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Form 8-K Soaring Eagle Acquisitio For: May 11

May 11, 2021 6:14 AM EDT

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 11, 2021

 

 

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands

 

001-40097

  N/A
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10075

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 209-7280

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-fifth of one redeemable warrant   SRNGU   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share   SRNG   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share, each at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   SRNGW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Merger Agreement

On May 11, 2021, Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“SRNG” or the “Company”), entered into an agreement and plan of merger by and among SRNG, SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG (“Merger Sub”), and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”) (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”). The merger was approved by SRNG’s board of directors on May 7, 2021. If the Merger Agreement is approved by SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s stockholders, and the closing conditions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are satisfied, then, among other things, (i) prior to the closing of the Business Combination, SRNG shall domesticate as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”), and the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) (the “Domestication”) and (ii) upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the DGCL, Merger Sub will merge with and into Ginkgo, with Ginkgo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG (the “Business Combination”). In addition, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, SRNG will be renamed “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.” and is referred to herein as “New Ginkgo” as of the time following such change of name.

Under the Merger Agreement, SRNG has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests in Ginkgo for approximately $15 billion in aggregate base equity consideration in the form of New Ginkgo common stock (at $10 per share) to be paid at the effective time of the Business Combination, plus approximately 180,000,000 earn-out shares of New Ginkgo common stock, which are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the vesting conditions described below are not satisfied on or before the fifth anniversary of the closing.

The base equity consideration will be allocated among Ginkgo’s equityholders as follows: (i) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock of Ginkgo immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination (including as a result of the automatic exercise of Ginkgo Preferred Warrants (defined below) by virtue of the occurrence of the Business Combination pursuant to the terms of such warrants) will receive, with respect to each share of Class A common stock or Class B common stock of Ginkgo such person holds, a number of shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, as applicable, of New Ginkgo calculated, in each case, based on the equity value exchange ratio as set forth in the Merger Agreement, (ii) each option exercisable for Class A common stock or Class B common stock of Ginkgo that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be assumed and converted into a newly issued option exercisable for shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, as applicable, of New Ginkgo (subject to the same terms and conditions as the original Ginkgo option and with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such option is exercisable and the exercise price thereof), (iii) each award of restricted common stock of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (a “Ginkgo Restricted Stock Award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive restricted common stock of New Ginkgo on the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Ginkgo Restricted Stock Award, (iv) each award of restricted stock units of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (a “Ginkgo Restricted Stock Unit Award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive restricted stock units based on common stock of New Ginkgo on the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Ginkgo Restricted Stock Unit Award and with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such restricted stock unit relates, and (v) each preferred warrant to purchase shares of Ginkgo capital stock (a “Ginkgo Preferred Warrant”) that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination that is not automatically exercised in full in accordance with its terms by virtue of the occurrence of the Business Combination will be assumed and converted into a warrant exercisable for Class A common stock of New Ginkgo on the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Ginkgo Preferred Warrant immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such preferred warrant is exercisable and the exercise price thereof.

As described above, the Merger Agreement also contemplates that the holders of Ginkgo common stock, Ginkgo options, Ginkgo Restricted Stock Awards, Ginkgo Restricted Stock Unit Awards, and Ginkgo preferred warrants outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will collectively be entitled


to receive up to approximately 180,000,000 earn-out shares of New Ginkgo common stock (the “Seller Earn-out Shares”), which are divided into four equal tranches subject to the below vesting terms during the five-year period following the closing date of the Business Combination (the “Earn-out Period”):

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, 25% of the Seller Earn-out Shares will immediately vest;

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, an additional 25% of the Seller Earn-out Shares will immediately vest;

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, an additional 25% of the Seller Earn-out Shares will immediately vest; and

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, the remaining 25% of the Seller Earn-out Shares will immediately vest.

The shares of Class B common stock of New Ginkgo will have the same economic terms as the shares of Class A common stock of New Ginkgo, but the shares of Class A common stock of New Ginkgo will have 1 vote per share and the Class B common stock of New Ginkgo will have 10 votes per share. Generally, the outstanding shares of Class B common stock of New Ginkgo will convert to shares of Class A common stock when the holder thereof ceases to be a director or employee of New Ginkgo or upon transfer to a person who is not a director or employee of New Ginkgo.

The parties to the Merger Agreement have made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, covenants with respect to the conduct of SRNG, Merger Sub, Ginkgo and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Business Combination.

The closing of the Business Combination is subject to certain customary conditions, including, among other things, the following mutual closing conditions: (i) approval by SRNG’s stockholders and Ginkgo’s stockholders of the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination and certain other actions related thereto; (ii) the expiration or termination of the waiting period (or any extension thereof) applicable under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976; and (iii) the shares of Class A common stock of New Ginkgo to be issued in connection with the Business Combination having been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market or the New York Stock Exchange (as determined by Ginkgo), subject only to official notice of issuance thereof. Ginkgo also has a closing condition (among others) that requires SRNG to have at least $1.25 billion of cash at the closing of the Business Combination, consisting of (A) cash held in its trust account after giving effect to redemptions of public shares, if any, but before giving effect to the payment of Ginkgo’s and SRNG’s outstanding transaction expenses, (B) the aggregate gross purchase price received by the Company pursuant to the Subscription Agreements (as defined below) and (C) subject to certain limitations, the amount of any equity investments in Ginkgo or SRNG between the date of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the Business Combination (other than the PIPE investments committed pursuant to the Subscription Agreements).

The Merger Agreement may be terminated by SRNG or Ginkgo under certain circumstances, including, among others, (i) by mutual written consent of SRNG and Ginkgo, (ii) subject to certain conditions and exceptions, by either SRNG or Ginkgo if the closing of the Business Combination has not occurred on or before November 11, 2021 (subject to extension under the circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement), and (iii) by SRNG or Ginkgo if SRNG has not obtained the required approval of its shareholders.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the parties to the Merger Agreement made to each other as of the date of the Merger Agreement or other specific dates as expressly set forth therein. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement has been attached to provide investors with information regarding its terms and is not intended to provide


any other factual information about SRNG, Ginkgo, Merger Sub or any other person. In particular, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, which were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of specific dates as expressly set forth therein, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties (including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts) and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors and reports and documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, or any descriptions thereof, as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of any party to the Merger Agreement. In addition, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and other terms of the Merger Agreement may be subject to subsequent waiver or modification. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties and other terms may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosures.

Subscription Agreements

The Company entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”), each dated as of May 11, 2021, with certain accredited investors, including an affiliate of Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC (the “Sponsor”) (collectively, the “Investors”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company agreed to issue and sell, in private placements to close immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination, an aggregate of 77,500,000 Class A common shares for $10.00 per share (the “PIPE Investment”) to the Investors (including 7,500,000 Class A common shares to an affiliate of the Sponsor). The Sponsor currently owns approximately 20% of the Company’s outstanding shares and certain members of the Company’s management are members of the Sponsor and its affiliate.

The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the form of Subscription Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

Registration Rights Agreement

The Company and SRNG have agreed to a form amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) that the Company, the Sponsor, Ginkgo and certain stockholders of Ginkgo (“Ginkgo Holders”, and collectively with the Sponsor, the “Holders”) will enter into at the closing of the Business Combination. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, New Ginkgo will be required to register for resale securities held by the stockholder of New Ginkgo (“New Ginkgo Holders”). In the event that any New Ginkgo Holder holds registrable securities that are no registered for resale, New Ginkgo shall only be required to update the registration statement at the request of the Sponsor or a New Ginkgo Holder twice per calendar year for each of the Sponsor and New Ginkgo Holders. In addition, the holders have certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to registrations initiated by New Ginkgo. New Ginkgo will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any registration statements pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

Company Stockholder Support Agreements

In connection with and following the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain Ginkgo stockholders (the “Ginkgo Supporting Stockholders”) entered into Ginkgo stockholder support agreement with SRNG and Merger Sub (the “Ginkgo Stockholder Support Agreements”). Under the Ginkgo Stockholder Support Agreements, each Ginkgo Supporting Stockholder agreed, within two business days after receiving notice from SRNG or Ginkgo that the SEC has declared the registration statement effective, to execute and deliver a written consent with respect to the outstanding shares of Ginkgo common stock and preferred stock held by such Ginkgo Supporting Stockholder adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the Business Combination and the recapitalization transaction in


connection with the Business Combination. The shares of Ginkgo common stock and preferred stock that are owned by the Ginkgo Supporting Stockholders and subject to the Ginkgo Stockholder Support Agreements represent approximately 90% of the outstanding voting power of Ginkgo common stock and preferred stock (on an as converted basis) and represent the requisite votes required to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Business Combination and the recapitalization transaction in connection with the Business Combination. In addition, the Ginkgo Stockholder Support Agreements prohibit the Ginkgo Supporting Stockholders from engaging in activities that have the effect of soliciting a competing acquisition proposal.

The foregoing description of the Support Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Ginkgo Stockholder Support Agreements filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Sponsor Support Agreement

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Sponsor and certain principals of the Sponsor (solely with respect to certain specified provisions) entered into an Agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) with Ginkgo and SRNG, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to vote all SRNG ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Sponsor in favor of each of the transaction proposals in connection with the Business Combination at any SRNG shareholder meeting, to use such Person’s commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions reasonably necessary to consummate the Business Combination and not to take any action that would reasonably be expected to materially delay or prevent the satisfaction of the conditions to the Business Combination set forth in the Merger Agreement.

The Sponsor Support Agreement provides that the Sponsor will not redeem any SRNG ordinary shares and will not commence or participate in, and will take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to or against SRNG, Ginkgo, any of their respective related persons, relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of the Merger Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement.

If the SRNG shareholders’ redemption of SRNG Class A ordinary shares in connection with the Business Combination (“Shareholder Redemption”) is in the amount of no greater than $387.5 million, the Sponsor will initially receive a number of shares of Class A common stock of New Ginkgo equal to 70% of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares it owns prior to the Closing, or 30,082,500 shares (the “Upfront Shares”). If the Shareholder Redemption is in an amount greater than $387.5 million, the Upfront Shares initially received by the Sponsor in connection with the Business Combination will be further reduced by a “Restructured Amount,” which is equal to 42,975,000 Class B ordinary shares held by the Sponsor immediately prior to the Closing multiplied by a percentage, the numerator of which is the dollar amount of the Shareholder Redemption, as offset by the amount of any incremental proceeds raised by SRNG outside of the PIPE Investment, and the denominator of which is the sum of SRNG’s trust account balance (before giving effect to the Shareholder Redemption) and the PIPE Investment amount of $775 million.

In connection with the Business Combination, the Sponsor will, subject to certain vesting conditions, be entitled receive a number of earn-out shares (the “Sponsor Earn-out Shares”) up to the difference between 30% of the number of Class B ordinary shares held by the Sponsor prior the Closing (or 12,892,500 shares), minus the excess (if any) of the Restructured Amount over the Upfront Shares, plus 25% of the Restructured Amount. The Sponsor Earn-out Shares are divided into four equal tranches that will vest in accordance with the same milestones applicable to the Seller Earn-out Shares described above under the section “Merger Agreement.”

The Sponsor also agreed that, at the Closing, it will forfeit 10% of the private place warrants it holds immediately prior to the Closing and that, contingent upon the Closing, it will waive any anti-dilution right pursuant to the organizational documents of SRNG.

After the Closing and through New Ginkgo’s first annual meeting of stockholders, New Ginkgo will nominate, and will use its reasonable best efforts to have elected or appointed to the board of directors of New Ginkgo (the “New Ginkgo Board”) at least one of the Sponsor’s designee to the initial New Ginkgo Board.


The foregoing description of the Sponsor Support Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Sponsor Support Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the issuance of shares of SRNG common stock is incorporated by reference herein. The shares of SRNG common stock issuable in connection with the PIPE Investment will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 11, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein is the investor presentation dated May 2021, which will be used by the Company with respect to the Business Combination.

Attached as Exhibit 99.3 and incorporated herein by reference is a summary of certain risk factors that are applicable to the Business Combination and the business of Ginkgo, made available to potential investors in the PIPE Investment.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings. This Current Report on Form 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information of the information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3.

Important Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed Business Combination, the Company intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of the Company’s ordinary shares in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by the Company’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the securities of the Company to be issued in the Business Combination. The Company’s shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration Statement and the amendments thereto and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as these materials will contain important information about the parties to the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Business Combination. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of the Company as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075, Attention: Eli Baker, Chief Financial Officer, (310) 209-7280.


Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in the Company is contained in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, which was initially filed with the SEC on December 23, 2020, and is available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075, Attention: Eli Baker, Chief Financial Officer, (310) 209-7280. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be contained in the Registration Statement when available.

Ginkgo and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Company in connection with the Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the Business Combination will be contained in the Registration Statement when available.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between Ginkgo and the Company, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the services offered by Ginkgo and the markets in which it operates, and Ginkgo’s projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by the Company, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the agreement and plan of merger by the shareholders of the Company and Ginkgo, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by the Company’s public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed transaction, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the agreement and plan of merger, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Ginkgo’s business relationships, performance, and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans of Ginkgo and potential difficulties in Ginkgo employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction, (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Ginkgo or against the Company related to the agreement and plan of merger or the proposed transaction, (ix) the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s securities on Nasdaq, (x) volatility in the price of the Company’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (xi) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, and (xii) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination, and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

No Offer or Solicitation

This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This Current Report on Form 8-K shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of


securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d)

Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

2.1    Merger Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2021, by and among Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., SRNG Merger Sub Inc. and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.†
10.1    Form of Subscription Agreement.
10.2    Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.
10.3    Company Stockholder Support Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2021, by and among Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., SRNG Merger Sub Inc. and certain Supporting Stockholders of Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.
10.4    Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2021, by and among Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. and certain of its shareholders.
99.1    Press Release, dated May 11, 2021.
99.2    Investor Presentation, dated May 2021.
99.3    Summary Risk Factors.

 

Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its 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.

 

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Eli Baker

Name:   Eli Baker
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 11, 2021

Exhibit 2.1

 

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.,

SEAC MERGER SUB INC.,

and

GINKGO BIOWORKS, INC.

dated as of May 11, 2021

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS      4  

Section 1.1.

 

Definitions

     4  

Section 1.2.

 

Construction

     22  

Section 1.3.

 

Knowledge

     23  

Section 1.4.

 

Equitable Adjustments

     23  
ARTICLE II THE TRANSACTIONS      24  

Section 2.1.

 

Domestication

     24  

Section 2.2.

 

Pre-Closing Recapitalization

     25  

Section 2.3.

 

The Merger

     25  

Section 2.4.

 

Merger Effective Time

     25  

Section 2.5.

 

Effect of the Merger

     25  

Section 2.6.

 

Governing Documents

     26  

Section 2.7.

 

Directors and Officers

     26  

Section 2.8.

 

Reorganization Tax Matters

     26  
ARTICLE III CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTIONS      27  

Section 3.1.

 

Closing

     27  

Section 3.2.

 

Pre-Closing Deliverables

     27  

Section 3.3.

 

FIRPTA Certificate

     27  

Section 3.4.

 

Closing Payments

     27  

Section 3.5.

 

Further Assurances

     28  
ARTICLE IV MERGER CONSIDERATION; CONVERSION OF SECURITIES      28  

Section 4.1.

 

Merger Consideration.

     28  

Section 4.2.

 

Conversion of Company Common Shares in the Merger.

     28  

Section 4.3.

 

Exchange Procedures

     29  

Section 4.4.

 

Treatment of Company Preferred Warrants

     31  

Section 4.5.

 

Treatment of Company Equity Awards

     32  

Section 4.6.

 

Earn-out.

     33  

Section 4.7.

 

Withholding

     35  
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY      36  

Section 5.1.

 

Company Organization

     36  

Section 5.2.

 

Subsidiaries

     36  

Section 5.3.

 

Due Authorization.

     36  

Section 5.4.

 

No Conflict

     37  

Section 5.5.

 

Governmental Authorities; Consents

     38  

Section 5.6.

 

Capitalization of the Company.

     38  

Section 5.7.

 

Capitalization of Subsidiaries.

     39  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

Section 5.8.

 

Financial Statements

     40  

Section 5.9.

 

Undisclosed Liabilities

     40  

Section 5.10.

 

Absence of Changes

     41  

Section 5.11.

 

Litigation and Proceedings

     41  

Section 5.12.

 

Legal Compliance

     41  

Section 5.13.

 

Contracts; No Defaults.

     41  

Section 5.14.

 

Company Benefit Plans.

     43  

Section 5.15.

 

Labor Relations; Employees.

     45  

Section 5.16.

 

Taxes

     46  

Section 5.17.

 

Brokers’ Fees

     48  

Section 5.18.

 

Insurance

     48  

Section 5.19.

 

Licenses

     48  

Section 5.20.

 

Equipment and Other Tangible Property

     48  

Section 5.21.

 

Real Property.

     50  

Section 5.22.

 

Intellectual Property.

     50  

Section 5.23.

 

Privacy and Cybersecurity.

     51  

Section 5.24.

 

Environmental Matters

     52  

Section 5.25.

 

Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance.

     52  

Section 5.26.

 

Sanctions and International Trade Compliance.

     53  

Section 5.27.

 

Information Supplied

     53  

Section 5.28.

 

Customers.

     53  

Section 5.29.

 

Vendors.

     54  

Section 5.30.

 

Sufficiency of Assets

     54  

Section 5.31.

 

Related Party Transactions

     54  

Section 5.32.

 

Investment Company Act

     54  

Section 5.33.

 

No Additional Representation or Warranties

     54  
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB      55  

Section 6.1.

 

Company Organization

     55  

Section 6.2.

 

Due Authorization.

     55  

Section 6.3.

 

No Conflict

     57  

Section 6.4.

 

Governmental Authorities; Consents

     57  

Section 6.5.

 

Litigation and Proceedings

     57  

Section 6.6.

 

SEC Filings

     58  

Section 6.7.

 

Internal Controls; Listing; Financial Statements.

     58  

Section 6.8.

 

Undisclosed Liabilities

     59  

Section 6.9.

 

Absence of Changes

     59  

Section 6.10.

 

Trust Account

     59  

Section 6.11.

 

Investment Company Act; JOBS Act

     60  

Section 6.12.

 

Capitalization of Acquiror.

     60  

Section 6.13.

 

PIPE Investment

     61  

Section 6.14.

 

Brokers’ Fees

     62  

Section 6.15.

 

Indebtedness; SPAC Expenses

     62  

Section 6.16.

 

Taxes

     62  

Section 6.17.

 

Business Activities

     64  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

Section 6.18.

 

Nasdaq Stock Market Quotation

     65  

Section 6.19.

 

Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and Proxy Statement/Registration Statement

     65  

Section 6.20.

 

No Additional Representation or Warranties

     65  
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY      66  

Section 7.1.

 

Conduct of Business

     66  

Section 7.2.

 

Inspection

     68  

Section 7.3.

 

Preparation and Delivery of Additional Company Financial Statements

     69  

Section 7.4.

 

Affiliate Agreements

     69  

Section 7.5.

 

Acquisition Proposals

     69  
ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR      70  

Section 8.1.

 

Employee Matters

     70  

Section 8.2.

 

Trust Account Proceeds and Related Available Equity

     71  

Section 8.3.

 

Listing Matters

     71  

Section 8.4.

 

No Solicitation by Acquiror

     71  

Section 8.5.

 

Acquiror Conduct of Business

     72  

Section 8.6.

 

Post-Closing Directors and Officers of Acquiror

     73  

Section 8.7.

 

Indemnification and Insurance

     73  

Section 8.8.

 

Acquiror Public Filings

     75  

Section 8.9.

 

PIPE Subscriptions

     75  
ARTICLE IX JOINT COVENANTS      75  

Section 9.1.

 

HSR Act; Other Filings

     75  

Section 9.2.

 

Preparation of Proxy Statement/Registration Statement; Shareholders’ Meeting and Approvals

     76  

Section 9.3.

 

Support of Transaction

     79  

Section 9.4.

 

Tax Matters

     80  

Section 9.5.

 

Section 16 Matters

     80  

Section 9.6.

 

Cooperation; Consultation

     80  

Section 9.7.

 

Transaction Litigation

     80  
ARTICLE X CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS      81  

Section 10.1.

 

Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror, Merger Sub, and the Company

     81  

Section 10.2.

 

Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror and Merger Sub

     81  

Section 10.3.

 

Conditions to Obligation of the Company

     83  

Section 10.4.

 

Frustration of Conditions

     83  
ARTICLE XI TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS      83  

Section 11.1.

 

Termination

     83  

Section 11.2.

 

Effect of Termination

     85  

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS      85  

Section 12.1.

 

Trust Account Waiver

     85  

Section 12.2.

 

Notices

     86  

Section 12.3.

 

Assignment

     87  

Section 12.4.

 

Rights of Third Parties

     87  

Section 12.5.

 

Expenses

     87  

Section 12.6.

 

Governing Law

     87  

Section 12.7.

 

Counterparts

     87  

Section 12.8.

 

Company and Acquiror Disclosure Letters

     87  

Section 12.9.

 

Entire Agreement

     87  

Section 12.10.

 

Amendments

     88  

Section 12.11.

 

Waivers

     88  

Section 12.12.

 

Confidentiality; Publicity.

     88  

Section 12.13.

 

Severability

     89  

Section 12.14.

 

Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

     89  

Section 12.15.

 

Enforcement

     89  

Section 12.16.

 

Non-Recourse

     89  

Section 12.17.

 

Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants

     90  

Section 12.18.

 

Conflicts and Privilege

     90  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Certificate of Incorporation of Acquiror upon Domestication
Exhibit B    Form of Bylaws of Acquiror upon Domestication
Exhibit C    Form of Company Stockholder Support Agreement
Exhibit D    Sponsor Support Agreement
Exhibit E    Form of Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit F    Form of Certificate of Merger
Exhibit G    Form of Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Company
Exhibit H    Form of Bylaws of Surviving Company

 

-iv-


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 11, 2021 (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into by and among Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (which shall domesticate as a Delaware corporation in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) (together with its successor, “Acquiror”), SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror (“Merger Sub”), and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”, and each of them is sometimes individually referred to herein as a “Party”. Certain terms used in this Agreement have the respective meanings ascribed to them in Section 1.1.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Acquiror is a blank check company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses;

WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a newly formed, direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror incorporated for the purpose of effecting the Merger;

WHEREAS, subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, prior to the Closing, Acquiror will change its jurisdiction of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware by effecting the Domestication in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and the Cayman Islands Companies Act (the “Companies Act”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Domestication, Acquiror will amend and restate its Governing Documents by (a) adopting and filing with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of incorporation substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (the “Acquiror Delaware Charter”), which will, among other things, implement a dual-class stock structure wherein Acquiror’s common stock will consist of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares, which will entitle the holders thereof to one vote per share on all voting matters, and Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares, which will carry economic rights (including dividend and liquidation rights) identical to those carried by the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares but will entitle the holders thereof to ten votes per share on all voting matters (the “Dual-Class Stock Structure”), and (b) adopting bylaws substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B (the “Acquiror Delaware Bylaws”);

WHEREAS, at the Domestication Effective Time, by virtue of the Domestication, (a) each Acquiror Cayman Class B Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Effective Time will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an Acquiror Cayman Class A Share, (b) immediately following the conversion described in the preceding clause (a), each Acquiror Cayman Class A Share that is then issued and outstanding will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an Acquiror Delaware Class A Share, (c) each Acquiror Cayman Warrant that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Effective Time will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an Acquiror Delaware Warrant and (d) each Acquiror Cayman Unit that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Effective Time will convert automatically into one Acquiror Delaware Class A Share and one-fifth of one Acquiror Delaware Warrant;

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing, in order to facilitate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger and the implementation of the Dual-Class Stock Structure), the Company will be recapitalized such that, immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, the Company’s authorized capital stock shall consist solely of Company Class A Shares and Company Class B Shares (the “Company Recapitalization”);


WHEREAS, after the Domestication Effective Time and prior to the Merger Effective Time, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Subscription Agreements, the PIPE Investors will purchase from Acquiror in a private placement certain Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares for an aggregate purchase price equal to the PIPE Investment Amount (the “PIPE Investment”);

WHEREAS, at the Merger Effective Time, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), whereupon the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”) and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror;

WHEREAS, at the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, (a) each Company Class A Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Standard Per Share Equity Value Consideration and, subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration and (b) each Company Class B Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Employee Per Share Equity Value Consideration and, subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration;

WHEREAS, each of the Parties intends that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, to which each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company are to be parties under Section 368(b) of the Code, this Agreement is intended to constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and the Merger and the PIPE Investment, taken together, shall constitute a transaction that qualifies under Section 351 of the Code;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders, and declared it advisable, for the Company to enter into this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party, (b) approved the Company’s execution and delivery of, and performance of its obligations under, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Company Recapitalization and the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, and (c) adopted a resolution recommending the approval and (as applicable) adoption of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Company Recapitalization and the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, by the Company Stockholders (the determinations, approvals and other actions described in each of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), the “Company Board Actions”);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Acquiror (the “Acquiror Board”) has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of Acquiror and the Acquiror Shareholders, and declared it advisable, for Acquiror to enter into this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror is, or is contemplated to be, a party, (b) approved the transactions contemplated hereby as a Business Combination and approved Acquiror’s execution and delivery of, and performance of its obligations under, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the transactions

 

2


contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Domestication and the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, and (c) adopted a resolution recommending the approval and (as applicable) adoption of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Domestication, the PIPE Investment and the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, by the Acquiror Shareholders (the determinations, approvals and other actions described in each of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), the “Acquiror Board Actions”);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Merger Sub has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole stockholder, and declared it advisable, for Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party, (b) approved Merger Sub’s execution and delivery of, and performance of its obligations under, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, and (c) adopted a resolution recommending the approval and (to the extent applicable) adoption of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, by Merger Sub’s sole stockholder;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the Parties’ execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to Acquiror’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, each of the Supporting Company Stockholders has entered into a support agreement substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C (each, a “Company Stockholder Support Agreement”) with the Company, pursuant to which, among other things, such Supporting Company Stockholder has agreed, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, to vote all of its Company Shares, promptly after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, in favor of the approval and (to the extent applicable) adoption of this Agreement, each applicable Ancillary Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) and each other matter required to be approved or adopted by the Company Stockholders in order to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby;

WHEREAS, Acquiror, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, has approved and adopted this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Agreement and has approved the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the Parties’ execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, the Sponsor, which is the record holder of the issued and outstanding Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares, and certain principals thereof have entered into the support agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) with Acquiror and the Company, pursuant to which, among other things, the Sponsor and such principals have agreed, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (a) to vote all of their Acquiror Shares in favor of the approval and (to the extent applicable) adoption of this Agreement, each applicable Ancillary Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Domestication and the Merger) and each other matter required to be approved or adopted by the Acquiror Shareholders in order to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (b) to irrevocably waive any anti-dilution right or other protection with respect to the Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares that would result in the Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares converting into other Acquiror Shares in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at a ratio greater than one-for-one, (c) to forfeit a specified portion of the aggregate number of Acquiror Shares into which the Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares otherwise would automatically convert in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the event that the Acquiror Share Redemption Amount exceeds a specified threshold and (d) to subject a portion of their Equity Securities of Acquiror to certain vesting and forfeiture conditions;

 

3


WHEREAS, in connection with obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approval, each eligible Acquiror Shareholder will be entitled to request that Acquiror redeem all or a portion of such eligible Acquiror Shareholder’s Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount on deposit in the Trust Account; and

WHEREAS, at the Closing, Acquiror and certain stockholders of Acquiror (after giving effect to the Domestication and the Merger) will enter into a registration rights agreement substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit E (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), which shall be effective as of the Closing.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2019 Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.8(a).

2020 Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 7.3.

2020 Unaudited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.8(a).

Acquiror” has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.

Acquiror Board” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Board Actions” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Cayman Class A Share” means a Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror prior to the Domestication Effective Time.

Acquiror Cayman Class B Share” means a Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror prior to the Domestication Effective Time.

Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Share” means any Acquiror Cayman Class A Share or the Acquiror Cayman Class B Share.

Acquiror Cayman Share” means any Acquiror Cayman Class A Share, Acquiror Cayman Class B Share or share of any other class or series of capital stock of Acquiror prior to the Domestication Effective Time.

Acquiror Cayman Unit” means a unit of Acquiror prior to the Domestication Effective Time, consisting of one Acquiror Cayman Class A Share and one-fifth of one Acquiror Cayman Warrant.

 

4


Acquiror Cayman Warrant” means a warrant to purchase one Acquiror Cayman Class A Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the Warrant Agreement).

Acquiror Closing Cash Amount” means an amount, calculated as of the Closing, equal to the sum of (a) the amount of cash available in the Trust Account after deducting the Acquiror Share Redemption Amount (but prior to payment of any Acquiror Transaction Expenses or Company Transaction Expenses), plus (b) the PIPE Investment Amount, to the extent actually received by Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries substantially concurrently with the Closing and held by Acquiror as of the Closing plus (c) the portion of the Net Ancillary Investment Amount, if any, resulting from Ancillary Investments arranged solely by Acquiror or any of its Representatives acting on its behalf (and not arranged by the Company or any of its Representatives acting on its behalf).

Acquiror Delaware Bylaws” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Delaware Charter” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Delaware Class A Share” means a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror at or after the Domestication Effective Time, which, as of immediately after the Domestication Effective Time and as of immediately after the Merger Effective Time, will entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all voting matters.

Acquiror Delaware Class B Share” means a share of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror at or after the Domestication Effective Time, which, as of immediately after the Domestication Effective Time and as of immediately after the Merger Effective Time, will entitle the holder thereof to ten votes per share on all voting matters.

Acquiror Delaware Common Share” means any Acquiror Delaware Class A Share, Acquiror Delaware Class B Share or share of any other class or series of common stock of Acquiror at or after the Domestication Effective Time.

Acquiror Delaware Share” means any Acquiror Delaware Common Share or share of any other class or series of capital stock of Acquiror at or after the Domestication Effective Time.

Acquiror Delaware Warrant” means a warrant to purchase one Acquiror Delaware Class A Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the Warrant Agreement).

Acquiror Disclosure Letter” has the meaning specified in the introduction to Article VI.

Acquiror Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 6.7(d).

Acquiror Indemnified Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 8.7(a).

Acquiror Inception Date” means October 22, 2020.

Acquiror Insider” means (a) the Sponsor, (b) any Related Person of the Sponsor or (c) prior to the Merger Effective Time, (i) any Affiliate of Acquiror or (ii) any director or officer of Acquiror or any of its Affiliates.

Acquiror IPO Date” means February 26, 2021.

Acquiror Option” has the meaning specified in Section 4.5(a).

 

5


Acquiror Private Placement Warrant” means an Acquiror Cayman Warrant issued to the Sponsor substantially concurrently with Acquiror’s initial public offering or any Acquiror Delaware Warrant into which such Acquiror Cayman Warrant has been converted or for which such Acquiror Cayman Warrant has been exchanged.

Acquiror Public Warrant” means any Acquiror Warrant other than an Acquiror Private Placement Warrant.

Acquiror Restricted Stock Award” has the meaning specified in Section 4.5(b).

Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award” has the meaning specified in Section 4.5(b).

Acquiror Sale” means (a) any transaction or series of related transactions (whether by merger, consolidation, tender offer, exchange offer, stock transfer or otherwise) that results in any Third-Party Purchaser acquiring beneficial ownership of Equity Securities of Acquiror that represent more than 50% of (i) the issued and outstanding Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares or (ii) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting Equity Securities of Acquiror or (b) any sale, transfer or other disposition to a Third-Party Purchaser of all or more than 50% of the assets (by value), or assets generating at least 50% of the gross revenues or net income, of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (other than any sale, transfer or other disposition of property or assets in the ordinary course of business). For clarity, the preceding clause (a) shall include any merger or consolidation of Acquiror with any Person if immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent, or are not converted into, voting securities representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the combined voting power of all of the outstanding voting securities (other than the successor security to Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares) of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent company thereof.

Acquiror Sale Price” means the price per Acquiror Delaware Class A Share paid or payable to the holders of outstanding Acquiror Common Shares (determined without giving effect to the vesting contemplated by Section 4.6(g)) in an Acquiror Sale, inclusive of any escrows, holdbacks or fixed deferred purchase price, but exclusive of any contingent deferred purchase price, earnouts or the like; provided that, if and to the extent such price is payable in whole or in part in the form of consideration other than cash, the price for such non-cash consideration shall be (a) with respect to any securities, (i) the average of the closing prices of the sales of such securities on all securities exchanges on which such securities are then listed, averaged over a period of 21 days consisting of the day as of which such value is being determined and the 20 consecutive Business Days preceding such day, or (ii) if the information contemplated by the preceding clause (i) is not practically available, then the fair value of such securities as of the date of valuation as determined in accordance with the succeeding clause (b), and (b) with respect to any other non-cash assets, the fair value thereof as of the date of valuation, as determined by an independent, nationally recognized investment banking firm mutually selected by Acquiror and the holders of a majority of the Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares, on the basis of an orderly sale to a willing, unaffiliated buyer in an arm’s-length transaction, taking into account all factors determinative of value as the investment banking firm determines relevant (and giving effect to any transfer Taxes payable in connection with such sale).

Acquiror SEC Filings” has the meaning specified in Section 6.6.

Acquiror Share” means any Acquiror Cayman Share or any Acquiror Delaware Share.

 

6


Acquiror Share Redemption” means the election, in connection with the Acquiror Shareholder Approval, of an eligible (as determined in accordance with Article 51.5 of Acquiror’s Governing Documents as in effect on the date hereof) Acquiror Shareholder to have all or a portion of the Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares or Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares, as the case may be, held by such Acquiror Shareholder redeemed by Acquiror, on the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in Acquiror’s Governing Documents, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient of (a) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account (including interest earned on funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Acquiror to pay taxes) calculated as of two Business Days prior to the Closing Date divided by (b) the aggregate number of Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares or Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares, as the case may be, then issued.

Acquiror Share Redemption Amount” means the aggregate amount paid or payable in connection with all Acquiror Share Redemptions.

Acquiror Shareholder” means any shareholder of Acquiror prior to the Merger Effective Time.

Acquiror Shareholder Approval” means the approval of (a) the Transaction Proposal identified in clause (A) of Section 9.2(c) by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents) at a shareholders’ meeting duly called by the Board of Directors of Acquiror and held for such purpose, (b) those Transaction Proposals identified in clauses (B) and (C) of Section 9.2(c), in each case, by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents) at a shareholders’ meeting duly called by the Board of Directors of Acquiror and held for such purpose and (c) those Transaction Proposals identified in clauses (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) of Section 9.2(c), in each case, by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents), in each case, at an Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting duly called by the Board of Directors of Acquiror and held for such purpose.

Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(c).

Acquiror Trading Price” means, at any given time, the trading price per share of Acquiror Delaware Class A Common Shares as reported by Bloomberg or, if not available on Bloomberg, as reported by Morningstar.

Acquiror Transaction Expenses” means the following out-of-pocket fees and expenses paid or payable by Acquiror (whether or not billed or accrued for) as a result of or in connection with its initial public offering or the negotiation, documentation and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby: (a) all fees, costs, expenses, brokerage fees, commissions, finders’ fees and disbursements of financial advisors, investment banks, data room administrators, attorneys, accountants and other advisors and service providers, (b) 50% of all the filing fees incurred in connection with making any filings under Section 9.1, (c) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with effecting the Domestication, preparing and filing the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement or the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement under Section 9.2, obtaining approval of Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, under Section 8.3(b) and obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approval, (d) obligations under any Working Capital Loans and (e) any deferred underwriting commissions and other fees and expenses relating to Acquiror’s initial public offering.

Acquiror Warrant” means an Acquiror Cayman Warrant or an Acquiror Delaware Warrant (including any Acquiror Private Placement Warrant or Acquiror Public Warrant).

 

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Acquiror Warrantholder Approval” means the approval of the Acquiror Warrant Proposal by an affirmative vote of the holders of (a) at least 50% of the outstanding Acquiror Public Warrants and (b) at least 50% of the outstanding Acquiror Private Placement Warrants.

Acquiror Warrant Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(b).

Acquisition Proposal” means (a) any offer, inquiry, proposal or indication of interest (whether written or oral, and whether binding or non-binding), other than with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Company Recapitalization and the Merger), and other than with respect to any acquisition or disposition of property or assets in the ordinary course of business, relating to (i) any acquisition, issuance or purchase, direct or indirect, of (A) 15% or more of the consolidated assets (by value), or assets generating 15% or more of the consolidated revenues or net income, of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (B) 15% or more of any class or series of Equity Securities of (x) the Company or (y) any Subsidiary of the Company holding assets constituting, individually or in the aggregate, 15% or more of the consolidated assets (by value), or assets generating 15% or more of the consolidated revenues or net income, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) any tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any Person or group beneficially owning (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) 15% or more of any class of Equity Securities or voting securities of (A) the Company or (B) any Subsidiary of the Company holding assets constituting, individually or in the aggregate, 15% or more of the consolidated assets (by value), or assets generating 15% or more of the consolidated revenues or net income, of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iii) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, sale of substantially all the assets, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving (A) the Company or (B) any Subsidiary of the Company holding assets constituting, individually or in the aggregate, 15% or more of the consolidated assets (by value), or assets generating 15% or more of the consolidated revenues or net income, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and of which the Company or its applicable Subsidiary is not the surviving entity or (b) any initial public offering or direct listing of the Company on any stock exchange.

Action” means any claim, action, suit, audit, examination, assessment, arbitration, mediation or inquiry, or any proceeding or investigation, by or before any Governmental Authority.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, whether through one or more intermediaries or otherwise. The term “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise.

Affiliate Agreements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.13(a)(vii).

Aggregate Assumed Warrant Exercise Price” means the aggregate exercise price that would be paid to the Company in respect of all Assumed Warrants if all such Assumed Warrants were exercised in full on a cash basis immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (without giving effect to any net exercise or similar concept).

Aggregate Company Option Exercise Price” means the aggregate exercise price that would be paid to the Company in respect of all in-the-money Company Options that are Included Company Equity Awards if all such Company Options were exercised in full on a cash basis immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (without giving effect to any net exercise or similar concept).

 

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Aggregate Equity Value” means an amount equal to the sum of (a) the Base Equity Value plus (b) the Aggregate Company Option Exercise Price plus (c) the Aggregate Assumed Warrant Exercise Price plus (d) the Excess Acquiror Transaction Expenses Amount.

Aggregate Equity Value Consideration” means a number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares equal to the quotient of (a) the Aggregate Equity Value divided by (b) $10.00.

Aggregate Earn-out Consideration” means 180,000,000 restricted Acquiror Delaware Common Shares.

Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.

Ancillary Agreements” means the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Company Stockholder Support Agreements, the Acquiror Delaware Charter, the Acquiror Delaware Bylaws, and the Registration Rights Agreement.

Ancillary Investment” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Sponsor Support Agreement.

Anti-Bribery Laws” means the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and all other applicable anti-corruption and bribery Laws (including the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder or other Laws of other countries implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials).

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means all applicable Laws related to the prevention of money laundering, including the U.S. Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, the U.S. Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (commonly referred to as the “U.S. Bank Secrecy Act”) and similar Laws in other applicable jurisdictions.

Antitrust Authorities” means the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission or the antitrust or competition Law authorities of any other jurisdiction (whether United States, foreign or multinational).

Antitrust Information or Document Request” means any request or demand for the production, delivery or disclosure of documents or other evidence, or any request or demand for the production of witnesses for interviews or depositions or other oral or written testimony, by any Antitrust Authority relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Applicable Earn-out Consideration” means (a) the Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration, (b) the Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration, (c) the Option Earn-out Shares and/or (d) the RSU Earn-out Shares, as applicable.

Applicable Earn-out Recipient” means any Person entitled to any Applicable Earn-out Consideration.

Base Equity Value” means $15,000,000,000.

Business Combination” has the meaning set forth in Article 1.1 of Acquiror’s Governing Documents as in effect on the date hereof.

Business Combination Deadline Date” means August 26, 2023, the deadline for consummating Acquiror’s initial Business Combination pursuant to Acquiror’s Governing Documents.

 

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Business Combination Proposal” means any offer, inquiry, proposal or indication of interest (whether written or oral, and whether binding or non-binding), other than with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, relating to a Business Combination.

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

Cayman Registrar” means the Register of Companies in the Cayman Islands.

Certificate of Domestication” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4.

Closing” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.

“Closing Company Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 7.3.

Closing Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Companies Act” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Company” has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.

Company Benefit Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14(a).

Company Board” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Company Board Actions” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Company Class A Share” means a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, which, as of immediately after the Company Recapitalization, will entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all voting matters.

Company Class B Share” means a share of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, which, as of immediately after the Company Recapitalization, will entitle the holder thereof to ten votes per share on all voting matters.

Company Common Share” means any share of any class or series of common stock of the Company, including, after the Company Recapitalization, any Company Class A Share or Company Class B Share.

Company Disclosure Letter” has the meaning specified in the introduction to Article V.

Company Equity Award” means a Company Option, a Company Restricted Stock Award or a Company Restricted Stock Unit Award.

Company Stockholder Support Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Company Incentive Plans” means the Company 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and the Company 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

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Company Indemnified Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 8.7(a).

Company IT Systems” means any and all IT Systems that are owned by, licensed or leased to or otherwise under the control of the Company.

Company Material Adverse Effect” means any event, state of facts, development, circumstance, occurrence or effect (any of the foregoing, an “Event”) that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that in no event will any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be, a “Company Material Adverse Effect”: (a) any change or proposed change in applicable Laws or GAAP or any interpretation thereof, (b) any change in interest rates or economic, political, business, financial, commodity, currency or market conditions generally, (c) the taking or omission of any action required by or expressly and affirmatively permitted by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or with the written consent of Acquiror, (d) any natural disaster (including hurricanes, storms, tornados, flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, volcanic eruptions or similar occurrences), pandemic or epidemic or other public health crisis (including COVID-19), “force majeure” event or calamity (whether or not caused by any Person), state of emergency declared by any Governmental Authority, change in climate or weather conditions, or any action (including the issuance of any directive, pronouncement or guideline) by any Governmental Authority or self-regulatory organization in response to any of the foregoing (or change in any such action previously taken), (e) any act of terrorism, sabotage (including any cyberattack) not perpetrated by any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, war, outbreak or escalation of hostilities, commencement or escalation of military action, act of mass protest or state of civil unrest, or any action (including the issuance of any directive, pronouncement or guideline) by any Governmental Authority or self-regulatory organization in response to any of the foregoing (or change in any such action previously taken), (f) municipal, state, national or international political conditions, (g) any failure of the Company to meet any projection, forecast or budget (provided that this clause (g) shall not prevent a determination that any Event not otherwise excluded from this definition of Company Material Adverse Effect underlying such failure constitutes a Company Material Adverse Effect), (h) any Event generally affecting the industries or markets in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries operates (including increases in the cost of products, supplies, materials or other goods or labor or other services), (i) the announcement or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including, as a result thereof, any termination of, reduction in or other adverse impact on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with any lessor, lessee, licensor, licensee, customer, distributor, vendor, supplier, partner, employee or other service provider or other business relation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (j) any Liability or Action to the extent expressly described in the Company Disclosure Letter, (k) action taken by, or at the request of, Acquiror, Sponsor or any of their respective Affiliates; provided, further, that any Event referred to in any of the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (d), (e), (f) and (h) may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred to the extent that it has a disproportionate and adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to companies in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct their respective operations, but only to the extent of the incremental disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to companies in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct their respective operations.

