delay the progress of such work or create conflicts with labor organizations. Landlord reserves the right to cause the removal of the Tenant’s contractor if any such labor problems arise. Tenant’s contractor must keep the area, HVAC system and restrooms clean and free of dust and debris, with a minimum of noise and interruption to the Common Areas of the Development. Tenant’s contractor is responsible for keeping interior and exterior areas clean of construction debris at all times. If the Tenant contractor fails or refuses to keep these areas clean at all times, Landlord reserves the right to clean these areas at Tenant’s expense. Tenant’s contractor shall erect temporary partitions, dust barriers, etc. as required by Landlord to minimize impact of construction activities on the common areas of the Development.

6. Temporary Utilities. Landlord agrees to provide reasonable access to power and water at the start of construction.

7. Hazardous Materials. The Building has been subjected to an extensive asbestos remediation and abatement process. Landlord is unaware of any exposed asbestos in the Premises. However, it is possible that asbestos could potentially be encountered in previously inaccessible locations of the Building as a part of construction. Therefore the Tenant has agreed that during construction of Tenant Improvements, that any asbestos found will be removed at Tenant’s cost and with due prudence and in accordance with all applicable laws, and without any liability, financial or otherwise, to Landlord. If the asbestos remediation for the tile removal in the leased space is more than $$475,000.00 the Tenant shall bring it to the Landlord’s attention prior to commencing the work and the Landlord shall a) agree to provide additional funds to cover the overage or b) provide an alternative contractor to complete the remediation within the budget. Time is of the essence in the asbestos removal.


8. Special Requirements for Roof Penetrations/ Slab Grade Cutting and Patching. Any work, including cutting, venting, or duct installations, which involves cutting into, or penetrating in any manner, the existing roof structure and/or roofing material MUST BE PERFORMED BY LANDLORD’S ROOFING CONTRACTOR AT TENANT’S EXPENSE. Tenant shall not permit his contractor or any subcontractor to perform such work. Tenant shall be liable for all damage resulting from unauthorized roof penetrations and their consequent effect on the integrity of the roof and its guarantee by the Manufacturer or Contractor. Any work which involves penetration of the building slab, shall be repaired per the replacement details and methods set forth by Landlord.

9. Notice of Non-Responsibility. Landlord shall have the right to post and record a notice of non-responsibility for work being performed by Tenant within the Premises as permitted by law. Tenant shall give Landlord prompt written notice of the commencement of the Tenant Improvements.

10. Bonds or Other Security. Landlord shall have the right to require Tenant to furnish a payment bond or other security in form satisfactory to Landlord for the prompt and faithful payment of all costs and expenses incurred in the performance of construction of the Tenant Improvements. Tenant shall be responsible for promptly discharging any mechanics’ liens recorded against the Development.

11. Certificate of Occupancy. Upon completion of the Tenant Improvements, Tenant shall provide Landlord with a copy of the certificate of occupancy issued by the appropriate governmental agency for occupancy of the Premises.


EXHIBIT C

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The sidewalks, entrances, passages, courts, elevators, vestibules, stairways, corridors or halls shall not be obstructed or used for any purpose other than ingress and egress. Landlord shall control the Common Areas.

2. No sign, advertisement, notice or handbill shall be exhibited, distributed, painted or affixed by any tenant on, about or from any part of the Leased Premises, the Building, the Development or in the Common Areas including the parking area without the prior written consent of Landlord. In the event of the violation of the foregoing by any tenant, Landlord may remove or stop same without any liability, and may charge the expense incurred in such removal or stopping to tenant. The lobby directory will be provided exclusively for the display of the name and location of tenants only, and Landlord reserves the right to exclude any other names therefrom. Nothing may be placed on the exterior of corridor walls or corridor doors other than Landlord’s standard lettering.

3. The sashes, sash doors, windows, and doors that reflect or admit light and air into halls, passageways or other public places in the Building shall not be covered or obstructed by tenant.