Company Option” means an option to purchase Company Common Shares granted under any Company Incentive Plan.

 

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Company Owned Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property that is owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including Company Registered Intellectual Property.

Company Preferred Share” means any Series B Preferred Share, Series C Preferred Share, Series D Preferred Share, Series E Preferred Share or share of any other class or series of preferred stock of the Company.

Company Preferred Warrant” means any Series B Preferred Warrant, Series D Preferred Warrant or any other warrant of any class or series issued by the Company and outstanding from time to time.

Company Recapitalization” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Company Registered Intellectual Property” has the meaning specified in Section 5.22(a).

Company Restricted Stock Award” means an award of restricted Company Common Shares granted under any Company Incentive Plan, which includes any Company Common Shares issued pursuant to early-exercised Company Options.

Company Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an award of restricted stock units based on Company Common Shares (whether to be settled in cash or shares) granted under any Company Incentive Plan.

Company Share” means any Company Preferred Share, Company Common Share or other share of any class or series of capital stock of the Company.

Company Stockholder” means a holder of any Company Share.

Company Stockholder Approval” means the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Company Recapitalization and the Merger, by the affirmative vote or written consent of (a) the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Company Shares voting as a single class and on an as-converted basis, (b) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Company Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class on an as-converted basis, (c) the holders of at least 72% of the outstanding Series D Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, and (e) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series E Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class.

Company Stockholder Support Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Company Transaction Expenses” means the following out-of-pocket fees and expenses paid or payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not billed or accrued for) as a result of or in connection with the negotiation, documentation and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby: (a) all fees, costs, expenses, brokerage fees, commissions, finders’ fees and disbursements of financial advisors, investment banks, data room administrators, attorneys, accountants and other advisors and service providers, (b) change-in-control payments, transaction bonuses, retention payments, severance or similar compensatory payments payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any current or former employee (including any amounts due under any consulting agreement with any such former employee), independent contractor, officer, or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby (and not tied to any subsequent event or condition, such as a termination of employment), including the employer portion of payroll Taxes arising therefrom, (c) Transfer Taxes, (d) 50% of all the filing fees incurred in connection with making any filings under Section 9.1 and (e) amounts owing or that may become owed, payable or otherwise due, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including fees, costs and expenses related to the termination of any Affiliate Agreement.

 

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Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2021, between the Company and Acquiror.

Consent Solicitation” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(b).

Contract” means any contract, agreement, instrument, lease, license, purchase order or other obligation, in each case, that is legally binding.

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

COVID-19” means the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 or any related strain or sequence, including any intensification, resurgence or any evolutions or mutations thereof, and any related or associated epidemics, pandemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies.

D&O Indemnified Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 8.7(a).

DGCL” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Disclosure Letter” means, as applicable, the Company Disclosure Letter or the Acquiror Disclosure Letter.

Dissenting Share” has the meaning specified in Section 4.2(b).

dollar” or “$” means lawful money of the United States.

Domestication” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

Domestication Effective Time” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

Dual-Class Stock Structure” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Eagle Group” has the meaning specified in Section 12.18(a).

Earn-out Exchange Ratio” means a number equal to the quotient of (a) the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration divided by (b) the aggregate number of Participating Company Common Shares.

Earn-out Share” means a First Target Earn-out Share, a Second Target Earn-out Share, a Third Target Earn-out Share or a Fourth Target Earn-out Share.

 

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Earn-out Shares Discount Factor” means a percentage (not exceeding 100%) determined by the Company in good faith prior to the Closing.

EIP” has the meaning specified in Section 8.1(a).

Employee Per Share Earn-Out Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(c)(ii).

Employee Per Share Equity Value Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(c)(i).

Environmental Laws” means all applicable Laws relating to Hazardous Materials, pollution, or the protection or management of the environment or natural resources, or protection of human health (with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials).

Equity Adjustment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2.

Equity Security” means, with respect to any Person, any share of capital stock of, or other equity interest in, such Person or any security exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, any share of capital stock of, or other equity interest (including any security exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, any share of capital stock) in, such Person, including any warrant, option, convertible or exchangeable note or debenture, profits interest or phantom equity right, whether voting or non-voting. With respect to the Company, for clarity, “Equity Security” shall include any equity award issued under any Company Incentive Plan.

Equity Value Exchange Ratio” means a number equal to the quotient of (a) the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration divided by (b) the aggregate number of Participating Company Common Shares.

ERISA” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14(a).

ERISA Affiliate” means any Affiliate or business, whether or not incorporated, that, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

ESPP” has the meaning specified in Section 8.1(a).

Excess Acquiror Transaction Expenses Amount” means the greater of (a) zero ($0) and (b) the difference of (i) the aggregate amount of Acquiror Transaction Expenses minus (ii) $108,000,000.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exchange Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 4.3(a).

Excluded Company Equity Award” means such portion of any Company Equity Award that is issued and outstanding and that is subject to any unsatisfied service- or time-based vesting condition immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time.

Excluded Share” has the meaning specified in Section 4.2(a)(i).

Export Approvals” has the meaning specified in Section 5.26(a).

Fractional Earn-out Share Cash-Out Amount” means, with respect to any specified fractional Earn-out Share, an amount in cash (rounded up to the nearest cent) equal to the product of (a) the fractional amount (rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of such specified fractional Earn-out Share multiplied by (b) $10.00.

 

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GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time.

Ginkgo Group” has the meaning specified in Section 12.18(b).

Governing Documents” means the legal document(s) by which any Person (other than an individual) establishes its legal existence or which govern its internal affairs. For example, the “Governing Documents” of a corporation are its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the “Governing Documents” of a limited partnership are its limited partnership agreement and certificate of limited partnership, the “Governing Documents” of a limited liability company are its operating agreement and certificate of formation and the “Governing Documents” of an exempted company are its memorandum and articles of association.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, court or tribunal.

Governmental Authorization” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5.

Governmental Order” means any order, judgment, injunction, decree, writ, stipulation, determination or award, in each case, entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

Hazardous Material” means any (a) pollutant, contaminant, chemical, (b) industrial, solid, liquid or gaseous toxic or hazardous substance, material or waste, (c) petroleum or any fraction or product thereof, (d) asbestos or asbestos-containing material, (e) polychlorinated biphenyl, (f) chlorofluorocarbons, and (g) other substance, material or waste, in each case, which are regulated under any Environmental Law or as to which liability may be imposed pursuant to Environmental Law.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Included Company Equity Award” means any Company Equity Award that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, other than Excluded Company Equity Awards, but including Company Equity Awards to the extent granted under the Founder Equity Grant Agreements (as defined in the Company Disclosure Letter).

Indebtedness” means with respect to any specified Person, without duplication, any obligations, contingent or otherwise, in respect of (a) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of all indebtedness for borrowed money of such specified Person, including accrued interest and any per diem interest accruals, (b) the principal and interest components of capitalized lease obligations under GAAP, (c) amounts drawn (including any accrued and unpaid interest) on letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances and other similar instruments of such specified Person (solely to the extent such amounts have actually been drawn), (d) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes and similar instruments of such specified Person, (e) the termination value of interest rate protection agreements and currency obligation swaps, hedges or similar arrangements of such specified Person (without duplication of other indebtedness supported or guaranteed thereby), (f) the principal component of all obligations of such specified Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property and equipment which have been delivered, including “earn outs” and “seller notes,” and (g) breakage costs,

 

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prepayment or early termination premiums, penalties, or other fees or expenses payable as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in respect of any of the items in the foregoing clauses (a) through (f), and (h) all Indebtedness of another Person referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (g) guaranteed directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, by such specified Person.

Insider Letter” means that certain letter agreement, dated February 23, 2021, between Acquiror, the Sponsor and each of the directors and officers of Acquiror as of the date hereof.

Intellectual Property” means any rights, title, and interest in or to the following, throughout the world, including all U.S. and foreign: (a) patents, published or unpublished patent applications (and any patents that will be issued as a result of those patent applications), provisional patent applications and similar filings, invention disclosures, and industrial designs, and all related continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re-examinations, substitutions, extensions or counterparts and foreign equivalents thereof, (b) registered and unregistered trademarks, logos, service marks, trade dress and trade names, brand names, business names, slogans, pending applications therefor, and internet domain names, and other similar designations of source or indicia or origin, together with the goodwill of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses symbolized by or associated with any of the foregoing, (c) registered and unregistered copyrights, and applications for registration of copyright, including such corresponding rights in Software and other works of authorship, (d) Software and (e) trade secrets, confidential information and other proprietary rights or information including know-how, unpatented inventions, processes, libraries of enzymes, models and methodologies, formulae, technology, technical, research, clinical and regulatory data, customer lists, business plans, database rights, in each case that derive independent economic value from not being generally known by the public and not being readily ascertainable by other Persons (the foregoing items in clause (e), collectively “Trade Secrets”).

Interim Period” has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.

International Trade Laws” means all applicable Laws relating to the import, export, re-export, deemed export, deemed re-export, or transfer of information, data, goods, and technology, including the Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of State, customs and import Laws administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, any other export or import controls administered by an agency of the U.S. government, the anti-boycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and other applicable Laws adopted by Governmental Authorities of other countries relating to the same subject matter as the U.S. Laws described above.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.

IT Systems” means Software, information technology and computer systems, servers, networks, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communication lines, interfaces, platforms, databases, websites, computer hardware and equipment used to process, store, generate, analyze, maintain and operate data or information, including any of the foregoing accessed pursuant to outsourced or cloud computing arrangements.

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Latham” has the meaning specified in Section 12.18(b).

Law” means (a) any statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation, in each case, of any Governmental Authority or (b) any Governmental Order.

 

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Leased Real Property” means all real property leased, licensed, subleased or otherwise used or occupied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Letter of Transmittal” has the meaning specified in Section 4.3(b).

Liability” means any debt, liability, obligation, guaranty, loss, damage, claim, demand, action, cause of action, cost, deficiency, penalty or expense, in each case, whether based in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, and whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured or otherwise.

License” means any approval, authorization, consent, license, registration, permit or certificate granted or issued by a Governmental Authority.

Lien” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, security interest, right of first offer, right of first refusal, option, adverse claim or other lien of any kind, whether consensual, statutory or otherwise.

Listing Exchange” means the Nasdaq Market; provided that, at the election of the Company, exercisable upon delivery of written notice to Acquiror no later than three Business Days prior to the initial filing of the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 9.2, “Listing Exchange” shall instead mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Merger” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Merger Effective Time” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4.

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.

Minimum Acquiror Closing Cash Amount” means $1,250,000,000.

Modification in Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(c).

Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14(c).

Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

Nasdaq Market” means the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Global Select Market, as may be applicable.

Net Ancillary Investment Amount” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Sponsor Support Agreement.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Offer Documents” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(a)(i).

Open Source License” means any license meeting the Open Source Definition (as promulgated by the Open Source Initiative) or the Free Software Definition (as promulgated by the Free Software Foundation), or any substantially similar license, including any license approved by the Open Source Initiative or any Creative Commons License, and including Copyleft Licenses.

Open Source Materials” means any software subject to an Open Source License.

 

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Option Earn-out Exchange Ratio” means a number equal to the product of (a) the Earn-out Exchange Ratio multiplied by (b) the Earn-out Shares Discount Factor.

Option Earn-out Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 4.5(a).

Option Exercise Price Exchange Ratio” means a number equal to the sum of (a) the Equity Value Exchange Ratio plus (b) the Option Earn-out Exchange Ratio.

Outside Deadline” has the meaning specified in Section 11.1(b)(ii).

Participating Company Common Shares” means the Company Common Shares (without duplication) (a) that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization (including Company Restricted Stock Awards that are Included Company Equity Awards and Company Common Shares deemed issued and outstanding pursuant to Section 4.4(a)), other than Excluded Shares, or (b) that would be issued upon the cash settlement (as opposed to “net settlement”) of all Assumed Warrants and Company Options that are Included Company Equity Awards and all Company Restricted Stock Unit Awards that are Included Company Equity Awards, in each case, that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, if the Assumed Warrants and such Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Unit Awards were exercised or settled in full upon payment of the full cash exercise price immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization. For the avoidance of doubt, Company Common Shares that are subject to, or would be issued upon the settlement of, Excluded Company Equity Awards shall not be considered to be Participating Company Common Shares.

Per Share Merger Consideration” means, as applicable, (a) the Standard Per Share Equity Value Consideration and, subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration or (b) the Employee Per Share Equity Value Consideration and, subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration.

Permitted Liens” means (a) mechanic’s, materialmen’s and similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to any amounts (i) not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and (ii) for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (b) Liens for Taxes (i) not yet due and payable or (ii) which are being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (c) with respect to any Leased Real Property, (i) non-monetary Liens, encumbrances or restrictions (including easements, encroachments, covenants, rights of way and other conditions) and (ii) zoning, building, entitlement and other land use and environmental regulations promulgated by any Governmental Authority that, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), (A) are matters of record, (B) would be disclosed by a current, accurate survey or physical inspection of such real property, or (C) do not materially interfere with the present uses of such real property, (d) with respect to any Leased Real Property, (i) the interests and rights of the respective lessors with respect thereto, including any statutory landlord liens and any Lien thereon, (ii) any Lien permitted under a Real Property Lease and (iii) Liens encumbering the underlying fee title of the real property of which the Leased Real Property is a part, (e) non-exclusive license agreements of Intellectual Property entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business, (f) Liens arising under conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business or purchase money Liens and Liens securing rental payments under operating or capital lease arrangements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business, (g) other Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security and (h) other Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Authority or instrumentality or other entity of any kind.

PIPE Investment” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

PIPE Investment Amount” means the aggregate gross purchase price received by Acquiror prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing in respect of all of the PIPE Shares.

PIPE Investor” means any investors participating in the PIPE Investment pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

PIPE Share” means any Acquiror Delaware Class A Share purchased in the PIPE Investment.

Prospectus” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

Proxy Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(a)(i).

Proxy Statement/Registration Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(a)(i).

Real Property Leases” has the meaning specified in Section 5.21(a)(ii).

Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-4, or another appropriate form, including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, to be filed with the SEC by Acquiror under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration Statement Securities.

Registration Statement Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(a)(i).

Related Person” means, with respect to any specified Person, any former, current or future (a) Affiliate, equityholder, member, partner, director, manager, officer, employee, agent, representative, heir, successor or assign of such specified Person or (b) any Affiliate, equityholder, member, partner, director, manager, officer, employee, agent, representative, heir, successor or assign of any Person described in the preceding clause (a).

Remaining Earn-out Shares” means a number equal to the sum of (a) the difference of (i) the product of (A) the number of Company Common Shares subject to Company Options immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time multiplied by (B) the Earn-out Exchange Ratio, minus (ii) the number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares that are Earn-out Shares and that are subject to Acquiror Options immediately following the Merger Effective Time, plus (b) the sum of the respective fractional amounts (rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of all fractional Earn-out Shares resulting from any rounding of Earn-out Shares (including pursuant to Section 4.3(e)(iii)(B), Section 4.3(e)(iv)(B), Section 4.3(e)(v)(B) or Section 4.6(b)(1)) in connection with the conversion of Company Equity Awards into Acquiror Options, Acquiror Restricted Stock Awards or Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Awards, as applicable plus (c) any Earn-out Shares that any Person waives its right to receive.

 

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Representative” means, with respect to any specified Person, any director, manager, officer, employee, agent, attorney, advisor or other representative of such specified Person.

Requisite Company Stockholders” means the Company Stockholders holding the required voting power to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval.

RSU Earn-out Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 4.5(c).

Sanctioned Country” means a country or territory which is itself the subject or target of any country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions Laws in effect at the relevant time (at the time of this Agreement, the Crimea region, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means (a) any Person identified in any sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by (i) the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, or the U.S. Department of State, (ii) Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (iii) any committee of the United Nations Security Council or (iv) the European Union, (b) any Person located, organized, or resident in, organized in, or a Governmental Authority or government instrumentality of, any Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, or acting for the benefit or on behalf of, any Person described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b), either individually or in the aggregate.

Sanctions Laws” means those trade, economic and financial sanctions Laws administered, enacted or enforced from time to time by (a) the United States (including the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control), (b) the European Union and enforced by its member states, (c) the United Nations or (d) Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

Series B Preferred Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6(a).

Series B Preferred Warrant” means a warrant to acquire any Series B Preferred Share.

Series C Preferred Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6(a).

Series D Preferred Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6(a).

Series D Preferred Warrant” means a warrant to acquire any Series D Preferred Share.

Series E Preferred Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6(a).

Software” means any and all (a) computer programs (including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form), (b) databases and compilation (including any and all data and collections of data), whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other documentation used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons, and (d) all documentation including developer notes, instructions, comments, annotations, user manuals and other training documentation relating to any of the foregoing.

 

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Sponsor” means Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Sponsor Support Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Standard Per Share Earn-Out Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(b)(ii).

Standard Per Share Equity Value Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(b)(i).

Subscription Agreements” means the subscription agreements pursuant to which the PIPE Investment will be consummated.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other corporation or other business entity more than 50% of the voting power of the Equity Securities of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such specified Person.

Supporting Company Stockholder” means those Persons set forth on Section 1.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

Surviving Corporation” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

U.S.” means United States.

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, statement, information statement or other document filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes, including any claims for refunds of Taxes, any information returns and any schedules, attachments, amendments or supplements of any of the foregoing.

Taxes” means any and all federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority, including all income, gross receipts, license, payroll, net worth, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, escheat, capital stock, ad valorem, value added, inventory, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, governmental charges, duties, levies and other similar charges imposed by a Governmental Authority in the nature of a tax, alternative or add-on minimum, or estimated taxes, and including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto.

third party” means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person other than (a) such specified Person or (b) any Related Person of such specified Person.

Third-Party Purchaser” means any Person (other than Acquiror or any wholly owned Subsidiary of Acquiror or Person of which Acquiror is a wholly owned Subsidiary) or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of such Persons.

Title IV Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14(c).

Top Customers” has the meaning specified in Section 5.28(a).

Top Vendors” has the meaning specified in Section 5.29(a).

 

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Trading Day” means any day on which Acquiror Class A Common Shares are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which Acquiror Class A Common Shares are then traded.

Transaction Litigation” has the meaning specified in Section 9.7.

Transaction Proposals” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(c).

Transfer Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 9.4.

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code by the United States Department of the Treasury (whether in final, proposed or temporary form).

Trust Account” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

Trust Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 6.10.

Trustee” has the meaning specified in Section 6.10.

Warrant Agreement” means the Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2021, between Acquiror and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

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

Working Capital Loan” means any loan made to Acquiror by any Acquiror Insider for the purpose of financing costs incurred in connection with a Business Combination.

Written Consent” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(d)(i).

Section 1.2. Construction.

(a) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender, (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement and not any particular Article, Section or provision hereof, (iv) the terms “Article,” “Section” or “Exhibit” refer to the specified Article, Section or Exhibit, as applicable, of this Agreement, (v) the word “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation,” (vi) the words “or” and “any” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive and (vi) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.”

(b) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) references to any Law shall be deemed to refer to such Law as consolidated, replaced, revised, amended or supplemented from time to time, including through the promulgation of rules or regulations thereunder, (ii) references herein to any Contract (including this Agreement) shall be deemed to refer to such Contract as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and (iii) references herein to any Person shall be deemed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.

 

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(c) Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified.

(d) Unless otherwise specified, the reference date for purposes of calculating any period shall be excluded from such calculation, but any period “from” or “through” a specified date shall commence or end, as applicable, on such specified date.

(e) Any accounting terms used and not otherwise expressly defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

(f) Headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

(g) Exhibits attached to, or referenced in this Agreement are incorporated herein as if set forth in full herein.

(h) “Writing,” “written” and similar words refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words in a visible form (including e-mail or any.pdf attached thereto).

(i) Each Party acknowledges and agrees that it has been represented by legal counsel during, and has participated jointly with the other Parties in, the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and waives the application of any Law or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in a contract or other document or any provision thereof will be construed against the Party that drafted such contract or other document or provision thereof.

(j) When used herein, “ordinary course of business” means an action taken, or omitted to be taken, in the ordinary and usual course of the Company’s business or Acquiror’s business, as applicable.

Section 1.3. Knowledge(a) . As used herein, (a) the phrase “to the knowledge of the Company” (or any similar phrase) shall mean the actual knowledge of the individuals identified in Section 1.3(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, solely in their respective capacities as directors, officers or employees of the Company, as applicable, and without any individual liability, as such individuals would have acquired upon reasonable inquiry of their respective direct reports, and (b) the phrase “to the knowledge of Acquiror” (or any similar phrase) shall mean the actual knowledge of the individuals identified in Section 1.3(b) of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, solely in their respective capacities as directors, officers or employees of Acquiror, as applicable, and without any individual liability, as such individuals would have acquired upon reasonable inquiry of their respective direct reports.

Section 1.4. Equitable Adjustments. If, during the Interim Period, the outstanding Acquiror Shares shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class or series, by reason of any Equity Adjustment, or any similar event shall have occurred, or if there shall have been any breach by Acquiror of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein relating to the Acquiror Shares, then any number, value (including dollar value) or amount contained herein which is based upon the number of Acquiror Shares will be appropriately adjusted to provide to the holders of Equity Securities of the Company the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement without giving effect to such event. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 1.4 shall be construed to permit Acquiror to take or permit any action that is prohibited by any other provision of this Agreement, or omit any action that is required by any other provision of this Agreement, with respect to the Acquiror Shares or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE TRANSACTIONS

Section 2.1. Domestication.

(a) After all of the conditions set forth in Article X have been satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waived by the applicable Party or Parties entitled to the benefit thereof (other than the Domestication Condition and those conditions that by their nature or terms are to be satisfied at the Closing), but no later than one day prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall change its jurisdiction of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware by (i) deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company pursuant to and in accordance with Sections 206 through 209 of the Companies Act and (ii) continuing and domesticating as a Delaware corporation pursuant to and in accordance with Section 388 of the DGCL (the “Domestication”). Acquiror will effect the Domestication by (A) filing all applicable notices, undertakings and other documents required to be filed, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, paying all applicable fees required to paid, and causing the satisfaction of all other conditions to deregistration required to be satisfied, in each case, under Section 206 of the Companies Act and in accordance therewith and (B) filing a certificate of corporate domestication, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Certificate of Domestication”), and the Acquiror Delaware Charter simultaneously with the Delaware Secretary of State in accordance with Section 388 of the DGCL. The Domestication shall become effective under the DGCL at the time the Certificate of Domestication and the Acquiror Delaware Charter are accepted for filing by the Delaware Secretary of State or at such later time as may be mutually agreed by the Company and Acquiror and specified in each of the Certificate of Domestication and the Acquiror Delaware Charter. The time at which the Domestication actually becomes effective under the DGCL is referred to herein as the “Domestication Effective Time”.

(b) At the Domestication Effective Time, the Governing Documents of Acquiror shall be amended and restated such that (i) the Acquiror Delaware Charter shall be the certificate of incorporation of Acquiror until thereafter amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the applicable provisions thereof and of the DGCL and (ii) the Acquiror Delaware Bylaws shall be the bylaws of Acquiror until thereafter amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the applicable provisions thereof and of the Acquiror Delaware Charter and the DGCL. At the Merger Effective Time, the Acquiror Delaware Charter shall be amended to change Acquiror’s name to “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.”

(c) At the Domestication Effective Time, by virtue of the Domestication and without any action on the part of any holder of Acquiror Cayman Shares, Acquiror Cayman Warrants or Acquiror Cayman Units, (i) each Acquiror Cayman Class B Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Effective Time will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an Acquiror Cayman Class A Share, (ii) immediately following the conversion described in clause (i), each Acquiror Cayman Class A Share that is then issued and outstanding will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an Acquiror Delaware Class A Share, (iii) each Acquiror Cayman Warrant that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Effective Time will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an Acquiror Delaware Warrant, pursuant to and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement, and (iv) each Acquiror Cayman Unit that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Effective Time will convert automatically into one Acquiror Delaware Class A Share and one-fifth of one Acquiror Delaware Warrant.

 

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Section 2.2. Pre-Closing Recapitalization. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall (notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, but subject to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval) take such actions as it reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to effect the Company Recapitalization (in each case, after reasonable advance written notice to Acquiror of the actions to be taken), including (a) authorizing new classes or series of Equity Securities or additional Equity Securities of any existing class or series, (b) issuing new Equity Securities, (c) effecting any dividend, distribution, combination, split, subdivision, conversion, exchange, transfer, sale, cancelation, repurchase, redemption, reclassification or other change to, or transaction in, any Equity Security (each action described in this clause (c), an “Equity Adjustment”) of the Company or class or series thereof, (d) entering into, terminating, amending, restating, supplementing or otherwise modifying any Contracts relating to Equity Securities of the Company and (e) amending, restating, supplementing or otherwise modifying the Governing Documents of the Company; provided that (i) the Company shall not take any action pursuant to this Section 2.2 that would have the effect of increasing the aggregate consideration to be paid to holders of Equity Securities of the Company in, or in connection with, the Merger pursuant to Article IV, (ii) without the prior written consent of Acquiror, the Company shall not declare, pay or make (or agree to pay or make) any dividend, distribution or other payment in a form other than Equity Securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that will be included as Participating Company Common Shares, (iii) each Company Preferred Share outstanding immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization shall be converted into, exchanged for or otherwise replaced with a number of Company Class A Shares equal to the number of Company Common Shares into which such Company Preferred Share would have been convertible immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization, (iv) the aggregate number of Company Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization shall be equal to the aggregate number of Company Class A Shares and Company Class B Shares, collectively, issued in respect of such Company Common Shares (or that such Company Common Shares were converted into, exchanged for or otherwise replaced with) in connection with the Company Recapitalization, (v) no other Equity Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization shall be converted into, exchanged for or otherwise replaced with Company Class A Shares or Company Class B Shares, (vi) the holders of Company Shares immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization shall be the only holders of Company Shares immediately following the Company Recapitalization and (vii) the Company Recapitalization shall not alter, or have the effect of altering, the terms or conditions of the Per Share Merger Consideration.

Section 2.3. The Merger. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, at the Merger Effective Time, Merger Sub and the Company shall consummate the Merger, pursuant to which Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, whereupon the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the Surviving Corporation.

Section 2.4. Merger Effective Time. At the Closing and after the Domestication Effective Time, the Company and Merger Sub shall file with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of merger substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit F (the “Certificate of Merger”) in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time the Certificate of Merger is accepted for filing by the Delaware Secretary of State or at such later time as may be mutually agreed by the Company and Acquiror and specified in the Certificate of Merger. The time at which the Merger actually becomes effective is referred to herein as the “Merger Effective Time”.

Section 2.5. Effect of the Merger. The effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Merger Effective Time, all of the respective assets, properties, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all of the respective debts, Liabilities, duties and obligations of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, Liabilities, duties and obligations of the Surviving Corporation.

 

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Section 2.6. Governing Documents. At the Merger Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be amended and restated in their entirety to be in substantially the forms attached hereto as Exhibit G and Exhibit H, respectively, and, as so amended, shall be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with the applicable provisions thereof and of the DGCL.

Section 2.7. Directors and Officers.

(a) At the Merger Effective Time, the directors and officers identified in Section 2.7 of the Company Disclosure Letter shall become the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold such offices in accordance with the Governing Documents of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal.

(b) The parties shall take all actions necessary to ensure that, from and after the Merger Effective Time, the Persons identified as the post-Closing directors and officers of the Acquiror in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.6 shall be the directors and officers (and, in the case of such officers, holding such positions as set forth in Section 8.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter), respectively, of the Acquiror, each to hold office in accordance with the Governing Documents of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 2.8. Reorganization Tax Matters. Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company and the Surviving Corporation intend that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) as a result of the Domestication, Acquiror shall be treated as a “domestic” corporation (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(4) of the Code and corresponding provisions of state and local Law) prior to the Merger Effective Time, (b) the Merger qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) to which each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company are parties under Section 368(b) of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) and (c) the Merger and the PIPE Investment, taken together, shall constitute a transaction that qualifies under Section 351 of the Code (the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c) collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatment”). This Agreement is intended to constitute, and is adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a). Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company and the Surviving Corporation shall file all Tax Returns consistent with, and take no position (whether in any audit or examination, on any Tax Return or otherwise) or any other action before or after the Closing, in either case, that is inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment, unless otherwise required to do so as a result of a “determination” that is final within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code or a change in applicable Law. Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company and the Surviving Corporation shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to) cooperate fully with each other and their respective counsel, as and to the extent reasonably requested by each other, in connection with filing any applicable Tax Return, with respect to any Tax proceeding or as otherwise necessary or desirable to document and support the Intended Tax Treatment, including providing factual support letters.

 

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ARTICLE III

CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTIONS

Section 3.1. Closing. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place (a) remotely by the mutual exchange of electronic signatures by the means provided in Section 12.2, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is two Business Days after the first day on which all of the conditions set forth in Article X have been satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waived by the applicable Party or Parties entitled to the benefit thereof (other than the Domestication Condition and those conditions that by their nature or terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof) or (b) at such other place or time as Acquiror and the Company may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to herein as the “Closing Date”. For the avoidance of doubt, the Domestication Effective Time shall occur prior to the Closing and prior to the Merger Effective Time.

Section 3.2. Pre-Closing Deliverables.

(a) Not less than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall prepare and deliver to Acquiror (i) a statement setting forth the Company’s good faith determination of Company Transaction Expenses as of the Closing Date (in reasonable detail and with reasonable supporting documentation to enable a review of such statement by Acquiror), including the respective amounts and wire transfer instructions for the payment thereof, together with corresponding invoices therefor and (ii) an allocation schedule setting forth the Company’s good faith determination of (A) the numbers of each type of Equity Securities of the Company held by each holder of Equity Securities of the Company immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization and immediately after the Company Recapitalization (but immediately before the Closing), (B) the aggregate number of Participating Company Common Shares, the Equity Value Exchange Ratio, the Earn-out Exchange Ratio and (C) the consideration due to each holder of Equity Securities of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, including any cash amounts payable in lieu of fractional shares, together with any other information that the Exchange Agent may reasonably request.

(b) Not less than three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall prepare and deliver to the Company a statement setting forth Acquiror’s good faith determination of (i) the Acquiror Share Redemption Amount, (ii) the Acquiror Closing Cash Amount and (iii) Acquiror Transaction Expenses as of the Closing Date (in each case, in reasonable detail and with reasonable supporting documentation to enable a review of such statement by the Company), including the respective amounts and wire transfer instructions for the payment of all Acquiror Transaction Expenses, together with corresponding invoices therefor.

Section 3.3. FIRPTA Certificate(a) . At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Acquiror a certificate prepared in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c)(3), together with a notice to the Internal Revenue Service prepared in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2), in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the sole remedy available to Acquiror for any failure to provide the documentation described in this Section 3.3 shall be to make any Tax withholding (if any) required under applicable Law in connection with payments made pursuant to this Agreement, it being understood that in no event shall any such failure to deliver the documentation described in this Section 3.3 constitute a failure of a condition to the Closing pursuant to Article X or otherwise.

Section 3.4. Closing Payments.

(a) At the Closing, Acquiror will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Exchange Agent the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration for further distribution to the applicable holders of Equity Securities of the Company pursuant to Section 4.3.

 

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(b) At the Closing, Acquiror shall pay or cause to be paid, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (i) all accrued and unpaid Acquiror Transaction Expenses as set forth in the Acquiror Closing Statement and (ii) all accrued and unpaid Company Transaction Expenses as set forth in the Company Closing Statement; provided that any unpaid Company Transaction Expenses due to any current or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be paid to the Company for further payment to such employee, independent contractor, officer or director through the Company’s payroll.

Section 3.5. Further Assurances. If, at any time after the Closing, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation following the Merger Effective Time with full right and title to, and possession of, all assets, properties, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub, the Parties and their respective directors, managers and officers are fully authorized, in the name of the applicable Party or its successor or otherwise, to take, and shall take, all such lawful actions (including preparing, executing, delivering, filing, disseminating and publishing all such other agreements, instruments and other documents) as are reasonably necessary to achieve the foregoing purposes and are not inconsistent with this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

MERGER CONSIDERATION; CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

Section 4.1. Merger Consideration.

(a) The aggregate consideration to be paid to holders of Equity Securities of the Company in, or in connection with, the Merger shall be the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration plus, subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration.

(b) The consideration to be paid in, or in connection with, the Merger in respect of each Company Class A Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (but after the Company Recapitalization) shall be (i) a number of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares equal to the Equity Value Exchange Ratio (the “Standard Per Share Equity Value Consideration”) and (ii) subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, a number of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares equal to the Earn-out Exchange Ratio (the “Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration”).

(c) The consideration to be paid in, or in connection with, the Merger in respect of each Company Class B Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (but after the Company Recapitalization) shall be (i) a number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares equal to the Equity Value Exchange Ratio (the “Employee Per Share Equity Value Consideration”) and (ii) subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, a number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares equal to the Earn-out Exchange Ratio (the “Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration”).

Section 4.2. Conversion of Company Common Shares in the Merger.

(a) At the Merger Effective Time, after the Company Recapitalization, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company or any holder of Equity Securities of any of the foregoing:

(i) each Company Share that is owned by Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Company (as treasury stock or otherwise) immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (each, an “Excluded Share”) shall be canceled and shall cease to exist and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor;

 

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(ii) each Company Class A Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares) shall be canceled and converted into the right to receive the Standard Per Share Equity Value Consideration and subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration;

(iii) each Company Class B Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares) shall be canceled and converted into the right to receive the Employee Per Share Equity Value Consideration and subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration; and

(iv) each share of common stock of Merger Sub that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be converted into one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

(b) Each Company Common Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time and in respect of which a demand for appraisal has been properly exercised in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL and, as of the Merger Effective Time, has not been effectively withdrawn or lost or forfeited (a “Dissenting Share”) shall not be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration but shall instead be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due with respect to such Dissenting Share pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL. Each holder of a Dissenting Share that becomes entitled to payment under the DGCL in respect of such Dissenting Share shall receive payment therefor in accordance with the DGCL (but only after the value therefor shall have been agreed upon or finally determined pursuant to the DGCL). If, after the Merger Effective Time, any Company Common Share shall lose its status as a Dissenting Share, then such Company Common Share shall immediately be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration as if such Company Share never had been a Dissenting Share, and Acquiror (or following the Merger Effective Time, the Company) shall deliver, or cause to be delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to the holder thereof the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration as if such Company Share had never been a Dissenting Share.

Section 4.3. Exchange Procedures.

(a) No later than 15 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall appoint (pursuant to an agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company) Acquiror’s transfer agent or another agent reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Exchange Agent”) to act as the agent for the purpose of paying the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration to the applicable holders of Equity Securities of the Company. At or before the Merger Effective Time, Acquiror shall deposit with the Exchange Agent the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration.

(b) Reasonably promptly after the Merger Effective Time, Acquiror shall send or shall cause the Exchange Agent to send, to each record holder of Company Common Shares as of immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time whose Company Common Shares were converted pursuant to Section 4.2(a) into the right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration, a letter of transmittal and instructions (which shall specify that the delivery shall be effected, and the risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon proper transfer of each Company Common Share to the Exchange Agent, and which otherwise shall be in customary form) for use in such exchange (each, a “Letter of Transmittal”).

 

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(c) Each holder of Company Common Shares that have been converted into the right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration, pursuant to Section 4.2(a) shall be entitled to receive such portion of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration upon receipt by the Exchange Agent of a duly completed and validly executed Letter of Transmittal and such other documents as may reasonably be requested by the Exchange Agent. No interest shall be paid or accrued upon the transfer of any Company Common Share.

(d) Promptly following the date that is one year after the Closing Date, Acquiror shall instruct the Exchange Agent to deliver to Acquiror all documents in its possession relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Exchange Agent’s duties shall terminate. Thereafter, any portion of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration or the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration that remains unclaimed shall be returned to Acquiror, and any Person that was a holder of Company Common Shares as of immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time that has not exchanged such Company Common Shares for the applicable portion of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration in accordance with this Section 4.3 prior to the date that is one year after the Merger Effective Time may transfer such Company Common Shares to Acquiror and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar Laws) receive in consideration therefor, and Acquiror shall promptly deliver, such applicable portion of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration without any interest thereupon. None of Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any Person in respect of any of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration or the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration delivered to a Governmental Authority pursuant to and in accordance with any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. If any Company Common Shares shall not have been transferred immediately prior to the date on which any consideration payable pursuant to this Article IV would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Authority, any such amounts shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no fractional Acquiror Delaware Common Shares shall be issued in exchange for Company Common Shares, and any fractional Acquiror Delaware Common Share that otherwise would be issued pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Article IV shall be rounded as follows:

(i) if either (A) the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares that would be paid to the holder of any Company Class A Share in respect of all Company Class A Shares held by such holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(i) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number or (B) the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares that would be paid to the holder of any Company Class A Share in respect of all Company Class A Shares held by such holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(ii) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number, then such aggregate number shall be (x) rounded down to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Class A Share that otherwise would be so paid is less than five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Class A Share and (y) rounded up to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Class A Share that otherwise would be so paid is greater than or equal to five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Class A Share;

(ii) if either (A) the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares that would be paid to the holder of any Company Class B Share in respect of all Company Class B Shares held by such holder pursuant to Section 4.1(c)(i) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number or (B) the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares that would be

 

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paid to the holder of any Company Class B Share in respect of all Company Class B Shares held by such holder pursuant to Section 4.1(c)(ii) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number, then such aggregate number shall be (x) rounded down to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Class B Share that otherwise would be so paid is less than five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Class B Share and (y) rounded up to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Class B Share that otherwise would be so paid is greater than or equal to five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Class B Share;

(iii) if either (A) the number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares that would be subject to any Acquiror Option pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(i)(A) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number or (B) the number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares that would be subject to any Acquiror Option pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(i)(B) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number, then such number shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number;

(iv) if either (A) the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares that the holder of any Company Restricted Stock Award would be entitled to receive in respect of all Company Restricted Stock Awards held by such holder pursuant to Section 4.1(c)(i) (by reference thereto in Section 4.5(b)) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number or (B) the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares that the holder of any Company Restricted Stock Award would be entitled to receive in respect of all Company Restricted Stock Awards held by such holder pursuant to Section 4.1(c)(ii) (by reference thereto in Section 4.5(b)) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number, then such aggregate number shall be (x) rounded down to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Class B Share that otherwise would be so received is less than five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Class B Share and (y) rounded up to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Class B Share that otherwise would be so received is greater than or equal to five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Class B Share; and

(v) if either (A) the number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares that would be subject to any Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(i) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number or (B) the number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares that would be subject to any Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(ii) in the absence of this Section 4.3(e) is not a whole number, then such number shall be (x) rounded down to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Common Share that otherwise would be subject to such Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award is less than five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Common Share and (y) rounded up to the nearest whole number in the event that the fractional Acquiror Delaware Common Share that otherwise would be subject to such Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award is greater than or equal to five-tenths (0.5) of an Acquiror Delaware Common Share.

Section 4.4. Treatment of Company Preferred Warrants.

(a) Each Company Preferred Warrant that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization, pursuant to which each Company Preferred Warrant shall have become a warrant to purchase a number of Company Class A Shares determined in accordance with the terms of such Company Preferred Warrant) and that would automatically be exercised in full in accordance with its terms by virtue of the occurrence of the Merger, without any election or action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall automatically be exercised in full accordance with its terms immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, without any action on the part of the Company or the holder thereof, and each Company Class A Share issued or issuable upon such

 

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exercise shall be treated as being issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time and, pursuant to Section 4.2(a)(ii) (and without duplication) shall be canceled and converted into the right to receive the Standard Per Share Equity Value Consideration and subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration.

(b) Each Company Preferred Warrant that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization, pursuant to which each Company Preferred Warrant shall have become a warrant to purchase a number of Company Class A Shares determined in accordance with the terms of such Company Preferred Warrant) and that is not automatically exercised in full pursuant to Section 4.4(a)) shall be converted into a warrant to purchase Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares on the same terms and conditions (including as to vesting and exercisability) as are in effect with respect to such Company Preferred Warrant immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization) (each, an “Assumed Warrant”), except that (i) such Assumed Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase such number of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares as is equal to the sum of (A) the product of (x) the number of Company Class A Shares subject to such Company Preferred Warrant immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization) multiplied by (y) the Equity Value Exchange Ratio plus (B) subject to the vesting and forfeiture provisions specified in Section 4.6, the product of (x) the number of Company Class A Shares subject to such Company Preferred Warrant immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization) multiplied by (y) the Earn-out Exchange Ratio and (ii) such Assumed Warrant shall have an exercise price per share (which shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per share of such Company Preferred Warrant immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (after giving effect to the Company Recapitalization) divided by (B) the sum of (x) the Equity Value Exchange Ratio plus the Earn-out Exchange Ratio.

Section 4.5. Treatment of Company Equity Awards.

(a) As of the Merger Effective Time, each Company Option that is then outstanding shall be converted into the right to receive an option relating to Acquiror Delaware Common Shares on the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such Company Option immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (including with respect to vesting and termination-related provisions, except as set forth in the proviso hereto) (each, an “Acquiror Option”), except that (i) such Acquiror Option shall relate to such number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole Acquiror Delaware Common Share) as is equal to the sum of (A) the product of (x) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Option multiplied by (y) the Equity Value Exchange Ratio, plus (B) subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the product of (x) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Option multiplied by (y) the Option Earn-out Exchange Ratio (the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares in this clause (B), the “Option Earn-out Shares”), and (ii) the exercise price per share of such Acquiror Option shall be equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per share of such Company Option in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time divided by (B) the Option Exercise Price Exchange Ratio (the exercise price per share, as so determined, being rounded up to the nearest full cent); provided that (1) all Acquiror Delaware Common Shares resulting from this Section 4.5(a) shall be (x) in the form of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares to the extent resulting from Company Class B Shares prior to the Merger Effective Time and (y) in the form of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares to the extent resulting from Company Class A Shares prior to the Merger Effective Time and (2) all Option Earn-out Shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(d).

 

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(b) As of the Merger Effective Time, each Company Restricted Stock Award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive restricted Acquiror Delaware Common Shares (each, an “Acquiror Restricted Stock Award”) having the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Company Restricted Stock Award immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (including with respect to vesting and termination-related provisions), except that such Acquiror Restricted Stock Award shall relate to such number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares as is determined in accordance with Section 4.1.

(c) As of the Merger Effective Time, each Company Restricted Stock Unit Award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive restricted stock units based on Acquiror Delaware Common Shares (each, an “Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award”) with the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Company Restricted Stock Unit Award immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (including with respect to vesting and termination-related provisions), except that such Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Award shall relate to such number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares as is equal to the sum of (i) the product of (A) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Restricted Stock Unit Award immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time multiplied by (B) the Equity Value Exchange Ratio, plus (ii) subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6, the product of (A) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Restricted Stock Unit Award immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time multiplied by (B) the Earn-out Exchange Ratio (the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares described in this clause (ii), the “RSU Earn-out Shares”); provided that (1) all Acquiror Delaware Common Shares resulting from this Section 4.5(c) shall be (x) in the form of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares to the extent resulting from Company Class B Shares prior to the Merger Effective Time and (y) in the form of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares to the extent resulting from Company Class A Shares prior to the Merger Effective Time and (2) all RSU Earn-out Shares resulting from the foregoing clause (ii) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 and shall be issued in the form of restricted stock instead of restricted stock units, subject to the terms of conditions of the Company Restricted Stock Unit Award that would apply to restricted stock instead of restricted stock units (as reasonably determined by the Company).

(d) The Company shall take all necessary actions to effect the treatment of the Company Equity Awards pursuant to Section 4.5(a), Section 4.5(b) and Section 4.5(c) in accordance with the Company Incentive Plans and the applicable award agreements and to ensure that no Acquiror Option may be exercised prior to the effective date of an applicable Form S-8 (or other applicable form, including Form S-1 or Form S-3) of Acquiror, unless such exercise satisfies an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Board of Directors of the Company shall amend the Company Incentive Plans and take all other necessary actions, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing, in order to provide that no new Company Equity Awards will be granted under the Company Incentive Plans.

Section 4.6. Earn-out.

(a) The Standard Per Share Earn-out Consideration, the Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration, the Option Earn-out Shares and the RSU Earn-out Shares will each be composed as follows: (i) 25% of the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares constituting the Applicable Earn-out Consideration shall be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6(c)(i) (the “First Target Earn-out Shares”), (ii) an additional 25% of the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares constituting the Applicable Earn-out Consideration shall be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6(c)(ii) (the “Second Target Earn-out Shares”), (iii) an additional 25% of the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares constituting the Applicable Earn-out Consideration shall be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6(c)(iii) (the “Third Target Earn-out Shares”) and (iv) the remaining 25% of the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares constituting the Applicable Earn-out Consideration shall be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6(c)(iv) (the “Fourth Target Earn-out Shares”).

 

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(b) If, after giving effect to Section 4.3(e), (i) the result of the product of (A) 25% multiplied by (B) the aggregate number of Earn-out Shares that would be paid to a Company Stockholder pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(ii) or Section 4.1(c)(ii) (including by reference thereto in Section 4.5(b)) in the absence of this Section 4.6(b) is not a whole number, (ii) the result of the product of (A) 25% multiplied by (B) the aggregate number of Earn-out Shares that would be subject to Acquiror Options held by any holder thereof pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(i)(B) in the absence of this Section 4.6(b) is not a whole number or (iii) the result of the product of (A) 25% multiplied by (B) the aggregate number of Earn-out Shares that would be subject to Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Awards held by any holder thereof pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(ii) in the absence of this Section 4.6(b) is not a whole number, then (1) the number of Earn-out Shares resulting from the product of (x) four (4) multiplied by (y) the fractional amount (rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of the fractional Earn-out Share resulting from the foregoing clause (i), (ii) or (iii), as applicable, shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and each such whole Earn-out Share shall be a First Target Earn-out Share, and (2) Acquiror shall pay the Fractional Earn-out Share Cash-Out Amount to each such Company Stockholder or holder of Acquiror Options or Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Awards to which any fractional Earn-out Share resulting from the product described in the foregoing clause (1) otherwise would have been paid.

(c) The Standard Earn-out Consideration, the Employee Per Share Earn-out Consideration, the Option Earn-out Shares and the RSU Earn-out Shares shall be subject to the following vesting conditions:

(i) If, at any time during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is five years after the Closing Date (the “Earn-out Period”), the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the First Target Earn-out Shares shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 4.6.

(ii) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the Second Target Earn-out Shares shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 4.6.

(iii) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the Third Target Earn-out Shares shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 4.6.

(iv) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the Fourth Target Earn-out Shares shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 4.6.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, if the vesting conditions applicable to more than one of Section 4.6(c)(i), Section 4.6(c)(ii), Section 4.6(c)(iii) or Section 4.6(c)(iv) have been satisfied at any time, then all of the Earn-out Shares subject to such satisfied vesting conditions shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 4.6.

 

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(e) If, upon the expiration of the Earn-out Period, the vesting of any of the Earn-out Shares has not occurred, then the applicable Earn-out Shares that failed to vest pursuant to Section 4.6(c)(i), Section 4.6(c)(ii), Section 4.6(c)(iii) or Section 4.6(c)(iv), as applicable, and any dividends or distributions previously paid or made in respect thereof shall be automatically forfeited and transferred to Acquiror for no consideration, and no Person (other than the Acquiror) shall have any further right with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event will the Applicable Earn-out Recipients collectively receive Earn-out Shares in an aggregate amount higher than the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration (or the portion thereof) that has vested in accordance with Section 4.6(c) or Section 4.6(g).

(f) If, during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares outstanding as of immediately following the Merger Effective Time shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any Equity Adjustment, or any similar event shall have occurred, then the applicable Acquiror Trading Price specified in each of Section 4.6(c)(i), Section 4.6(c)(ii), Section 4.6(c)(iii) and Section 4.6(c)(iv) shall be equitably adjusted to reflect such change.

(g) In the event that there is an Acquiror Sale during the Earn-out Period, then, to the extent that the holders of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares receive an Acquiror Sale Price that is greater than or equal to the applicable Acquiror Trading Price specified in Section 4.6(c)(i), Section 4.6(c)(ii), Section 4.6(c)(iii) or Section 4.6(c)(iv) (subject to Section 4.6(f)), any Earn-out Shares that have not previously vested in accordance with Section 4.6(c)(i), Section 4.6(c)(ii), Section 4.6(c)(iii) or Section 4.6(c)(iv), as applicable, shall be deemed to have vested (to the extent that such Earn-out Shares would have vested pursuant to Section 4.6(c)(i), Section 4.6(c)(ii), Section 4.6(c)(iii) or Section 4.6(c)(iv), as applicable, if the Acquiror Trading Price had been the Acquiror Sale Price for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days during the Earn-out Period) immediately prior to the closing of such Acquiror Sale, and the holders of any Earn-out Shares deemed vested pursuant to this Section 4.6(g) shall be eligible to participate in such Acquiror Sale with respect to such Earn-out Shares on the same terms, and subject to the same conditions, as apply to the holders of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares or Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares, as applicable, generally.

(h) For so long as any Earn-out Share remains subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 4.6(c), (i) the holder thereof shall be entitled to exercise the voting rights carried by such Earn-out Share and (ii) the holder thereof shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions in respect of such Earn-out Share, and any dividends or distributions paid or made in respect of such Earn-out Share shall be retained by Acquiror and invested as and to the extent determined by Acquiror and shall be paid or made to the holder of such Earn-out Share only when and to the extent that such Earn-out Share vests in accordance with Section 4.6(c), and, to the extent that such Earn-out Share fails to vest in accordance with Section 4.6(c) prior to the expiration of the Earn-out Period, any dividends or distributions paid or made in respect thereof shall be forfeited to Acquiror for no consideration, and no Person (other than Acquiror) shall have any further right with respect thereto.

Section 4.7. Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, none of Acquiror, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any consideration payable pursuant to this Agreement any Taxes, except for any Taxes that are required to be deducted and withheld from such amounts under the Code or any other applicable Law. Acquiror shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Company with written notice of any amount that it intends to withhold in connection with any payment under this Agreement (other than any compensatory payments to be made pursuant to this Agreement) at least five days prior to making any such withholding (which notice shall set forth a description of the factual and legal basis for such withholding) and cooperate with the Company to reduce or eliminate any applicable withholding; provided that Acquiror shall not have any such obligations with respect to any withholding contemplated under Section 3.3. To the extent that any amount so deducted and withheld in accordance with this Section 4.7 are timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger treated as compensation, the Parties shall cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s or the relevant Subsidiary’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding.

 

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ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered to Acquiror and Merger Sub by the Company on the date of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”), the Company represents and warrants to Acquiror and Merger Sub as follows:

Section 5.1. Company Organization. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate all of its properties and assets and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. The Governing Documents of the Company, as amended to the date of this Agreement and as previously made available by or on behalf of the Company to Acquiror, are true, correct and complete. The Company is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing as a foreign or extra-provincial corporation (or other entity, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing (if the concept of good standing is recognized by such jurisdiction), as applicable, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 5.2. Subsidiaries. The legal entity name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization, as applicable, of each Subsidiary of the Company as of the date of this Agreement is set forth in Section 5.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter. Each Subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated, formed or organized, as the case may be, and is validly existing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization, as applicable, and has the requisite corporate or other business entity power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate all of its properties and assets and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. True, correct and complete copies of the Governing Documents of each Subsidiary of the Company, as amended to the date of this Agreement, have been previously made available to Acquiror by or on behalf of the Company. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing as a foreign or extra-provincial corporation (or other entity, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing (if the concept of good standing is recognized by such jurisdiction), as applicable, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 5.3. Due Authorization.

(a) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is, or is contemplated to be, a party and (subject to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval and the Governmental Authorizations described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 5.5) to perform all of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party have been duly and validly authorized and approved by the Company Board. This Agreement has been, and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party has been or will be, as applicable, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and this Agreement constitutes, and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party constitutes or, upon execution prior to the Closing, as applicable, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding

 

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obligation of the Company (assuming, in each case, the due and valid execution and delivery by each of the other parties thereto), enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. Company Stockholder Support Agreements have been executed and delivered to Acquiror by the Requisite Company Stockholders.

(b) Prior to the Company’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company Board has taken the Company Board Actions, and, as of the date hereof, none of the Company Board Actions has been rescinded, withdrawn or modified. No other corporate action is required on the part of the Company or any of its stockholders to enter into this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party or to approve the Merger, the Company Recapitalization or other transactions contemplated hereby, except for the Company Stockholder Approval.

Section 5.4. No Conflict. Subject to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval and the Governmental Authorizations described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 5.5 and except as set forth in Section 5.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (a) violate or conflict with any provision of, or result in any breach of or default under, the Governing Documents of the Company, (b) violate or conflict with any provision of, or result in any breach of or default under, any Law applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) violate or conflict with any provision of, or result (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) in any breach of or default under, or require any consent or waiver to be obtained under, or result in the loss of any right or benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under, or cause the termination or cancellation of, any Contract of the type described in Section 5.13(a) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or (d) result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of clauses (b) through (d), to the extent that the occurrence of any of the foregoing would not be material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 5.5. Governmental Authorities; Consents. Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement, no consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Authority (each, a “Governmental Authorization”) is required on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Company’s execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except (a) for (i) applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Merger Certificate in accordance with the DGCL and the acceptance thereof by the Delaware Secretary of State, (iii) the filing of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company in connection with the Company Recapitalization in accordance with the DGCL and the acceptance thereof by the Delaware Secretary of State, (iv) compliance with any applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities Laws and (v) any Governmental Authorization the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform or comply with on a timely basis any material obligation of the Company under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) as set forth in Section 5.5 of the Company Disclosure Letter.

 

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Section 5.6. Capitalization of the Company.

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 35,000,000 Company Common Shares and (ii) 19,136,487 Company Preferred Shares, (A) 4,143,251 of which are designated Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series B Preferred Shares”), (B) 4,658,503 of which are designated Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series C Preferred Shares”), (C) 6,162,631 of which are designated Series D Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series D Preferred Shares”), and (D) 4,172,102 of which are designated Series E Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series E Preferred Shares”), and there are no other authorized classes or series of capital stock of the Company.

(b) As of the date of this Agreement, there are issued and outstanding (i) 7,940,789 Company Common Shares and (ii) 18,403,604 Company Preferred Shares, consisting of (A) 4,138,185 Series B Preferred Shares, (B) 4,658,503 Series C Preferred Shares, (C) 6,146,911 Series D Preferred Shares and (D) 3,460,005 Series E Preferred Shares. All of the issued and outstanding Company Shares (1) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, (2) have been offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in (x) the Governing Documents of the Company as then in effect and (y) any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound, (3) have not been issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of any applicable Law, the Governing Documents of the Company as then in effect or any Contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound and (4) subject to the Governing Documents of the Company and the Contracts set forth in Section 5.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, are free and clear of any Liens.

(c) As of the date of this Agreement, there are issued and outstanding Company Preferred Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 20,786 Company Preferred Shares, (i) 5,066 of which are Series B Preferred Shares subject to Series B Preferred Warrants and (ii) 15,720 of which are Series D Preferred Shares subject to Series D Preferred Warrants. All of the issued and outstanding Company Preferred Warrants (A) have been duly authorized and validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, (B) have been offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in (1) the Governing Documents of the Company and (2) any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound, (C) have not been issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of any applicable Law, the Governing Documents of the Company or any Contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound and (D) subject to the Governing Documents of the Company and the Contracts set forth in Section 5.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, are free and clear of any Liens.

(d) As of the date of this Agreement, there are issued and outstanding (i) Company Options to purchase an aggregate of 598,509 Company Common Shares, (ii) Company Restricted Stock Awards with respect to 21,266 Company Common Shares and (iii) Company Restricted Stock Unit Awards with respect to 3,113,840 Company Common Shares. The Company has provided to Acquiror, prior to the date of this Agreement, a true and complete list, as of the date of this Agreement, of, with respect to each Company Equity Award, the holder and type of such Company Equity Award, the number of Company Common Shares subject thereto and, if applicable, the vesting schedule and the exercise price per Company Common Share thereof. Each Company Equity Award was validly issued and properly approved by the Company Board (or an appropriate committee thereof). All Company Options, Company Restricted Stock Awards and Company Restricted Stock Unit Awards are evidenced by award agreements in substantially the forms previously made available to Acquiror, and no Company Option, Company Restricted Stock

 

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Award or Company Restricted Stock Unit Award is subject to terms that are materially different from those set forth in such forms. Each Company Option has been granted with an exercise price that is intended to be no less than the fair market value of the underlying Company Common Share on the date of grant, as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code or Section 422 of the Code, if applicable. Each Company Option is intended to either qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code or to be exempt under Section 409A of the Code.

(e) Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 5.6 or in Section 5.6(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, as of the date hereof, the Company has no outstanding (i) Equity Securities of the Company, (ii) subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights (including preemptive rights), puts or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Equity Securities of the Company or any other Contracts to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound obligating the Company to issue or sell any Equity Securities of the Company, (iii) equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in the Company, (iv) Contracts to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound obligating the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities of the Company or (v) bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, Equity Securities of the Company having the right to vote) on any matter on which the Company’s stockholders may vote.

Section 5.7. Capitalization of Subsidiaries.

(a) The outstanding Equity Securities of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued, (ii) are, to the extent applicable, fully paid and non-assessable, (iii) have been offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in the Governing Documents of the applicable Subsidiary and any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities to which the applicable Subsidiary is a party or otherwise bound, (iv) have not been issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of any applicable Law, the Governing Documents of the applicable Subsidiary or any Contract to which the applicable Subsidiary is a party or otherwise bound and (v) subject to the Governing Documents of the applicable Subsidiary and the Contracts set forth in Section 5.7(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, are free and clear of any Liens.

(b) The Company or another direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company owns of record and beneficially all the issued and outstanding Equity Securities each of the Company’s Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

(c) Except as set forth in Section 5.7(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no outstanding (i) subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights (including preemptive rights), puts or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Equity Securities of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any other Contracts to which any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound obligating any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to issue or sell any Equity Securities of such Subsidiary, (ii) equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, (iii) Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound obligating any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities of such Subsidiary or (iv) bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, Equity Securities of such Subsidiary having the right to vote) on any matter on which the holders of Equity Securities of such Subsidiary may vote.

 

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Section 5.8. Financial Statements.

(a) The Company has previously provided to Acquiror true and complete copies of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, together with the auditor’s report thereon (the “2019 Audited Financial Statements”) and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Unaudited Financial Statements”). Except as set forth in Section 5.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the 2019 Audited Financial Statements and the 2020 Unaudited Financial Statements (i) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, as at the respective dates thereof, and their consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income (or loss), consolidated changes in stockholders’ equity and consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods covered (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and (iii) were prepared from, and are in accordance in all material respects with, the books and records of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

(b) The Closing Company Financial Statements, when delivered following the date of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.3, (i) will fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, as at the respective dates thereof, and their consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income (or loss), consolidated changes in stockholders’ equity and consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of any unaudited Closing Company Financial Statements, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes), (ii) will have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods covered (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and, in the case of any unaudited Closing Company Financial Statements, the absence of footnotes), (iii) will have been prepared from, and will be in accordance in all material respects with, the books and records of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and (iv) in the case of any Audited Closing Company Financial Statements, will comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, in each case, as in effect as of the respective dates thereof.

(c) Except as set forth in Section 5.8(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any independent auditor of the Company has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by the Company, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Company’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by the Company or (iii) any allegation in writing regarding any of the foregoing.

Section 5.9. Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 5.9 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there is no other Liability of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries that would be required to be set forth or reserved for on a consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and in accordance with past practice, except for Liabilities (a) reflected or reserved for on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto, (b) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Financial Statements in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (c) that will be discharged or paid off prior to or at the Closing or (d) the failure to so be set forth or reserved for would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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Section 5.10. Absence of Changes. From the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Financial Statements through the date of this Agreement, there has not been any Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.11. Litigation and Proceedings. Except as set forth in Section 5.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter or as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the date of this Agreement, (a) there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, managers, officers or employees (in their respective capacities as such), (b) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no investigation or other inquiry pending with any Governmental Authority, against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or any of their respective directors, managers, officers or employees (in their respective capacities as such) and (c) there is no Governmental Order imposed upon, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor are any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries bound by or subject to any Governmental Order the violation of which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company.

Section 5.12. Legal Compliance. Except (a) with respect to compliance with Environmental Laws (as to which certain representations and warranties are made in Section 5.24) and compliance with Tax Laws (which are the subject of Section 6.15) and (b) as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and during the past two years have been, in compliance with all applicable Laws in all material respects. During the two years prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any material violation of applicable Law by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Action alleging any material violation of any Law by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof.

Section 5.13. Contracts; No Defaults.

(a) Section 5.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a listing of all Contracts described in clauses (i) through (xv) below to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as of the date of this Agreement, other than Company Benefit Plans. True, correct and complete copies of the Contracts listed in Section 5.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter have previously been made available to Acquiror or its agents or representatives.

(i) each Contract with any of the Top Customers involving aggregate payments to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 per year;

(ii) each Contract with any of the Top Vendors involving aggregate payments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 per year;

(iii) each Contract (A) evidencing outstanding indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for borrowed money, or any guarantee by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of such indebtedness of a third party, in an amount exceeding $500,000 or (B) that is a commitment to provide loans, credit or financing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in an amount exceeding $500,000;

(iv) each Contract entered into during the past three years providing for (A) the acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of (1) any Equity Security of a Person other than the Company or any of its present Subsidiaries or (2) material assets of a Person other than the

 

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Company or any of its Subsidiaries involving payments in excess of $500,000 or (B) the disposition to any Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of (1) any Equity Security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Company Equity Award) or (2) material assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries involving payments in excess of $500,000, other than, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), Contracts (x) under which the applicable acquisition or disposition has been consummated and there are no material unperformed obligations, (y) entered into in the ordinary course of business or (z) between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between any two or more of the Company’s Subsidiaries;

(v) each Contract establishing or governing any material joint venture or partnership between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand;

(vi) each lease, rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment and conditional sale agreement or other Contract that provides for the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other interest in any real or personal property that involves aggregate payments in excess of $500,000 in any calendar year;

(vii) each Contract (other than Contracts relating to employment (including employment agreements, confidentiality and invention assignment agreements or grants of Company Equity Awards) and Governing Documents or other Contracts relating to Equity Securities in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, any Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), any director, manager or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any members or stockholders of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, any employee of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or a member of the immediate family of the foregoing Persons, on the other hand (collectively, “Affiliate Agreements”);

(viii) each Contract with any current (A) employee of the Company with annual base compensation in excess of $250,000 that provides for severance in excess of 90 days or a notice of termination of more than 90 days or (B) employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with a title of executive officer or any more senior title;

(ix) each Contract with any employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that provides for cash-based change in control or similar payments or benefits contingent upon, accelerated by or triggered by the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

(x) each Contract (A) prohibiting or limiting the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in or compete with any Person in any line of business in any material respect or (B) prohibiting or restricting the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to conduct their business with any Person in any geographic area in any material respect;

(xi) any collective bargaining (or similar) agreement or Contract between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on one hand, and any labor union or other body representing employees of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, on the other hand;

(xii) each Contract (including license agreements, coexistence agreements, and agreements with covenants not to sue, but not including non-disclosure agreements, employee agreements, contractor services agreements, consulting services agreements, customer agreements

 

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entered into in the ordinary course of business, and incidental trademark licenses or ancillary licenses to Intellectual Property that are necessary to be granted to receive the benefit of services from third-party service providers) pursuant to which the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries (A) grants to a third party the right to use material Intellectual Property of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (B) is granted by a third party the right to use Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Open Source Licenses or Contracts granting nonexclusive rights to use commercially available off-the-shelf software or software as a service on standard terms and conditions);

(xiii) each Contract requiring capital expenditures by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement in an amount in excess of $10,000,000 in any calendar year;

(xiv) each Contract granting any Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) any (A) “most favored nation” rights, (B) price guarantee for a period of more than one year after the date of this Agreement and requires aggregate future payments to the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 in any calendar year, or (C) right of first refusal or first offer or similar preferential right to purchase or lease any asset of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(xv) each Contract granting any Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) a right of first refusal or first offer or similar preferential right to purchase or acquire Equity Securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and

(xvi) Any outstanding written commitment to enter into any Contract of the type described in clauses (i) through (xv) of this Section 5.13(a).

(b) Except for any Contract that will terminate upon the expiration of the stated term thereof prior to the Closing Date, all of the Contracts listed pursuant to Section 5.13(a) in the Company Disclosure Letter are (i) in full force and effect and (ii) represent legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary of the Company party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Company, represent legal, valid and binding obligations of the counterparties thereto. Except, in each case, where the occurrence of a breach or default would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (A) the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed in all respects all of the respective obligations required to be performed by them to date under each Contract listed pursuant to Section 5.13(a) in the Company Disclosure Letter, and neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such Contract is in breach of or default of its obligations under any such Contract, (B) during the past 12 months, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written claim or written notice of termination or breach of or default under any such Contract, and (C) to the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which, individually or together with other events, would reasonably be expected to result in a breach of or a default under any such Contract by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other party to any such Contract (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or both).

Section 5.14. Company Benefit Plans.

(a) Section 5.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and accurate list, as of the date hereof, of each material Company Benefit Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Company Benefit Plan” means an “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) or any other plan, policy, program or Contract (including any employment, bonus, incentive or deferred compensation, equity or equity-based compensation, severance, retention, supplemental retirement, change in control or similar plan, policy,

 

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program or agreement) providing compensation or other benefits to any current or former director, officer, individual consultant, worker or employee, which are maintained, sponsored or contributed (or required to be contributed) to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or has or may have any liability, and in each case whether or not (i) subject to the Laws of the United States, (ii) in writing or (iii) funded, but excluding in each case any statutory plan, program or arrangement that is required under applicable Law and maintained by any Governmental Authority. With respect to each material Company Benefit Plan, the Company has made available to Acquiror, to the extent applicable, true, complete and correct copies of (A) such Company Benefit Plan (or, if not written a written summary of its material terms) and all plan documents, trust agreements or other funding vehicles and all amendments thereto, (B) the most recent summary plan descriptions, including any summary of material modifications (C) the most recent annual reports (Form 5500 series) filed with the IRS with respect to such Company Benefit Plan, (D) the most recent actuarial report or other financial statement relating to such Company Benefit Plan and (E) the most recent determination or opinion letter, if any, issued by the IRS with respect to any Company Benefit Plan and any pending request for such a determination letter.

(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) each Company Benefit Plan has been operated and administered in compliance with its terms and all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code, except where the failure to comply would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) all material contributions required to be made with respect to any Company Benefit Plan on or before the date hereof have been made and all obligations in respect of each Company Benefit Plan as of the date hereof have been accrued and reflected in the Company’s financial statements to the extent required by GAAP, (iii) each Company Benefit Plan which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination or opinion letter from the IRS as to its qualification or may rely upon an opinion letter for a prototype plan and, to the knowledge of the Company, no fact or event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any such Company Benefit Plan except where the failure to be so qualified would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(c) No Company Benefit Plan is a multiemployer pension plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) (a “Multiemployer Plan”) or other pension plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA (“Title IV Plan”), and none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has sponsored or contributed to, been required to contribute to, has or had any actual or contingent liability under, a Multiemployer Plan or Title IV Plan at any time within the past six years. None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA that has not been fully satisfied.

(d) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, except as would not result in, or would not reasonably be expected to result in, material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries, no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no facts or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such actions, suits or claims.

(e) No Company Benefit Plan provides medical, surgical, life insurance, hospitalization, death or other health and welfare benefits (whether or not insured, but excluding cash severance) for employees or former employees of the Company or any Subsidiary for periods extending beyond their retirement or other termination of service, other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable Law, (ii) death benefits under any “pension plan,” or (iii) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his or her beneficiary).

 

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(f) Except as set forth in Section 5.14(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter or as would not be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, either alone or in combination with another event (such as termination following the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), (i) entitle any current or former employee, officer or other service provider of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to any severance pay or any other compensation payable by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (ii) accelerate the time of payment, funding or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee, officer or other individual service provider by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) directly or indirectly cause the Company to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any material benefits under any Company Benefit Plan, (iv) otherwise give rise to any material Liability under any Company Benefit Plan, or (v) limit or restrict the right to merge, materially amend, terminate or transfer the assets of any Company Benefit Plan at or following the Merger Effective Time. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, either alone or in combination with another event, result in any “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code with respect to any current or former service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. No Company Benefit Plan provides for a Tax gross-up, make whole or similar payment with respect to the Taxes imposed under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code or any other Tax.

Section 5.15. Labor Relations; Employees.

(a) Except as set forth in Section 5.15(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, or any similar agreement, (ii) no such agreement is being negotiated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) no labor union or any other employee representative body has requested or, to the knowledge of the Company, has sought to represent any of the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There is no, and to the knowledge of the Company, there has not been, labor organization activity involving any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. In the past three years, there has been no actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout or other material labor dispute against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and have been during the past three years, in compliance with all applicable Laws respecting labor and employment including all Laws respecting terms and conditions of employment, health and safety, wages and hours, working time, employee classification (with respect to both exempt vs. non-exempt status and employee vs. independent contractor and worker status), child labor, immigration, employment discrimination, disability rights or benefits, equal opportunity and equal pay, plant closures and layoffs, affirmative action, workers’ compensation, labor relations, employee leave issues and unemployment insurance, except where the failure to comply would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(c) During the past two years, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not received (i) notice of any unfair labor practice charge or material complaint pending or threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental Authority against them, and to the knowledge of the Company, none is threatened, (ii) notice of any complaints, grievances or arbitrations arising out of any collective bargaining agreement or any other complaints, grievances or arbitration procedures against them, and to the knowledge of the Company, none is threatened, (iii) notice of any material charge or complaint with respect to or relating to them pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other Governmental Authority responsible for the prevention of unlawful employment practices, and to the knowledge of the Company, none is threatened, or (iv) notice of the intent of any Governmental Authority responsible for the enforcement of labor, employment, wages and hours of work, child labor, immigration, or occupational safety and health Laws to conduct an investigation with respect to or relating to them or notice that such investigation is in progress, and to the knowledge of the Company, none is threatened.

 

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(d) To the knowledge of the Company, no present or former employee, worker or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation in any material respect of (i) any restrictive covenant, nondisclosure obligation or fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any restrictive covenant or nondisclosure obligation to a former employer or engager of any such individual relating to (A) the right of any such individual to work for or provide services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) the knowledge or use of trade secrets or proprietary information.

(e) Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Subsidiaries reasonably expects any material liabilities with respect to any sexual harassment, or other discrimination, retaliation or policy violation allegations, or has knowledge of any such allegations relating to officers, directors, employees, contractors, or agents of the Company and its Subsidiaries, that, if known to the public, would bring the Company and its Subsidiaries into material disrepute.

(f) All payments due from the Company on account of wages or other compensation, and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued in all material respects in accordance with GAAP as a liability on the books of the Company.

(g) During the past three years, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not engaged in layoffs, furloughs or employment terminations sufficient to trigger application of the Workers’ Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar state or local law relating to group terminations or effected any broad-based salary or other compensation or benefits reductions, in each case, whether temporary or permanent.

Section 5.16. Taxes.

(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been timely filed (taking into account any applicable extensions), all such Tax Returns (taking into account all amendments thereto) are true, complete and accurate in all material respects and all material Taxes due and payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been paid, other than Taxes being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.

(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or other Person all material amounts of Taxes required by Law to be withheld, paid over to the proper Governmental Authority in a timely manner all such withheld amounts required to have been so paid over and complied in all material respects with all applicable withholding and related reporting requirements with respect to such Taxes.

(c) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Permitted Liens) upon the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(d) No claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment for any material amount of Tax has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Authority against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that remains unresolved or unpaid, except for claims, assessments, deficiencies or proposed adjustments (i) being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP and (ii) as set forth in Section 5.16(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter or disclosed in the notes to the Company’s financial statements.

(e) There are no Tax audits, examinations or other Actions with respect to any material Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries presently in progress or pending, and there are no waivers, extensions or requests for any waivers or extensions of any statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to any Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made a request for an advance tax ruling, request for technical advice, a request for a change of any method of accounting or any similar request that is in progress or pending with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes that would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax indemnification or Tax sharing or similar agreement (other than any such agreement solely between the Company and its existing Subsidiaries and customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily related to Taxes).

(h) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a party to any transaction treated by the parties to such transaction as a distribution of stock qualifying for income tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement.

(i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is liable for Taxes of any other Person (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law or as a transferee or successor or by Contract (other than customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily related to Taxes) or (ii) has ever been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes, other than a group the common parent of which was or is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(j) No written and unresolved claim has been made by any Governmental Authority within the past two years in any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to material taxation in that jurisdiction.

(k) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable income Tax treaty or convention) in any country other than the country under the Laws of which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, is organized, or is subject to income Tax in a jurisdiction outside the country under the Laws of which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, is organized.

(l) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.6011-4(b) (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).

(m) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any material amount in taxable income, exclude any material item of deduction or loss from taxable income, or make any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) installment sale, intercompany transaction described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing, (ii) prepaid amount received or deferred revenue recognized at or prior to the Closing other than in the ordinary course of business, (iii) change in method of accounting for a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date made or required to be made prior to the Closing, (iv) ”closing agreements” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) executed on or prior to the Closing, or (v) by reason of Section 965(a) of the Code or an election pursuant to Section 965(h) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).

 

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(n) The Company has not taken any action that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment. To the knowledge of the Company and its Subsidiaries, there are no facts or circumstances, other than any facts and circumstances to the extent that such facts and circumstances exist or arise as a result of or related to any act or omission occurring after the date of this Agreement of any Acquiror Party or any of their respective Affiliates not contemplated by this Agreement and/or any Ancillary Agreement, that could reasonably be expected to prevent the merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

(o) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries own any “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code or any “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code.

Section 5.17. Brokers Fees. Except as set forth in Section 5.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates for which Acquiror, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries has any obligation.

Section 5.18. Insurance. As of the date of this Agreement, except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (a) all of the material policies of property, fire and casualty, liability, workers’ compensation, directors and officers and other forms of insurance held by, or for the benefit of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to policy periods that include the date of this Agreement are in full force and effect, and all premiums due therefor have been paid, and (b) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received a written notice of cancellation of any of such policies or of any material changes that are required in the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a condition to the continuation of coverage under, or renewal of, any of such policies.

Section 5.19. Licenses. The Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained, and maintain, all of the material Licenses reasonably required to permit the Company and its Subsidiaries to acquire, originate, own, operate, use and maintain their material assets in the manner in which they are now operated and maintained and to conduct the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted. Each material License held by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries is in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in default or violation (and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a material default or violation) in any material respect of any term, condition or provision of any material License to which it is a party, (b) is or has been the subject of any pending or threatened Action by a Governmental Authority seeking the revocation, suspension, termination, modification, or impairment of any material License or (c) has received any notice that any Governmental Authority that has issued any material License intends to cancel, terminate, or not renew any such material License, except to the extent such material License may be amended, replaced, or reissued as a result of and as necessary to reflect the transactions contemplated hereby or as otherwise disclosed in Section 5.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter, provided that such amendment, replacement, or reissuance does not materially adversely affect the continuous conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted from and after Closing.

Section 5.20. Equipment and Other Tangible Property. The Company or one of its Subsidiaries owns and has good title to all material machinery, equipment and other tangible property reflected on the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries as owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. The Company or one of its Subsidiaries owns and has good title to, or has a valid leasehold interest in or right to use by license or otherwise, all material machinery, equipment and other tangible property used in the business of the Company as presently conducted, except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. All material personal property and leased personal property assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries are structurally sound and in good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear expected) and are suitable for their present use.

 

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Section 5.21. Real Property.

(a) Section 5.21(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list as of the date of this Agreement of all Leased Real Property, including the address thereof, and all Real Property Leases (as hereinafter defined) pertaining to such Leased Real Property. With respect to each parcel of Leased Real Property:

(i) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries holds a good and valid leasehold estate in such Leased Real Property, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

(ii) The Company has delivered to Acquiror true, correct and complete copies of all material leases, lease guaranties, subleases, agreements for the leasing, use or occupancy of, or otherwise granting a right in and to the Leased Real Property by or to the Company and its Subsidiaries, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof (collectively, the “Real Property Leases”), and none of such Real Property Leases has been modified in any material respect, except to the extent that such modifications have been disclosed by the copies delivered to Acquiror.

(iii) All of the Real Property Leases (A) are in full force and effect and (B) represent legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary of the Company party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Company, represent legal, valid and binding obligations of the counterparties thereto. Except, in each case, where the occurrence of a failure to perform or a breach or default would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, with respect to each Real Property Lease, (x) the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed in all respects all of the respective obligations required to be performed by them to date thereunder, and neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such Real Property Lease is in breach or default of its obligations under any such Real Property Lease, (y) during the past 12 months, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written claim or written notice of termination or material breach of or material default under any such Real Property Lease, and (z) to the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which, individually or together with other events, would reasonably be expected to result in a breach of or a default under any such Real Property Lease by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other party to any such Real Property Lease (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or both).

(iv) As of the date of this Agreement, no party, other than the Company and its Subsidiaries, has any right to use or occupy the Leased Real Property or any portion thereof.

(v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice of any current condemnation proceeding or proposed similar Action or agreement for taking in lieu of condemnation with respect to any portion of the Leased Real Property.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, or has ever owned, any real property.

 

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Section 5.22. Intellectual Property.

(a) Section 5.22(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth an accurate and complete list of, as of the date hereof, each item of Intellectual Property that is registered and applied-for with a Governmental Authority and is owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether applied for or registered in the United States or internationally as of the date of this Agreement (“Company Registered Intellectual Property”). To the knowledge of the Company, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive beneficial and record owner of all of the items of Company Registered Intellectual Property, and, to the knowledge of the Company, all such Company Registered Intellectual Property (excluding any pending applications included in the Company Registered Intellectual Property) is valid and enforceable, subsisting, in full force and effect, and has not been cancelled, expired or abandoned, or otherwise terminated except in the ordinary course of business.

(b) Except as would not be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), or has a valid right to use, all Intellectual Property reasonably necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted and contemplated as of the date of this Agreement to be conducted following Closing; provided that the foregoing shall not be deemed a representation or warranty regarding non-infringement, validity or enforceability. All permitted use of Intellectual Property by the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than Company Owned Intellectual Property, is pursuant to valid and binding Contracts and no such Contracts will be violated or give rise to a right of termination, modification, acceleration or cancellation under any provision by (or will require the payment or grant of additional amounts or consideration as a result of) the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement, except as would not be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(c) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not conflict with, result in the forfeiture of, impair or result in a breach of or default under, or payment of any additional amount with respect to the right to own or use any Company Owned Intellectual Property, Software and Company IT Systems, except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(d) As of the date of this Agreement, there is no action pending to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a named party or, to the knowledge of the Company, that is threatened in writing, alleging the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ infringement, misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property of any third Person, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no reasonable basis for any such claims.

(e) Except as set forth in Section 5.22(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, to the knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement and since January 1, 2018, (i) no Person is infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating any material Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, and (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not sent to any Person any written, or to the knowledge of the Company, verbal notice, charge, complaint, claim or other written assertion against such third Person claiming infringement or violation by or misappropriation of any Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(f) The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable measures designed to protect the confidentiality of Trade Secrets in possession of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including requiring all Persons who receive access to such Trade Secrets to execute valid, written nondisclosure agreements requiring such individuals to protect the confidentiality of such Trade Secrets and refrain from using them for purposes other than intended. To the knowledge of the Company, there has not been any unauthorized disclosure of or unauthorized access to any Trade Secrets in the possession of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to or by any Person in a manner that has resulted or may reasonably result in the misappropriation of, or loss of Trade Secret or other rights in and to, such Trade Secret, except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

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(g) All current and former employees, directors, officers, consultants, contractors and/or individuals that have contributed to the creation of Intellectual Property on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries have executed an agreement presently assigning all such Intellectual Property to the Company or such Subsidiary except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(h) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries, owns or has a valid right to access and use all IT Systems necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted and, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated to be conducted following the Closing. The Company IT Systems operate in all material respects in accordance with their documentation and functional specifications and as necessary to conduct the business as currently conducted. The Company and its Subsidiaries have back-up and disaster recovery arrangements designed to enable the continued operation of their businesses in the event of a failure of their material IT Systems that are, in the reasonable determination of the Company and its Subsidiaries, consistent with commercially reasonable practice in all material respects. The Company has in its possession or has all necessary rights to the information technology and all technical and other information required to enable a reasonably skilled information technology professional to maintain and support any material part of the Company IT Systems that are owned by and in the Company’s or one of its Subsidiaries’ direct control.

(i) With respect to the Software or IT Systems used or held for use in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to the knowledge of the Company, no such Software or IT System contains any undisclosed or hidden device or feature designed to disrupt, disable, or otherwise impair the functioning of any Software or IT System or any “back door,” “time bomb”, “Trojan horse,” “worm,” “drop dead device,” or other malicious code or routines that permit unauthorized access or the unauthorized disablement or erasure of such or other software or information or data (or any parts thereof) of the Company or its Subsidiaries or customers of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(j) The Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ use and distribution of Open Source Materials, is in material compliance with all Open Source Licenses applicable thereto, except for any non-compliance which would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has used any Copyleft Licenses in a manner that requires any Company Software or Company Owned Intellectual Property to be disclosed or distributed in source code form or be licensed for the purpose of making derivative works.

Section 5.23. Privacy and Cybersecurity.

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with, and during the past three years have been in compliance in all material respects with, (i) all applicable Laws relating to the privacy or security of personal information, (ii) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ posted or publicly facing privacy policies and (iii) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ contractual obligations concerning data privacy, cybersecurity, data security and the security of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ information technology systems, in each case of the preceding clauses (i) through (iii), other than any non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, has not been, and would not reasonably be expected to be, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. There is no Action by any Person (including any Governmental Authority) pending to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a named party or threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging a violation of any Laws or Contracts with respect to privacy, personal information rights or information security related incidents.

 

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(b) During the past three years, to the knowledge of the Company (i) there have been no material breaches of the security of the information or operational technology systems, software or applications of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (ii) there have been no disruptions in any information or operational technology systems, software or applications that materially and adversely affected the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business or operations. The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and operational technology systems, software and applications of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including measures designed to protect confidential, sensitive or personally identifiable information in its possession or control against unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure or other misuse, including through administrative, technical and physical safeguards. To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (A) experienced any material data breaches or security incidents in which personally identifiable information was stolen or improperly accessed, disclosed or used including in connection with a breach of security, or (B) received or provided any written notice, or received any written complaint from any Governmental Authority with respect to any of the foregoing, nor has any such notice or complaint been threatened in writing against the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

Section 5.24. Environmental Matters. Except, in each case, as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole:

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective operations and properties are and, except for matters which have been fully resolved, have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws, including by maintaining in full force and effect all permits, licenses, registrations, identification numbers, and other authorizations required under Environmental Laws.

(b) There has been no release of any Hazardous Materials by the Company or its Subsidiaries (i) at, in, on or under any Leased Real Property or in connection with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations off-site of the Leased Real Property or (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, at, in, on or under any formerly owned property or Leased Real Property during the time that the Company owned or leased such property or at any other location where Hazardous Materials generated by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries have been transported to, sent, placed or disposed of.

(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any current Governmental Order relating to any non-compliance with Environmental Laws by the Company or its Subsidiaries or the investigation, sampling, monitoring, treatment, remediation, removal or cleanup of Hazardous Materials.

(d) As of the date hereof, no Action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances which would reasonably be expected to form the basis of such an Action.

Section 5.25. Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance.

(a) For the past five years, none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective directors or officers while acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee or agent acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has corruptly offered or given anything of value to: (i) any official or employee of a Governmental Authority, any political party or official thereof or any candidate for political office or (ii) any other Person, in any such case while knowing or being aware of a high probability that all or a portion of such money or thing of value will be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to any official or employee of a Governmental Authority or candidate for political office, in each case in violation of applicable Anti-Bribery Laws in any material respect.

 

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(b) To the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, there are no current or pending internal investigations, third-party investigations (including by any Governmental Authority) or internal or external audits that address any material allegations or information concerning possible violations of Anti-Bribery Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws related to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any material respect. For the past five years, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, or agent acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been in compliance with all relevant Anti-Money Laundering Laws in all material respects.

Section 5.26. Sanctions and International Trade Compliance.

(a) To the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are, and have been for the past five years, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable International Trade Laws and Sanctions Laws, and (ii) have obtained all required licenses, consents, notices, waivers, approvals, orders, registrations, declarations, or other authorizations from, and have made any material filings with, any applicable Governmental Authority for the import, export, re-export, deemed export, deemed re-export, or transfer required under applicable International Trade Laws and Sanctions Laws (the “Export Approvals”). There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, claims, complaints, charges, investigations, voluntary disclosures or Actions against the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries related to any applicable International Trade Laws, Sanctions Laws, or any Export Approvals.

(b) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective employees, agents, representatives or other Persons acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) is, or has during the past five years, been a Sanctioned Person or (ii) has transacted business, related to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, directly or knowingly indirectly with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country in violation of applicable Sanctions Laws.

Section 5.27. Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by in writing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement will, at the date on which the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is first mailed to the Acquiror Shareholders or at the time of the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

Section 5.28. Customers.

(a) Section 5.28(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, the top 20 customers of the Company and its Subsidiaries collectively, based on the aggregate dollar value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ transaction volume with such counterparty during the trailing twelve months for the period ending December 31, 2020 (the “Top Customers”).

(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.28(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Top Customers has, as of the date of this Agreement, informed the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in writing that it will, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to terminate, cancel, or materially limit or materially and adversely modify any of its existing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than due to the expiration of an existing contractual arrangement), and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the Top Customers is, as of the date of this Agreement, otherwise involved in or threatening any material Action against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses.

 

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Section 5.29. Vendors.

(a) Section 5.29(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, the top 20 vendors of the Company and its Subsidiaries collectively, based on the aggregate dollar value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ transaction volume with such counterparty during the trailing twelve months for the period ending December 31, 2020 (the “Top Vendors”).