4. The sinks and toilets and other plumbing fixtures shall not be used for any purpose other than those for which they were constructed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, or other substances shall be thrown therein. All damages resulting from any misuse of the fixtures shall be borne by the tenant who, or whose subtenants, assignees or any of their servants, employees, agents, visitors or licensees shall have caused the same.

5. Intentionally left blank.

6. With the exception of a Key FOB access system, no additional locks or bolts of any kind shall be placed upon any of the doors or windows by any tenant, nor shall any changes be made to existing locks or the mechanism thereof without written permission from Landlord. Each tenant must upon the termination of his tenancy, restore to the Landlord all keys of doors, offices, and toilet rooms, either furnished to, or otherwise procured by, such tenant and in the event of the loss of keys so furnished, such tenant shall pay to the Landlord the cost of replacing the same or of changing the lock or locks opened by such lost key if Landlord shall deem it necessary to make such changes.

7. No tenant shall overload the floors of the Leased Premises. All damage to the floor, structure or foundation of the Building due to improper positioning or storage items or materials shall be repaired by Landlord at the sole cost and expense of tenant, who shall reimburse Landlord immediately therefor upon demand. All removals or the carrying in or out of any safes, freight, furniture, or bulky matter of any description must take place during the hours that Landlord shall reasonably determine from time to time. (load limit varies by building) The moving of exceptionally heavy fixtures or bulky matter of any kind must be within floor loading limits (300 pounds per square foot live load) and be done under the full supervision and responsibility of the Tenant. The Tenant acknowledges their full understanding of the floor loading limits and accepts all responsibility for exceeding those limits. Landlord reserves the right to inspect all equipment, freight or other bulky articles to be brought into the Building and to exclude from the Building all equipment, freight or other bulky articles which violate any of these Rules and Regulations or the Lease of which these Rules and Regulations are a part.

8. Landlord shall have the right to prohibit any advertising by any tenant that, in Landlord’s opinion tends to impair the reputation of the Building or its desirability as an office location, and upon written notice from Landlord any tenant shall refrain from or discontinue such advertising.

Exhibit 16.1

 

LOGO   

10 Almaden Boulevard, Suite 1000, San Jose, CA 95113

 

Phone 408-961-6300 | Fax 408-961-6324 | [email protected]

May 12, 2021

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read the statements made by Lightning eMotors, Inc. (formally known as GigCapital3, Inc.) included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated May 6, 2021. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

Sincerely,

/s/ BPM LLP

San Jose, California

 

LOGO

Exhibit 99.1

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Lightning eMotors, Inc. (f/k/a GigCapital3, Inc.) (the “Company”) is providing the following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the business combination between GigCapital3, Inc. and Lightning Systems, Inc., which was consummated on May 6, 2021. The historical financial information of Lightning Systems, Inc. was derived from the audited financial statements of Lightning Systems, Inc. as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The historical financial information of GigCapital3, Inc. was derived from the audited financial statements of GigCapital3, Inc. for the period from inception (February 3, 2020) through December 31, 2020. This information should be read together with Lightning Systems, Inc.’s and GigCapital3 Inc.’s financial statements and related notes.

Description of the Transaction

On December 10, 2020, GigCapital3, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Project Power Merger Sub, Inc., entered into a Business Combination Agreement with Lightning Systems, Inc. Following the approval at the special meeting of the stockholders of GigCapital3, Inc. held on April 21, 2021, and pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, Project Power Merger Sub, Inc. merged with and into Lightning Systems, Inc. with Lightning Systems Inc. surviving the merger. Upon the consummation of the merger, GigCapital3, Inc. changed its name to Lightning eMotors, Inc.

Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Business Combination Agreement and customary adjustments, at the effective time of the merger, each share of Lightning Systems, Inc. capital stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Lightning Systems, Inc. as treasury stock or dissenting shares) (i) converted into that number of shares of GigCaptial3, Inc. common stock that constitutes the merger consideration, which aggregate amount, including any shares issuable in respect of vested equity awards of Lightning Systems, Inc. that were exercised prior to the closing or equity awards of Lightning Systems, Inc. that GigCapital3, Inc. assumed and which are exercised following the closing in accordance with the terms of such equity awards, plus (2) up to an additional 16,463,096 shares of GigCapital3, Inc. common stock as stockholder earnout shares to former equity holders of Lightning Systems, Inc. who have received, or are entitled to receive, any per share merger consideration shares of GigCapital3, Inc. common stock earned due to the satisfaction of the earnout conditions set forth in and pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement.