(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.29(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Top Vendors has, as of the date of this Agreement, informed any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in writing that it will, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to terminate, cancel, or materially limit or materially and adversely modify any of its existing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than due to the expiration of an existing contractual arrangement), and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the Top Vendors is, as of the date of this Agreement, otherwise involved in or threatening any material Action against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses.

Section 5.30. Sufficiency of Assets. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the tangible and intangible assets owned, licensed or leased by the Company and its Subsidiaries constitute all of the assets reasonably necessary for the continued conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries after the Closing in the ordinary course. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.30 shall not be deemed a representation or warranty regarding non-infringement, validity or enforceability of Intellectual Property.

Section 5.31. Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 5.31 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no material transactions or Contracts between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Affiliate, present or former officer or director of the Company, beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of Company Shares constituting, as of the date of this Agreement, more than 5% of the total number of Company Shares on a fully diluted basis, calculated as of the date of this Agreement, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any member of the “immediate family” (as defined in Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of any officer or director of the Company (each of the foregoing, a “Company Related Party”), on the other hand, except, in each case, for (a) Contracts and arrangements related or incidental to any Company Related Party’s employment or retention as a director or other service provider by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including compensation, benefits and advancement or reimbursement of expenses), (b) loans to employees or other service providers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and arrangements related or incidental thereto, (c) Contracts relating to a Company Related Party’s status as a holder of Equity Securities of the Company and (d) Contracts that are permitted by or entered into in accordance with Section 7.1.

Section 5.32. Investment Company Act. The Company is not required to register as an “investment company” under (and within the meaning of) the Investment Company Act.

Section 5.33. No Additional Representation or Warranties.

(a) Except as provided in this Article V, neither the Company nor any Related Person of the Company has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to Acquiror, Merger Sub, any Acquiror Insider or any Related Person of any of the foregoing and neither the Company nor any Related Person of the Company shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Acquiror, Merger Sub, any Acquiror Insider or any Related Person of any of the foregoing.

 

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(b) The Company and its Representatives have made their own investigation of Acquiror and Merger Sub and, except as provided in Article VI, are not relying on any representation or warranty whatsoever as to the condition, merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or trade as to any of the assets of Acquiror or Merger Sub, the prospects (financial or otherwise) or the viability or likelihood of success of the business of Acquiror or Merger Sub as conducted after the Closing, as contained in any materials provided by Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their respective Related Persons or otherwise.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB

Except as set forth (a) in the case of Acquiror, in any Acquiror SEC Filing filed or furnished prior to the date hereof (excluding (i) disclosures in any “risk factors” section that do not constitute statements of fact, disclosures in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer and other disclosures that are generally cautionary, predictive or forward looking in nature and (ii) any exhibits or other documents appended to Acquiror SEC Filings) (it being acknowledged that nothing disclosed in any such Acquiror SEC Filing will be deemed to modify or qualify the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2, Section 6.5, Section 6.10, Section 6.12, Section 6.16 or Section 6.18), or (b) in the case of Acquiror and Merger Sub, in the disclosure letter delivered by Acquiror and Merger Sub to the Company on the date of this Agreement (the “Acquiror Disclosure Letter”), Acquiror and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

Section 6.1. Company Organization. Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has been duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing as a corporation or exempted company in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has the requisite corporate or exempted company power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate all of its properties and assets and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. The respective Governing Documents of Acquiror and Merger Sub, as amended to the date of this Agreement and as previously made available by Acquiror to the Company, are true, correct and complete. Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing as a foreign or extra-provincial corporation (or other entity, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing (if the concept of good standing is recognized by such jurisdiction), as applicable, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to Acquiror or Merger Sub. Merger Sub has no assets or operations other than those required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby. All of the Equity Securities of Merger Sub are held directly by Acquiror.

Section 6.2. Due Authorization.

(a) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is, or is contemplated to be, a party and (subject to receipt of the Acquiror Shareholder Approval and the Governmental Authorizations described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 6.7) to perform all of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by each of Acquiror and Merger Sub of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party have been duly and validly authorized and approved by the Acquiror Board and the board of directors of Merger Sub and this Agreement will, within 24 hours of its execution and delivery by all of the Parties, be approved by Acquiror as the sole shareholder of Merger Sub. This

 

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Agreement has been, and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party has been or will be, as applicable, duly and validly executed and delivered by Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable, and this Agreement constitutes and each Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party constitutes or, upon execution prior to the Closing, as applicable, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable (assuming, in each case, the due and valid execution and delivery by each of the other parties thereto), enforceable against Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

(b) Prior to Acquiror’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, at a meeting duly called and held, the Acquiror Board has taken the Acquiror Board Actions, and, as of the date hereof, none of the Acquiror Board Actions has been rescinded, withdrawn or modified. No other corporate action with respect to the Acquiror is required on the part of Acquiror or any of its shareholders to enter into this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which Acquiror is, or is contemplated to be, a party or to approve the Merger, the Domestication, the PIPE Investment or the other transactions contemplated hereby, except for the Acquiror Shareholder Approval.

(c) Assuming that a quorum (as determined pursuant to Acquiror’s Governing Documents) is present:

(i) the Transaction Proposal identified in clause (A) of Section 9.2(c) shall require approval by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents) at a shareholders’ meeting duly called by the Board of Directors of Acquiror and held for such purpose;

(ii) each of those Transaction Proposals identified in clause (B) or (C) of Section 9.2(c) shall require approval by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents) at a shareholders’ meeting duly called by the Acquiror Board and held for such purpose; and

(iii) each of those Transaction Proposals identified in clause (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), or (K) of Section 9.2(c), in each case, shall require approval by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Shares entitled to vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents) at a shareholders’ meeting duly called by the Acquiror Board and held for such purpose.

(d) The votes described in Section 6.2(c) are the only votes of the holders of Equity Securities of Acquiror necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Domestication, the PIPE Investment and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(e) The Acquiror Warrant Proposal shall require approval by an affirmative vote of the holders of (i) at least 50% of the outstanding Acquiror Public Warrants and (ii) at least 50% of the outstanding Acquiror Private Placement Warrants. The votes described in this Section 6.2(e) are the only votes of the holders of Equity Securities of Acquiror necessary to qualify the Acquiror Warrants for classification as equity instruments (rather than liabilities) of Acquiror from and after the effectiveness of such amendments under GAAP and other applicable accounting standards.

 

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Section 6.3. No Conflict. Subject to receipt of the Acquiror Shareholder Approval and the Governmental Authorizations described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 6.5, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror and Merger Sub and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which Acquiror and Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (a) violate or conflict with any provision of, or result in any breach of or default under, the Governing Documents of Acquiror or Merger Sub, (b) violate or conflict with any provision of, or result in any breach of or default under, any Law applicable to Acquiror or Merger Sub, (c) violate or conflict with any provision of, or result (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) in any breach of or default under, or require any consent or waiver to be obtained under, or result in the loss of any right or benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under, or cause the termination or cancellation of, any Contract to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which Acquiror or Merger Sub is bound or (d) result in the creation of any Lien on any of the properties or assets of Acquiror or Merger Sub, except, in the case of clauses (b) through (d), to the extent that the occurrence of any of the foregoing would not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) be material to Acquiror or (ii) have, or reasonably be expected to have, a material and adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.

Section 6.4. Governmental Authorities; Consents. Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, no Governmental Authorization or consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, or notification to, any other Person is required on the part of Acquiror or Merger Sub with respect to Acquiror’s or Merger Sub’s execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except (a) for (i) applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Merger Certificate in accordance with the DGCL and the acceptance thereof by the Delaware Secretary of State, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Domestication and the Acquiror Delaware Charter in accordance with the DGCL and the acceptance thereof by the Delaware Secretary of State and any filings required to be made with the Cayman Registrar in connection with the Domestication, and (iv) compliance with any applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities Laws and (b) as set forth in Section 6.4 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter.

Section 6.5. Litigation and Proceedings. Except as would not be material to Acquiror or Merger Sub, (a) there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror or Merger Sub or any of their respective properties or assets or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any of their respective directors, managers, officers or employees (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), (b) there is no investigation or other inquiry pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened by any Governmental Authority, against Acquiror or Merger Sub or any of their respective properties or assets or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any of their respective directors, managers, officers or employees (in each case, in their respective capacities as such) and (c) there is no outstanding Governmental Order imposed upon, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against, Acquiror or Merger Sub, nor are any of the properties or assets of Acquiror or Merger Sub bound by or subject to any Governmental Order the violation of which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to Acquiror. Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub is, and since the Acquiror Inception date, in the case of Acquiror, and since the date of Merger Sub’s incorporation, in the case of Merger Sub, has been, in compliance with all applicable Laws in all material respects. During the past two years, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has received any written notice of any material violation of applicable Law by Acquiror or Merger Sub, and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, no Action alleging any material violation of any Law by Acquiror or Merger Sub is currently pending or threatened against Acquiror or Merger Sub. To the knowledge of Acquiror, no investigation or review by any Governmental Authority of which Acquiror or Merger Sub is the target is pending or threatened as or the date hereof or has been conducted during the past two years, other than those the outcome of which did not or would not result in material liability to Acquiror or Merger Sub.

 

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Section 6.6. SEC Filings. Acquiror has timely filed or furnished all statements, prospectuses, registration statements, forms, reports and documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since the Acquiror Inception Date pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act or other applicable securities Laws other than the Registration Statement, Prospectus and the Proxy Statement (collectively, as they have been amended since the time of their filing through the date hereof, the “Acquiror SEC Filings”). Each of the Acquiror SEC Filings, as of the date of its filing, and as of the date of any amendment thereof, complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and any other securities Laws applicable to the Acquiror SEC Filings. None of the Acquiror SEC Filings, as of the date of its filing (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, then on the date of such filing), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC with respect to the Acquiror SEC Filings. To the knowledge of Acquiror, none of the Acquiror SEC Filings filed on or prior to the date hereof is subject to ongoing SEC review or investigation as of the date hereof.

Section 6.7. Internal Controls; Listing; Financial Statements.

(a) Acquiror has established and, since the Acquiror IPO Date, has maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to Acquiror, including its consolidated subsidiaries, if any, is made known to Acquiror’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared. Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting Acquiror’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to material information required to be included in Acquiror’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act. Acquiror has established and, since the Acquiror IPO Date, has maintained a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Acquiror’s financial reporting and the preparation of Acquiror Financial Statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Each director and executive officer of Acquiror has filed with the SEC on a timely basis all statements required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Acquiror has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(c) Since the Acquiror IPO Date, Acquiror has complied in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of Nasdaq. The Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Market. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror by Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares or prohibit or terminate the listing of Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares on the Nasdaq Market.

(d) The Acquiror SEC Filings contain true and complete copies of the audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, and statement of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Acquiror for the period from the Acquiror Inception Date (inception) through December 31, 2020, together with the auditor’s reports thereon (the “Acquiror Financial Statements”). Except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Filings, the Acquiror Financial Statements (i) fairly present in all material respects the financial position of Acquiror, as at the respective dates thereof, and the results of operations and consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended, (ii) were prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and

 

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(iii) comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act in effect as of the respective dates thereof. The books and records of Acquiror are, and since the Acquiror Inception Date have been, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements.

(e) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by Acquiror to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of Acquiror. Acquiror has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(f) Neither Acquiror nor, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any independent auditor or Acquiror has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by Acquiror, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves Acquiror’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by Acquiror or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

Section 6.8. Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the date of this Agreement, except for any Acquiror Transaction Expenses payable by Acquiror or Merger Sub as a result of or in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as described herein, there is no other Liability of Acquiror or Merger Sub that would be required to be set forth or reserved for on a consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and in accordance with past practice, except for Liabilities (a) reflected or reserved for on the financial statements or disclosed in the notes thereto included in the Acquiror SEC Filings, (b) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Acquiror SEC Filings in the ordinary course of business of Acquiror and Merger Sub or (c) which would not be, or would not reasonably be expected to be, material to Acquiror.

Section 6.9. Absence of Changes. Since December 31, 2020, (a) there has not been any event or occurrence that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material and adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is, or is contemplated to be, a party and (b) except as set forth in Section 6.9 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, Acquiror and Merger Sub have, in all material respects, conducted their business and operated their properties in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

Section 6.10. Trust Account. As of the date of this Agreement, Acquiror has at least $1,725,000,000.00 in the Trust Account, such monies invested in U.S. government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), between Acquiror and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”). There are no separate Contracts, side letters or other arrangements or understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Acquiror SEC Filings to be inaccurate or that would entitle any Person (other than eligible Acquiror Shareholders who have elected to effect an Acquiror Share Redemption and the underwriters of Acquiror’s initial public offering with respect to deferred underwriting commissions) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released other than the withdrawal of interest to fund working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000), to pay Taxes and make payments with respect to Acquiror Share Redemptions or redemption of Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares in connection with any amendment to Acquiror’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. There are no claims or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened with respect to the Trust Account. Acquiror has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in default under, in breach of, or delinquent in

 

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performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. As of the Merger Effective Time, the obligations of Acquiror to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to Acquiror’s Governing Documents shall terminate, and, as of the Merger Effective Time, Acquiror shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to Acquiror’s Governing Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Acquiror by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Following the Merger Effective Time, no Acquiror Shareholder shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such Acquiror Shareholder has validly effected an Acquiror Share Redemption. As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder, neither Acquiror or Merger Sub has any reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to Acquiror and Merger Sub on the Closing Date.

Section 6.11. Investment Company Act; JOBS Act. Acquiror is not required to register as an “investment company” under (and within the meaning of) the Investment Company Act. Acquiror constitutes an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012.

Section 6.12. Capitalization of Acquiror.

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized share capital of Acquiror consists of (i) 480,000,000 Acquiror Cayman Common Shares, divided into (A) 400,000,000 Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares, 172,500,000 of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, and (B) 80,000,000 Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares, 43,125,000 of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, and (ii) 1,000,000 preference shares of par value $0.0001 each, none of which are issued or outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. Subject to the Domestication, the PIPE Investment and the Acquiror Share Redemptions, the foregoing represent all of the issued or outstanding Acquiror Shares. All issued and outstanding Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Shares (1) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, (2) have been offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in (x) Acquiror’s Governing Documents and (y) any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities and (3) have not been issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of any applicable Law, Acquiror’s Governing Documents or any Contract to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound.

(b) Subject to the terms of conditions of the Warrant Agreement, as of immediately after the Closing, each Acquiror Delaware Warrant will be exercisable after giving effect to the Merger and Domestication for one Acquiror Delaware Class A Share at an exercise price of $11.50. As of the date of this Agreement, 53,750,000 Acquiror Cayman Warrants are issued and outstanding, 19,250,000 of which are Acquiror Private Placement Warrants. The Acquiror Delaware Warrants will not be exercisable until the date that is thirty days after the Closing. All outstanding Acquiror Cayman Warrants (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of Acquiror, enforceable against Acquiror in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, (ii) have been offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in (A) Acquiror’s Governing Documents and (B) any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound and (iii) are not subject to, nor have they been issued in violation of, any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of any applicable Law, Acquiror’s Governing

 

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Documents or any Contract to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound. Except for the Subscription Agreements, Acquiror’s Governing Documents and this Agreement, there are no outstanding Contracts to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Acquiror Securities.

(c) Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 6.12 or in Section 6.12(c) of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, and other than in connection with the PIPE Investment or the rights of Acquiror’s shareholders to effect Acquiror Share Redemptions as provided in Acquiror’s Governing Documents, Acquiror has no outstanding (i) subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights (including preemptive rights), puts or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Equity Securities of Acquiror or any other Contracts to which Acquiror is a party or by which Acquiror is bound obligating Acquiror to issue or sell any Equity Securities of Acquiror, (ii) equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in Acquiror or (iii) bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Acquiror having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, Equity Securities of Acquiror having the right to vote) on any matter on which Acquiror’s shareholders may vote and there are no Contracts to which Acquiror is a party or by which Acquiror is bound obligating Acquiror to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities of Acquiror.

(d) The Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration, when issued in accordance with the terms hereof, (i) will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) will have been issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in (A) Acquiror’s Governing Documents and (B) any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities and (iii) other than as expressly contemplated by any Ancillary Agreement, will not be subject to, and will not have been issued in violation of, any Lien, purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of applicable Law, Acquiror’s Governing Documents, or any Contract to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound.

(e) Acquiror has no Subsidiaries other than Merger Sub and does not own, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities or other interests or investments (whether equity or debt) in any Person, whether incorporated or unincorporated. Other than this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements, Acquiror is not party to any Contract that obligates Acquiror to invest money in, loan money to or make any capital contribution to any other Person.

Section 6.13. PIPE Investment. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, Acquiror has entered into Subscription Agreements with PIPE Investors, true and correct copies of which have been provided to the Company on or prior to the date of this Agreement, pursuant to which, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, such PIPE Investors have agreed, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, to purchase from Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares for a PIPE Investment Amount of $775,000,000. Each Subscription Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, the applicable PIPE Investor party thereto, and neither the execution or delivery thereof by Acquiror nor the performance of Acquiror’s obligations under any such Subscription Agreement violates, or will at the Closing violate, any Laws. Each Subscription Agreement is in full force and effect and has not been withdrawn or terminated, or otherwise amended or modified, in any respect, and as of the date hereof, no withdrawal, termination, amendment or modification is contemplated by Acquiror or, to Acquiror’s knowledge, by any PIPE Investor. There are no other agreements, side letters, or arrangements between Acquiror and any PIPE Investor relating to any Subscription Agreement that could affect the obligation of such PIPE Investor to pay to Acquiror the applicable portion of the PIPE Investment Amount set forth in such Subscription Agreement as and when due pursuant to the terms thereof, and, as of the date hereof, Acquiror does not know of any fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in any Subscription Agreement not being satisfied as of the Closing (as

 

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defined in such Subscription Agreement) or the PIPE Investment Amount not being available in full to Acquiror on the Closing Date. No event has occurred that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) would constitute a default or breach on the part of Acquiror under any material term or condition of any Subscription Agreement and, as of the date hereof, Acquiror has no reason to believe that it will be unable to perform or satisfy, or cause to be performed or satisfied, on a timely basis any obligation to be satisfied by it or any condition, in each case, contained in any Subscription Agreement. No fees, consideration or other discounts are, or will be, payable to any PIPE Investor in respect of its PIPE Investment, except as set forth in the Subscription Agreements.

Section 6.14. Brokers Fees. Except as set forth in Section 6.14 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by Acquiror or any of its Affiliates, except for any such fee or commission payable solely by an Affiliate of Acquiror (other than Merger Sub).

Section 6.15. Indebtedness; SPAC Expenses. Merger Sub does not have any Indebtedness or unpaid Liabilities. To the knowledge of Acquiror, the Indebtedness and other unpaid Liabilities of Acquiror as of the date of this Agreement (including in respect of deferred underwriting commissions and costs and expenses incurred in respect with other prospective Business Combinations and of Acquiror’s initial public offering) do not exceed, in the aggregate, the amount set forth in Section 6.15 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter.

Section 6.16. Taxes.

(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to Acquiror or Merger Sub have been timely filed (taking into account any applicable extensions), all such Tax Returns (taking into account all amendments thereto) are true, complete and accurate in all material respects and all material Taxes due and payable by Acquiror or Merger Sub (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been paid, other than Taxes being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Acquiror and Merger Sub have withheld from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or other Person all material amounts of Taxes required by Law to be withheld, paid over to the proper Governmental Authority in a timely manner all such withheld amounts required to have been so paid over and otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable withholding and related reporting requirements with respect to such Taxes.

(c) There are no Liens for any Taxes (other than Permitted Liens) upon the property or assets of Acquiror or Merger Sub.

(d) No claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment for any material amount of Tax has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Authority against Acquiror or Merger Sub that remains unresolved or unpaid, except for claims, assessments, deficiencies or proposed adjustments (i) being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP and (ii) as set forth in Section 6.16(d) of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter or disclosed in the notes to Acquiror’s financial statements.

(e) There are no Tax audits, examinations or other Actions with respect to any material Taxes of Acquiror or Merger Sub presently in progress or pending, and there are no waivers, extensions or requests for any waivers or extensions of any statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to any Taxes of Acquiror or Merger Sub.

 

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(f) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has made a request for an advance tax ruling, request for technical advice, a request for a change of any method of accounting or any similar request that is in progress or pending with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes that would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Acquiror or Merger Sub.

(g) No written and unresolved claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction in which Acquiror or Merger Sub does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation in that jurisdiction.

(h) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has a “permanent establishment” (within the meaning of an applicable income Tax treaty or convention) in any country other than the United States or the country under the Laws of which Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable, is organized), or is subject to income Tax in a jurisdiction outside the country under the Laws of which Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable, is organized.

(i) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is a party to any Tax indemnification or Tax sharing or similar agreement (other than any such agreement solely between the Acquiror and Merger Sub and customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily related to Taxes.

(j) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has been a party to any transaction treated by the parties to such transaction as a distribution of stock qualifying for income tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

(k) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub (i) is liable for Taxes of any other Person (other than Acquiror or Merger Sub) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law or as a transferee or successor or by Contract (other than customary commercial Contracts (or Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business) not primarily related to Taxes) or (ii) has ever been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes, other than a group consisting solely of Acquiror and Merger Sub.

(l) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has participated in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.6011-4(b) (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).

(m) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub will be required to include any material amount in taxable income, exclude any material item of deduction or loss from taxable income, or make any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) installment sale, intercompany transaction described in the Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing, (ii) prepaid amount received or deferred revenue recognized on or prior to the Closing other than in the ordinary course of business, (iii) change in method of accounting for a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing, (iv) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) executed on or prior to the Closing or (v) by reason of Section 965(a) of the Code or an election pursuant to Section 965(h) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).

(n) Acquiror and Merger Sub have not taken any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment. To the knowledge of the Acquiror and Merger Sub, there are no facts or circumstances, other than any facts and circumstances to the extent

 

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that such facts and circumstances exist or arise as a result of or related to any act or omission occurring after the date of this Agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not contemplated by this Agreement and/or any Ancillary Agreement, that could reasonably be expected to prevent the merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

(o) Acquiror has never owned any Equity Securities of another Person (other than Merger Sub).

Section 6.17. Business Activities.

(a) Since its incorporation or organization, as applicable, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has conducted any business activities other than activities related to Acquiror’s initial public offering or directed toward the accomplishment of a Business Combination. Except as set forth in Acquiror’s Governing Documents or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, there is no Contract or Governmental Order binding upon Acquiror or Merger Sub or to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Acquiror or Merger Sub or any acquisition of property by Acquiror or Merger Sub or the conduct of business by Acquiror or Merger Sub as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing, other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not been and would not reasonably be expected to be material to Acquiror or Merger Sub.

(b) Except for Merger Sub and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, Acquiror does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person. Except for this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, Acquiror has no material interests, rights, obligations or Liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Contract or transaction which is, or would reasonably be interpreted as constituting, a Business Combination. Except for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, Merger Sub does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person.

(c) Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of effecting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and has no, and at all times prior to the Merger Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the other documents and transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, has no, assets, Liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever other than those incident to its formation.

(d) As of the date hereof, and except for this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (including with respect to expenses and fees incurred in connection therewith), neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is party to any Contract with any other Person that would require payments by Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof in excess of $150,000 monthly or $250,000 in the aggregate with respect to any individual Contract, other than with respect to the Acquiror Transaction Expenses. As of the date hereof, there are no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loans.

Section 6.18. Nasdaq Stock Market Quotation. The Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Market under the symbol “SRNG”. The Acquiror Cayman Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Market under the symbol “SRNGW”. As of the Closing, after the Domestication, the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares and the Acquiror Delaware

 

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Warrants will be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and will be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Market. Acquiror is in compliance with Nasdaq rules and there is no Action or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror by Nasdaq or the SEC seeking to deregister the Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares or the Acquiror Cayman Warrants or terminate the listing of the Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares or the Acquiror Cayman Warrants on the Nasdaq Market. None of Acquiror, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares or Acquiror Cayman Warrants under the Exchange Act except as contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.19. Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and Proxy Statement/Registration Statement. On the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement, and when first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and/or filed pursuant to Section 14A, the Proxy Statement and the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto), shall comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. On the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. On the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and/or Section 14A, the date the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, as applicable, is first mailed to the Acquiror Shareholders and certain of the Company’s stockholders, as applicable, and at the time of the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting, the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, as applicable (together with any amendments or supplements thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Acquiror makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement or the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to Acquiror by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement or the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement.

Section 6.20. No Additional Representation or Warranties.

(a) Except as provided in this Article VI, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub nor any Related Person of Acquiror or Merger Sub has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to the Company or any of its Related Persons and none of Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their respective Related Persons shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to the Company or any of its Related Persons.

(b) Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Acquiror Insiders and their respective Representatives have made their own investigation of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, except as provided in Article V, are not relying on any representation or warranty whatsoever as to the condition, merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or trade as to any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the prospects (financial or otherwise) or the viability or likelihood of success of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as conducted after the Closing, as contained in any materials provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Related Persons or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood that any cost estimates, financial or other projections or other predictions that may be contained or referred to in the Company Disclosure Letter or elsewhere, as well as any information, documents or other materials (including any such materials contained in any “data room” (whether or not accessed by Acquiror, any Acquiror Insider or any of their respective Representatives) or reviewed by Acquiror, any Acquiror Insider or any of their respective Representatives pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement) or management presentations that have been or may hereafter be provided to Acquiror, any Acquiror Insider or any of their respective Representatives are not and will

 

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not be deemed to be representations or warranties of the Company, and no representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing except as may be expressly set forth in Article V of this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, Acquiror understands and agrees that the assets, properties and business of the Company and its Subsidiaries are furnished “as is”, “where is” and subject to and except as otherwise provided in the representations and warranties contained in Article V, with all faults and without any other representation or warranty of any nature whatsoever.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 7.1. Conduct of Business. From the date of this Agreement through the earlier of the Closing or the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article XI (the “Interim Period”), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, except as explicitly required or permitted by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party (including as necessary to effect the Company Recapitalization in accordance with Section 2.2), as required by Law or as consented to by Acquiror in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), use commercially reasonable efforts to operate the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course and use reasonable best efforts to preserve the present business and operations and goodwill of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall not, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, except (w) as otherwise expressly required or permitted by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including as necessary to effect the Company Recapitalization in accordance with Section 2.2), (x) as required by Law, (y) as consented to by Acquiror in writing (which consent with respect to paragraphs (b), (c) (other than clause (i), (ii) and (iii) thereof), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), (k), (m), (n), (o), (p) or (s) (to the extent relating to the foregoing paragraphs) of this Section 7.1 shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (z) as set forth in Section 7.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter:

(a) amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify any provision of the Governing Documents of the Company;

(b) incorporate, form or organize any new direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or engage in any new line of business that is materially different from the general nature of the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof;

(c) (i) pay, make, declare or set aside any dividend or distribution in respect of any Equity Security of the Company, (ii) split, combine, reclassify or otherwise amend or modify any terms of any Equity Security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than any such transaction by a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company that remains a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company after consummation of such transaction, (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire (or offer to purchase, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire) any issued and outstanding Equity Security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than, in the case of this clause (iii), (A) in connection with the forfeiture or cancellation of any such Equity Security for no consideration, (B) the surrender of Company Common Shares by holders of Company Options in order to pay the exercise price of any Company Option, (C) the withholding of Company Common Shares to satisfy tax obligations with respect to any Company Equity Awards or (D) transactions between the Company and any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries or between any two or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company, (iv) grant, issue, transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of, or authorize to issue, sell, or otherwise dispose of, any Equity Securities in the Company (other than any grant of any equity awards under any Company Incentive Plan in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or (v) issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber, or agree to any of the foregoing with respect to, any Equity Securities or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any Equity Securities;

 

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(d) enter into, modify or amend in any material respect or terminate (other than by expiration in accordance with the terms of any Contract without an auto-renewal or similar term) any Contract of a type required to be listed in Section 5.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter or any Real Property Lease, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business;

(e) (i) issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of another Person, (ii) incur or assume any Indebtedness for borrowed money or (iii) guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money of a third party, except, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000;

(f) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of any material tangible assets or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for (i) dispositions of obsolete or worthless equipment, (ii) transactions between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between any two or more of the Company’s Subsidiaries and (iii) transactions in the ordinary course of business;

(g) make or commit to make any capital expenditures other than in an amount not exceeding $100,000,000 in the aggregate;

(h) acquire by merger or consolidation with, or merge or consolidate with, or purchase substantially all or a material portion of the assets of, any corporation, partnership, association, joint venture or other business organization or division thereof;

(i) waive, release, settle, compromise or otherwise resolve any Action, except in the ordinary course of business or where such waivers, releases, settlements or compromises involve only the payment of monetary damages in an amount less than $10,000,000 (net of any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate;

(j) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of, or otherwise enter into or effect any, complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than the Merger);

(k) (i) make or change any material election in respect of Taxes, (ii) amend, modify or otherwise change any filed material Tax Return, (iii) adopt or request permission of any taxing authority to change any accounting method in respect of material Taxes, (iv) enter into any closing agreement in respect of material Taxes or enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (other than customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily related to Taxes), (v) settle any claim or assessment in respect of material Taxes, (vi) surrender or allow to expire any right to claim a refund of material Taxes or (vii) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of material Taxes or in respect of any material Tax attribute that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any claim or assessment of Taxes;

(l) take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations;

 

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(m) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as otherwise required by any existing Company Benefit Plan or any Contract listed in Section 5.13 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) grant any severance, retention, change-of-control or termination or similar pay, except in connection with the promotion, hiring or termination of employment of any employee in the ordinary course of business, (ii) terminate, adopt, enter into or amend any material Company Benefit Plan, or (iii) increase the cash compensation or bonus opportunity of any employee, officer, director or other individual service provider;

(n) enter into, amend, extend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or similar labor agreement or recognize or certify any labor union, labor organization, or group of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries as the bargaining representative for any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(o) implement any employee layoffs, plant closings, or similar events that individually or in the aggregate would give rise to any material obligations or Liabilities on the part of the Company under the federal Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar state or local “mass layoff” or “plant closing” Law;

(p) enter into or materially amend any agreement with, or pay, distribute or advance any assets or property to, any of its officers, directors, employees, partners, stockholders or other Affiliates, other than payments or distributions (x) relating to obligations in respect of arms-length commercial transactions pursuant to the agreements set forth in Section 5.31 of the Company Disclosure Letter as existing on the date of this Agreement or (y) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(q) except as required by GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) or applicable Law, make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices;

(r) (i) transfer, sell, assign, license, sublicense, covenant not to assert, encumber, subject to a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien), abandon, allow to lapse, or otherwise dispose of, any right, title or interest of the Company or its Subsidiaries in Company Owned Intellectual Property (other than non-exclusive licenses to Company Owned Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business, exclusive licenses to customers with respect to Intellectual Property developed for or utilized by such customers pursuant to agreements entered in the ordinary course of business or Company Owned Intellectual Property abandoned in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in the Company’s reasonable business judgment); (ii) disclose any Trade Secrets to any third party that is not subject to a Contract to maintain confidentiality; or (iii) subject any source code for any Company Software to any Copyleft License; or

(s) enter into any agreement to take any action prohibited under this Section 7.1.

Section 7.2. Inspection. During the Interim Period, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to afford to Acquiror and its Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice, and solely for purposes in furtherance of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including transition and integration planning) to all of the respective properties (other than for purposes of performing any testing, sampling or analysis of any properties, facilities or equipment of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), books, Contracts, Tax Returns, records and appropriate officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and shall furnish such Representatives with all historical or prospective financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries as such Representatives may reasonably request, to the extent then available, except, in each case, to the extent that the Company reasonably determines that providing such access would (a) unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) violate any contractual, fiduciary or legal duty or obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject (provided that, to the extent possible,

 

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the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to permit disclosure of such information in a manner that complies with such duty or obligation), (c) result in the loss of the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to assert successfully or seek the application of attorney-client privilege or the work-product doctrine or (d) result in the disclosure of information reasonably pertinent to any Action in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Acquiror, Merger Sub, any Acquiror Insider or any of their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, are adverse parties. Additionally, in the event that any litigation related to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby is brought, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, against the Company or the Company Board (or any member thereof) prior to the Closing, the Company shall promptly notify Acquiror of such pending or threatened litigation and shall keep Acquiror reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. All information obtained by Acquiror, Merger Sub or their respective representatives pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement.

Section 7.3. Preparation and Delivery of Additional Company Financial Statements. As promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company shall deliver to Acquiror (a) the audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, audited in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (provided that such financial statements shall not be required to include a signed audit opinion, which signed audit opinion shall instead be delivered concurrently with the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC) (the “2020 Audited Financial Statements”) and (b) any other audited or unaudited financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries that are required by applicable Law to be included in the Registration Statement (the financial statements described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), collectively, the “Closing Company Financial Statements”).

Section 7.4. Affiliate Agreements. The Company shall terminate or settle all Affiliate Agreements identified in Section 7.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter at or prior to the Closing without further liability to Acquiror, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, except as set forth in Section 7.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter.

Section 7.5. Acquisition Proposals. During the Interim Period, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, and shall instruct and use reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective Representatives not to, (a) initiate, solicit, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, any Person with respect to, or provide any non-public information or data concerning the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to any Person relating to, an Acquisition Proposal (other than to inform such Person of the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section 7.5) or afford to any Person access to the business, properties, assets, information or personnel of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition Proposal, (b) enter into any acquisition agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement, or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or agreement in principle, or any other agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal, (c) grant any waiver, amendment or release under any confidentiality agreement or the anti-takeover laws of any state for purposes of facilitating an Acquisition Proposal, (d) otherwise knowingly encourage or facilitate any such inquiries, proposals, discussions, or negotiations or any effort or attempt by any Person to make an Acquisition Proposal or (e) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt thereof) notify Acquiror in writing of the receipt of any inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information received after the date hereof that constitutes an Acquisition Proposal and keep Acquiror reasonably informed of any material developments with respect to any such inquiry, proposal, offer, request for information or Acquisition Proposal (including any material changes thereto).

 

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ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR

Section 8.1. Employee Matters.

(a) Equity Plan. Prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall approve and adopt an equity incentive plan (the “EIP”), and an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) in the form provided by the Company to Acquiror prior to the Closing Date with terms consistent with this Section 8.1(a) and as otherwise determined by the Company. The EIP and the ESPP shall each provide for the ability to grant and recycle Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares and Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares (including any shares subject to forfeited Acquiror Options, Acquiror Restricted Stock Awards or Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Awards), except that the Persons identified in Section 8.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter shall not be eligible to receive Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares under the EIP. The EIP shall initially reserve a number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares constituting no less than 10% of total number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, as determined at the Closing, plus the Remaining Earn-out Shares. A committee composed of a subset of the Persons identified in Section 8.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter shall have the authority to grant equity awards under the EIP covering the Remaining Earn-out Shares and any Earn-out Shares that return the EIP as a result of the forfeiture or net settlement (including for taxes) of Acquiror Options, Acquiror Restricted Stock Awards and Acquiror Restricted Stock Unit Awards, except that such committee may not make any such grants to any of the Persons identified in Section 8.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter. The ESPP shall initially reserve a number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares constituting no less than 1% of the total number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, as determined at the Closing. Each of the EIP and the ESPP shall include an “evergreen” provision pursuant to which the number of Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares reserved for issuance under such equity plan shall be increased automatically each year by 4% (in the case of the EIP) or 1% (in the case of the ESPP) of the aggregate number of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares then outstanding. Within five Business Days following the expiration of the 60-day period following the date on which Acquiror files current Form 10 information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company, Acquiror shall file an effective registration statement on Form S-8 (or other applicable form, including Form S-3) with respect to the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares issuable under the EIP and the ESPP.

(b) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Party acknowledges and agrees that all provisions contained in this Section 8.1 are included for the sole benefit of Acquiror and the Company, and that nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, (i) shall be construed to establish, amend, or modify any employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, (ii) shall limit the right of Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates to amend, terminate or otherwise modify any Company Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, agreement or other arrangement following the Closing or (iii) shall confer upon any Person who is not a Party (including any equityholder, any current or former director, manager, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company, or any participant in any Company Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, agreement or other arrangement (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof)), any right to continued or resumed employment or recall, any right to compensation or benefits, or any third-party beneficiary or other right of any kind or nature whatsoever.

Section 8.2. Trust Account Proceeds and Related Available Equity. Upon satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by the applicable Party or Parties entitled to the benefit thereof) of all of the conditions set forth in Article X (other than the Domestication Condition and those conditions that by their nature or terms are to be satisfied at the Closing), Acquiror shall provide notice (in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement) thereof to the Trustee and (a) pursuant to and in accordance with

 

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the Trust Agreement, (a) Acquiror (i) shall cause any notices, certificates, opinions or other documents required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement to be so delivered at the time and in the manner required under the Trust Agreement and (ii) shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to, and the Trustee shall thereupon be obligated to, at the Closing, (A) pay as and when due all amounts payable to Acquiror Shareholders pursuant to the Acquiror Share Redemptions, and (B) pay all remaining amounts then available in the Trust Account to Acquiror for immediate use, subject to this Agreement and the Trust Agreement, and (b) thereafter, the Trust Account shall terminate, except as otherwise provided therein.

Section 8.3. Listing Matters.

(a) During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Market and, in the event that Acquiror receives any notice that Acquiror has failed to satisfy any Nasdaq listing requirement, shall provide prompt written notice of the same to the Company, including a copy of any written notice thereof received from Nasdaq.

(b) Prior to the Closing, Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to be approved for listing on the Listing Exchange (subject to notice of issuance) prior to the Closing under a ticker symbol to be selected by the Company, including by submitting prior to the Closing an initial listing application (the “Listing Application”) with Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, with respect to such Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares. Each of the Company and Acquiror shall promptly furnish all information concerning itself and its Affiliates as may be reasonably requested by the other such Party and shall otherwise reasonably assist and cooperate with the other such Party in connection with the preparation and filing of the Listing Application. Acquiror will use reasonable best efforts to (i) cause the Listing Application, when filed, to comply in all material respects with all requirements applicable thereto, (ii) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from Nasdaq or its staff concerning the Listing Application and (iii) have the Listing Application approved by Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, as promptly as practicable after such filing. Acquiror shall not submit the Nasdaq Listing Application or any supplement or amendment thereto, or respond to comments received from Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, with respect thereto, without the Company’s prior consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and without providing the Company a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. Acquiror shall promptly notify the Company upon the receipt of any comments from Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, or any request from Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, for amendments or supplements to the Listing Application and shall provide the Company with copies of all material correspondence between Acquiror or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, on the other hand, and all written comments with respect to the Listing Application received from Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, and advise the Company of any oral comments with respect to the Listing Application received from Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable. Promptly after receiving notice thereof, Acquiror shall advise the Company of the time of the approval of the Listing Application and the approval for listing on the Listing Exchange (subject to official notice of issuance) of the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 8.4. No Solicitation by Acquiror. During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, and shall instruct and use reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective Representatives, not to, (a) make any proposal or offer that constitutes a Business Combination Proposal, (b) initiate, solicit, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, any Person with respect to a Business Combination Proposal (other than to inform such Person of Acquiror’s obligations pursuant to this Section 8.4) or (iii) enter into any acquisition agreement, business combination agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement, or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or agreement in principle, or

 

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any other agreement relating to a Business Combination Proposal, in each case, other than to or with the Company and its Representatives. From and after the date hereof, Acquiror shall, and shall instruct and cause its Representatives, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives to, immediately cease and terminate all discussions and negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Business Combination Proposal (other than the Company and its Representatives).

Section 8.5. Acquiror Conduct of Business.

(a) During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall, and shall cause Merger Sub to, except as expressly required or permitted by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party (including as contemplated by the PIPE Investment and as necessary to effect the Domestication), as required by Law or as consented to by the Company in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), use reasonable best efforts to operate its business in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Acquiror shall not, and shall cause Merger Sub not to, except (w) as otherwise expressly required or permitted by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including as contemplated by the PIPE Investment and as necessary to effect the Domestication), (x) as required by Law, (y) as consented to by the Company in writing (which consent with respect to clauses (iii), (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii) (to the extent relating to the foregoing items) of this Section 8.5(a) shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (z) as set forth in Section 8.5(a) of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter:

(i) amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify or waive any provision of (or seek any approval from the Acquiror Shareholders to amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify or waive any provision of) the Trust Agreement, the Acquiror Warrants, the Warrant Agreement or the Governing Documents of Acquiror or Merger Sub, except as contemplated by the Transaction Proposals or the Acquiror Warrant Proposal;

(ii) (A) pay, make, declare or set aside any dividend or distribution in respect of any Equity Security of Acquiror or Merger Sub, (B) split, combine, reclassify or otherwise amend or modify any terms of any Equity Security of Acquiror or Merger Sub or (C) purchase, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire (or offer to purchase, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire) any issued and outstanding Equity Security of Acquiror or Merger Sub, other than to provide eligible Acquiror Shareholders with the opportunity to effect Acquiror Share Redemptions as required by Acquiror’s Governing Documents;

(iii) make or change any material election in respect of Taxes, (A) amend, modify or otherwise change any filed material Tax Return, (B) adopt or request permission of any taxing authority to change any accounting method in respect of material Taxes, (C) enter into any closing agreement in respect of material Taxes or enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (other than customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily related to Taxes), (D) settle any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, (E) surrender or allow to expire any right to claim a refund of material Taxes; or (F) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of material Taxes or in respect of any material Tax attribute that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any claim or assessment of Taxes;

(iv) take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations;

 

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(v) enter into, renew, terminate, amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify or waive any provision of any transaction or Contract (including the Insider Letter) with any Affiliate of Acquiror or Merger Sub, any Acquiror Insider or any Person in which the Sponsor has a direct or indirect legal, contractual or beneficial ownership interest of 5% or greater;

(vi) other than Acquiror Transaction Expenses, incur, assume or otherwise become liable for (whether directly or indirectly, absolutely or contingently or otherwise) any Indebtedness or Liability or guarantee any Indebtedness or Liability of another Person, or issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of another Person, other than Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate;

(vii) (A) issue any Equity Securities of Acquiror, other than the issuance of the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the issuance of the Aggregate Earn-out Value Consideration, (B) grant any options, warrants or other equity-based awards with respect to Equity Securities of Acquiror not outstanding on the date hereof or (C) amend, modify or waive any of the material terms or rights set forth in any Acquiror Warrant, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein; or

(viii) enter into any agreement to take any action prohibited under this Section 8.5.

(b) During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries (including Merger Sub) to comply with, and continue performing under, as applicable, Acquiror’s Governing Documents, the Trust Agreement and all other agreements or Contracts to which Acquiror or its Subsidiaries may be a party.

Section 8.6. Post-Closing Directors and Officers of Acquiror. Subject to the terms of the Acquiror’s Governing Documents, Acquiror shall take all such action within its power as may be necessary or appropriate such that immediately following the Merger Effective Time:

(a) the Acquiror Board shall consist of eight directors, which initially shall be those individuals identified in Section 8.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter; and

(b) the initial officers of Acquiror shall be as set forth in Section 8.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter (as may be updated by the Company prior to Closing following written notice to Acquiror), who shall serve in such capacity in accordance with the terms of Acquiror’s Governing Documents following the Merger Effective Time.

Section 8.7. Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) From and after the Merger Effective Time, Acquiror agrees that it shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of the (i) Company and each of its Subsidiaries (in each case, solely to the extent acting in their capacity as such and to the extent such activities are related to the business of the Company being acquired under this Agreement) (the “Company Indemnified Parties”) and (ii) Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries (the “Acquiror Indemnified Parties” together with the Company Indemnified Parties, the “D&O Indemnified Parties”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any Action, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Merger Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to,

 

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at or after the Merger Effective Time, to the fullest extent that the Company, Acquiror or any of their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, would have been permitted under applicable Law and its Governing Documents in effect on the date of this Agreement to indemnify such D&O Indemnified Parties (including the advancing of expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law). Without limiting the foregoing, Acquiror shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to (A) maintain for a period of not less than six years following the Closing Date provisions in its Governing Documents concerning the indemnification, exoneration and exculpation (including provisions relating to expense advancement) of Acquiror’s and its Subsidiaries’ former and current officers, directors, employees, and agents that are no less favorable to those Persons than the provisions of the Governing Documents of the Company, Acquiror or their respective Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, and (B) not amend, repeal or otherwise modify such provisions in any respect that would adversely affect the rights of those Persons thereunder, in each case, except as required by Law. Acquiror shall assume, and be liable for, each of the covenants in this Section 8.7.

(b) For a period of six years following the Closing Date, Acquiror shall maintain in effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering those Persons who are currently covered by Acquiror’s, the Company’s or any of their respective Subsidiaries’ directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies (true, correct and complete copies of which have been heretofore made available to each of Acquiror and the Company) on terms substantially the same as (and, in any event, not less favorable in the aggregate than) the terms of such current insurance coverage, except that in no event shall Acquiror be required to pay an annual premium for such insurance in excess of three hundred percent (300%) of the aggregate annual premium payable by Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, for such insurance policy for the year ended December 31, 2021; provided, however, that if the premium for such insurance would exceed such amount or such coverage is not otherwise available, then Acquiror shall purchase and maintain the maximum coverage available for three hundred percent (300%) of the aggregate annual premium payable by Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, for such insurance policy for the year ended December 31, 2021; provided, further, that (i) Acquiror may cause coverage to be extended under the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance by obtaining a six-year “tail” policy containing terms substantially the same as (and, in any event, not less favorable in the aggregate than) the terms of such current insurance coverage with respect to claims existing or occurring at or prior to the Merger Effective Time and (ii) if any claim is asserted or made within such six-year period, any insurance required to be maintained under this Section 8.7 shall be continued in respect of such claim until the final disposition thereof.

(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 8.7 shall survive the consummation of the Merger indefinitely and shall be binding, jointly and severally, on Acquiror and all successors and assigns of Acquiror. In the event that Acquiror or any of its successors or assigns consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, Acquiror shall ensure that proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Acquiror shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 8.7.

(d) Prior to or at the Closing, Acquiror shall enter into customary indemnification agreements reasonably satisfactory to each of the Company and Acquiror with each Person who shall be a director or an officer of Acquiror immediately after the merger Effective Time, which indemnification agreements shall continue to be effective following the Closing.

(e) The rights of each D&O Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such person may have under the Governing Documents of the Company, any other indemnification arrangement, any Law or otherwise. The provisions of this Section 8.7 expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 8.7.

 

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Section 8.8. Acquiror Public Filings. From the date hereof through the Merger Effective Time, Acquiror will keep current and timely file all periodic reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable Laws.

Section 8.9. PIPE Subscriptions. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Company, Acquiror shall not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, any waiver (in whole or in part) of, or provide consent to modify (including consent to terminate), any provision or remedy under, or any replacements of, any of the Subscription Agreements. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions required, necessary or that it otherwise deems to be proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements on the terms described therein, including using its reasonable best efforts to enforce its rights under the Subscription Agreements to cause the PIPE Investors to pay to (or as directed by) Acquiror the applicable purchase price under each PIPE Investor’s applicable Subscription Agreement in accordance with its terms. For purposes of satisfying the condition set forth in Section 10.3(d), Acquiror may enter into additional Subscription Agreements with the Company’s prior written consent as long as the purchase price is at least $10.00 per PIPE share so subscribed for. The proceeds raised pursuant to such additional Subscription Agreement(s) shall be included in the determination of the Acquiror Closing Cash Amount.

ARTICLE IX

JOINT COVENANTS

Section 9.1. HSR Act; Other Filings.

(a) In connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Company and Acquiror shall (and, to the extent necessary, shall cause its Affiliates to) comply promptly but in no event later than ten Business Days after the date hereof with the notification and reporting requirements of the HSR Act. Each of the Company and Acquiror shall substantially comply with any Antitrust Information or Document Requests pursuant to the HSR Act.

(b) Each of the Company and Acquiror shall (and, to the extent necessary, shall cause its Affiliates to) request early termination of any waiting period under the HSR Act and exercise its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain termination or expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and (ii) prevent the entry, in any Action brought by an Antitrust Authority or any other Person, of any Governmental Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) Each Party shall cooperate in good faith with Governmental Authorities and use reasonable best efforts to undertake promptly any and all action required to complete lawfully the transactions contemplated hereby as soon as practicable (but in any event prior to the Outside Deadline) and any and all action necessary or advisable to avoid, prevent, eliminate or remove the actual or threatened commencement of any proceeding in any forum by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or the issuance of any Governmental Order that would delay, enjoin, prevent, restrain or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the Merger.

(d) To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Company shall promptly furnish to Acquiror, and Acquiror shall promptly furnish to the Company, copies of any notices or written communications received by such party or any of its Affiliates from any third party or any Governmental Authority with

 

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respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and each such Party shall permit counsel to the other such Party an opportunity to review in advance, and each such Party shall consider in good faith the views of such counsel in connection with, any proposed written communications by such Party or any of its Affiliates to any Governmental Authority concerning the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that none of the Parties shall extend any waiting period or comparable period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority without the written consent of the other Parties. To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Company agrees to provide Acquiror and its counsel, and Acquiror agrees to provide the Company and its counsel, the opportunity, on reasonable advance notice, to participate in any substantive meetings or discussions, either in person or by telephone, between such Party or any of its Affiliates, agents or advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority, on the other hand, concerning or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(e) Each of the Company, on the one hand, and Acquiror, on the other, shall be responsible for and pay 50% of the filing fees payable to the Antitrust Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 9.2. Preparation of Proxy Statement/Registration Statement; Shareholders Meeting and Approvals.

(a) Registration Statement and Prospectus.

(i) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, (A) Acquiror and the Company shall jointly prepare and Acquiror shall file with the SEC, mutually acceptable materials which shall include the proxy statement to be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement and sent to the Acquiror Shareholders relating to the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting (such proxy statement, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”), and (B) Acquiror shall prepare (with the Company’s reasonable cooperation (including causing its Subsidiaries and representatives to cooperate)) and file with the SEC the Registration Statement, in which the Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Registration Statement”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of (x) the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares and Acquiror Delaware Warrants to be issued in exchange for the issued and outstanding Acquiror Cayman Common Shares, Acquiror Cayman Warrants and Acquiror Cayman Units in the Domestication, (y) the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares that constitute the Aggregate Equity Value Consideration and the Aggregate Earn-out Consideration and (z) the Acquiror Delaware Warrants to be issued in exchange for the issued and outstanding Company Preferred Warrants (the Equity Securities of Acquiror described in the foregoing clauses (x), (y) and (z), collectively, the “Registration Statement Securities”). Each of Acquiror and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither Acquiror nor its tax advisors are obligated to provide any opinion that the Domestication qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement otherwise qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment (other than a customary opinion regarding the material accuracy of any disclosure regarding U.S. federal income tax considerations of such transactions included in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement as may be required to satisfy applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC). Acquiror also agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” Governmental Authorizations required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company shall furnish all information concerning the

 

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Company, its Subsidiaries and any of their respective holders of Equity Securities as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. Each of Acquiror and the Company agrees to furnish to the other such Party all information concerning itself and its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers and holders of Equity Securities and information regarding such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable or as may be reasonably requested in connection with the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement, a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries to any Governmental Authority or to Nasdaq or NYSE, as applicable, in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the “Offer Documents”). Acquiror shall cause the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement to be mailed to the Acquiror Shareholders promptly after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act.

(ii) To the extent not prohibited by Law, Acquiror will advise the Company, reasonably promptly after Acquiror receives notice thereof, of the time when the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the Acquiror Delaware Common Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or for additional information. To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Company and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement and any Offer Document each time before any such document is filed with the SEC, and Acquiror shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by the Company and its counsel. To the extent not prohibited by Law, Acquiror shall provide the Company and its counsel with (A) any comments or other communications, whether written or oral, that Acquiror or its counsel may receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or Offer Documents promptly after receipt of those comments or other communications and (B) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the response of Acquiror to those comments and to provide comments on that response (to which reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given), including by participating with the Company or its counsel in any discussions or meetings with the SEC.

(iii) Each of Acquiror and the Company shall ensure that none of the information supplied by or on its behalf for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (A) the Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, at each time at which it is amended and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading or (B) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Acquiror Shareholders and at the time of the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

(iv) If at any time prior to the Merger Effective Time any information relating to the Company, Acquiror or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates, directors or officers is discovered by the Company or Acquiror, which is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement, so that neither of such documents would include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, with respect to the Proxy Statement, in light of the circumstances

 

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under which they were made, not misleading, the Party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other Parties and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by Law, disseminated to the Acquiror Shareholders.

(b) Acquiror Warrantholder Approval. As promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Acquiror shall prepare a consent solicitation in accordance with the Acquiror Warrants, the Warrant Agreement, Acquiror’s Governing Documents, applicable Law (including the Companies Act) and Nasdaq rules, in a form approved by the Company, to be delivered to the holders of Acquiror Warrants (the “Consent Solicitation”) for the purpose of soliciting approvals or consents from such holders to effect such amendments to the Warrant Agreement in order to qualify the Acquiror Warrants for classification as equity instruments (rather than liabilities) of Acquiror from and after the effectiveness of such amendments under GAAP and other applicable accounting standards (the “Acquiror Warrant Proposal”). Acquiror shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the Consent Solicitation to be disseminated to the holders of Acquiror Warrants in compliance with the Acquiror Warrants, the Warrant Agreement, Acquiror’s Governing Documents, applicable Law (including the Companies Act) and Nasdaq rules as promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement and (ii) obtain the Acquiror Warrantholder Approval as promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement (and, in any event, prior to the Closing); provided that in no event shall Acquiror or Merger Sub be obligated to bear any expense or pay any amount (except for any filing or registration fee with the SEC and customary fees to a consent solicitation agent) or grant any concession in connection with obtaining the Acquiror Warrantholder Approval.

(c) Acquiror Shareholder Approval. Acquiror shall (i) as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, (x) cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to Acquiror Shareholders in compliance with applicable Law, (y) duly give notice of and convene and hold a meeting of the Acquiror Shareholders (the “Acquiror Shareholders Meeting”) in accordance with Acquiror’s Governing Documents and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(b) for a date no later than 30 Business Days following the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act and (z) solicit proxies from the holders of Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Shares to vote in favor of each of the Transaction Proposals and solicit proxies from the holders of Acquiror Warrants to vote in favor of the Acquiror Warrant Proposal, and (ii) provide the Acquiror Shareholders with the opportunity to elect to effect an Acquiror Share Redemption. Acquiror shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to the Acquiror Shareholders: (A) the approval of the change of Acquiror’s jurisdiction of incorporation to the State of Delaware, (B) approval of the change of Acquiror’s name to “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.”, (C) the amendment and restatement of Acquiror’s Governing Documents, in the form attached as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively (as may be subsequently amended by mutual written agreement of the Company and Acquiror at any time before the effectiveness of the Registration Statement), in connection with the Domestication, including any separate or unbundled proposals as are required to implement the foregoing, (D) the adoption and approval of this Agreement in accordance with applicable Law and Nasdaq rules, (E) the approval of the issuance of Acquiror Delaware Common Shares in connection with the Domestication and the Merger, (F) the approval of the issuance of more than one percent (1%) of Acquiror’s outstanding common stock to a “related party” pursuant to Nasdaq rules as contemplated by the Subscription Agreements with the applicable PIPE Investors, to the extent applicable, (G) the approval of the adoption by Acquiror of the EIP and the ESPP, (H) the election of directors effective as of the Closing as contemplated by Section 8.6, (I) the adoption and approval of any other proposals as the SEC (or staff member thereof) may indicate are necessary in its comments to the Registration Statement or correspondence related thereto, (J) the adoption and approval of any other proposals as reasonably agreed by Acquiror and the Company to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and (K) the adjournment of the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies because there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the

 

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foregoing (such proposals described in the foregoing clauses (A) through (K), together, the “Transaction Proposals”), and include such recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The Acquiror Board shall not withdraw, amend, qualify or modify its recommendation to the Acquiror Shareholders that they vote in favor of the Transaction Proposals (together with any withdrawal, amendment, qualification or modification of any of the Acquiror Board Actions, a “Modification in Recommendation”). To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, (x) Acquiror’s obligations to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting shall not be affected by any Modification in Recommendation and (y) Acquiror agrees to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting and submit for approval the Transaction Proposals. Acquiror shall adjourn the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting (i) to solicit additional proxies for the purpose of obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approval if the Acquiror Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting, (ii) if a quorum is absent, or (iii) to allow reasonable additional time for the filing or mailing of any supplemental or amended disclosure that Acquiror has determined in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel is required under applicable Law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by Acquiror Shareholders prior to the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting; provided that the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting will not be adjourned to a date that is (x) more than 30 days after the date for which the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments required by applicable Law) or (y) later than three Business Days prior to the date on which the Outside Deadline occurs. Acquiror agrees that it shall provide the holders of Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares the opportunity to elect redemption of such Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares in connection with the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting, as required by Acquiror’s Governing Documents.

(d) Company Stockholder Approval.

(i) As promptly as reasonably practicable (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) after the Registration Statement becomes effective, the Company shall: (A) recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions consistent with the Company Board Actions and (B) solicit approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby in the form of an irrevocable written consent (the “Written Consent”) of each of the Requisite Company Stockholders (pursuant to the Company Stockholder Support Agreements) and any other Company Stockholders as the Company may determine in its reasonable discretion, or, in the event that the Company is not able to obtain the Written Consent, the Company shall duly and promptly convene a meeting of the Company Stockholders for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(ii) If the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, then as promptly as reasonably practicable following the receipt of the Written Consent, the Company will prepare and deliver to its stockholders who have not consented the notice required by Sections 228(e) (if applicable) and 262 of the DGCL; provided that, Acquiror shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the contents of such notice before delivery to the applicable stockholders.

Section 9.3. Support of Transaction. Without limiting any covenant contained in Article VII, or Article VIII, Acquiror and the Company shall each, and each shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (a) use reasonable best efforts to obtain all material consents and approvals of third parties that any of Acquiror, or the Company or their respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the Merger, and (b) take such other action as may be reasonably necessary or as another Party may reasonably request to satisfy the conditions of Article X or otherwise to comply with this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) no action taken by the Company under and in furtherance of this Section 9.3 will

 

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constitute a breach of Section 7.1, (ii) no action taken by Acquiror or Merger Sub under and in furtherance of this Section 9.3 will constitute a breach of Section 8.5 and (iii) in no event shall Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Company be obligated to bear any expense or pay any amount (except for any filing or registration fee with a Governmental Authority) or grant any concession in connection with obtaining any such consents or approvals.

Section 9.4. Tax Matters. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, real property, stamp, registration and other similar Taxes, fees and costs (including any associated penalties and interest) (“Transfer Taxes”) incurred in connection with this Agreement shall constitute Company Transaction Expenses.

Section 9.5. Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Domestication Effective Time, Acquiror shall take all such steps as may be required (to the extent permitted under applicable Law) to cause any acquisition or disposition of any Equity Security of Acquiror that occurs or is deemed to occur by reason of the transactions contemplated hereby by each individual who is or may become subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, including by taking steps in accordance with the No-Action Letter, dated January 12, 1999, issued by the SEC regarding such matters.

Section 9.6. Cooperation; Consultation.

(a) Prior to the Closing, each of the Company and Acquiror shall, and each of them shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective Representatives to, reasonably cooperate in a timely manner in connection with any financing arrangement the Parties mutually agree to seek in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (it being understood and agreed that the consummation of any such financing by the Company or Acquiror shall be subject to the Parties’ mutual agreement), including (if mutually agreed by the Parties) (a) by providing such information and assistance as the other Party may reasonably request, (b) granting such access to the other Party and its Representatives as may be reasonably necessary for their due diligence, and (c) participating in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, road shows, drafting sessions, due diligence sessions with respect to such financing efforts (including direct contact between senior management and other representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries at reasonable times and locations). All such cooperation, assistance and access shall be granted during normal business hours and shall be granted under conditions that shall not unreasonably interfere with the business and operations of the Company, Acquiror, or their respective auditors.

(b) From the date of the announcement of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (pursuant to any applicable public communication made in compliance with Section 12.12), until the Closing Date, Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to, and shall instruct its financial advisors to, keep the Company and its financial advisors reasonably informed with respect to the PIPE Investment and the Acquiror Common Shares during such period, including by consulting and cooperating with, and considering in good faith any feedback from, the Company or its financial advisors with respect to such matters; provided that each of Acquiror and the Company acknowledges and agrees that none of their respective financial advisors shall be entitled to any fees with respect to the PIPE Investment unless as set forth in Section 6.14 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter or otherwise mutually agreed by the Company and Acquiror in writing.

Section 9.7. Transaction Litigation. During the Interim Period, in the event that any litigation related to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including demands for appraisal of any Dissenting Shares (collectively, “Transaction Litigation”), is, in the case of Acquiror, brought or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened in writing, against any of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Acquiror Board (or any member thereof) or, in the case of the Company, brought or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened in writing, against any of the Company, any of its

 

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Subsidiaries or the Company Board (or any member thereof), Acquiror and the Company shall, as applicable, promptly notify the other of such pending or threatened litigation and shall keep the other reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. Acquiror and the Company shall each provide the other the opportunity to participate in (subject to a customary joint defense agreement), but not control, the defense of any such litigation, shall give due consideration to the other’s advice with respect to any such litigation and shall not settle or agree to settle any such litigation or consent to the same without the written consent of the other (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

ARTICLE X

CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS

Section 10.1. Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror, Merger Sub, and the Company. The respective obligations of Acquiror, Merger Sub, and the Company to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company), as of the Closing, of the following conditions:

(a) the Acquiror Shareholder Approval shall have been duly obtained in accordance with the Companies Act, Acquiror’s Governing Documents and Nasdaq rules;

(b) the Company Stockholder Approval shall have been duly obtained in accordance with the DGCL and the Company’s Governing Documents;

(c) the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the SEC which remains in effect and no proceeding seeking such a stop order shall have been initiated by the SEC which remains pending;

(d) the applicable waiting period(s) (and any extension(s) thereof) under the HSR Act applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall have expired or been terminated;

(e) there shall not be in effect any Governmental Order or other Law from any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction that enjoins, prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated in Article II, Article III or Article IV;

(f) Acquiror shall have, and shall not have redeemed Acquiror Cayman Class A Shares in an amount that would cause Acquiror not to have, at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) after giving effect to any payments required to be made in connection with Acquiror Share Redemptions and the PIPE Investment Amount; and

(g) the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been approved for listing on the Listing Exchange (subject only to official notice of issuance thereof).

Section 10.2. Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror and Merger Sub. The respective obligations of Acquiror and Merger Sub to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by Acquiror and Merger Sub), as of the Closing, of the following additional conditions:

 

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(a) each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in (i) Section 5.6(a), Section 5.6(e) and the first sentences of clauses (b), (c) and (d) of Section 5.6 (Capitalization of the Company) shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of the Closing as though then made, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier time, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or Company Material Adverse Effect or similar qualification set forth therein) in all but de minimis respects as of such earlier time, (ii) each of Section 5.1 (Company Organization), Section 5.3 (Due Authorization), clause (a) of Section 5.4 (No Conflict), Section 5.6 (Capitalization of the Company) (other than the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.6 that are identified in the preceding clause (i)), Section 5.7 (Capitalization of Subsidiaries) and Section 5.17 (Brokers Fees) shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or Company Material Adverse Effect or similar qualification set forth therein) in all material respects as of the Closing as though then made, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier time, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or Company Material Adverse Effect or similar qualification set forth therein) in all material respects as of such earlier time, (iii) Section 5.10 (Absence of Changes) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as though then made and (iv) Article V (other than the representations and warranties addressed by the preceding clause (i), (ii) or (iii)) shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or Company Material Adverse Effect or similar qualification set forth therein) as of the Closing as though then made, except, (A) where the failure of any such representation or warranty to be so true and correct does not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect or (B) to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier time, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or Company Material Adverse Effect or similar qualification set forth therein) as of such earlier time, except where the failure of any such representation or warranty to be so true and correct does not constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect; provided that the failure of any representation or warranty of the Company contained in Article V (other than the representations and warranties addressed by the preceding clause (i), (ii) or (iii)) to be true and correct at and as of the Closing as a result of the taking or omission of any action required or expressly permitted to be taken or omitted, as applicable, under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including in connection with the Pre-Closing Recapitalization) in compliance with the provisions hereof or thereof (as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof) shall not be taken into account in determining whether the condition set forth in this Section 10.2(a)(iv) has been satisfied;

(b) the Company shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all agreements and covenants required under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing;

(c) there shall not have occurred any Company Material Adverse Effect after the date of this Agreement the material adverse effects of which are continuing; and

(d) the Company shall have delivered to Acquiror a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officer, the conditions specified in Section 10.2(a), Section 10.2(b) and Section 10.2(c) have been satisfied.

Section 10.3. Conditions to Obligation of the Company. The obligation of the Company to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger is subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by the Company), as of the Closing, of the following additional conditions:

 

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(a) each of the representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in (i) Section 6.12 shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of the Closing, (ii) Article VI (other than Section 6.12) shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or similar qualification set forth therein) in all material respects as of the Closing as though then made, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier time, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct (disregarding any limitation or exception as to materiality, material adverse effect or similar qualification set forth therein) in all material respects as of such earlier time;

(b) Acquiror and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all agreements and covenants required under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them at or prior to the Closing;

(c) Acquiror shall have delivered to the Company a certificate signed by an officer of Acquiror and an officer of Merger Sub, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officers, the conditions specified in Section 10.3(a) and Section 10.3(b) have been satisfied;

(d) the Acquiror Closing Cash Amount shall not be less than the Minimum Acquiror Closing Cash Amount;

(e) the Domestication shall have been completed as provided in Section 2.1(a), and a time-stamped copy of the Certificate of Domestication issued by the Delaware Secretary of State shall have been delivered to the Company (the condition set forth in this Section 10.3(e), the “Domestication Condition”);

(f) Acquiror shall have delivered to the Company evidence reasonably acceptable to the Company that the Acquiror Board will be constituted, immediately after the Closing, as provided in Section 8.6(a); and

(g) each of Acquiror and Sponsor shall have duly executed and delivered a counterpart of the Registration Rights Agreement to the other parties thereto.

Section 10.4. Frustration of Conditions. No Party may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article X to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s failure to act or to take such actions (in each case, if such act or action is required by this Agreement) as may be necessary to cause the conditions of the other Party to be satisfied.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS

Section 11.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned at any time prior to the Closing:

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

(b) by either the Company or Acquiror:

(i) if any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Governmental Order or other Law which has become final and non-appealable and remains in effect and has the effect of making the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated in Article II, Article III or Article IV illegal or

 

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otherwise permanently preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger or such other transaction; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(b)(i) shall not be available to a Party if such Party’s breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement is the primary cause of the existence or occurrence of any fact or circumstance but for the existence or occurrence of which the consummation of the Merger or such other transaction would not be illegal or otherwise permanently prevented or prohibited;

(ii) if the Closing has not occurred before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 11, 2021 (such time on such date, the “Outside Deadline”); provided that (A) if any Action for specific performance or other equitable relief by the Company with respect to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is pending in a court specified in Section 12.14(a) as of the Outside Deadline, then the Outside Deadline shall be automatically extended until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is the earlier of (x) 30 days after the date on which a final, non-appealable Governmental Order has been entered with respect to such Action and (y) the Business Combination Deadline Date, and such extended time shall be the “Outside Deadline” for all purposes under this Agreement, and (B) the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(b)(ii) shall not be available to a Party if such Party’s breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement is the primary cause of the failure of the Closing to have occurred before the Outside Deadline; or

(iii) if the Acquiror Shareholder Approval has not been obtained at the Acquiror Shareholders’ Meeting duly convened therefor (subject to any adjournment or postponement thereof in accordance with Section 9.2(c)).

(c) by the Company:

(i) if any of the representations or warranties of Acquiror or Merger Sub set forth in Article VI has failed to be true and correct, or if Acquiror or Merger Sub has failed to perform or comply with any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, in each case, such that the condition specified in Section 10.3(a) or Section 10.3(b), as applicable, would not be satisfied at the Closing and (A) such failure, by its nature, could not be cured prior to the Outside Deadline through Acquiror’s exercise of its reasonable best efforts or (B) such failure has not been cured by the earlier of (x) the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Company has first notified Acquiror in writing of such failure (or such earlier time after Acquiror’s receipt of such notice as Acquiror has ceased to use reasonable best efforts to cure such failure) and (y) the Outside Deadline; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(c)(i) shall not be available to the Company at any time at which Acquiror would have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(d)(i); or

(ii) if there has been a Modification in Recommendation.

(d) by Acquiror:

(i) if any of the representations or warranties of the Company set forth in Article V has failed to be true and correct, or if the Company has failed to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, in each case, such that the condition specified in Section 10.2(a) or Section 10.2(b), as applicable, would not be satisfied at the Closing and such failure (A) has not been cured by the earlier of (x) the date that is 30 days after the date on which Acquiror has first notified the Company in writing of such failure and (y) the Outside Deadline or (B) by its nature cannot be cured prior to the Outside Deadline through the Company’s exercise of its reasonable best efforts; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(d)(i) shall not be available to Acquiror at any time at which the Company would have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(c)(i); or

 

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(ii) if the Company Stockholder Approval has not been obtained within ten Business Days after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

The Party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1 (other than pursuant to Section 11.1(a)) shall deliver a written notice of such termination to the other Parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made and the factual basis therefor.

Section 11.2. Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no further force or effect, without any liability on the part of any Person, other than liability of the Company, Acquiror or Merger Sub, as the case may be, for any Willful Breach of this Agreement occurring prior to such termination, except that the provisions of Section 1.2, this Section 11.2, Article XII and (to the extent related to the foregoing) Section 1.1 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and shall remain legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Parties in accordance with their respective terms.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.1. Trust Account Waiver. The Company acknowledges that Acquiror is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a Business Combination. The Company further acknowledges that, as described in the prospectus dated February 25, 2021 (the “Prospectus”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of Acquiror’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of Acquiror’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities occurring substantially simultaneously with such initial public offering, and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account for the benefit of Acquiror, certain of its public stockholders and the underwriters of Acquiror’s initial public offering (the “Trust Account”). The Company acknowledges that it has been advised by Acquiror that cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only in the circumstances and to the Persons described in the Prospectus and in accordance with the Trust Agreement. For and in consideration of Acquiror entering into this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (whether based on contract, tort, equity or otherwise) that it has or may have in the future in or to any monies or other assets in the Trust Account and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom as a result of, or in connection with, this Agreement or any negotiations, Contracts or agreements or transactions with Acquiror. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) nothing herein shall limit or prohibit the Company’s right to pursue any claim against Acquiror for (i) legal relief against monies or other assets held outside the Trust Account or (ii) specific performance to consummate the Closing (including any claim for Acquiror to specifically perform its obligations under this Agreement to cause the disbursement of the balance of the cash remaining in the Trust Account (after giving effect to the Acquiror Share Redemptions) at the Closing to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Trust Agreement), so long as such claim would not affect Acquiror’s ability to fulfill its obligation to effectuate the Acquiror Share Redemptions or otherwise violate the Trust Agreement and (b) nothing herein shall limit or prohibit any claim that the Company may have in the future against Acquiror’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account (including any such funds that have been released from the Trust Account and any assets that have been purchased or acquired with any such funds).

 

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Section 12.2. Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement between the Parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, delivered and received (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when delivered after posting in the U.S. mail, having been sent registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) when delivered by FedEx or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service or (iv) when delivered by email (provided that, if receipt has not been confirmed (excluding any automated reply, such as an out-of-office notification) then a copy shall be dispatched in the manner described in the preceding clause (iii) no later than 24 hours after such delivery by email) (provided that any such notice or other communication delivered in the manner described in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall also be delivered by email no later than 24 hours after being dispatched in the manner described in the preceding clause (i), (ii) or (iii), as applicable), addressed as follows:

(a) If to Acquiror or Merger Sub prior to the Closing, or to Acquiror after the Merger Effective Time, to:

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2300

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention:   Eli Baker

Email:         [email protected]

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attention:   Joel Rubenstein

                   James Hu

Email:         [email protected]

                    [email protected]

(b) If to the Company prior to the Closing, or to the Surviving Corporation after the Merger Effective Time, to:

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

27 Drydock Avenue, 8th Floor

Boston, MA 02210

Attention:   Chief Executive Officer

                   General Counsel

Email:         [email protected]

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

555 Eleventh Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

Attention:   Paul F. Sheridan, Jr.

                   Kristen S. Grannis

Email:         [email protected]

                    [email protected]

 

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or to such other address(es) or email address(es) as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing. Copies delivered solely to outside counsel shall not constitute notice.

Section 12.3. Assignment. No Party shall assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the Company and Acquiror, and any such assignment, delegation or transfer attempted in violation of this Section 12.3 shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 12.4. Rights of Third Parties. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the Parties, any right or remedy under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that the D&O Indemnified Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Section 8.7, and the Related Persons of each Party are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Section 12.6.

Section 12.5. Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, each Party shall be responsible for and shall pay all fees and expenses incurred by such Party in connection with this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including all fees and disbursements of its legal counsel, financial advisers and accountants.

Section 12.6. Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether based on contract, tort, equity or otherwise), shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of Laws (whether of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction) to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware (except that the Companies Act shall also apply to the Domestication).

Section 12.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 12.8. Company and Acquiror Disclosure Letters. Each of the Company Disclosure Letter and the Acquiror Disclosure Letter is a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. Any disclosure set forth in a section or subsection of a Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to be (as applicable) an exception to, or a disclosure for purposes of, the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, as the case may be, contained in, or other provisions of, the correspondingly numbered (and, if applicable, lettered) Section or subsection of this Agreement and each other representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or other provision of this Agreement to which the relevance of such disclosure is reasonable apparent on the face of such disclosure. Certain information set forth in the Disclosure Letters is included solely for informational purposes and may not be required to be disclosed pursuant to this Agreement. The disclosure of any information shall not be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment that such information is required to be disclosed in connection with any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement contained in, or other provision of, this Agreement, nor shall such information be deemed to establish a standard of materiality.

Section 12.9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Disclosure Letters), the Ancillary Agreements (as and when executed by the applicable parties thereto) and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the subject matter hereof. No representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, agreements, oral or otherwise, relating to the transactions contemplated hereby exist between the Parties except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

87


Section 12.10. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified, in whole or in part, only by an agreement in writing which makes reference to this Agreement and has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Parties hereto; provided that, after the Closing, any such amendment or modification shall also require the written consent of the holders of a majority of the Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares. Any purported amendment or modification of this Agreement effected in a manner that does not comply with the preceding sentence shall be void and of no effect.

Section 12.11. Waivers. Any Party may, at any time prior to the Closing, (a) extend the time for the performance of the obligations or acts of any other Party to be performed hereunder, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other Party that are contained in this Agreement or (c) waive compliance by any other Party with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement, but, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Party granting such extension or waiver.

Section 12.12. Confidentiality; Publicity.

(a) Acquiror acknowledges and agrees that the information being provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall apply to all information furnished thereunder or hereunder and any other activities contemplated thereby. The Company acknowledges that, in connection with the PIPE Investment, Acquiror shall be entitled to disclose, pursuant to the Exchange Act, any information contained in any presentation to the PIPE Investors, which information may include Proprietary Information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement).

(b) Prior to the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement, none of Acquiror, any Acquiror Insider, the Company and any of their respective Affiliates or any Representative of any of the foregoing shall make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any matter related to the foregoing, unless the Company (in the case of such a public announcement or public communication desired to be made by Acquiror, any Acquiror Insider or any of their respective Affiliates or any Representative of any of the foregoing) or Acquiror (in the case of such a public announcement or public communication desired to be made by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any Representative of any of the foregoing), as applicable (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) has first been provided with an opportunity to review and comment on the contents of such proposed public announcement or public communication, except if such public announcement or public communication is required by any Governmental Order or other applicable Law or the rules of any national securities exchange, in which case Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the other such Party with such an opportunity to review and comment; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 12.2 shall (i) modify the obligations of Acquiror set forth in Section 9.2, (ii) restrict the ability of any Party (or any of its Affiliates) from making announcements regarding the status and terms (including price terms) of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to their respective directors, officers, employees and investors or otherwise in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, in each case, so long as such recipients are obligated to keep such information confidential or (iii) restrict any Party (or any of its Affiliates) from communicating with third parties to the extent necessary for the purpose of seeking any third-party consent.

 

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Section 12.13. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be valid and enforceable under applicable Law, but, if any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the Parties.

Section 12.14. Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) Any proceeding or Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and each of the Parties irrevocably (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding or Action, (ii) waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, (iii) agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding or Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court and (iv) agrees not to bring any proceeding or Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any Party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence Actions or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 12.14.

(b) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY, UNCONDITIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.15. Enforcement. The Parties agree that irreparable damage could occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to specific enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which any party is entitled at law or in equity. In the event that any Action shall be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, no party shall allege, and each party hereby waives the defense, that there is an adequate remedy at law, and each party agrees to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection therewith.

Section 12.16. Non-Recourse. Subject in all respects to the following sentence, this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may only be brought against, the entities that are expressly named as Parties and then only to the extent of the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to any Party. Except to the extent a Party (and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such Party in this Agreement), no Related Person or former, current or future Representative of any Party shall have any Liability for any of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or Liabilities of any of the Company, Acquiror or Merger Sub under this Agreement of or

 

89


for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether based on contract, tort, equity or otherwise). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 12.6 shall limit, amend or waive any rights or obligations of any party to any Ancillary Agreement.

Section 12.17. Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of any such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, agreement or other provision, shall survive the Closing, and each of them shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Merger Effective Time (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part after the Closing and then only with respect to any breaches occurring after the Closing and (b) this Article XII.

Section 12.18. Conflicts and Privilege.

(a) Each of the Parties, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Related Persons (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation), hereby agree that, in the event that a dispute with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby arises after the Closing between or among (x) the Sponsor, the stockholders or holders of other Equity Securities of Acquiror or the Sponsor and/or or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Surviving Corporation) (collectively, the “Eagle Group”), on the one hand, and (y) the Surviving Corporation and/or any member of the Ginkgo Group, on the other hand, any legal counsel, including White & Case LLP (“White & Case”), that represented Acquiror and/or the Sponsor prior to the Closing may represent the Sponsor and/or any other member of the Eagle Group in such dispute even though the interests of such Persons may be directly adverse to the Surviving Corporation, and even though such counsel may have represented Acquiror in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Surviving Corporation and/or the Sponsor. Acquiror and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation), further agree that, as to all legally privileged communications prior to the Closing (made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Action arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) between or among Acquiror, the Sponsor and/or any other member of the Eagle Group, on the one hand, and White & Case, on the other hand, the attorney-client privilege and the expectation of client confidence shall survive the Merger and belong to the Eagle Group after the Closing, and shall not pass to or be claimed or controlled by the Surviving Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any privileged communications or information shared by the Company prior to the Closing with Acquiror or the Sponsor under a common interest agreement shall remain the privileged communications or information of the Surviving Corporation.

(b) Acquiror and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation), hereby agree that, in the event a dispute with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby arises after the Closing between or among (x) the stockholders or holders of other Equity Securities of the Company and/or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Surviving Corporation) (collectively, the “Ginkgo Group”), on the one hand, and (y) the Surviving Corporation and/or any member of the Eagle Group, on the other hand, any legal counsel, including Latham & Watkins LLP (“Latham”) that represented the Company prior to the Closing may represent any member of the Ginkgo Group in such dispute even though the interests of such Persons may be directly adverse to the Surviving Corporation, and even though such counsel may have represented Acquiror and/or the Company in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Surviving Corporation, further agree that, as to all legally privileged communications prior to the Closing (made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Action arising

 

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out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) between or among the Company and/or any member of the Ginkgo Group, on the one hand, and Latham, on the other hand, the attorney-client privilege and the expectation of client confidence shall survive the Merger and belong to the Ginkgo Group after the Closing, and shall not pass to or be claimed or controlled by the Surviving Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any privileged communications or information shared by Acquiror prior to the Closing with the Company under a common interest agreement shall remain the privileged communications or information of the Surviving Corporation.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
By:   /S/ HARRY E. SLOAN
  Name: Harry E. Sloan
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
SEAC MERGER SUB INC.
By:   /S/ ELI BAKER
  Name: Eli Baker
  Title: President
GINKGO BIOWORKS, INC.
By:   /S/ JASON KELLY
  Name: Jason Kelly
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page of Agreement and Plan of Merger]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF ACQUIROR UPON DOMESTICATION

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT A


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF BYLAWS OF ACQUIROR UPON DOMESTICATION

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT B


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF COMPANY STOCKHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT C


EXHIBIT D

SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT D


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT E


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT F


EXHIBIT G

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING COMPANY

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT G


EXHIBIT H

FORM OF BYLAWS OF SURVIVING COMPANY

[Attached.]

EXHIBIT H

Exhibit 10.1

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

This SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Subscription Agreement”) is entered into on May 11, 2021, by and between Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and the undersigned subscriber (“Subscriber”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Subscription Agreement, the Company is entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Target”) and SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which (and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein) the Company will be domesticated as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and Part XII of the Cayman Islands Companies Law (2020 Revision) (the “Domestication”), and, promptly thereafter, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Target, with the Target surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (such agreement, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement” and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transaction”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, Subscriber desires to subscribe for and purchase from the Company, following the Domestication and prior to the consummation of the Transaction, that number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Shares”), set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Subscribed Shares”) for a purchase price of $10.00 per share (the “Per Share Price”), and the Company desires to issue and sell to Subscriber the Subscribed Shares in consideration of the payment, by or on behalf of Subscriber to the Company, of the aggregate Per Share Price for all Subscribed Shares (the “Purchase Price”);

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Subscription Agreement, the Company is entering into subscription agreements (the “Other Subscription Agreements”) with certain other investors (the “Other Subscribers”) acquiring Class A Common Shares at the same Per Share Price; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements, Subscriber and the Other Subscribers collectively have agreed to purchase on the closing date of the Transaction (the “Closing Date”) an aggregate of up to 77,500,000 Class A Common Shares, each at the Per Share Price.

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

 


AGREEMENT

1. Subscription. On the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, at the Closing (as defined below), Subscriber hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to Subscriber, upon the payment of the Purchase Price by or on behalf of Subscriber to the Company, the Subscribed Shares (such subscription and issuance, the “Subscription”). Subscriber and the Company acknowledge that, as a result of the Domestication, the Subscribed Shares will be shares of common stock in a Delaware corporation and will not be ordinary shares of a Cayman Islands exempted company.

2. Closing.

(a) The consummation of the Subscription (the “Closing”) shall occur on the Closing Date, following the Domestication and prior to or substantially concurrent with (and subject to) the consummation of the Transaction.

(b) At least five (5) Business Days before the anticipated Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered written notice to Subscriber (the “Closing Notice”) specifying (i) the anticipated Closing Date and (ii) the wire instructions for delivery of the Purchase Price to the Company. No later than two (2) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date as set forth in the Closing Notice, Subscriber shall deliver to the Company (A) the Purchase Price in cash via wire transfer to the account of the Company specified in the Closing Notice and (B) such information as is reasonably requested in the Closing Notice in order for the Company to issue the Subscribed Shares to Subscriber at the Closing. The Company shall deliver to Subscriber (1) at the Closing, the Subscribed Shares in book entry form, free and clear of any liens or other restrictions (other than those arising under this Subscription Agreement or applicable securities laws), in the name of Subscriber (or its nominee in accordance with its delivery instructions) or to a custodian designated by Subscriber, as applicable, and (2) promptly after the Closing, written notice from the Company or its transfer agent evidencing the issuance to Subscriber of the Subscribed Shares on and as of the Closing Date. In the event that the consummation of the Transaction does not occur within one (1) Business Day after the anticipated Closing Date specified in the Closing Notice, the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after the anticipated Closing Date specified in the Closing Notice) return the funds so delivered by Subscriber to the Company by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by Subscriber, and, to the extent that any Subscribed Shares have been delivered to Subscriber, such Subscribed Shares shall be deemed repurchased and any related book entries shall be cancelled. For the avoidance of doubt, unless this Subscription Agreement has been validly terminated pursuant to Section 7, the return of any funds delivered by Subscriber to the Company shall not terminate this Subscription Agreement or relieve Subscriber of any of its obligations hereunder (including its obligation to purchase the Subscribed Shares at the Closing following the Company’s delivery to Subscriber of a new Closing Notice). For the purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed.

 

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(c) The Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver by each of the Company and Subscriber of the conditions that, on the Closing Date:

 

  (i)

no suspension of the qualification of the Class A Common Shares for offering or sale or trading by the applicable stock exchange on which the Class A Common Shares are to be listed (the “Exchange”) or the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) shall be in effect;

 

  (ii)

all conditions precedent to the closing of the Transaction set forth in the Merger Agreement, including the approval by the Company’s shareholders, shall have been satisfied (as determined by the parties to the Merger Agreement) (other than those of such conditions precedent that, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the closing of the Transaction, including to the extent that any such condition precedent is, or is dependent upon, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) or waived, and the closing of the Transaction shall be scheduled to occur substantially concurrently with the Closing; and

 

  (iii)

no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any judgment, order, law, rule or regulation (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect and has the effect of making consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise restraining or prohibiting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such governmental authority shall have instituted a proceeding seeking to impose any such restraint or prohibition which remains pending.

(d) The obligation of the Company to consummate the Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver by the Company of the additional conditions that, on the Closing Date:

 

  (i)

all representations and warranties of Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality or Subscriber Material Adverse Effect (as defined below), which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) at and as of the Closing; and

 

  (ii)

Subscriber shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Subscription Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing.

 

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(e) The obligation of Subscriber to consummate the Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver by Subscriber of the additional conditions that, on the Closing Date:

 

  (i)

all representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” (as defined below) or any similar limitation contained herein) at and as of the Closing (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier time, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties of the Company to be so true and correct has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (ii)

the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Subscription Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing;

 

  (iii)

except to the extent consented to in writing by Subscriber, the Merger Agreement shall not have been amended in writing by the Company in a manner that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the economic benefits that Subscriber would reasonably expect to receive under this Subscription Agreement; and

 

  (iv)

the Subscribed Shares shall be approved for listing on the Exchange.

(f) Prior to or at the Closing, Subscriber shall deliver to the Company a duly completed and executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or appropriate Form W-8.