Accounting for the Transactions

The business combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, GigCapital3, Inc. will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. This determination was primarily based on Lightning System, Inc.’s operations comprising substantially all of the ongoing operations of the post-combination company, Lightning System, Inc.’s senior management comprising substantially all of the senior management of the post-combination company and the existence of a majority voting interest in the post-combination company. Accordingly, for accounting


purposes, the business combination is treated as the equivalent of Lightning System, Inc. issuing stock for the net assets of GigCapital3, Inc., accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of GigCapital3, Inc. is stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the business combination are the historical operations of Lightning System, Inc.

Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

The historical financial information has been adjusted to give pro forma effect to events that are related and/or directly attributable to the business combination, are factually supportable and, with respect to the pro forma statements of operations, are expected to have a continuing impact on the results of the post-combination company. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that the post-combination company will experience. Lightning System, Inc. and GigCapital3, Inc. have not had any historical relationship prior to the business combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.


PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     (A)     (B)                    
     GigCapital3,
Inc.
    Lightning
Systems,
Inc.
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Balance
Sheet
 

ASSETS

          

Current assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,170     $ 460     $ 202,029       (1  
         2       (1  
         25,000       (2  
         100,000       (3  
         (58,759     (4  
         (39,634     (6  
         (4,500     (7  
                             225,768  

Accounts receivable, net

       4,122           4,122  

Inventories

       5,743           5,743  

Prepaid expenses and other current

     150       3,999       (1,913     (6     2,236  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,320       14,324       222,225         237,869  

Property and equipment, net

       2,615           2,615  

Operating lease right-of-use asset

       7,881           7,881  

Other non-current assets

     43       45           88  

Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account

     202,029         (202,029     (1     —    

Interest receivable on cash held in trust account

     2         (2     (1     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 203,394     $ 24,865     $ 20,194       $ 248,453  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     

Current liabilities:

          

Accounts payable

   $ 84     $ 2,599     $ (285     (6   $ 2,398  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,806       2,762       (3,289     (6     1,279  

Accrued expenses due to related parties

     6       128           134  

Warrant liabilities

       21,155       (21,155     (4     —    

Current portion of long-term debt

       7,954       (6,454     (4  
         (1,500     (7     —    

Current portion of long-term debt-related party

       6,225       (3,225     (4  
         (3,000     (7     —    

Current portion of operating lease obligation

       1,769           1,769  

Current portion of finance lease obligation

       54           54  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,896       42,646       (38,908       5,634  

Long-term debt net of current portion and debt discount related party

       1,649       1,351       (8     3,000  

Warrant liabilities-LT

         2,339       (9     2,339  

Derivative liability

         42,547       (3     42,547  

Long-term convertible debt

         (5,000     (6  
         100,000       (3  
         (42,547     (3  
         (28,974     (3     23,479  

Operating lease liability, net of current portion

       7,265           7,265  

Deferred underwriting fee payable

     8,000         (8,000     (6     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     9,896       51,560       22,808         84,264  

Common stock subject to possible redemption, 18,663,171 shares at a redemption value of $10.10 per share

     188,498       —         (188,498     (4     —    

Redeemable, convertible preferred stock

          

Series A redeemable, convertible preferred stock

     —         18,036       (18,036     (4     —    

Series B redeemable, convertible preferred stock

     —         4,101       (4,101     (4     —    

Series C redeemable, convertible preferred stock

     —         21,135       (21,135     (4     —    
    

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total redeemable, convertible preferred stock

     —         43,272       (43,272       —    

Stockholders’ equity

          