3. Company Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to Subscriber that:

(a) The Company (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) has the requisite power (corporate or otherwise) and authority to own, lease and operate its properties, to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement, and (iii) is duly licensed or qualified to conduct its business and, if applicable, is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction (other than its jurisdiction of incorporation) in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties or assets requires such license or qualification, except, with respect to the foregoing clause (iii), where the failure to be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, a “Company Material Adverse Effect” means an event, change, development, occurrence, condition or effect with respect to the Company and its

 

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subsidiaries, taken together as a whole (on a consolidated basis), that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken together as a whole (on a consolidated basis).

(b) The Subscribed Shares will have been duly authorized prior to the Closing and, when issued and delivered to Subscriber against full payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of any liens or other restrictions (other than those arising under this Subscription Agreement or applicable securities laws), and will not have been issued in violation of, or subject to, any preemptive or similar rights created under the Company’s organizational documents or the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.

(c) This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the Company, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the same by Subscriber, this Subscription Agreement shall constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by the availability of equitable remedies.

(d) The execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Subscribed Shares and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject; (ii) the organizational documents of the Company; or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties that, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including the issuance and sale of the Subscribed Shares.

(e) Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Subscriber, the Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority, self-regulatory organization (including the Exchange) or other person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement (including the issuance of the Subscribed Shares), other than (i) those required by applicable securities laws, (ii) the filing of the Registration Statement (as defined below) pursuant to Section 5, (iii) the filing of a Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities on Form D with the Commission under Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), if applicable, (iv) those required by the Exchange, including with respect to obtaining shareholder

 

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approval, (v) those required to consummate the Transaction as provided under the Merger Agreement, including those required in connection with the Domestication, (vi) those required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, if applicable, and (vii) those the failure of which to obtain would not be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including the issuance and sale of the Subscribed Shares.

(f) As of their respective dates, all reports required to be filed by the Company with the Commission (the “SEC Reports”) complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder as in effect at the time of filing, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments. There are no material outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters from the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission with respect to any of the SEC Reports filed by the Company with the Commission. Notwithstanding anything in this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, no representation or warranty is made as to the accounting treatment of the Company’s issued and outstanding warrants, or as to any deficiencies in disclosure (including with respect to internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures) arising from the treatment of such warrants as equity rather than liabilities in the Company’s currently issued financial statements. Furthermore, Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Staff of the SEC issued the Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies on April 12, 2021 (the “Statement”), (ii) the Company continues to review the Statement and its implications, including on the financial statements and other information included in its SEC Reports and (iii) any restatement, revision or other modification of the SEC Reports or any statements or information included therein in connection with such a review of the Statement or any subsequent related agreements or other guidance from the Staff of the SEC related thereto shall be deemed not to be material for purposes of this Subscription Agreement.

(g) As of the date hereof, the authorized share capital of the Company consists of (i) 1,000,000 preference shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (“Preference Shares”), and (ii) 480,000,000 ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share, consisting of 400,000,000 Class A ordinary shares (“Class A Ordinary Shares”) and 80,000,000 Class B ordinary shares (“Class B Ordinary Shares” and, together with the Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Ordinary Shares”). As of the date hereof: (A) 172,500,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, 43,125,000 Class B Ordinary Shares and no Preference Shares are issued and outstanding; (B) 53,750,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share at $11.50 per share (“Ordinary Warrants”), are issued and outstanding, including 19,250,000 private placement warrants; and (C) no Class A Ordinary Shares are subject to issuance upon exercise of outstanding options.

 

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Following the Domestication, and immediately prior to the Closing (assuming that no elections to redeem any Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the consummation of the Transaction have been validly made), the authorized share capital of the Company will consist of (i) 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Shares”), and (ii) 15,800,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share, consisting of 10,500,000,000 Class A Common Shares, 4,500,000,000 shares of Class B common stock (“Class B Common Shares”), 800,000,000 shares of Class C common stock (“Class C Common Shares” and, together with the Class A Common Shares and Class B Common Shares, the “Common Shares”). Following the Domestication, and immediately prior to the Closing (assuming that no elections to redeem any Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the consummation of the Transaction have been validly made): (A) 215,625,000 Class A Common Shares, no Class B Common Shares, no Class C Common Shares and no Preferred Shares will be issued and outstanding; (B) 53,750,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one Class A Common Share at $11.50 per share (“Common Warrants”), will be issued and outstanding, including 19,250,000 private placement warrants; and (C) no Class A Common Shares will be subject to issuance upon exercise of outstanding options.

No Ordinary Warrants or Common Warrants are or will be exercisable at or prior to the Closing. All issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to preemptive rights, and, following the Domestication, all issued and outstanding Common Shares will have been duly authorized and validly issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive rights. All outstanding Ordinary Warrants have been duly authorized and validly issued, and, following the Domestication, all outstanding Common Warrants will have been duly authorized and validly issued. As of the date hereof, except as set forth above in this Section 3(g) and pursuant to (i) this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements, (ii) the forward purchase agreements entered into on February 23, 2021 by the Company and funds managed by Franklin Advisors, Inc. and by the Company and accounts managed by Wellington Management Company LLP, respectively, (collectively, the “Forward Purchase Agreements”) or (iii) the Merger Agreement, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for, purchase or acquire from the Company any Ordinary Shares, Common Shares or other equity interests in the Company (collectively, “Equity Interests”) or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Equity Interests. As of the date hereof, the Company has no subsidiaries other than Merger Sub and does not own, directly or indirectly, interests or investments (whether equity or debt) in any person (other than Merger Sub), whether incorporated or unincorporated. There are no shareholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound relating to the voting of any Equity Interests, other than (A) the letter agreements entered into by the Company in connection with the Company’s initial public offering on February 23, 2021 pursuant to which Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC and the Company’s executive officers and independent directors agreed to vote in favor of any proposed Business Combination (as defined therein), which includes the Transaction, and (B) as contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Other than Class B Ordinary Shares, which have the anti-

 

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dilution rights described in the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will be waived in connection with the Transaction, there are no securities or instruments issued by or to which the Company is a party containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of (i) the Subscribed Shares, (ii) the shares to be issued pursuant to any Other Subscription Agreement or (iii) any other share capital of the Company to be issued pursuant to the Transaction.

(h) Except for such matters as have not had and would not be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including the issuance and sale of the Subscribed Shares, as of the date hereof, there is no (i) suit, action, proceeding or arbitration before a governmental authority or arbitrator pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or (ii) judgment, decree, injunction, ruling or order of any governmental authority or arbitrator outstanding against the Company.

(i) The issued and outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and are listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol “SRNG.” There is no suit, action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company by the Exchange or the Commission seeking to deregister the Class A Ordinary Shares or prohibit or terminate the listing of the Class A Ordinary Shares or, when registered and issued in connection with the Domestication, the Class A Common Shares on the Exchange. The Company has taken no action that is designed to terminate the registration of the Class A Ordinary Shares under the Exchange Act, other than in connection with the Domestication and subsequent registration under the Exchange Act of the Class A Common Shares.

(j) Assuming the accuracy of Subscriber’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Subscribed Shares by the Company to Subscriber.

(k) Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has engaged or will engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of the Subscribed Shares.

(l) The Company is not, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Subscribed Shares will not be, required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(m) The Company is in compliance with all applicable laws, except where such non-compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any written communication from a governmental authority that alleges that the Company is not in compliance with or is in default or violation of any applicable law, except where such noncompliance, default or violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(n) The Company is not under any obligation to pay any broker’s fee or commission in connection with the sale of the Subscribed Shares other than to the Placement Agents (as defined herein).

(o) Other than the Other Subscription Agreements, the Forward Purchase Agreements, the Merger Agreement and any other agreement expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company has not entered into any side letter or similar agreement with any Other Subscriber in connection with such Other Subscriber’s contemplated investment in the Company; provided that one or more Other Subscription Agreements may include (i) any rights or benefits granted to an Other Subscriber in connection with such Other Subscriber’s compliance with any law, regulation or policy specifically applicable to such Other Subscriber or in connection with the taxable status of such Other Subscriber, or (ii) any rights or benefits which are personal to an Other Subscriber based solely on its place of organization or headquarters, its organizational form, or other particular restrictions applicable to such Other Subscriber. Subject to the foregoing proviso, the Other Subscription Agreements (x) as of the date hereof, reflect the same Per Share Price and other material terms with respect to the purchase of Class A Common Shares that are no more favorable to such Other Subscriber thereunder than the terms of this Subscription Agreement and (y) shall not be amended after the date hereof to provide for terms with respect to the purchase of the Class A Common Shares that are more favorable to such Other Subscriber thereunder than the terms of this Subscription Agreement, unless such amended terms are also offered to the Subscriber.

(p) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or controlled affiliates is a (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or in any Executive Order issued by the President of the United States and administered by OFAC (“OFAC List”), or a person or entity prohibited by any OFAC sanctions program, (ii) any person operating, organized or resident in a country or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Subscription Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria) or (iii) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank. The Company has not heretofore engaged in any transaction to lend, contribute or otherwise make available its funds or the funds of any joint venture partner or other person or entity towards any sales or operations in Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria or any other country sanctioned by OFAC or for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or entity currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

4. Subscriber Representations and Warranties. Subscriber represents and warrants to the Company that:

(a) Subscriber (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, and (ii) has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

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(b) This Subscription Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Subscriber, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the same by the Company, this Subscription Agreement shall constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of Subscriber, enforceable against Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by the availability of equitable remedies.

(c) The execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement, the purchase of the Subscribed Shares and the compliance by Subscriber with all of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of Subscriber pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which Subscriber is a party or by which Subscriber is bound or to which any of the property or assets of Subscriber is subject; (ii) the organizational documents of Subscriber; or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over Subscriber or any of its properties that, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), would reasonably be expected to have a Subscriber Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, a “Subscriber Material Adverse Effect” means an event, change, development, occurrence, condition or effect with respect to Subscriber that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Subscriber’s ability to timely consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including the purchase of the Subscribed Shares.

(d) Subscriber (i) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), or (7) under the Securities Act), in each case, satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Annex A, (ii) is acquiring the Subscribed Shares only for its own account and not for the account of others, or if Subscriber is subscribing for the Subscribed Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, each owner of such account is a qualified institutional buyer and Subscriber has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account, and (iii) is not acquiring the Subscribed Shares with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act (and has provided the Company with the requested information on Annex A following the signature page hereto). Subscriber is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Subscribed Shares. Subscriber acknowledges that the offering meets the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(C) or (J).

(e) Subscriber and its investment adviser, if applicable, understands that the Subscribed Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Subscribed Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act. Subscriber understands that the Subscribed Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by Subscriber absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, except (i) to the Company or a subsidiary thereof, or (ii) pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and, in each of cases (i) and (ii), in accordance with any applicable securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions of the United States.

 

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(f) Subscriber and its investment adviser, if applicable, understands and agrees that Subscriber is purchasing the Subscribed Shares directly from the Company. Subscriber further acknowledges that there have not been, and Subscriber hereby agrees that it is not relying on, any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made to Subscriber by the Company, any other party to the Transaction, any Placement Agent (as defined herein), or any other person or entity, expressly or by implication, other than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company set forth in this Subscription Agreement. Subscriber acknowledges that certain information provided by the Company was based on projections, and such projections were prepared based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections.

(g) In making its decision to purchase the Subscribed Shares, Subscriber, and its investment adviser, if applicable, has relied solely upon independent investigation made by Subscriber. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that Subscriber has received such information as Subscriber deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Subscribed Shares, including with respect to the Company and the Transaction (including the Target and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Acquired Companies”)). Subscriber represents and agrees that Subscriber and Subscriber’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such information as Subscriber and its professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Subscribed Shares. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that none of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Allen & Company LLC, acting as placement agents to the Company (each, a “Placement Agent” and, collectively, the “Placement Agents”), or any affiliate of any Placement Agent has provided Subscriber with any information or advice with respect to the Subscribed Shares and that no such information or advice necessary or desired. None of the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates has made or makes any representation as to the Company or the Acquired Companies or the quality or value of the Subscribed Shares. The Placement Agents and any of their respective affiliates may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Company or the Acquired Companies, which Subscriber agrees need not be provided to it. Subscriber further acknowledges that the Placement Agents and their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives and controlling persons have made no independent investigation with respect to the Company or the Subscribed Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information supplied to Subscriber by the Company. In connection with the issuance of the Subscribed Shares to Subscriber, Subscriber acknowledges that none of the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates has acted as a financial advisor or fiduciary to Subscriber.

 

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(h) Subscriber, and its investment adviser, if applicable, became aware of this offering of the Subscribed Shares solely by means of direct contact between Subscriber and the Company, or their respective representatives or affiliates, or by means of contact from a Placement Agent, and the Subscribed Shares were offered to Subscriber solely by direct contact between Subscriber and the Company, or their respective representatives or affiliates, or by means of contact from a Placement Agent. Subscriber did not become aware of this offering of the Subscribed Shares, nor were the Subscribed Shares offered to Subscriber, by any other means. Subscriber acknowledges that the Company represents and warrants that the Subscribed Shares (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws.

(i) Subscriber, and its investment adviser, if applicable, acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Subscribed Shares. Subscriber has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Subscribed Shares, and Subscriber has had an opportunity to seek, and has sought, such accounting, legal, business and tax advice as Subscriber has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision. Subscriber is an institutional account as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c). Subscriber understands and acknowledges that the purchase and sale of the Subscribed Shares hereunder meets (i) the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(A) and (ii) the institutional customer exemption under FINRA Rule 2111(b).

(j) Subscriber, and its investment adviser, if applicable, has adequately analyzed and fully considered the risks of an investment in the Subscribed Shares and determined that the Subscribed Shares are a suitable investment for Subscriber and that Subscriber is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of Subscriber’s investment in the Company. Subscriber acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists.

(k) Subscriber understands and agrees that no federal or state agency has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Subscribed Shares or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of this investment.

(l) Subscriber is not (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or in any Executive Order issued by the President of the United States and administered by OFAC (“OFAC List”), or a person or entity prohibited by any OFAC sanctions program, (ii) a Designated National as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (iii) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank. Subscriber agrees to provide law enforcement agencies, if requested thereby, such records as required by applicable law, provided that Subscriber is permitted to do so under applicable law. Subscriber represents that if it is a financial institution subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. Section 5311 et seq.), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA/PATRIOT Act”),

 

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that Subscriber maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with applicable obligations under the BSA/PATRIOT Act. Subscriber also represents that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed for the screening of its investors against the OFAC sanctions programs, including the OFAC List. Subscriber further represents and warrants that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the funds held by Subscriber and used to purchase the Subscribed Shares were legally derived.

(m) Subscriber does not have, as of the date hereof, and during the 30-day period immediately prior to the date hereof, Subscriber has not entered into, any “put equivalent position” as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act or end of day short sale positions with respect to the securities of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Subscriber that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Subscriber’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Subscriber’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Subscribed Shares covered by this Subscription Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4(m) shall not apply to ordinary course, non-speculative hedging transactions.

(n) If Subscriber is an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan, an individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to section 4975 of the Code or an employee benefit plan that is a governmental plan (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), a church plan (as defined in section 3(33) of ERISA), a non-U.S. plan (as described in section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plan that is not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or an entity whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”) subject to the fiduciary or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code, Subscriber represents and warrants that neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has acted as the Plan’s fiduciary, or has been relied on for advice, with respect to its decision to acquire and hold the Subscribed Shares, and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates shall at any time be relied upon as the Plan’s fiduciary with respect to any decision to acquire, continue to hold or transfer the Subscribed Shares.

(o) Subscriber will have sufficient funds to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2(b).

(p) Subscriber acknowledges that it has not relied upon any statement, representation or warranty made by any person, firm or corporation (including the Company, any of its affiliates or any of its or their respective control persons, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, or the Placement Agents), other than the representations and warranties of the Company expressly set forth in this Subscription Agreement, or any Other Subscriber in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. Subscriber agrees that none of (i) any Other Subscriber pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or any other agreement related to the

 

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private placement of Class A Common Shares (including the controlling persons, officers, directors, partners, agents or employees of any such Subscriber) or (ii) the Placement Agents or any of their respective affiliates or any of its or their respective affiliates’ control persons, officers, directors or employees shall be liable to any Other Subscriber pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or any other agreement related to the private placement of Class A Common Shares for any action heretofore or hereafter taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Subscribed Shares hereunder.

(q) Subscriber acknowledges that Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Allen & Company LLC are each acting as financial advisor to the Target in connection with the Transaction. Subscriber further acknowledges that Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Transaction.

(r) Subscriber agrees that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Placement Agents and the Target may rely upon the representations and warranties made by Subscriber to the Company in this Subscription Agreement.

5. Registration of Subscribed Shares.

(a) The Company agrees that, on or prior to the Closing Date (the “Filing Deadline”), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the Subscribed Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective upon the Closing or as soon as practicable thereafter, but in any event no later than the earlier of (1) sixty (60) calendar days following the Filing Deadline (or one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the Filing Deadline if the Registration Statement is reviewed by, and comments thereto are provided by, the Commission) and (2) the tenth (10th) Business Day after the date the Company is notified by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. The Company will provide a draft of the Registration Statement to the Subscriber for review at least two (2) Business Days in advance of filing the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Commission prevents the Company from including any or all of the shares proposed to be registered under the Registration Statement due to limitations on the use of Rule 415 under the Securities Act for the resale of the Subscribed Shares by the applicable shareholders or otherwise, the Registration Statement shall register for resale such number of Subscribed Shares which is equal to the maximum number of Subscribed Shares as is permitted to be registered by the Commission. In such event, the number of Subscribed Shares to be registered for each selling shareholder named in the Registration Statement shall be reduced pro rata among all such selling shareholders and, during the Effectiveness Period (as defined below), as promptly as practicable after being permitted to register additional Subscribed Shares under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, the Company shall amend the Registration Statement or file a new Registration Statement to register such additional Subscribed Shares and cause such amendment or Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as practicable. The Company agrees that, except for such times as the Company is permitted hereunder to suspend the use of the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, the Company will use

 

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commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with respect to Subscriber until the earliest of (i) two (2) years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which all of the Subscribed Shares shall have been sold and (iii) the first date on which Subscriber can sell all of its Subscribed Shares (or shares received in exchange therefor) under Rule 144 under the Securities Act without limitation as to the manner of sale or the amount of such securities that may be sold and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable). The period commencing on the date on which the Registration Statement is actually filed and ending on the earliest of the dates referenced in the immediately preceding sentence is referred to herein as the “Effectiveness Period”. During the Effectiveness Period, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to file all reports, and provide all customary and reasonable cooperation, necessary to enable Subscriber to resell the Subscribed Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement, qualify the Subscribed Shares for listing on the applicable stock exchange on which the Class A Common Shares are then listed, and update or amend the Registration Statement as necessary to include the Subscribed Shares. The Company’s obligations to include the Subscribed Shares in the Registration Statement are contingent upon Subscriber furnishing in writing to the Company such information regarding Subscriber, the securities of the Company held by Subscriber and the intended method of disposition of the Subscribed Shares as shall be reasonably requested by the Company to effect the registration of the Subscribed Shares, and Subscriber shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request that are customary for a selling shareholder in similar situations, including providing that the Company shall be entitled to postpone and suspend the effectiveness or use of the Registration Statement during any customary blackout or similar period or as permitted hereunder; provided, that the Subscriber shall not in connection with the foregoing be required to execute any lock-up or similar agreement or otherwise be subject to any contractual restrictions on the ability to transfer the Subscribed Shares. In the case of the registration effected by the Company pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, the Company shall, upon reasonable request, inform Subscriber as to the status of such registration. If the Commission requests that Subscriber be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement, Subscriber will have an opportunity to withdraw from the Registration Statement. Subscriber shall not be entitled to use the Registration Statement for an underwritten offering of Subscribed Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may delay or postpone filing of the Registration Statement, and from time to time require Subscriber not to sell under the Registration Statement or suspend the use or effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (i) if it determines that in order for the Registration Statement not to contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed, (ii) if the Company’s CEO, CFO or General Counsel believes, upon the advice of legal counsel, that such filing or use could materially affect a bona fide business or financing transaction of the Company or would require premature disclosure of information that could materially adversely affect the Company or (iii) at any time that the Company is required to file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and the Commission has not declared such amendment effective (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”); provided that (x) the Company shall not so delay filing or so suspend the use of the Registration Statement for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days or more than three (3) times, in each case, during any three hundred sixty (360)-day period and (y) during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make the Registration Statement available for the sale by Subscriber of the Subscribed Shares as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

15


(b) At its expense, during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall advise Subscriber within two (2) Business Days: (A) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the Company’s receipt of notice of the initiation of any proceedings for such purpose; (B) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Subscribed Shares included therein for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and (C) subject to the provisions in this Subscription Agreement, of the occurrence of a Suspension Event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Company shall not, when so advising Subscriber of such events, provide Subscriber with any material, nonpublic information regarding the Company other than to the extent required to provide notice to Subscriber of the occurrence of such events.

(c) At its expense, during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as soon as reasonably practicable, and upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by clause (A) or (B) above (other than a permitted Suspension Event), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as reasonably practicable, prepare a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Subscribed Shares included therein, such prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) Upon receipt of written notice from the Company of the happening of any Suspension Event during the Effectiveness Period or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the prospectus), not misleading, Subscriber agrees that (1) it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Subscribed Shares under the Registration Statement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, sales conducted pursuant to Rule 144 or another exemption from registration) until the Company prepares a supplemental or amended prospectus (which the Company agrees to prepare promptly) that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Company that it may resume such offers and sales, and (2) it will maintain the confidentiality of any information included in such written notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by law, subpoena or regulatory request or requirement. If so directed by the Company, Subscriber will deliver to the Company or, in Subscriber’s sole discretion, destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Subscribed Shares in Subscriber’s possession; provided, however, that this obligation to deliver or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Subscribed Shares shall not apply (x) to the extent Subscriber is required to retain a copy of such prospectus (A) in order to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, self-regulatory or professional requirements or (B) in accordance with a bona fide pre-existing document retention policy or (y) to copies stored electronically on archival servers as a result of automatic data back-up.

 

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(e) For purposes of this Section 5, “Subscribed Shares” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the Subscribed Shares (as defined in the recitals to this Subscription Agreement) and any other equity security issued or issuable with respect to the Subscribed Shares by way of share split, dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event, and “Subscriber” shall include any affiliate of the undersigned Subscriber to which the rights under this Section 5 shall have been duly assigned.

(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Subscriber (to the extent a seller under the Registration Statement), its officers, directors, employees, members, managers, partners and agents, and each person who controls Subscriber (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, employees, members, managers, partners and agents of such controlling persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, that arise out of or are based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or incorporated by reference therein), any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except (i) to the extent that such untrue statements or alleged untrue statements, omissions or alleged omissions are based upon information regarding Subscriber furnished in writing to the Company by Subscriber expressly for use therein or Subscriber has omitted a material fact from such information or (ii) Subscriber otherwise violated any federal or state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder.

(g) Subscriber shall, severally and not jointly with any Other Subscriber, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any prospectus included in the Registration Statement, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any prospectus, or any form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based upon information regarding Subscriber furnished in writing to the Company by Subscriber expressly for use therein. In no event shall the liability of Subscriber

 

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be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by Subscriber upon the sale of the Subscribed Shares giving rise to such indemnification obligation. Subscriber shall notify the Company promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Section 5 of which Subscriber is aware.

(h) If the indemnification provided under this Section 5 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, 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. 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 this Section 5, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. 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 5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Each indemnifying party’s obligation to make a contribution pursuant to this Section 5(f) shall be individual, not joint and several, and in no event shall the liability of any Subscriber hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Subscriber upon the sale of the Subscribed Shares giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

6. Other Covenants.

(a) With a view to making available to Subscriber the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit Subscriber to sell Subscribed Shares to the public without registration, the Company agrees, until Subscriber no longer holds Subscribed Shares, to use commercially reasonable efforts to:

 

  i.

make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

 

  ii.

file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required to be filed by the Company under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, for so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required to enable Subscriber to sell Subscribed Shares under Rule 144; and

 

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  iii.

furnish to Subscriber, upon request in connection with an anticipated sale of Subscribed Shares by Subscriber under Rule 144, (x) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144(c), the Securities Act and the Exchange Act during the 12-month period preceding the date of such anticipated sale and (y) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit Subscriber to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

(b) In connection with any sale or other disposition of the Subscribed Shares by the Subscriber pursuant to Rule 144 and upon compliance by the Subscriber with the requirements of this Section 6(b), if requested by the Subscriber, the Company shall cause the transfer agent for the Subscribed Shares (the “Transfer Agent”) to remove any restrictive legends related to the book entry account holding such Subscribed Shares and make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry shares sold or disposed of without restrictive legends within five (5) trading days of any such request therefor from the Subscriber; provided that the Company and the Transfer Agent have timely received from the Subscriber customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Transfer Agent in connection therewith. Subject to receipt from the Subscriber by the Company and the Transfer Agent of customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Transfer Agent in connection therewith, the Subscriber may request that the Company remove any legend from the book entry position evidencing its Subscribed Shares and the Company will, if required by the Transfer Agent, use its commercially reasonable efforts cause an opinion of the Company’s counsel be provided, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Transfer Agent, to the effect that the removal of such restrictive legends in such circumstances may be effected under the Securities Act, following the earliest of such time as such Subscribed Shares (i) are subject to or have been or are about to be sold pursuant to an effective registration statement or (ii) have been or are about to be sold pursuant to Rule 144. If restrictive legends are no longer required for such Subscribed Shares pursuant to the foregoing, the Company shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section and within five (5) trading days of any request therefor from the Subscriber accompanied by such customary and reasonably acceptable representations and other documentation referred to above establishing that restrictive legends are no longer required, deliver to the Transfer Agent irrevocable instructions that the Transfer Agent shall make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry shares. The Company shall be responsible for the fees of its Transfer Agent, its legal counsel and all DTC fees associated with such issuance.

7. Termination. This Subscription Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof, upon the earliest to occur of (a) such date and time as the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, (b) the mutual written agreement of the Company and Subscriber to terminate this Subscription Agreement and (c) the date that is 60 days after the Outside Deadline (as defined in the Merger Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, without giving effect to any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision thereof that would have the effect of extending the Outside Deadline to

 

19


a later time); provided that nothing herein will relieve any party hereto from liability for any willful breach hereof prior to the time of termination, and each party hereto will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover losses, liabilities or damages arising from such breach. The Company shall notify Subscriber of the termination of the Merger Agreement promptly after the termination thereof, and any monies paid by the Subscriber to the Company in connection herewith shall be promptly returned to the Subscriber within one (1) Business Day of such termination.

8. Trust Account Waiver. Subscriber hereby acknowledges that the Company has established a trust account (the “Trust Account”) containing the proceeds of its initial public offering (the “IPO”) and from certain private placements occurring simultaneously with the IPO (including interest accrued from time to time thereon) for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders and certain other parties (including the underwriters of the IPO). For and in consideration of the Company entering into this Subscription Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Subscriber hereby (i) agrees that it does not now and shall not at any time hereafter have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any assets held in the Trust Account, and shall not make any claim against the Trust Account, that arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to this Subscription Agreement, regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims are collectively referred to hereafter as the “Released Claims”), (ii) irrevocably waives any Released Claims that it may have against the Trust Account now or in the future as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement, and (iii) will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any Released Claims; provided however, that nothing in this Section 8 shall be deemed to limit any Subscriber’s right to distributions from the Trust Account in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association in respect of any redemptions by Subscriber of its public Ordinary Shares of the Company acquired by any means other than pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.

9. Miscellaneous.

(a) The provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the following definitions, which shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The verb form of the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” The words “or” and “any” shall not be construed to be disjunctive but not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) references to any statute, rule or regulation shall be deemed to refer to such statute, rule or regulation as amended or supplemented from time to time, including through the promulgation of rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) the words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Subscription Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof; and (iii) references to “Sections” shall be construed to refer to sections of this Subscription Agreement. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms shall be deemed to refer to printing, typing or any other

 

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means (including e-mail and other electronic or digital media) of reproducing words in a visible form. Unless otherwise specified, the reference date for purposes of calculating any period shall be excluded from such calculation, but any period “from” or “through” a specified date shall commence or end, as applicable, on such specified date. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that it has been represented by legal counsel during, and has participated jointly with the other party hereto in, the negotiation and execution of this Subscription Agreement and waives the application of any law or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in a contract or other document or any provision thereof will be construed against the party that drafted such contract or other document or provision thereof.

(b) All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given, delivered and received (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) when sent by electronic mail, with no mail undeliverable or other rejection notice, on the date of transmission to such recipient; provided, that such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication is also sent to the recipient pursuant to clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 9(b), (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), or (iv) four (4) Business Days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, and, in each case, addressed to the intended recipient at its address specified on the signature page hereof or to such electronic mail address or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 9(b).

(c) Subscriber acknowledges that the Company, the Target and the Placement Agents will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement. Prior to the Closing, Subscriber agrees to promptly notify the Company and the Placement Agents if it becomes aware that any of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties of Subscriber set forth herein are no longer accurate in all material respects. The Company acknowledges that Subscriber and others will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement. Prior to the Closing, the Company agrees to promptly notify Subscriber if it becomes aware of any failure of any of its representations or warranties set forth herein to be true and correct, or any failure to perform or comply with any of its covenants set forth herein, in each case, such that the condition specified in Section 2(e)(i) or Section 2(e)(ii) would not be satisfied on the Closing Date.

(d) Each of the Company, the Target, the Placement Agents and Subscriber is irrevocably authorized to produce this Subscription Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

(e) Each party hereto shall pay all of its own expenses in connection with this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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(f) Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any rights that may accrue to Subscriber hereunder (other than the Subscribed Shares acquired hereunder, if any) may be transferred or assigned. Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any rights that may accrue to the Company hereunder may be transferred or assigned (provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company may transfer the Subscription Agreement and its rights hereunder in connection with the consummation of the Transaction, including in connection with the consummation of the Domestication). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Subscriber may assign its rights and obligations under this Subscription Agreement to one or more funds or accounts managed by the investment manager or investment advisor that manages Subscriber (or an affiliate that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such investment manager or investment advisor) or, with the Company’s prior written consent, to another person, provided, in each case, that any assignee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms hereof as if it were an original party hereto and that no such assignment shall relieve Subscriber of its obligations hereunder if any such assignee fails to perform such obligations.

(g) All the agreements, representations and warranties made by each party hereto in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing.

(h) The Company may request from Subscriber such additional information as the Company may deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the eligibility of Subscriber to acquire the Subscribed Shares, and Subscriber shall provide such information as may be reasonably requested, to the extent reasonably available; provided that the Company agrees to keep any such information provided by Subscriber confidential, except (A) as required by the federal securities laws, rules or regulations, (B) as requested by the staff of the Commission and (C) to the extent such disclosure is required by other laws, rules or regulations, any order of a governmental authority or under the rules or regulations of the Exchange. Subscriber acknowledges that the Company will file a form of this Subscription Agreement with the Commission as an exhibit to a current or periodic report of the Company or a registration statement of the Company.

(i) This Subscription Agreement may not be amended, modified, waived or terminated (other than as provided by and in accordance with Section 7) except by an instrument in writing, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such amendment, modification, waiver, or termination is sought. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision of this Subscription Agreement, and (ii) no consent to termination of this Subscription Agreement (including pursuant to Section 7(b)), shall be effective unless and until consented to in writing by the Target.

(j) This Subscription Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, between the parties hereto, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(k) Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by, and be binding upon, such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

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(l) If any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.

(m) This Subscription Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or any other form of electronic delivery (including .pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com or other transmission method)) and by different parties in separate counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts so executed and delivered shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(n) This Subscription Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person; provided, however, that (i) the Target is a third party beneficiary of this Subscription Agreement with respect to the rights of the Company hereunder and shall have the right to enforce, among other things, Subscriber’s obligation to fund the Purchase Price, (ii) the Placement Agents shall be intended third party beneficiaries of the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3 hereof and of Subscriber in Section 4 hereof and of the provisions of Section 9 hereof applicable to it.

(o) The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Subscription Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise.

(p) This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws that would otherwise require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.

(q) EACH PARTY HERETO AND ANY PERSON IDENTIFIED AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY HEREUNDER HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OR RELATED TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY HERETO AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO OR ANY AFFILIATE OF SUCH OTHER PARTY, WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE

 

23


OF ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF. THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT.

(r) The parties hereto agree that all disputes, legal actions, suits and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement must be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court within the State of Delaware or, in the event each federal court within the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state court within the state of Delaware) (collectively the “Designated Courts”). Each party hereto hereby consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Designated Courts. No legal action, suit or proceeding with respect to this Subscription Agreement may be brought in any other forum. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives all claims of immunity from jurisdiction and any objection which such party may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding in any Designated Court, including any right to object on the basis that any dispute, action, suit or proceeding brought in the Designated Courts has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum or venue. Each of the parties hereto also agrees that delivery of any process, summons, notice or document to a party hereof in compliance with Section 9(b) of this Subscription Agreement shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in a Designated Court with respect to any matters to which the parties hereto have submitted to jurisdiction as set forth above.

(s) The Company shall, by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first (1st) Business Day immediately following the date of this Subscription Agreement, issue one or more press releases or file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K (collectively, the “Disclosure Document”) disclosing, to the extent not previously publicly disclosed, all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby (and by the Other Subscription Agreements), the Transaction and any other material, nonpublic information that the Company has provided to Subscriber at any time prior to the filing of the Disclosure Document. Upon the issuance of the Disclosure Document, to the Company’s knowledge, Subscriber shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information received from the Company or any of its officers, directors or employees or the Placement Agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of Subscriber or any affiliate or investment adviser of Subscriber, or include the name of Subscriber or any affiliate or investment adviser of Subscriber (i) in any press release or marketing materials without the prior written consent (including by e-mail) of Subscriber or (ii) in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or trading market, without the prior written consent (including by e-mail) of Subscriber, except as required by the applicable

 

24


securities laws, rules or regulations and to the extent such disclosure is required by other laws, rules or regulations, at the request of the staff of the Commission or regulatory agency or under the rules or regulations of the Exchange, in which case the Company shall provide Subscriber with prior written notice (including by e-mail) of such permitted disclosure, and shall reasonably consult with Subscriber regarding such disclosure.

(t) The obligations of Subscriber under this Subscription Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any Other Subscriber or any other investor under the Other Subscription Agreements, and Subscriber shall not be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any Other Subscriber under this Subscription Agreement or any Other Subscriber or other investor under the Other Subscription Agreements. The decision of Subscriber to purchase Subscribed Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement has been made by Subscriber independently of any Other Subscriber or any other investor and independently of any information, materials, statements or opinions as to the business, affairs, operations, assets, properties, liabilities, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which may have been made or given by any Other Subscriber or investor or by any agent or employee of any Other Subscriber or investor, and neither Subscriber nor any of its agents or employees shall have any liability to any Other Subscriber or investor (or any other person) relating to or arising from any such information, materials, statements or opinions. Nothing contained herein or in any Other Subscription Agreement, and no action taken by Subscriber, any Other Subscriber or other investor pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Subscriber and any Other Subscriber or other investor as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that Subscriber and any Other Subscriber or other investor are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements. Subscriber acknowledges that no Other Subscriber has acted as agent for Subscriber in connection with making its investment hereunder and no Other Subscriber will be acting as agent of Subscriber in connection with monitoring its investment in the Subscribed Shares or enforcing its rights under this Subscription Agreement. Subscriber shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including the rights arising out of this Subscription Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any Other Subscriber or investor to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and Subscriber has executed, or caused to be executed by its duly authorized representative, this Subscription Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.
By:  

         

  Name:
 

Title:

Address for Notices:

[SUBSCRIBER]
By:  

         

  Name:
 

Title:

Address for Notices:

 

Name in which Subscribed Shares are to be registered:

         

 

Number of Subscribed Shares subscribed for:

  
  

 

 

 

Price Per Subscribed Share:

   $ 10.00  

Aggregate Purchase Price:

   $                            

You must pay the Purchase Price by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account of the Company specified by the Company in the Closing Notice.

[Signature Page to PIPE Subscription Agreement]


ANNEX A

ELIGIBILITY REPRESENTATIONS OF SUBSCRIBER

This Annex A should be completed and signed by Subscriber

and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement.

 

A.

QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS (Please check the box, if applicable)

 

 

Subscriber is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act).

** OR **

 

B.

INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS (Please check the box)

 

 

Subscriber is an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), or (7) under the Securities Act) and has marked and initialed the appropriate box below indicating the provision under which it qualifies as an institutional “accredited investor.”

** AND **

 

C.

AFFILIATE STATUS

(Please check the applicable box)

SUBSCRIBER:

☐ is:

☐ is not:

an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company or acting on behalf of an affiliate of the Company.

Rule 501(a), in relevant part, states that an institutional “accredited investor” shall mean any person who comes within any of the below listed categories, or who the issuer reasonably believes comes within any of the below listed categories, at the time of the sale of the securities to that person. Subscriber has indicated, by marking and initialing the appropriate box below, the provision(s) below which apply to Subscriber and under which Subscriber accordingly qualifies as an institutional “accredited investor.”

 

 

Any bank, registered broker or dealer, insurance company, registered investment company, business development company, or small business investment company;

 

 

Any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;


 

Any employee benefit plan, within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if a bank, insurance company, or registered investment adviser makes the investment decisions, or if the plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

 

Any corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, limited liability company, partnership or any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

 

Any trust with assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed to acquire the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person; or

[Specify which tests:                ]

 

SUBSCRIBER:
Print Name:
By:  

         

Name:
Title:

Exhibit 10.2

FORM OF

AMENDED AND RESTATED

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [ ● ], 2021, is made and entered into by and among [ ● ], a Delaware corporation (formerly known as Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company prior to its domestication as a Delaware corporation) (the “Company”), Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), certain former holders of shares of capital stock of Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Ginkgo”), set forth on the signature pages hereto (such holders, the “Ginkgo Holders” and, collectively with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.10 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2021 (the “Original RRA”);

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May [ ● ], 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), with SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and Ginkgo;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Ginkgo Holders received Class A or Class B shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (collectively, the “Common Stock”), of the Company;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, certain other investors (such other investors, collectively, the “Third Party Investor Stockholders”) purchased an aggregate of 77,500,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Investor Shares”) in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to the respective Subscription Agreement, each dated as of May [ ● ], 2021, entered into by and between the Company and each of the Third Party Investor Stockholders (each, a “Subscription Agreement” and, collectively, the “Subscription Agreements”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Original RRA, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders (as defined in the Original RRA) of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) at the time in question, and the Sponsor is the Holder of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders (as defined in the Preamble) certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined below) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.


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

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

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

Additional Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.10.

Additional Holder Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.10.

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, after consultation with counsel to the Company, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of 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 a Misstatement, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Block Trade” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.

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

Bylaws” shall mean the bylaws of the Company, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

Charter” shall mean the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Closing Date” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Commission” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto and includes the Company’s successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.

Demanding Holders” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

 

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

Form S-1 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Ginkgo” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Ginkgo Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1.2.

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

Investor Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Joinder” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.10.

Lock-up Period” shall mean (a) with respect to the Sponsor and its respective Permitted Transferees, the period during which transfers of equity securities of the Company are generally prohibited pursuant to Section 1.3(b) of the Sponsor Support Agreement and (b) with respect to the Ginkgo Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, the period during which transfers of equity securities of the Company are generally prohibited pursuant to Section 2(h)(i) or Section 2(h)(ii), as applicable, of Article V of the Charter.

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.

Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Minimum Takedown Threshold” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

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

Original RRA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Other Coordinated Offering” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.

Permitted Transferees” shall mean (a) with respect to the Sponsor and its respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 1.4(b) of the Sponsor Support Agreement and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or

 

3


their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; (b) with respect to the Ginkgo Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2(h)(i) or Section 2(h)(ii), as applicable, of Article V of the Charter and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; and (c) with respect to all other Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, any person or entity to whom such Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter.

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.2.1.

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

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding shares of Common Stock or any other equity security (including warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (including any securities distributable pursuant to the Merger Agreement); (b) any outstanding shares of Common Stock or any other equity security (including warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company acquired by a Holder following the date hereof to the extent that such securities are “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) or are otherwise held by an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; (c) any Additional Holder Common Stock; and (d) any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (a), (b) or (c) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, exchange or similar transaction; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement by the applicable Holder; (B) (i) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, (ii) new certificates for such securities not bearing (or book entry positions not subject to) a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and (iii) subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations including as to manner or timing of sale); and (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

 

4


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

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

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and any national 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 outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

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

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

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

(F) in an Underwritten Offering or Other Coordinated Offering, reasonable and documented fees and expenses not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate for each Registration of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders with the approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

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

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

Shelf” shall mean the Form S-1 Shelf, the Form S-3 Shelf or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be.

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

Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.

 

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Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2.

Sponsor Support Agreement” shall mean that certain support agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Sponsor, certain principals of the Sponsor, the Company and Ginkgo, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

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

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

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

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS AND OFFERINGS

2.1 Shelf Registration.

2.1.1 Filing. Within thirty (30) calendar days following the Closing Date, the Company shall submit to or file with the Commission a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf”) or a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf”), if the Company is then eligible to use a Form S-3 Shelf, in each case, covering the resale of all the Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such submission or filing) on a delayed or continuous basis and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such Shelf declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (a) the ninetieth (90th) calendar day following the filing date thereof if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement and (b) the tenth (10th) business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Such Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and

 

6


requested by, any Holder named therein. The Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, including filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 2.1.2, until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) to a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

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

2.1.3 Additional Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 3.4, in the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon written request of the Sponsor or a Ginkgo Holder, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Company’s option, any then available Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or by filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered twice per calendar year for each of the Sponsor or the Ginkgo Holders.

 

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2.1.4 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. Subject to Section 3.4, following the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, the Sponsor or a Ginkgo Holder (any of the Sponsor or a Ginkgo Holder being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder, either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with an anticipated aggregate offering price, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, of at least $100 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 2.4.4, the Company shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the initial Demanding Holder’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering.

2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the underwriter in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown advises the Demanding Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Demanding Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting (such maximum number of such securities, the “Maximum Number of Securities”) shall be allocated among all participating Holders thereof, including the Demanding Holders, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the amount of Registrable Securities of the Company owned by each participating Holder; provided, however, that the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting.

2.1.6 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that the Sponsor or the Ginkgo Holders may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Sponsor or the Ginkgo Holders or any of their respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.6.

 

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2.2 Piggyback Registration.

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. Subject to Section 2.4.3, following the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, if the Company or any Holder proposes to conduct a registered offering of, or if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration of, equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (iv) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (v) for a dividend reinvestment plan, (vi) a Block Trade or (vii) an Other Coordinated Offering, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities holding in excess of $50 million of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than five (5) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within two (2) days after receipt of such written notice (such registered offering, a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggyback Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Holder agreement to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.

2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the total amount of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such offering exceeds the amount of securities sold other than by the Company that the underwriters determine in their sole discretion is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, which the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering (the securities so included to be apportioned pro rata among the selling

 

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security holders according to the total amount of securities entitled to be included therein owned by each selling security holder or in such other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by such selling security holders). For purposes of the preceding parenthetical concerning apportionment, for any selling security holder which is a holder of Registrable Securities and which is a partnership or corporation, the partners, retired partners and holders of capital stock of such holder, or the estates and family members of any such partners and retired partners and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons shall be deemed to be a single “selling security holder,” and any pro-rata reduction with respect to such “selling security holder” shall be based upon the aggregate amount of shares carrying registration rights owned by all entities and individuals included in such “selling security holder,” as defined in this sentence.

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.6) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include a Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section 2.1.6), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.

2.3 Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company (other than a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering), if requested by the managing Underwriters, each Holder that is an executive officer, director or Holder in excess of five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock (and for which it is customary for such a Holder to agree to a lock-up) agrees that it shall not Transfer any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Company, during such time period after the pricing of such offering (not to exceed ninety (90) days) as the Company and the managing Underwriters may agree, except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the managing Underwriters otherwise agree by written consent. Each such Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders).

 

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2.4 Block Trades; Other Coordinated Offerings.

2.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder wishes to engage in (a) an underwritten block trade or similar transaction or other transaction with a two (2)-day or less marketing period (a “Block Trade”) or (b) an “at the market” or similar registered offering through a broker, sales agent or distribution agent, whether as agent or principal, (an “Other Coordinated Offering”), in each case, with an anticipated aggregate offering price of, either (x) at least $100 million or (y) all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then such Demanding Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering at least five (5) business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering; provided that the Demanding Holders representing a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters, brokers, sales agents or placement agents prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering.

2.4.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company, the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.4.2.

2.4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering initiated by a Demanding Holder pursuant to this Agreement.

2.4.4 The Demanding Holder in a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to select the Underwriters and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) for such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering (in each case, which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).

2.5 Legends. In connection with any sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities by a Holder pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) and upon compliance by the Holder with the requirements of this Section 2.5, if requested by the Holder, the Company shall cause the transfer agent for the Registrable Securities (the “Transfer Agent”) to remove any restrictive legends related to the book entry account holding such Registrable Securities and make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry shares sold or disposed of without restrictive legends within two (2) trading days of any such request therefor from the Holder; provided that the Company and the Transfer Agent have timely received from the Holder customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Transfer Agent in connection therewith. Subject to receipt from the Holder by the Company and the Transfer Agent of customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Transfer Agent in connection therewith, the Holder may request that the Company remove any legend from the book entry position evidencing its Registrable Securities and the Company will, if required by

 

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the Transfer Agent, use its commercially reasonable efforts cause an opinion of the Company’s counsel be provided, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Transfer Agent, to the effect that the removal of such restrictive legends in such circumstances may be effected under the Securities Act, following the earliest of such time as such Registrable Securities (i) are subject to or have been or are about to be sold pursuant to an effective registration statement or (ii) have been or are about to be sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission). If restrictive legends are no longer required for such Registrable Securities pursuant to the foregoing, the Company shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section and within two (2) trading days of any request therefor from the Holder accompanied by such customary and reasonably acceptable representations and other documentation referred to above establishing that restrictive legends are no longer required, deliver to the Transfer Agent irrevocable instructions that the Transfer Agent shall make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry shares. The Company shall be responsible for the fees of its Transfer Agent, its legal counsel and all DTC fees associated with such issuance.

ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

3.1 General Procedures. In connection with any Shelf and/or Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall:

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective, or file a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least five percent (5%) of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus and either (i) any underwriter overallotment option has terminated by its terms or (ii) the underwriters have advised the Company that they will not exercise such option or any remaining portion thereof;

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

 

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

3.1.5 use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange 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;

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

3.1.8 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 such shorter period of time as may be (a) necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable or (b) advisable in order to reduce the number of days that sales are suspended pursuant to Section 3.4), furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);

3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act;

 

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3.1.10 in accordance with Section 3.4, notify the Holders 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;

3.1.11 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating such Underwritten Offering, Block Trade, Other Coordinated Offering or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Underwriters or financial institutions agree to confidentiality arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

3.1.12 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration (subject to such broker, placement agent or sales agent providing such certification or representation reasonably requested by the Company’s independent registered public accountants and the Company’s counsel) in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter or the broker, placement agent or sales agent of such offering or sale may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

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

3.1.14 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting or other purchase or sales agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter or the broker, placement agent or sales agent of such offering or sale;

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 then in effect), and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

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3.1.16 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and

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

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

3.2 Registration Expenses. 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 fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

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

 

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3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.

3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as 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.

3.4.2 If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control or (b) in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its holders of capital stock and it is therefore essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company shall have the right, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders (which notice shall not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension), delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under this Section 3.4.1, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents.

3.4.2 During the period starting with the date ninety (90) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date ninety (90) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or if, pursuant to Section 2.1.4, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to Sections 2.1.4 or 2.4.

3.4.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, a Registration Statement or registered offering pursuant to this Agreement on more than three (3) occasions, for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days, or more than ninety (90) total calendar days, in each case during any twelve-month period.

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to use commercially reasonable efforts to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may

 

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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 Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act or Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect). 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

4.1 Indemnification.

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

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

 

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

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

4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or

 

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prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.1.5. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt of the intended recipient or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: [ ● ], [ ● ], Attention: [ ● ], Email: [ ● ], and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address, electronic mail address or facsimile number as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

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

5.2.2 Subject to Section 5.2.4 and Section 5.2.5, this Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of a Holder hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part to such Holder’s Permitted Transferees; provided, that, with respect to the Ginkgo Holders and the Sponsor, the rights hereunder that are personal to such Holders may not be assigned or delegated in whole or in part, except that (x) each of the Ginkgo Holders shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the Ginkgo Holders to one or more affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such Ginkgo Holder (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of such Ginkgo Holder or such transferees) and (y) the Sponsor shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the Sponsor to one or more of its affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of the Sponsor (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of the Sponsor or such transferees).

 

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

5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons or entities that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2.

5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (1) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND (2) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE EXCLUSIVELY IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY STATE APPELLATE COURT THEREFROM WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK COUNTY, OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.

5.5 TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

 

20


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

5.7 Other Registration Rights. Other than (i) the Third Party Investor Stockholders who have registration rights with respect to their Investor Shares pursuant to their respective Subscription Agreements and (ii) as provided in the Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2021, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company represents and warrants that no person or entity, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person or entity.

5.8 Term. This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (b) with respect to any Holder, on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.

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

5.10 Additional Holders; Joinder. In addition to persons or entities who may become Holders pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, subject to the prior written consent of each of the Sponsor and each Ginkgo Holder (in each case, so long as such Holder and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company), the Company may make any person or entity who acquires Common Stock representing at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or rights to acquire Common Stock representing at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of after the date hereof a party to this Agreement (each such person or entity, an “Additional Holder”) by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such Additional Holder in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (a “Joinder”). Such Joinder shall specify the rights and obligations of the applicable Additional Holder under this Agreement. Upon the execution and delivery and subject to the terms of a Joinder by such Additional Holder, the Common Stock of the Company then owned, or underlying any rights then owned, by such Additional Holder (the “Additional Holder Common Stock”) shall be Registrable Securities to the extent provided herein and therein and such Additional Holder shall be a Holder under this Agreement with respect to such Additional Holder Common Stock.

 

21


5.11 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

5.12 Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original RRA shall no longer be of any force or effect.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

22


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
[ ● ] a Delaware corporation
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
HOLDERS:

[ ● ]

a Delaware limited liability company

By:    
Name:  
Title:  
[ ● ]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Exhibit A

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT JOINDER

The undersigned is executing and delivering this joinder (this “Joinder”) pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [ ● ], 2021 (as the same may hereafter be amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among [______], a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other persons or entities named as parties therein. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, and upon acceptance hereof by the Company upon the execution of a counterpart hereof, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder of Registrable Securities in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Rights Agreement, and the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent provided therein; provided, however, that the undersigned and its permitted assigns (if any) shall not have any rights as Holders, and the undersigned’s (and its transferees’) shares of Common Stock shall not be included as Registrable Securities, for purposes of the Excluded Sections.

For purposes of this Joinder, “Excluded Sections” shall mean [ ● ].

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the __________ day of __________, 20__.

 

 

Signature of Stockholder

 

Print Name of Stockholder
Its:
Address:

 

 

Agreed and Accepted as of

____________, 20__

[________]

By:    

Name:

Its:

Exhibit 10.3

CONFIDENTIAL

COMPANY STOCKHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This Support Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 11, 2021, is entered into by and among Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Acquiror”), SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror (“Merger Sub”), and the stockholder of the Company (as defined below) set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Stockholder”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, Acquiror, Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Merger Sub are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which (and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Stockholder is the record and “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”)) of and is entitled to dispose of the Company Shares set forth on the signature page of this Agreement (collectively, the “Owned Shares”; the Owned Shares and any additional Company Shares (or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Company Shares) in which the Stockholder acquires record or beneficial ownership after the date hereof, including by purchase, as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange or change of such shares, or upon exercise or conversion of any securities, the “Covered Shares”);

WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the willingness of Acquiror and Merger Sub to enter into the Merger Agreement, the Stockholder is entering into this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

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

1. Agreement to Vote. Subject to the earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3 and the last paragraph of this Section 1, the Stockholder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder of the Company, irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to validly execute and deliver to the Company in respect of all of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares, as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective (and in any event within two (2) Business Days after receiving notice from Acquiror or the Company of such fact), the written consent that will be solicited by the Company from the Stockholder pursuant to the Merger Agreement to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval. In addition, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 1, prior to the Termination Date (as defined herein), the Stockholder, in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder of the Company, irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, at any other meeting of the stockholders of the Company (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting, however called and including any adjournment or postponement thereof) and in connection with any written consent of stockholders of the Company, the Stockholder shall, and shall cause any other holder of record of any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares to:

 

  (a)

when such meeting is held, appear at such meeting or otherwise cause the Stockholder’s Covered Shares to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum;


  (b)

vote (or execute and return an action by written consent), or cause to be voted at such meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), all of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares owned as of the record date for such meeting (or the date that any written consent is executed by the Stockholder) in favor of (i) the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement, the Company Recapitalization and any other matters necessary or reasonably requested by the Company or Acquiror relating thereto and (ii) any proposal to adjourn such meeting at which there is a proposal for stockholders of the Company to adopt the Merger Agreement to a later date if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement or if there are not sufficient Company Shares present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting to constitute a quorum; and

 

  (c)

vote (or execute and return an action by written consent), or cause to be voted at such meeting, or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to, all of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares against any Acquisition Proposal or any transaction relating thereto, refrain from giving consent to any Acquisition Proposal or any transaction relating thereto and any other action that would reasonably be expected to materially impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the Company Recapitalization, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Company under the Merger Agreement or result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Stockholder contained in this Agreement.

The obligations of the Stockholder specified in this Section 1 shall apply whether or not the Merger or any action described above is recommended by the Company Board or the Company Board has previously recommended the Merger but changed such recommendation.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided elsewhere herein, the Stockholder shall not be required to vote in favor of (including by providing a written consent) or otherwise approve or consent to the Merger Agreement or the Company Recapitalization unless in the Company Recapitalization: (a) each Company Preferred Share outstanding immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization will be converted into, exchanged for or otherwise replaced with a number of Company Class A Shares equal to the number of Company Common Shares into which such Company Preferred Share would have been convertible immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization, (b) the aggregate number of Company Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization shall be equal to the aggregate number of Company Class A Shares and Company Class B Shares, collectively, issued in respect of such Company Common Shares (or that such Company Common Shares were converted into, exchanged for or otherwise replaced with) in connection with the Company Recapitalization, (c) no other Equity Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization shall be converted into, exchanged for or otherwise replaced with Company Class A Shares or Company Class B Shares, (d) the holders of Company Shares immediately prior to the Company Recapitalization will be the only holders of Company Shares immediately following the Company Recapitalization and (e) the Company Recapitalization will not alter, or have the effect of altering, the terms or conditions of the Per Share Merger Consideration.

2. No Inconsistent Agreements. The Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees that the Stockholder shall not, at any time prior to the Termination Date, (a) enter into any voting agreement or voting trust with respect to any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares that is inconsistent with the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement, (b) grant a proxy or power of attorney with respect to any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares that is inconsistent with the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement, or (c) enter into any agreement or undertaking that is otherwise inconsistent with, or would interfere with, or prohibit or prevent it from satisfying, its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2


3. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of (a) the Merger Effective Time (or, in the case of Section 8, immediately following the Merger Effective Time), (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (c) the time this Agreement is terminated upon the mutual written agreement of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Stockholder and (d) the election of the Stockholder in its sole discretion to terminate this Agreement following any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification of any term or provision of the Merger Agreement without the prior written consent of such Stockholder that reduces the consideration payable to such Stockholder pursuant to the Merger Agreement, changes the form of consideration payable to such Stockholder pursuant to the Merger Agreement or extends the time following the Merger Effective Time in which payment of the consideration to such Stockholder is payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the earliest such date under clause (a), (b), (c) and (d) being referred to herein as the “Termination Date”); provided, that the provisions set forth in Sections 11 through 22 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto shall not survive the Termination Date.

4. Representations and Warranties of the Stockholder. The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to the other parties hereto, solely as to itself as follows:

 

  (a)

The Stockholder is the only record owner of, and has good, valid and marketable title to, the Covered Shares, free and clear of Liens other than as created by this Agreement or the Governing Documents of the Company (including, for the purposes hereof, any agreements between or among stockholders of the Company), or applicable Laws. As of the date hereof, other than the Covered Shares, the Stockholder does not own beneficially or of record any shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company (or any securities convertible into shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company) or any interest therein.

 

  (b)

The Stockholder, except as provided in this Agreement or as may be provided in any agreements between or among the Company and the stockholders of the Company, (i) has full voting power, full power of disposition and full power to issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth herein, in each case, with respect to the Stockholder’s Covered Shares, (ii) has not entered into any voting agreement or voting trust with respect to any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares that is inconsistent with the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) has not granted a proxy or power of attorney with respect to any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares that is inconsistent with the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement and (iv) has not entered into any agreement or undertaking that is otherwise inconsistent with, or would interfere with, or prohibit or prevent it from satisfying, its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  (c)

The Stockholder affirms that (i) if the Stockholder is a natural person, he or she has all the requisite power and authority and has taken all action necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform his or her obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) if the Stockholder is not a natural person, (A) it is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent such concept is applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (B) has all requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Stockholder and, assuming due authorization and execution by each other party hereto, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Stockholder enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

 

3


  (d)

Other than the filings, notices and reports pursuant to, in compliance with or required to be made under the Exchange Act, no filings, notices, reports, consents, registrations, approvals, permits, waivers, expirations of waiting periods or authorizations are required to be obtained by the Stockholder from, or to be given by the Stockholder to, or be made by the Stockholder with, any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

  (e)

The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Stockholder do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the Governing Documents of the Stockholder (if the Stockholder is not a natural person), (ii) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a material breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) of or a material default under, the loss of any material benefit under, the creation, modification or acceleration of any material obligations under or the creation of a Lien (other than under this Agreement or the Merger Agreement) on any of the Owned Shares, or pursuant to any Contract binding upon the Stockholder or, assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby), compliance with the matters referred to in Section 4(d), under any applicable Law to which the Stockholder is subject or (iii) any material change in the rights or obligations of any party under any Contract legally binding upon the Stockholder, except, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) directly above, for any such breach, violation, termination, default, creation, acceleration or change that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay or impair the Stockholder’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

  (f)

As of the date of this Agreement, (i) there is no Action pending against the Stockholder or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against the Stockholder and (ii) the Stockholder is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any Governmental Order, in each case, that questions the beneficial or record ownership of the Stockholder’s Owned Shares or the validity of this Agreement or would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay, impair or adversely affect the performance by the Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

  (g)

The Stockholder understands and acknowledges that Acquiror and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Stockholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements of the Stockholder contained herein.

 

  (h)

Except as disclosed in Section 5.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission for which Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries is or will be liable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by the Stockholder in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, on behalf of the Stockholder in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder of the Company.

 

4


  (i)

The Stockholder acknowledges that the Stockholder is a sophisticated investor with respect to the Stockholder’s Covered Shares and has adequate information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company to make an informed decision regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has, independently and without reliance upon Acquiror, the Company or any Affiliate of Acquiror and the Company, and based on such information as the Stockholder has deemed appropriate, made the Stockholder’s own analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. The Stockholder acknowledges that the Stockholder has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice prior to executing this Agreement.

5. Certain Covenants of the Stockholder. Except in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

 

  (a)

No Solicitation. Subject to Section 7 hereof, prior to the Termination Date, the Stockholder agrees not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, any Person with respect to, or provide any non-public information or data concerning the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to any Person relating to, an Acquisition Proposal (other than to inform such Person of the Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Section 5(a)) or afford to any Person access to the business, properties, assets, information or personnel of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into any acquisition agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement, or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or agreement in principle, or any other agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) grant any waiver, amendment or release under any confidentiality agreement or the anti-takeover laws of any state for purposes of facilitating an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) otherwise knowingly encourage or facilitate any such inquiries, proposals, discussions, or negotiations or any effort or attempt by any Person to make an Acquisition Proposal or (v) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the Stockholder shall not be responsible for the actions of the Company or its Board of Directors (or any Committee thereof), any Subsidiary of the Company, or any officers, directors (in their capacity as such), employees and professional advisors of any of the foregoing (the “Company Related Parties”), including with respect to any of the matters contemplated by this Section 5(a), (ii) the Stockholder makes no representations or warranties with respect to the actions of any of the Company Related Parties, and (iii) any breach by the Company of its obligations under Section 7.5 of the Merger Agreement shall not be considered a breach of this Section 5(a) (it being understood for the avoidance of doubt that the Stockholder shall remain responsible for any breach by the Stockholder or his, her or its Representatives (other than any such Representative that is a Company Related Party) of this Section 5(a)). From the date hereof until the Termination Date, the Stockholder hereby agrees not to (i) effect any Transfer with respect to any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares or (ii) take any action that would make any representation or warranty of the Stockholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the effect of preventing or disabling the Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit [(i)] a Transfer to an Affiliate of the Stockholder [or for bona fide estate planning purposes; or (ii) a Transfer of up to 2% of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares (A) to the Company pursuant to a prior repurchase approval from the Company’s Board of Directors and

 

5


  preferred stockholders following the delivery of the written consent pursuant to Section 1 and/or (B) to a third party, if, as a precondition to such Transfer [in each of clauses (i) and (ii)(B)], the transferee agrees in a writing, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiror, to assume all of the obligations of the Stockholder under, and be bound by all of the terms of, this Agreement, and such a permitted Transfer shall not be deemed a breach of any of the Stockholder’s representations or warranties herein.1Transfer” means, with respect to any share of capital stock of the Company, (A) any sale, assignment, exchange, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether direct or indirect, whether or not for value, and whether or not by operation of law (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise), including, without limitation, any transfer of such share to a broker or other nominee (with or without a corresponding change in beneficial ownership) and any transfer of voting control of such share, or (B) entering into any agreement or binding arrangement providing for any transaction contemplated by the preceding clause (A). Any Transfer in violation of this Section 5(b) with respect to the Stockholder’s Covered Shares shall be null and void.

 

  (c)

The Stockholder hereby authorizes the Company to maintain a copy of this Agreement at either the executive office or the registered office of the Company.

6. Appraisal and Dissenters’ Rights. The Stockholder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect, any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement that the Stockholder may have by virtue of ownership of the Covered Shares.

7. Further Assurances. From time to time, at Acquiror’s request and without further consideration, the Stockholder shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary or reasonably requested to effect the actions and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Stockholder further agrees not to commence or participate (in a manner adverse to Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Related Persons) in, and to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any Action, derivative or otherwise, against Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Related Persons, challenging the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or disputing the allocation of the consideration payable as part of the Merger pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (including any Action (a) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of the Merger Agreement or (b) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of the Company Board in connection with this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby), except for any Action to collect Merger consideration owed to such Stockholder pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, or to enforce such Stockholder’s rights under the Registration Rights Agreement following the Closing.

8. Disclosure; Public Announcements. The Stockholder hereby authorizes the Company and Acquiror to publish and disclose in any announcement, filing or disclosure required to be made by any Governmental Order or other applicable Law or the rules of any national securities exchange or as requested by the SEC the Stockholder’s identity and ownership of Equity Securities of the Company or Acquiror and the nature of the Stockholder’s obligations under this Agreement. Until the Termination Date, neither the Stockholder nor any of its Affiliates shall issue any press release or make any other public announcement or public statement with respect to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each, a “Public Communication”), without the prior written consent of each of Acquiror and the Company (which consent may be withheld in Acquiror’s or the Company’s sole discretion), except (a) as required by applicable Law or any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction (including pursuant to any court process), in which case the Stockholder shall

 

1 

Bracketed provision would be included in versions signed by the Company’s founders.

 

6


provide each of Acquiror and the Company and their respective legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such Public Communication (solely with respect to such portions that relate to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) in advance of its issuance and shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any such comments or (b) with respect to a Public Communication that is consistent with prior disclosures by Acquiror and the Company; provided, that, the foregoing shall not apply to any disclosure required to be made by the Stockholder to a Governmental Authority so long as such disclosure is consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and the disclosures made by the Company and Acquiror pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

9. Changes in Capital Stock. In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or distribution, or any change in the Company’s capital stock by reason of any split-up, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange of shares or the like, the terms “Owned Shares” and “Covered Shares” shall be deemed to refer to and include such shares as well as all such stock dividends and distributions and any securities into which or for which any or all of such shares may be changed or exchanged or which are received in such transaction.

10. Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing signed by Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Stockholder.

11. Waiver. No failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have hereunder. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument executed and delivered by such party.

12. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) on the date established by the sender as having delivered personally, (b) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service guaranteeing overnight delivery, (c) on the date delivered, if delivered by email; or (d) on the fifth Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications, to be valid, must be delivered to the parties hereto at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice made pursuant to this Section 12):

if to the Stockholder, to it at:

the address (including email) set forth in the Company’s books and records, or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as such Stockholder has specified by prior written notice to the sending party

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

555 Eleventh Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

Attention: Paul F. Sheridan, Jr.; Kristen S. Grannis

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

 

7


if to Acquiror, to it at:

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

[●]

[●]

Attention: [●]

Email: [●]

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

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attention: Joel Rubenstein

                 James Hu

Email:      [email protected]

         [email protected]

If more than one method for sending notice as set forth above is used, the earliest notice date established as set forth above shall control.

13. No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Acquiror any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to the Covered Shares of the Stockholder. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Covered Shares of the Stockholder shall remain vested in and belong to the Stockholder, and Acquiror shall have no authority to direct the Stockholder in the voting or disposition of any of the Stockholder’s Covered Shares, except as otherwise provided herein.

14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

15. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Stockholder’s representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein are solely for the benefit of Acquiror in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, and the parties hereto hereby further agree that this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any Action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against, the Persons expressly named as parties hereto.

16. Governing Law and Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

  (a)

This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether based on contract, tort, equity or otherwise), shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of Laws (whether of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction) to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware

 

  (b)

Any proceeding or Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware) (the “Chosen Courts”), and each of the

 

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  parties irrevocably (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding or Action, (ii) waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, (iii) agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding or Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court and (iv) agrees not to bring any proceeding or Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence Actions or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 16.

 

  (c)

EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY, UNCONDITIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

17. Assignment; Successors. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto in whole or in part (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party, and any such assignment without such consent shall be null and void. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, permitted assigns and legal representatives.

18. Enforcement. The rights and remedies of the parties shall be cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur and that the parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the Stockholder’s obligations to vote its Covered Shares as provided in this Agreement, in any Chosen Court, without proof of actual damages or otherwise (and each party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

19. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against its regulatory policy, the remainder of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby, taken as a whole, are not affected in a manner materially adverse to any party hereto. Upon such a determination, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart. This Agreement shall become effective when each party shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by all of the other parties. Signatures delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be deemed to be original signatures.

 

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21. Interpretation and Construction. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The descriptive headings used herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. References to Sections are to Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation,” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any statute shall be deemed to refer to such statute and to any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. References to any person include the successors and permitted assigns of that person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including such date or through and including such date, respectively. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

22. Capacity as a Stockholder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Stockholder signs this Agreement solely in the Stockholder’s capacity as a stockholder of the Company, and not in any other capacity and this Agreement shall not limit or otherwise affect the actions of the Stockholder or any Affiliate, employee or designee of the Stockholder or any of their respective Affiliates in his or her capacity, if applicable, as an officer or director of the Company or any other Person.

23. Supporting Company Stockholders. Acquirer hereby confirms that this Agreement is in substantially the same form as the Company Stockholder Support Agreement entered into with all Supporting Company Stockholders and that, other than the additional permitted Transfer provisions referenced in the form of Company Stockholder Support Agreement attached as Exhibit C to the Merger Agreement to be included in the Company Stockholder Support Agreements for the founders of the Company, no Supporting Company Stockholder’s Company Stockholder Support Agreement contains terms more favorable than this Agreement.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed (where applicable, by their respective officers or other authorized Persons thereunto duly authorized) as of the date first written above.

 

STOCKHOLDER
[●]
By:    
Name: [●]
Title: [●]
Subject Shares:
__________ shares of Common Stock
__________ shares of Series B Preferred Stock
__________ shares of Series C Preferred Stock
__________ shares of Series D Preferred Stock
__________ shares of Series E Preferred Stock

[Signature Page to Company Stockholder Support Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed (where applicable, by their respective officers or other authorized Persons thereunto duly authorized) as of the date first written above.

 

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
By:    
  Name: [●]
  Title: [●]
SEAC MERGER SUB, INC.
By:    
  Name: [●]
  Title: [●]

[Signature Page to Company Stockholder Support Agreement]

Exhibit 10.4

SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This Sponsor Support Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into on May 11, 2021 by Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (which shall domesticate as a Delaware corporation in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) (together with its successor, “Acquiror”), Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc,, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and, solely with respect to Section 1.6(c), Section 1.10, Section 2.1(f) and Article III, the individuals identified on Schedule I hereto (the “Sponsor Principals”). Acquiror, the Sponsor, the Sponsor Principals and the Company are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”, and each of them is sometimes individually referred to herein as a “Party”. Certain terms used in this Agreement have the applicable meanings ascribed to them in Section 3.1.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Sponsor is the holder of record and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of (i) 43,125,000 Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares and (ii) 19,250,000 Acquiror Private Placement Warrants (which constitute all of the outstanding Acquiror Private Placement Warrants);

WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the Parties’ execution and delivery of this Agreement, Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, Acquiror will domesticate as a Delaware corporation and Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Acquiror; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Acquiror and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, the Parties desire to agree to certain matters as set forth herein.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Section 1.1 Forfeiture of Promote Shares and Private Placement Warrants.

(a) Immediately prior to the Closing, the Sponsor will (and, subject only to the occurrence of the Closing, hereby does) irrevocably surrender, forfeit and transfer to Acquiror, for no consideration and without any further right thereto, and consent to the termination and cancellation of, the Forfeited Promote Shares (and any other Equity Securities into which such Forfeited Promote Shares may have been converted or for which such Forfeited Promote Shares may have been exchanged).

(b) Immediately prior to the Closing, the Sponsor will (and, subject only to the occurrence of the Closing, hereby does) irrevocably surrender, forfeit and transfer to Acquiror, for no consideration and without any further right thereto, and consent to the termination and cancellation of, the Forfeited Private Placement Warrants (and any other Equity Securities into which such Forfeited Private Placement Warrants may have been converted or for which such Forfeited Private Placement Warrants may have been exercised or exchanged).


(c) Immediately prior to the Closing, the Sponsor will cause to be delivered and surrendered to Acquiror for cancellation any stock certificates, warrant certificates or any similar instruments evidencing or representing any Forfeited Promote Share or Private Placement Warrants to be surrendered, forfeited, transferred, terminated and cancelled pursuant to Section 1.1(a) or Section 1.1(b), as applicable.

Section 1.2 Sponsor Earn-out.

(a) The Sponsor hereby irrevocably agrees that, at (and subject only to the occurrence of) the Closing, the Earn-out Promote Shares will become restricted shares and will be subject to the vesting and forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 1.2(d).

(b) The Earn-out Promote Shares will be composed as follows: (i) 25% of the Earn-out Promote Shares will be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 1.2(d) (the “First Target Earn-out Shares”), (ii) an additional 25% of the Earn-out Promote Shares will be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 1.2(d) (the “Second Target Earn-out Shares”), (iii) an additional 25% of the Earn-out Promote Shares will be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 1.2(d) (the “Third Target Earn-out Shares”) and (iv) the remaining 25% of the Earn-out Promote Shares will be subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 1.2(d) (the “Fourth Target Earn-out Shares”).

(c) If the result of the product of (i) 25% multiplied by (ii) the total number of Earn-out Promote Shares is not a whole number, then the number of Earn-out Promote Shares resulting from the product of (A) 4.00 multiplied by (B) the fractional amount (rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of the fractional Earn-out Promote Share resulting from the calculation set forth in the introduction to this sentence will be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and each such whole Earn-out Promote Share will be a First Target Earn-out Share.

(d) The Earn-out Promote Shares will be subject to the following vesting conditions:

(i) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the First Target Earn-out Shares will immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 1.2.

(ii) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the Second Target Earn-out Shares will immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 1.2.

 

2


(iii) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the Third Target Earn-out Shares will immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 1.2.

(iv) If, at any time during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Trading Price at any point during the trading hours of a Trading Day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, the Fourth Target Earn-out Shares will immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 1.2.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, if the vesting conditions applicable to more than one of Section 1.2(d)(i), Section 1.2(d)(ii), Section 1.2(d)(iii) or Section 1.2(d)(iv) have been satisfied at any time, then all of the Earn-out Promote Shares subject to such satisfied vesting conditions will immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions provided in this Section 1.2. Without limiting the foregoing, if the vesting condition set forth in Section 4.4(c)(i), Section 4.4(c)(ii), Section 4.4(c)(iii) or Section 4.4(c)(iv) of the Merger Agreement is deemed met by the Company, then the corresponding vesting condition set forth in Section 1.2(d)(i), Section 1.2(d)(ii), Section 1.2(d)(iii) or Section 1.2(d)(iv), respectively, shall also be deemed met.

(f) If, upon the expiration of the Earn-out Period, the vesting of any of the Earn-out Promote Shares has not occurred, then the applicable Earn-out Promote Shares that failed to vest pursuant to Section 1.2(d), as applicable, and any dividends or distributions previously paid or made in respect thereof will be automatically forfeited and transferred to Acquiror for no consideration, and no Person (other than Acquiror) will have any further right with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event will the Sponsor be entitled to retain after the Earn-out Period an aggregate number of Earn-out Promote Shares greater than the total number of Earn-out Promote Shares that has vested in accordance with Section 1.2(d) or Section 1.2(h).

(g) If, during the Earn-out Period, the Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares outstanding as of immediately following the Merger Effective Time shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any Equity Adjustment, or any similar event shall have occurred, then the applicable Acquiror Trading Price specified in each of Section 1.2(d)(i), Section 1.2(d)(ii), Section 1.2(d)(iii) and Section 1.2(d)(iv) will be equitably adjusted to reflect such change.

(h) In the event that there is an Acquiror Sale during the Earn-out Period, then, to the extent that the holders of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares receive an Acquiror Sale Price that is greater than or equal to the applicable Acquiror Trading Price specified in Section 1.2(d)(i), Section 1.2(d)(ii), Section 1.2(d)(iii) or Section 1.2(d)(iv) (subject to Section 1.2(g)) any Earn-out Promote Shares that have not previously vested in accordance with Section 1.2(d)(i), Section 1.2(d)(ii), Section 1.2(d)(iii) or Section 1.2(d)(iv), as applicable, will be deemed to have vested (to the extent that such Earn-out Promote Shares would have vested pursuant to Section 1.2(d)(i), Section 1.2(d)(ii), Section 1.2(d)(iii) or Section 1.2(d)(iv), as applicable, if the Acquiror Trading Price had been the Acquiror Sale Price for any 20 Trading Days within any period of 30 Trading Days during the Earn-out Period) immediately prior to the closing of such Acquiror Sale, and the holders of any Earn-out Promote Shares deemed vested pursuant to this Section 1.2(h) will be eligible to participate in such Acquiror Sale with respect to such Earn-Out Promote Shares on the same terms, and subject to the same conditions, as the holders of Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares or Acquiror Delaware Class B Shares, as applicable, generally.

(i) For so long as any Earn-out Promote Share remains subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 1.2(d), (i) the holder thereof will be entitled to exercise the voting rights carried by such Earn-out Promote Share and (ii) the holder thereof will not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions in respect of such Earn-out Promote Share, and any dividends

 

3


or distributions paid or made in respect of such Earn-out Promote Share will be retained by Acquiror and invested as and to the extent determined by Acquiror and will be paid or made to the holder of such Earn-out Promote Share only when and to the extent that such Earn-out Promote Share vests in accordance with Section 1.2(d), and, to the extent that such Earn-out Promote Share fails to vest in accordance with Section 1.2(d) prior to the expiration of the Earn-out Period, any dividends or distributions paid or made in respect thereof will be forfeited to Acquiror for no consideration, and no Person (other than Acquiror) will have any further right with respect thereto.

Section 1.3 Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) From the date hereof until the earlier of (i) the Closing or (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.3, the Sponsor (and any other Person to which any Promote Share or Private Placement Warrant is Transferred) shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any of the Promote Shares or Private Placement Warrants legally or beneficially owned by it, other than (A) as required or expressly and affirmatively permitted by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including this Agreement) or (B) in accordance with Section 1.4. In the event that the Sponsor (or any other Person to which any Promote Share or Private Placement Warrant is Transferred) Transfers any Promote Shares or Private Placement Warrants prior to the Closing, Acquiror shall amend Schedule II hereto promptly thereafter (and, in any event, prior to the Closing) to reflect such Transfer.

(b) From the Closing until the earlier of (i) the date that is one year following the Closing Date and (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.3, the Sponsor (and each other Person to which any Promote Share is Transferred) shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any of the Promote Shares (including the Earn-out Promote Shares) legally or beneficially owned by it, other than in accordance with Section 1.4. For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions set forth in this Section 1.3(b) shall not apply to any Private Placement Warrants or to any Acquiror Delaware Class A Shares into which such Private Placement Warrants are converted or for which such Private Placement Warrants are exercised or exchanged (including by reason of any Equity Adjustment).

(c) The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all Promote Shares and Private Placement Warrants beneficially owned by the Sponsor (or any Person to which any Promote Share or Private Placement Warrant is Transferred) will remain subject to any restrictions on Transfer under all applicable securities laws and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) any purported Transfer of any Promote Share or Private Placement Warrant in violation of this Agreement will be null and void ab initio.

Section 1.4 Exceptions to Restrictions on Transfer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.3(a) or Section 1.3(b), each holder of Promote Shares or Private Placement Warrants will be permitted to Transfer Promote Shares or Private Placement Warrants:

(a) to any of Acquiror’s officers or directors;

(b) if such holder is an individual, then (i) by will or other testamentary document or device or (ii) by operation of applicable Law, including applicable Laws of intestacy or descent or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, divorce settlement, divorce decree, separation agreement or related court order;

(c) as a bona fide gift or gifts, including to any charitable organization;

(d) for bona fide estate planning purposes;

 

4


(e) to any Person of which all of the outstanding equity interests are legally and beneficially owned by such holder or, if such holder is an individual, then to one or more members of the immediate family or former spouse of such holder;

(f) if such holder is a Person other than an individual, then to another Person (other than an individual) that is an Affiliate of such holder, or to any investment fund or other Person managing or managed by such holder or one or more of its Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where such holder is a partnership, to its general partner);

(g) if such holder is a Person other than an individual, then (i) to any shareholder, partner or member of such holder in redemption of such shareholder’s, partner’s or member’s interest in such holder or (ii) upon such holder’s bona fide liquidation or dissolution, to the shareholders, partners or members of such holder in accordance with its Governing Documents; or

(h) to a nominee or custodian of any Person to which a Transfer would be permissible under any of the preceding clauses (a) through (g);

provided that (A) in the case of any Transfer pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses (b), (c), (d) and (h), such Transfer does not involve a disposition for value and (B) in the case of any Transfer pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h), (1) the Person effecting such Transfer provides written notice of such Transfer to Acquiror at least two Business Days prior to effecting such Transfer, (2) the Promote Shares or Private Placement Warrants so Transferred will remain subject to this Agreement, and, before such Transfer will be considered effective, the Person to which such Promote Shares or Private Placement Warrants are to be Transferred will provide a written undertaking to each of Acquiror and the Company agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if such Person were the Sponsor for all purposes hereunder and, to the extent that any of the Promote Shares legally or beneficially owned by the Sponsor as of the date hereof are so Transferred, agreeing to be bound to the terms and conditions of each of Section 1.1 and Section 1.2 as if such Person were the Sponsor, (C) the Sponsor will file any public report or filing required to be made under applicable securities laws (including filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act) to disclose such Transfer on a timely basis and (D) there will be no voluntary public disclosure or other voluntary announcement of such Transfer without the prior written consent of Acquiror.

Section 1.5 Waiver of Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Sponsor hereby irrevocably waives (for itself and for its successors, heirs and assigns), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and the Governing Documents of Acquiror, any anti-dilution or other protection with respect to the Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares that would result in the Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares converting into other Acquiror Shares in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including the Domestication, the PIPE Investment and the Merger) at a ratio greater than one-for-one (including the provisions of Article 17 of Acquiror’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association). The waiver specified in this Section 1.5 will be applicable only in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or any issuance of Equity Securities of Acquiror issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) and will be void and of no force and effect if the Merger Agreement is validly terminated for any reason prior to the Closing.

Section 1.6 Sponsor Support Agreements.

(a) The Sponsor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees, solely in its capacity as a shareholder of Acquiror, that, unless this Agreement has been validly terminated in accordance with Section 3.3, at any meeting of the shareholders of Acquiror (whether annual or special, however called and including any adjournment or postponement thereof), and in connection with any written consent of shareholders of Acquiror, the Sponsor will, and will cause any other holder of record of any of the Sponsor’s voting Covered Securities:

 

5


(i) to appear at such shareholder meeting or otherwise cause the Sponsor’s voting Covered Securities to be counted as present at such shareholder meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum;

(ii) to vote, or cause to be voted, at such shareholder meeting (or, as applicable, validly execute and deliver and take all other action necessary to grant legally effective consent to any action by written consent of the shareholders of Acquiror) all of the Sponsor’s voting Covered Securities owned as of the record date for such meeting (or, as applicable, the date that any written consent is executed by the shareholders of Acquiror), in favor of (A) all of the Transaction Proposals and (B) the Acquiror Warrant Proposal; and

(iii) to vote, or cause to be voted, at such shareholder meeting (or, as applicable, take all action necessary to withhold consent to any action by written consent of the shareholders of Acquiror) all of the Sponsor’s voting Covered Securities owned as of the record date for such meeting (or, as applicable, the date that any written consent is executed by the shareholders of Acquiror), against (A) any Business Combination Proposal and (B) any other action that would reasonably be expected to materially impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect any of the Transaction Proposals or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or result in any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or other obligation of Acquiror or Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement or of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Sponsor under any Ancillary Agreement to which any of the foregoing is a party (including this Agreement).

The obligations of the Sponsor specified in this Section 1.6(a) will apply whether or not any of the Transaction Proposals or, as applicable, the Acquiror Warrant Proposal is recommended by the Acquiror Board and whether or not the Acquiror Board has previously recommended any of the Transaction Proposals or, as applicable, the Acquiror Warrant Proposal but changed such recommendation.

(b) The Sponsor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees not to elect to redeem any Acquiror Cayman Ordinary Share in the Acquiror Share Redemption or otherwise.

(c) From the date hereof until the earlier of (i) the Closing or (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.3, the Sponsor and each Sponsor Principal will comply with and fully perform all of its covenants and agreements set forth in the Insider Letter, and neither the Sponsor nor any Sponsor Principal shall amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify, or cause Acquiror to amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify or waive, any provision of the Insider Letter without the prior written consent of the Company.

(d) From the date hereof until the earlier of (i) the Closing or (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.3, the Sponsor will, subject to any restrictions contained in its Governing Documents, advance funds to Acquiror as and when necessary to financing working capital or costs incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

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Section 1.7 Further Assurances. From time to time, at the Company’s or Acquiror’s request and for no additional consideration, the Sponsor will execute and deliver such additional documents and use commercially reasonable efforts to take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by Acquiror or the Company to effect the actions and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and each other Ancillary Agreement to which the Sponsor is a party. For clarity, the preceding sentence shall not require the Sponsor to pay any monetary amount or make any financial accommodation or concession. The Sponsor further agrees not to commence or participate (in a manner adverse to Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Related Persons) in, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any Action, derivative or otherwise, against Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Related Persons, relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of the Merger Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements or any of the transactions contemplated thereby (including any Action (a) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of the Merger Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or (b) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of the Acquiror Board in connection with this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the ability of the Sponsor to enforce its rights under this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement to which such Person is a party or seek any other remedies with respect to any breach of this Agreement or such other Ancillary Agreement by any other party hereto or thereto, including by commencing any Action in connection therewith.

Section 1.8 No Inconsistent Agreement. The Sponsor hereby represents and covenants that the Sponsor has not entered into, and will not enter into, any agreement that would restrict, limit or interfere with the performance of the Sponsor’s obligations hereunder.

Section 1.9 Permitted Disclosure. The Sponsor hereby authorizes each of the Company and Acquiror to publish and disclose, in any announcement, filing or disclosure required to be made by any Governmental Order or other applicable Law or the rules of any national securities exchange or as requested by the SEC, the Sponsor’s identity and ownership of Covered Securities and the Sponsor’s obligations under this Agreement.

Section 1.10 Disclosure; Public Announcements. Neither Acquiror nor the Company shall publish or disclose in any announcement, filing or disclosure the Sponsor’s identity or ownership of Equity Securities of Acquiror or the nature of the Sponsor’s obligations under this Agreement unless such publication or disclosure is required to be made by any Governmental Order or other applicable Law or the rules of any national securities exchange or as requested by the SEC. For a period of two years following the Closing, neither the Sponsor nor any Sponsor Principal shall, or shall permit any of its Affiliates to, issue any press release or make any other public announcement or public statement with respect to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each, a “Public Communication”), without the prior written consent of each of Acquiror and the Company (which consent may be withheld in Acquiror’s or the Company’s sole discretion), except (a) as required by applicable Law or any Governmental Authority (including pursuant to any court process), in which case the Sponsor or such Sponsor Principal shall provide Acquiror and the Company and their respective legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such Public Communication (solely with respect to such portions that relate to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) in advance of its issuance and shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any such comments or (b) with respect to a Public Communication that is consistent with prior disclosures by Acquiror and the Company.

 

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Section 1.11 Support of the Merger.

(a) From the date hereof until the earlier of (i) the Closing or (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.3, the Sponsor will not, and the Sponsor will instruct and use reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives not to, (A) make any proposal or offer that constitutes a Business Combination Proposal, (B) initiate, solicit, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, any Person with respect to a Business Combination Proposal (other than to inform such Person of the Sponsor’s obligations pursuant to this Section 1.11(a)) or (C) enter into any acquisition agreement, business combination agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement, or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or agreement in principle, or any other agreement relating to a Business Combination Proposal, in each case, other than to or with the Company and its Representatives. From and after the date hereof, the Sponsor will, and will instruct and cause its Representatives, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives to, immediately cease and terminate all discussions and negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Business Combination Proposal (other than the Company and its Representatives).