Common stock

     1       —         1       (4  
         5       (4     7  

Preferred stock

     —               —    

Additional paid-in capital

     7,728       10,828       25,000       (2  
         28,974       (3  
         129,738       (4  
         (5     (4  
         43,272       (4  
         9,679       (4  
         21,155       (4  
         (14,136     (5  
         (6,521     (6  
         (286     (9  
         (1,351     (8  
             254,075  

Accumulated deficit

     (2,729     (80,795     14,136       (5  
         (9,354     (6  
         (2,053     (9  
         (9,098     (6     (89,893
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     5,000       (69,967     229,156         164,189  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 203,394     $ 24,865     $ 20,194       $ 248,453  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 


Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

(A) Derived from the audited condensed balance sheet of the Gig Capital 3, Inc. as of December 31, 2020.

(B) Derived from the audited condensed consolidated balance sheet of Lightning Systems as of December 31, 2020.

(1) To reflect the release of $202,029,000 of investments and $2,000 of interest receivable held in the Trust Account as all amounts held in the Trust Account are to be released upon the consummation of the Business Combination to either be used to satisfy the exercise of redemption rights or for use by New Lightning eMotors.

(2) To reflect the sale under a subscription agreement with PIPE Investor of 2,500,000 shares at $10.00 per share for a total of $25.0 million.

(3) To reflect the issuance of Convertible Notes due in 2024 to Convertible Note Investors totaling $100 million, the derivative liability for the conversion feature, mandatory redemption and the interest make-whole provision ($42.5 million) and to reflect the debt discount resulting from the issuance of 8,695,652 warrants with the associated debt discount ($29.0 million). The Convertible Notes are convertible into Common Stock at a rate of 86.9565 shares per $1,000 of principal amount.

(4) To reflect the 5,816,664 shares redeemed into cash by the stockholders of GigCapital3, Inc. in conjunction with the vote to approve the Business Combination. To reflect the surrender of shares of Lightning Systems Capital Stock (including shares resulting from the conversion of notes, warrants and preferred stock), after redemption of the 5,816,664 shares of Common Stock, and the issuance of 50,652,890 shares of Common Stock ($0.0001 par value).

(5) To reflect the elimination of the historical accumulated deficit of GigCapital3, Inc., the accounting acquiree.

(6) To reflect the payment of estimated transaction costs of approximately $40.0 million, including debt issuance costs of $5.0 million, and deferred underwriters’ fees already accrued of $8.0 million, in conjunction with the Business Combination.

(7) To reflect the payoff of certain outstanding debt (the unsecured facility agreement and working capital facilities) of Lightning Systems, in conjunction with the closing of the Business Combination.

(8) To reflect the write off by Lightning Systems of the unamortized debt discount.

(9) To reclass the private placement warrants of GigCapital3, Inc. from equity to long-term liabilities at fair value


PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     (A)     (B)                    
     GigCapital3, Inc.     Lightning
Systems, Inc.
                   
     Period from
February 3, 2020
(Date of Inception)
through December 31,
2020
    Twelve months
ended
December 31,
2020
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Statement of
Operations
 

Revenue

   $ —       $ 9,088           9,088  

Cost of revenue

       11,087           11,087  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross profit

     —         (1,999     —           (1,999
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

          

Research and development

       1,309           1,309  

Sales, general, and administrative

     2,760       10,451       18,452       (5     31,663  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,760       11,760       18,452         32,972  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (2,760     (13,759     (18,452       (34,971
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Interest Expense

       2,983       (2,527     (4  
         1,667       (8  
         22,307       (3     24,430  

Loss (gain) from change in fair value of warrant liabilities

       20,835       (20,835     (2  
         2,053       (7     2,053  

Other expense, net

       76           76  

Interest (income) on marketable securities held in Trust Account

     (44       44       (1     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss before income tax expense

     (2,716     (37,653     (21,161       (61,530
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     13       —         (13     (1     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (2,729   $ (37,653   $ (21,148     $ (61,530
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (0.44   $ (11.18       $ (0.85
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders basic and diluted

     6,247,527       3,671,569       66,014,397       (6     72,261,924  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

(A) Derived from the audited statement of operations of the GigCapital3, Inc. for the period from inception (February 3, 2020) through December 31, 2020.

(B) Derived from the audited statement of operations of Lightning Systems for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(1) Represents an adjustment to eliminate both the interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of the beginning of the period and the corresponding income tax expense.

(2) To reflect the reversal of the loss from change in fair value of warrants liabilities incurred by Lightning Systems as the Business Combination is reflected as if it had occured at the beginning of the twelve-month period.


(3) To reflect the amortization of the regular interest plus the debt discount of $71.4 million on the notes financing ($42.5 million from the derivative liability and $28.9 million resulting from the warrants issued) over three years (the term of the loan) at a constant interest rate as if the loan had occurred at the beginning of the twelve-month period.

(4) To reflect the reversal of interest (including the amorization of debt discounts) on the unsecured facility agreement and other notes that would be either converted to common stock or paid off at the start of the twelve-month period as the Business Combination is reflected as if it had occured at the beginning of the twelve-month period.

(5) To expense advisory fees paid at deal consummation as if the Business Combination had occurred at the beginning of the twelve-month period.

(6) As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issuable to the Lightning Systems equity holders in the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented. This calculation has been adjusted to exclude shares redeemed prior to the Business Combination.

(7) To record change in fair value of GigCapital3, Inc. private warrants due to reclassification from equity to labilities at inception to year-end as the Business Combination is reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the twelve-month period.

(8) To record the first year of amortization of the debt issuance costs related to the $100 million Convertible Notes as the Business Combination is reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the twelve-month period.

 

     Twelve Months
Ended December 31,
2020 and Period
from February 3,
2020 (Date of
Inception) through
December 31, 2020
 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted:

 

GigCapital3, Inc. weighted average shares outstanding

     6,247,527  

GigCapital3, Inc. shares of common stock no longer subject to forfeiture

     15,000  

Sale of additional GigCapital3, Inc. shares in conjunction with the Business Combination

     2,500,000  

GigCapital3, Inc. shares previously subject to redemption which were not redeemed and reclassified to equity

     12,846,507  

Stockholder Earnout Shares (1)

     —    

Shares issued to Lightning Systems, Inc. in business combination

     50,652,890  
  

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     72,261,924  
  

 

 

 

Percent of shares owned by GigCapital3, Inc.

     30

Percent of shares owned by Lightning System, Inc.

     70


PRO FORMA CHANGE IN EQUITY ACCOUNTS

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    Shares     Common
Stock
    APIC     Shares     Convertible
Preferred
Stock
    Shares     Common
Stock
    APIC     Shares     Common
Stock
    APIC  

Beginning Balance

    7,230,308     $ 1     $ 7,728       30,120,057     $ 43,272       4,910,555     $ —       $ 10,828       12,140,863     $ 1     $ 18,556  

Sale of GigCapital3, Inc. shares under subscription agreement with PIPE Investor

                    2,500,000         25,000  

Surrender of Lightning Systems, Inc. common stock

              (4,910,555       (10,828     (4,910,555       —    

Surrender of Lightning Systems, Inc. preferred stock

          (30,120,057     (43,272               43,272  

Surrender of Lightning Systems, Inc. preferred stock converted from notes

                        9,679  

Write off of debt discount on notes converted

                        (1,351

Surrender of Lightning Systems, Inc. warrants

                        21,155  

GigCapital3, Inc. shares in exchange

                    50,652,890       5       (5

Shares previously subject to redemption but not redeemed and transferred to equity

                    12,846,507       1       129,738  

Recording of debt discount for warrants associated with the issuance of convertible notes

                        28,974  

Transaction costs classified as equity issuance costs paid at close

                        (6,521

Reclassification of GigCapital3, Inc. private warrants from equity to liabilities

                        (286

Eliminate historical accumulated deficit of GigCapital3, Inc.

                        (14,136
                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

                    73,229,705     $ 7     $ 254,075  
                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


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