(b) From the date hereof until the valid termination of this Agreement, the Sponsor will use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (provided that this sentence will not require the Sponsor to pay any monetary amount or make any financial accommodation or concession), and will not take any action that would reasonably be expected to materially delay, materially impede or prevent the satisfaction of any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article X (Conditions to Obligations) of the Merger Agreement.

Section 1.12 Acquiror Closing Statement. Acquiror shall deliver to the Company, concurrently with the statement contemplated by Section 3.2(b) of the Merger Agreement, a statement setting forth (a) Acquiror’s good faith determination the total number of each of (i) the Upfront Promote Shares, (ii) the Forfeited Promote Shares, (iii) the Forfeited Private Placement Warrants and (iv) the Earn-out Promote Shares, together with Acquiror’s good faith calculations thereof in accordance with this Agreement, and (b) a schedule setting forth Acquiror’s determination of (i) the number of Promote Shares and the number of Private Placement Warrants to be surrendered, forfeited and transferred pursuant to Section 1.1(a) or Section 1.1(b), as applicable, and (ii) the number of Promote Shares that will become restricted shares and be subject to the vesting and forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 1.2(d).

Section 1.13 Board Nomination Right. After the Closing and through Acquiror’s first annual meeting of stockholders, the Acquiror Board shall nominate, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have re-elected or appointed, to the Acquiror Board at least one of those individuals identified in Items 3 and 4 in Section 8.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter who serves as a director of Acquiror immediately following the Closing.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 2.1 Representations and Warranties of the Sponsor. The Sponsor (and, solely with respect to Section 2.1(f), each Sponsor Principal) represents and warrants to Acquiror and the Company (solely with respect to itself, himself or herself and not, in the case of the Sponsor, with respect to any Sponsor Principal or, in the case of any Sponsor Principal, with respect to any other Sponsor Principal) as follows:

 

8


(a) Organization; Due Authorization. The Sponsor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, formed, organized or constituted, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the Sponsor’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational actions on the part of the Sponsor. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Sponsor and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other Parties, this Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the Sponsor, enforceable against the Sponsor in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies).

(b) Ownership. As of the date hereof, the Sponsor is the sole holder of record and beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of, and has good title to, the number of the Acquiror Shares and the number of Acquiror Warrants set forth opposite the Sponsor’s name in the columns titled “Acquiror Shares” and “Acquiror Warrants,” respectively, in Schedule II hereto (such Acquiror Shares and such Acquiror Warrants, collectively, the Sponsor’s “Owned Securities”), and there exists no Lien or any other limitation or restriction affecting any of such Owned Securities (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of any of such Owned Securities), other than pursuant to (i) this Agreement, (ii) Acquiror’s Governing Documents, (iii) the Merger Agreement, (iv) the Insider Letter or (v) applicable securities Laws. As of the date hereof, the Sponsor does not own of record or beneficially (or have any right, option or warrant to acquire) any Equity Security of Acquiror (or any indebtedness convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Equity Security of Acquiror) or any interest therein, other than the Sponsor’s Owned Securities. Except pursuant to this Agreement, the Sponsor’s Owned Securities are not subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of such Owned Securities.

(c) No Conflicts. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Sponsor does not, and the performance by the Sponsor of its obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or result in a violation of the Governing Documents of the Sponsor or (ii) require any consent, waiver or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any Person (including under any Contract binding upon the Sponsor or the Sponsor’s Covered Securities), the absence of which consent, waiver or approval, or omission of which action, would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Sponsor of its obligations under this Agreement.

(d) Litigation. There is no Action pending against the Sponsor or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, threatened against the Sponsor that challenges all or any part of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or that seeks to, or would reasonably be expected to, prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Sponsor of its obligations under this Agreement.

(e) Brokerage Fees. Except as disclosed in Section 6.14 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter, no financial advisor, investment banker, broker, finder or other similar intermediary is entitled to any fee or commission in connection with the Merger Agreement, this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, in each case, based upon any agreement or arrangement made by, or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, on behalf of, the Sponsor for which Acquiror, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries would have any obligation.

(f) Affiliate Arrangements. Except as disclosed in the prospectus, dated February 23, 2021, filed in connection with the Acquiror’s initial public offering, neither the Sponsor or Sponsor Principal nor any of its Affiliates or any member of its immediate family (i) is party to, or has any rights with respect to or arising from, any material Contract with Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii)

 

9


is (or will be) entitled to receive from Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies or consideration in the form of equity in respect of any repayment of a loan or other compensation prior to, or in connection with, any services rendered in order to effectuate the consummation of Acquiror’s initial Business Combination (regardless of the type or form of such transaction, but including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Merger).

(g) Acknowledgment. The Sponsor has read this Agreement and has had the opportunity to consult with its tax, legal and other advisors regarding this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Sponsor understands and acknowledges that the Company’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement was conditioned upon and materially induced by the Sponsor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and performance of its obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.1 Definitions.

(a) Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

(b) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Acquiror” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Acquiror Share Redemption Basket” means an amount equal to the greater of (i) 50% of the PIPE Investment Amount and (ii) $250 million.

Agreement” as the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Ancillary Investment” means any investment in the Equity Securities of Acquiror or the Company that has been approved in writing by each of Acquiror and the Company and for which a cash purchase price is paid (or remitted by Acquiror) to the Company during the Interim Period or substantially concurrently at the Closing; provided that none of the following shall be an “Ancillary Investment”: (i) any investment in PIPE Shares pursuant to a Subscription Agreement entered into on or before the date of this Agreement, (ii) any acquisition of Equity Securities of Acquiror or the Company by any Person from any holder (other than Acquiror or the Company) of Equity Securities of Acquiror or the Company (including any redemption or purchase of Equity Securities of Acquiror or the Company by Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries), (iii) any acquisition of Company Common Shares pursuant to the vesting, exercise or settlement of any Equity Security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iv) any investment or transaction disclosed in Section 7.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter.

Base Earn-out Promote Shares” means a number of Promote Shares equal to the product of (i) the total number of Promote Shares multiplied by (ii) 0.30.

Base Upfront Promote Shares” means a number of Promote Shares equal to the product of (i) the total number of Promote Shares multiplied by (ii) 0.70.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

10


Covered Securities” means (i) all of the Sponsor’s Owned Securities and (ii) all other Equity Securities of Acquiror of which the Sponsor acquires beneficial ownership (whether pursuant to any Equity Adjustment or otherwise), after the date hereof but before the Closing.

Earn-out Promote Shares” means a number of Promote Shares equal to the greater of (i) zero and (ii) the sum of (A) the difference of (x) the total number of Base Earn-out Promote Shares minus (y) the total number of Remaining Restructured Promote Shares, plus (B) the product of (x) the total number of Restructured Promote Shares multiplied by (y) 0.25.

Forfeited Private Placement Warrants” means a number of Private Placement Warrants equal to the product of (i) the total number of Private Placement Warrants multiplied by (ii) 0.10.

Forfeited Promote Shares” means a number of Promote Shares equal to the product of (i) the total number of Restructured Promote Shares multiplied by (ii) 0.75.

immediate family” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Merger Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Net Acquiror Share Redemption Amount” means an amount equal to the difference of (i) the Acquiror Share Redemption Amount minus (ii) the Net Ancillary Investment Amount.

Net Ancillary Investment Amount” means an amount, calculated as of the Closing, equal to the difference of (i) the aggregate amount of cash actually received by Acquiror, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to all of the Ancillary Investments minus (ii) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and other advisors and service providers) paid or payable by Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with such Ancillary Investments (including any amounts paid or payable by a Person other than Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries that Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries has paid or reimbursed or is obligated to pay or reimburse).

Net Trust Account Balance” means an amount equal to the difference of (i) the amount of cash available in the Trust Account as of the Closing, without any deduction in respect of Acquiror Transaction Expenses, Company Transaction Expenses or the Acquiror Share Redemption Amount, and excluding any amount received in connection with the PIPE Investment, minus (ii) the aggregate amount of Acquiror Transaction Expenses.

Owned Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

Private Placement Warrants” means 19,250,000 Acquiror Private Placement Warrants or any other Acquiror Shares into which such Acquiror Private Placement Warrants are converted or for which such Acquiror Private Placement Warrants are exercised or exchanged (including by reason of any Equity Adjustment).

Promote Shares” means 42,975,000 Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares or any other Equity Securities of Acquiror into which such Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares are converted or for which such Acquiror Cayman Class B Shares are exercised or exchanged (including by reason of any Equity Adjustment).

 

11


Remaining Restructured Promote Shares” means a number of Restructured Promote Shares equal to the greater of (i) zero and (ii) the difference of (A) the total number of Restructured Promote Shares minus (B) the total number of Upfront Promote Shares.

Restructured Promote Shares” means a number of Promote Shares equal to the product of (i) the total number of Promote Shares multiplied by (ii) the Restructuring Multiplier.

Restructuring Multiplier” means (i) if (and only if) the Net Acquiror Share Redemption Amount is greater than the Acquiror Share Redemption Basket, then a value, expressed as a percentage, equal to the quotient of (A) the Net Acquiror Share Redemption Amount divided by (B) the sum of (x) the Net Trust Account Balance plus (y) the PIPE Investment Amount and (ii) if (and only if) the Net Acquiror Share Redemption Amount is less than or equal to than the Acquiror Share Redemption Basket, then zero.

Sponsor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Transfer” means, with respect to any share of capital stock of Acquiror, (i) any sale, assignment, exchange, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether direct or indirect, whether or not for value, and whether or not by operation of law (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise), including, without limitation, any transfer of such share to a broker or other nominee (with or without a corresponding change in beneficial ownership) and any transfer of voting control of such share, or (ii) entering into any agreement or binding arrangement (including any offer, pledge, warrant, option, hedge, swap, other derivative transaction or proxy) providing for any transaction contemplated by the preceding clause (i); provided, however, that, after the Closing, none of the following shall be considered a “Transfer”: (A) any grant of a proxy with respect to the voting of such share to officers or directors of the Corporation at the request of the Board in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders; (B) entering into a support, voting, tender or similar agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to such share (with or without granting a proxy and/or other customary terms) in support of an Extraordinary Transaction that is approved by a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office who qualify as “independent” in accordance with the requirements of the securities exchange on which equity securities of the Corporation are then listed for trading, or consummating the actions or transactions contemplated thereby (including, without limitation, voting, tendering, selling, exchanging or otherwise transferring or disposing of such share or any legal or beneficial interest therein in connection with such Extraordinary Transaction); (C) any pledge of such share that creates a security interest in such share pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction for so long as the holder of such share immediately prior to such pledge continues to exercise exclusive voting control with respect to such share (provided, however, that the pledgee’s foreclosure on such share or other similar action shall not be excluded from the definition of “Transfer”); (D) entering into a trading plan with respect to such share pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that has been approved by a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office who qualify as “independent” in accordance with the requirements of the securities exchange on which equity securities of the Corporation are then listed for trading (provided, however, that the sale or other disposition of such share pursuant to such plan shall not be excluded from the definition of “Transfer”); (E) any redemption, repurchase or other acquisition by, or surrender, transfer or forfeiture to, Acquiror of such share; (F) the fact that the spouse of any holder of such share possesses or obtains an interest in such share arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a Transfer of such share (provided that any transfer of such share by any holder of such share to such holder’s spouse, including a transfer in connection with a divorce proceeding, domestic relations order or similar legal requirement, shall constitute a Transfer of such share unless otherwise exempt from the

 

12


definition of “Transfer”); or (G) entering into any voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of such share (with or without granting a proxy) solely with holders of Class B Common Stock in their capacities as such that (1) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the secretary of the Corporation, (2) either has a term not exceeding one year or is terminable by the holder of such share at any time and (3) does not involve any payment of cash, securities or other property or other consideration to the holders of the shares subject thereto, other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner.

Upfront Promote Shares” means a number of Promote Shares equal to the greater of (i) zero and (ii) the difference of (A) the total number of Base Upfront Promote Shares minus (B) the total number of Restructured Promote Shares.

Section 3.2 Construction. This Agreement and all of its provisions shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 1.2 of the Merger Agreement, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein, mutatis mutandis.

Section 3.3 Termination. This Agreement and all of its provisions shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect (a) upon the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms or (b) as mutually agreed in writing by the Parties in accordance with Section 3.5. Upon any valid termination of this Agreement, all obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate, without any Liability or other obligation on the part of any Party to any Person in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no Person shall have any claim or right against any Party, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the termination of this Agreement shall not relieve any Party from any Liability arising in respect of any breach of this Agreement prior to such termination. This Article III shall survive the termination of this Sponsor Agreement.

Section 3.4 Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign or delegate all or any part of this Agreement or any of the rights, benefits, obligations or Liabilities hereunder (including by operation of Law) without the prior written consent of the other Parties.

Section 3.5 Amendment. Subject to Section 3.3, this Agreement may not be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement providing therefor by Acquiror, the Company, the Sponsor and any other Person to which any Acquiror Share or Acquiror Warrant has been Transferred in accordance with Section 1.3 and Section 1.4.

Section 3.6 Waiver. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies otherwise available to the Parties. No waiver of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall be valid unless it is set forth in a written instrument executed and delivered by the Party to be charged with such waiver.

Section 3.7 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the Parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns, any right or remedy under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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Section 3.8 Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement between the Parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, delivered and received (a) when delivered in person, (b) when delivered after posting in the U.S. mail, having been sent registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (c) when delivered by FedEx or another nationally recognized overnight delivery service or (d) when delivered by email during normal business hours (and otherwise as of the next Business Day) (provided that, if receipt has not been confirmed (excluding any automated reply, such as an out-of-office notification) then a copy shall be dispatched in the manner described in the preceding clause (c) no later than 24 hours after such delivery by email) (provided that any such notice or other communication delivered in the manner described in any of the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c) shall also be delivered by email no later than 24 hours after being dispatched in the manner described in the preceding clause (a), (b) or (c), as applicable), addressed as follows:

If to Acquiror prior to the Merger Effective Time, to:

 

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2300

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attn:    Eli Baker

Email: [email protected]

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

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attn:    Joel Rubenstein

            James Hu

Email: [email protected]

            [email protected]

If to Acquiror following the Merger Effective Time or to the Company, to:

c/o Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

27 Drydock Avenue, 8th Floor

Boston, MA 02210

Attn:    Chief Executive Officer

            General Counsel

Email: [email protected]

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

555 Eleventh Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

Attn:    Paul F. Sheridan, Jr.

            Kristen S. Grannis

Email: [email protected]

            [email protected]

 

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If to the Sponsor or a Sponsor Principal, to the email address set forth beneath the Sponsor’s name in Schedule II hereto or beneath such Sponsor Principal’s name in Schedule I hereto, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attn:    Joel Rubenstein

            James Hu

Email: [email protected]

            [email protected]

Section 3.9 Other Provisions. The provisions set forth in each of sections 12.6 (Governing Law), 12.7 (Counterparts), 12.13 (Severability), 12.14 (Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial) and 12.15 (Enforcement) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein, mutatis mutandis.

Section 3.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements and representations by or among the Parties hereto to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

15


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

SPONSOR:
EAGLE EQUITY PARTNERS III, LLC
By:  

/s/ Eli Baker

Name:  

Eli Baker

Title:  

Managing Member

[Signature Page of Sponsor Letter Agreement]


SPONSOR PRINCIPALS (solely with respect to Section 1.6(c), Section 1.10, Section 2.1(f) and Article III):

/s/ Harry E. Sloan

Name:   Harry E. Sloan

/s/ Eli Baker

Name:   Eli Baker

[Signature Page of Sponsor Letter Agreement]


ACQUIROR:
SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Harry E. Sloan

Name:  

Harry E. Sloan

Title:  

Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page of Sponsor Letter Agreement]


COMPANY:
GINKGO BIOWORKS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Jason Kelly

  Name: Jason Kelly
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page of Sponsor Letter Agreement]


Schedule I

Sponsor Principals

 

1.

Harry E. Sloan

[email protected]

 

2.

Eli Baker

[email protected]

[Schedule I of Sponsor Support Agreement]


Schedule II

Promote Shares and Private Placement Warrants

 

Holder

   Acquiror
Shares
     Acquiror
Warrants
     Promote
Shares
     Private
Placement
Warrants
 

Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC

[email protected]

     43,125,000        19,250,000        42,975,000        19,250,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total:

     43,125,000        19,250,000        42,975,000        19,250,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

[Schedule II of Sponsor Support Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

Ginkgo Bioworks to Become a Public Company and Expand its Leading Platform for Cell Programming

Ginkgo is building the leading horizontal platform for synthetic biology, making it possible to program cells as easily as we can program computers and enabling innovation across industries, including therapeutics, industrials, food and agriculture

 

 

Business combination with Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:SRNG) values Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. at a $15 billion pre-money equity valuation and is expected to provide up to $2.5 billion of primary proceeds.

 

 

Institutional investors have committed $775 million in an oversubscribed PIPE, with anchor investments from Baillie Gifford, Putnam Investments, and funds and accounts managed by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley Investment Management). New investors including accounts advised by ARK Investment Management LLC, ArrowMark Partners, Bain Capital Public Equity, Berkshire Partners, and Franklin Advisers also joined. Existing investors including Cascade Investment, Casdin Capital, General Atlantic, Senator Investment Group, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and Viking Global Investors are also participating.

 

 

Eagle Equity Partners is co-sponsoring the transaction with Bellco Capital, led by Dr. Arie Belldegrun, a leader in the field of cell and gene therapy and founder of Kite Pharma and Allogene Therapeutics, and both co-sponsors are also investing in the PIPE.

 

 

Dr. Belldegrun will join the board of directors along with Harry Sloan, the CEO of Soaring Eagle. Current independent directors of Ginkgo, including Marijn Dekkers, Christian Henry, and Shyam Sankar, will join the board of directors of the combined company.

 

 

Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo, and Reshma Shetty, President/COO of Ginkgo, will continue to lead the combined company post-closing and also serve on the board of directors.

 

 

Ginkgo expects to generate $150 million of revenue in 2021, representing approximately 96% growth from 2020.

 

 

Consideration is entirely primary and all proceeds will go towards building the business.

 

 

A pre-recorded Investor Presentation will be available on May 11, 2021 at 8:00am ET.

BOSTON, MA and LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 11, 2021 – Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”) and Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: SRNG) (“Soaring Eagle”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, have agreed to a business combination that will result in Ginkgo becoming a publicly-listed company.

There is a growing awareness of the capabilities and potential of engineered biology, ranging from mRNA vaccines to animal-free protein to renewable plastics. Much like computer programming impacted every information-based industry (including media,


telecom, advertising, and finance), cell programming has the potential to impact every physical goods industry (including therapeutics, food, agriculture, chemicals, and electronics). Ginkgo programs living cells for customers in any industry, so they can realize the potential of biology to grow more sustainable and innovative products.

Ginkgo’s founders have been working together for nearly twenty years since they first met at MIT. They launched Ginkgo in 2008 with the consistent goal of developing a platform that makes cell programming easier for their customers and partners. Ginkgo’s platform leverages advanced robotic automation, proprietary software, and data analytics to continuously improve the technology (“Foundry”) as well as the knowledge and re-usable biological assets (“Codebase”) required to engineer biology. Ginkgo has built a scalable engineering and data platform by integrating a spectrum of innovative life sciences tools into their Foundry, and has amassed a large, flexible, and diverse biological Codebase to facilitate innovation across a wide breadth of applications.

“The magic of biology is that cells run on digital code similar to a computer, except that instead of 0s and 1s it’s As, Ts, Cs, and Gs,” said Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. “Ginkgo’s platform makes it easier to program this code, and we are making this platform available to organizations working to solve our most pressing problems. From mRNA vaccines reaching people’s arms to combating climate change, the opportunity to work with programmed cells has never been more apparent. We are thrilled to partner with Arie as well as the team at Soaring Eagle to bring this vision to life.”

In connection with the closing of the transaction, Soaring Eagle intends to change its name to Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc., change its jurisdiction of formation to Delaware and list under a new ticker symbol.

The transaction implies a pre-money equity valuation for Ginkgo of $15.0 billion, and is expected to provide up to $2.5 billion of gross cash proceeds. Gross proceeds include Soaring Eagle’s $1.725 billion of cash in trust (subject to any redemptions by Soaring Eagle’s public shareholders) and $775 million in proceeds from a PIPE transaction priced at $10.00 per share of Class A common stock of Soaring Eagle to be funded immediately prior to the closing of the transaction. Eagle Equity Partners is co-sponsoring the transaction with Bellco Capital, led by Dr. Arie Belldegrun. Dr. Belldegrun is a leader in the field of cell and gene therapy and founder of Kite Pharma and Allogene Therapeutics. Both co-sponsors are also investing in the PIPE. The PIPE is being led by Baillie Gifford, Putnam Investments, and funds and accounts managed by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley Investment Management) and with additional participation from new and existing investors including accounts advised by ARK Investment Management LLC, ArrowMark Partners, Bain Capital Public Equity, Berkshire Partners, Cascade Investment, Casdin Capital, Franklin Advisers, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and Viking Global Investors.


“Eagle Equity Partners continues to focus on companies that are in a category of one,” said Harry E. Sloan, CEO of Soaring Eagle. “Ginkgo is not only a leader in this field, but its founders launched the modern practice of synthetic biology. There has never been a more critical time to employ Ginkgo’s technological achievements and efficiencies toward solving so many real-world problems—environment, food, and health to name a few. We’ve been so impressed with Jason and his co-founders’ sense of purpose and we believe that this team will be the ambassadors of these advances for decades to come.”

“We are at the beginning of a new era in scientific innovation, where industries which once worked in silos now come together to address challenging issues and improve human health,” said Arie Belldegrun, M.D., FACS, co-founder of Bellco Capital. “At Bellco and across our portfolio of biotechnology companies and investments, we have seen first-hand how the ability to program cells has started to revolutionize how we treat disease with the birth of cell and gene therapies. I am excited to join the Ginkgo family as a board member, with the hope of expanding use of Ginkgo’s state-of-the-art technology to assist biopharma companies and expedite drug development.”

Ginkgo serves enterprise customers spanning multiple end markets, enabling them to conduct cell programming R&D at scale on Ginkgo’s platform. Ginkgo earns usage-based revenues for this work as well as value share in the form of royalties from products that go to market or equity in the partner company. Today, industry sources estimate companies spend approximately $40 billion per year on biotech R&D work, work that could be supported by Ginkgo’s platform. Additionally, a recent McKinsey Global Institute report estimated that the overall market for bioengineered products from which Ginkgo could receive a value share is estimated to reach $2 to $4 trillion in the next 10 to 20 years. The capital raised in this transaction will dramatically increase the scale of Ginkgo’s platform and empower an ecosystem for cell programmers, accelerating the number of new programs able to launch on Ginkgo’s platform every year. These programs have the potential for positive ESG impact as Ginkgo’s customers are using cell programming to address some of the biggest challenges the world is facing today, from climate change to food security to pandemic response.

Ginkgo will continue to be led by co-founder and CEO Jason Kelly and co-founder and President/COO Reshma Shetty and will retain the rest of the Ginkgo founding team, including Chief Technology Officer Barry Canton, Head of Strategy Austin Che, and the “godfather of synthetic biology”, DNA Hacker Tom Knight. Alongside Jason Kelly and Reshma Shetty, the board of directors will be led by a group of deeply experienced operators and public company executives, including:

 

 

Marijn Dekkers, who previously served as CEO of Bayer and Thermo Fisher Scientific and as Chairman of Unilever

 

 

Arie Belldegrun, chairman of Bellco Capital, founder and CEO of Kite Pharma until its acquisition, and co-founder and executive chairman of Allogene Therapeutics


 

Christian Henry, the CEO of Pacific Biosciences and Former CFO/Chief Commercial Officer of Illumina

 

 

Shyam Sankar, the COO of Palantir

 

 

Harry Sloan, the CEO of Eagle Equity Partners, former Chairman and CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), and founder and former CEO of SBS Broadcasting

The boards of directors of each of Soaring Eagle and Ginkgo have approved the transaction. The transaction will require the approval of the stockholders of both Soaring Eagle and Ginkgo, and is subject to other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021.

Allen & Company LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins LLP is acting as legal advisor to Ginkgo. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal advisor to Ginkgo with respect to certain corporate governance matters. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor and White & Case LLP is acting as legal advisor to Soaring Eagle. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, and Allen & Company LLC served as placement agents for Soaring Eagle on the PIPE transaction.

Presentation Webcast Information

Investors may watch a pre-recorded presentation regarding the proposed business combination starting at 8:00 am ET on May 11, 2021. The presentation may be accessed through any of the following portals:

 

 

Ginkgo Bioworks investor relations website: http://www.ginkgobioworks.com/investors

 

 

Soaring Eagle website: https://eagleequityptnrs.com/

 

 

Open Exchange Platform: https://kvgo.com/openexchange-inc/ginkgo-bioworks-call-2021

The presentation will also be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to the call and will also be available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

About Ginkgo

Ginkgo is building a platform to program cells as easily as we can program computers. The company’s platform is enabling the growth of biotechnology across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including community testing, epidemiological tracing, vaccine development and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit www.ginkgobioworks.com.


About Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. is a special purpose acquisition company founded by Harry E. Sloan, Jeff Sagansky, and Eli Baker for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

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

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Soaring Eagle through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by Soaring Eagle may be obtained free of charge by written request to Soaring Eagle at 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10075 or [email protected].

Participants in the Solicitation

Soaring Eagle and Ginkgo and their respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Soaring Eagle’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about Soaring Eagle’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Soaring Eagle’s securities is set forth in Soaring Eagle’s filings with the SEC. To the extent that holdings of Soaring Eagle’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in Soaring Eagle’s proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.


Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between Ginkgo and Soaring Eagle, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the services offered by Ginkgo and the markets in which it operates, and Ginkgo’s projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of Soaring Eagle’s securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by Soaring Eagle’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by Soaring Eagle, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the agreement and plan of merger by the shareholders of Soaring Eagle and Ginkgo, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by Soaring Eagle’s public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed transaction, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the agreement and plan of merger, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Ginkgo’s business relationships, performance, and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans of Ginkgo and potential difficulties in Ginkgo’s employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction, (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Ginkgo or against Soaring Eagle related to the agreement and plan of merger or the proposed transaction, (ix) the ability to maintain the listing of Soaring Eagle’s securities on Nasdaq, (x) volatility in the price of Soaring Eagle’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (xi) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, and (xii) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Soaring Eagle’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the registration statement on Form S-4 and proxy


statement/prospectus discussed below and other documents filed by Soaring Eagle from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo and Soaring Eagle assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Ginkgo nor Soaring Eagle gives any assurance that either Ginkgo or Soaring Eagle will achieve its expectations.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

[email protected]

INVESTOR CONTACTS:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Exhibit 99.2 Grow with Ginkgo GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Exhibit 99.2 Grow with Ginkgo GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


DIS CL AIMER Disclaimer This confidential presentation (the “presentation”) is being delivered to you by Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (“SRNG”) and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”) for use by Ginkgo and SRNG in connection with their proposed business combination and the offering of the securities of the post-business combination company in a private placement (the “Transaction”). This presentation is for information purposes only and is being provided to you solely in your capacity as a potential investor in considering an investment in Ginkgo. Any reproduction or distribution of this presentation, in whole or in part, or the disclosure of its contents, without the prior consent of Ginkgo is prohibited. By accepting this presentation, each recipient agrees (on behalf of itself and each of its directors, partners, officers, employees, attorneys, financial advisors, agents and representatives (each of the foregoing, a “representative”) agrees: (i) to maintain (and direct its representatives to maintain) the confidentiality of all information that is contained in this presentation and not already in the public domain; and (ii) to return or destroy (and direct its representatives to return or destroy) all copies of this presentation or portions thereof in its possession following the request for the return or destruction of such copies. Neither this presentation nor any oral statements made in connection with this presentation shall constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of any proxy, vote, consent or approval, in any jurisdiction in connection with the proposed business combination, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This communication is restricted by law; it is not intended for distribution to, or use by any person in, any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. No Representations or Warranties This presentation is for informational purposes only and does not purport to contain all of the information that may be required to evaluate a possible investment decision with respect to Ginkgo. The recipient agrees and acknowledges that this presentation is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision by the recipient and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by SRNG or Ginkgo or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this presentation or any other written, oral or other communications transmitted or otherwise made available to any party in the course of its evaluation of a possible transaction between SRNG and Ginkgo and no responsibility or liability whatsoever is accepted for the accuracy or sufficiency thereof or for any errors, omissions or misstatements, negligent or otherwise, relating thereto. The recipient also acknowledges and agrees that the information contained in this presentation is preliminary in nature and is subject to change, and any such changes may be material. SRNG and Ginkgo disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this presentation. Forward-Looking Statements This presentation includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections, and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Transaction, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Transaction and the timing of the completion of the Transaction. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of SRNG’s registration statement on Form S-1. In addition, there will be risks and uncertainties described in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 relating to the Transaction, which is expected to be filed by Ginkgo with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other documents filed by SRNG from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against SRNG or Ginkgo following the announcement of the Transaction; (2) the inability to complete the Transaction, including due to the inability to concurrently close the business combination and the private placement of common stock or due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of SRNG; (3) delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, or delays in completing regulatory reviews, required to complete the Transaction; (4) the risk that the Transaction disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Transaction; (5) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain key employees; (6) costs related to the Transaction; (7) changes in the applicable laws or regulations; (8) the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (9) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; (10) the risks described in the Appendix hereto; and (11) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time described in SRNG’s registration on Form S-1, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in SRNG’s other filings with the SEC. SRNG and Ginkgo caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. Neither SRNG nor Ginkgo undertakes or accepts any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Industry and Market Data In this presentation, SRNG and Ginkgo rely on and refer to certain information and statistics regarding the markets and industries in which Ginkgo competes. Such information and statistics are based on Ginkgo’s management’s estimates and/or obtained from third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. While Ginkgo believes such third-party information is reliable, there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of the indicated information. Neither Ginkgo nor SRNG has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by the third-party sources. 2DIS CL AIMER Disclaimer This confidential presentation (the “presentation”) is being delivered to you by Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (“SRNG”) and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”) for use by Ginkgo and SRNG in connection with their proposed business combination and the offering of the securities of the post-business combination company in a private placement (the “Transaction”). This presentation is for information purposes only and is being provided to you solely in your capacity as a potential investor in considering an investment in Ginkgo. Any reproduction or distribution of this presentation, in whole or in part, or the disclosure of its contents, without the prior consent of Ginkgo is prohibited. By accepting this presentation, each recipient agrees (on behalf of itself and each of its directors, partners, officers, employees, attorneys, financial advisors, agents and representatives (each of the foregoing, a “representative”) agrees: (i) to maintain (and direct its representatives to maintain) the confidentiality of all information that is contained in this presentation and not already in the public domain; and (ii) to return or destroy (and direct its representatives to return or destroy) all copies of this presentation or portions thereof in its possession following the request for the return or destruction of such copies. Neither this presentation nor any oral statements made in connection with this presentation shall constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of any proxy, vote, consent or approval, in any jurisdiction in connection with the proposed business combination, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This communication is restricted by law; it is not intended for distribution to, or use by any person in, any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. No Representations or Warranties This presentation is for informational purposes only and does not purport to contain all of the information that may be required to evaluate a possible investment decision with respect to Ginkgo. The recipient agrees and acknowledges that this presentation is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision by the recipient and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by SRNG or Ginkgo or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this presentation or any other written, oral or other communications transmitted or otherwise made available to any party in the course of its evaluation of a possible transaction between SRNG and Ginkgo and no responsibility or liability whatsoever is accepted for the accuracy or sufficiency thereof or for any errors, omissions or misstatements, negligent or otherwise, relating thereto. The recipient also acknowledges and agrees that the information contained in this presentation is preliminary in nature and is subject to change, and any such changes may be material. SRNG and Ginkgo disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this presentation. Forward-Looking Statements This presentation includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections, and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Transaction, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Transaction and the timing of the completion of the Transaction. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of SRNG’s registration statement on Form S-1. In addition, there will be risks and uncertainties described in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 relating to the Transaction, which is expected to be filed by Ginkgo with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other documents filed by SRNG from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against SRNG or Ginkgo following the announcement of the Transaction; (2) the inability to complete the Transaction, including due to the inability to concurrently close the business combination and the private placement of common stock or due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of SRNG; (3) delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, or delays in completing regulatory reviews, required to complete the Transaction; (4) the risk that the Transaction disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Transaction; (5) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain key employees; (6) costs related to the Transaction; (7) changes in the applicable laws or regulations; (8) the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (9) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; (10) the risks described in the Appendix hereto; and (11) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time described in SRNG’s registration on Form S-1, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in SRNG’s other filings with the SEC. SRNG and Ginkgo caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. Neither SRNG nor Ginkgo undertakes or accepts any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Industry and Market Data In this presentation, SRNG and Ginkgo rely on and refer to certain information and statistics regarding the markets and industries in which Ginkgo competes. Such information and statistics are based on Ginkgo’s management’s estimates and/or obtained from third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. While Ginkgo believes such third-party information is reliable, there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of the indicated information. Neither Ginkgo nor SRNG has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by the third-party sources. 2


DIS CL AIMER Trademarks This presentation may contain trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners, and SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s use thereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this presentation may be listed without the TM, © or ® symbols, but SRNG and Ginkgo will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the rights of the applicable owners, if any, to these trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights. Private Placement The securities to which this presentation relate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. This presentation relates to securities that SRNG intends to offer in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable laws. These exemptions apply to offers and sales of securities that do not involve a public offering. The securities have not been approved or recommended by any federal, state or foreign securities authorities, nor have any of these authorities passed upon the merits of this offering or determined that this presentation is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Financial Information This presentation contains certain estimated preliminary financial results and key operating metrics for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the historical financial information with respect to Ginkgo contained in this presentation has been taken from or prepared based on historical financial statements of Ginkgo, including unaudited financial statements for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. This information is preliminary and subject to adjustment in connection with the completion of the audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. As such, Ginkgo’s actual results and financial condition as reflected in the financial statements that will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 for the proposed Transaction may be adjusted or presented differently from the historical financial information herein, and the variations could be material. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Certain of the financial measures included in this presentation, including Foundry Billable Revenue, Foundry Billable Revenue Growth, Net Present Value (NPV) and Adjusted EBITDA, have not been prepared in accordance with general accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and constitute “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined by the SEC. Ginkgo has included these non-GAAP financial measures (including on a forward-looking basis) because it believes they provide an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating the financial performance and prospects of Ginkgo or any successor entity in the Transaction. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with comparable names used by other companies. See the Appendix for a description of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of the historic measures to Ginkgo’s most comparable GAAP financial measures. Note however, that to the extent forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures are provided herein, they are not reconciled to comparable forward-looking GAAP measures due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Use of Projections This presentation also contains certain financial forecasts, including projected Foundry Billable Revenue, Foundry Billable Revenue Growth, Foundry Revenue (GAAP), Biosecurity Revenue, Total GAAP Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and CapEx. Neither SRNG’s nor Ginkgo’s independent auditors have studied, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections for the purpose of their inclusion in this presentation, and, accordingly, neither of them have expressed an opinion or provided any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this presentation. These projections are for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results. In this presentation, certain of the above-mentioned projected information has been provided for purposes of providing comparisons with historical data. The assumptions and estimates underlying the prospective financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the prospective financial information. Projections are inherently uncertain due to a number of factors outside of SRNG’s or Ginkgo’s control. While all financial projections, estimates and targets are necessarily speculative, SRNG and Ginkgo believe that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection, estimate or target extends from the date of preparation. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the prospective results are indicative of future performance of the combined company after the Transaction or that actual results will not differ materially from those presented in the prospective financial information. Inclusion of the prospective financial information in this presentation should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved. Participation in Solicitation SRNG and Ginkgo and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of SRNG’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed Transaction of SRNG’s directors and officers in SRNG’s filings with the SEC, including SRNG’s registration statement on Form S-1, which was originally filed with the SEC on December 23, 2020. To the extent that holdings of SRNG’s securities have changed from the amounts reported in SRNG’s registration statement on Form S-1, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to SRNG’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 for the proposed Transaction, which is expected to be filed by SRNG with the SEC. Investors and security holders of SRNG and Ginkgo are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents that will be filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed Transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents containing important information about SRNG and Ginkgo through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by SRNG can be obtained free of charge by directing a written request to SRNG, 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075. 3DIS CL AIMER Trademarks This presentation may contain trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners, and SRNG’s and Ginkgo’s use thereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this presentation may be listed without the TM, © or ® symbols, but SRNG and Ginkgo will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the rights of the applicable owners, if any, to these trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights. Private Placement The securities to which this presentation relate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. This presentation relates to securities that SRNG intends to offer in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable laws. These exemptions apply to offers and sales of securities that do not involve a public offering. The securities have not been approved or recommended by any federal, state or foreign securities authorities, nor have any of these authorities passed upon the merits of this offering or determined that this presentation is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Financial Information This presentation contains certain estimated preliminary financial results and key operating metrics for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the historical financial information with respect to Ginkgo contained in this presentation has been taken from or prepared based on historical financial statements of Ginkgo, including unaudited financial statements for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. This information is preliminary and subject to adjustment in connection with the completion of the audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. As such, Ginkgo’s actual results and financial condition as reflected in the financial statements that will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 for the proposed Transaction may be adjusted or presented differently from the historical financial information herein, and the variations could be material. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Certain of the financial measures included in this presentation, including Foundry Billable Revenue, Foundry Billable Revenue Growth, Net Present Value (NPV) and Adjusted EBITDA, have not been prepared in accordance with general accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and constitute “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined by the SEC. Ginkgo has included these non-GAAP financial measures (including on a forward-looking basis) because it believes they provide an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating the financial performance and prospects of Ginkgo or any successor entity in the Transaction. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with comparable names used by other companies. See the Appendix for a description of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of the historic measures to Ginkgo’s most comparable GAAP financial measures. Note however, that to the extent forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures are provided herein, they are not reconciled to comparable forward-looking GAAP measures due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Use of Projections This presentation also contains certain financial forecasts, including projected Foundry Billable Revenue, Foundry Billable Revenue Growth, Foundry Revenue (GAAP), Biosecurity Revenue, Total GAAP Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and CapEx. Neither SRNG’s nor Ginkgo’s independent auditors have studied, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections for the purpose of their inclusion in this presentation, and, accordingly, neither of them have expressed an opinion or provided any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this presentation. These projections are for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results. In this presentation, certain of the above-mentioned projected information has been provided for purposes of providing comparisons with historical data. The assumptions and estimates underlying the prospective financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the prospective financial information. Projections are inherently uncertain due to a number of factors outside of SRNG’s or Ginkgo’s control. While all financial projections, estimates and targets are necessarily speculative, SRNG and Ginkgo believe that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection, estimate or target extends from the date of preparation. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the prospective results are indicative of future performance of the combined company after the Transaction or that actual results will not differ materially from those presented in the prospective financial information. Inclusion of the prospective financial information in this presentation should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved. Participation in Solicitation SRNG and Ginkgo and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of SRNG’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed Transaction of SRNG’s directors and officers in SRNG’s filings with the SEC, including SRNG’s registration statement on Form S-1, which was originally filed with the SEC on December 23, 2020. To the extent that holdings of SRNG’s securities have changed from the amounts reported in SRNG’s registration statement on Form S-1, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to SRNG’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 for the proposed Transaction, which is expected to be filed by SRNG with the SEC. Investors and security holders of SRNG and Ginkgo are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents that will be filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed Transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents containing important information about SRNG and Ginkgo through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by SRNG can be obtained free of charge by directing a written request to SRNG, 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075. 3


Transaction Overview (4) Transaction Summary Pro Forma Enterprise Value ($M, except per share amount) • Ginkgo Bioworks has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:SRNG), valuing Ginkgo at an enterprise value of $15 billion Share Price $10.00 • All-primary transaction will result in gross proceeds of $2.5 billion, through a combination of: (5) (1) Pro Forma Shares Outstanding (M) 1,780.3 – SRNG’s $1,725 million cash in trust – $775 million of committed PIPE financing at $10 / share including anchor commitments from Baillie P OS T -T R ANS AC T ION EQUIT Y VALUE $17,803 Gifford, Putnam Investments, and funds and accounts managed by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley Investment Management) and a $75 million investment by the Soaring Eagle sponsor group (6) (-) Cash ($2,639) – 30% of sponsor promote converted to earnout; additionally, Ginkgo shareholders will be granted up to 180M earnout shares (11% seller earnout) vesting between $12.50 and $20/share PRO FORM A ENT ERPRISE VALUE $15,164 • Closing expected in Q3 2021 (7) Illustrative Pro Forma Ownership Illustrative Sources & Uses ($M) 2% 4% Ginkgo Bioworks Sources Uses 10% (1) (2) SRNG Cash Held in Trust $1,725 Consideration Shares $15,000 SRNG Shareholders (1) Cash Proceeds from PIPE 775 Cash to Balance Sheet 2,365 (2) (3) Parties’ Transaction Fees Rollover by Equity Holders 15,000 135 PIPE Shareholders 84% T O TA L $17,500 $17,500 T O TA L Sponsor Shares (1) Assumes no redemptions (2) Inclusive of value attributable to all outstanding equity awards other than those subject to unsatisfied service-based vesting conditions; includes aggregate exercise prices of outstanding options and warrants (3) Represents estimated transaction expenses based on a $775M PIPE as of 5/6/2021 (4) Enterprise Value calculation excludes $18M in financing lease liabilities as of 12/31/2020 (5) Includes 1.5B Consideration Shares to Ginkgo, 172.5M shares to SRNG shareholders, 77.5M shares to PIPE shareholders and 30.2M shares retained by SRNG sponsor (inclusive of 150,000 shares transferred to SRNG’s independent directors) (6) Includes Ginkgo cash balance of $274M as of 4/30/2021; excludes restricted cash and any disbursements that may be made from US DFC loan under negotiation (7) Assumes no redemptions and excludes SRNG / Ginkgo earn-out shares and SRNG warrants 4 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Transaction Overview (4) Transaction Summary Pro Forma Enterprise Value ($M, except per share amount) • Ginkgo Bioworks has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:SRNG), valuing Ginkgo at an enterprise value of $15 billion Share Price $10.00 • All-primary transaction will result in gross proceeds of $2.5 billion, through a combination of: (5) (1) Pro Forma Shares Outstanding (M) 1,780.3 – SRNG’s $1,725 million cash in trust – $775 million of committed PIPE financing at $10 / share including anchor commitments from Baillie P OS T -T R ANS AC T ION EQUIT Y VALUE $17,803 Gifford, Putnam Investments, and funds and accounts managed by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley Investment Management) and a $75 million investment by the Soaring Eagle sponsor group (6) (-) Cash ($2,639) – 30% of sponsor promote converted to earnout; additionally, Ginkgo shareholders will be granted up to 180M earnout shares (11% seller earnout) vesting between $12.50 and $20/share PRO FORM A ENT ERPRISE VALUE $15,164 • Closing expected in Q3 2021 (7) Illustrative Pro Forma Ownership Illustrative Sources & Uses ($M) 2% 4% Ginkgo Bioworks Sources Uses 10% (1) (2) SRNG Cash Held in Trust $1,725 Consideration Shares $15,000 SRNG Shareholders (1) Cash Proceeds from PIPE 775 Cash to Balance Sheet 2,365 (2) (3) Parties’ Transaction Fees Rollover by Equity Holders 15,000 135 PIPE Shareholders 84% T O TA L $17,500 $17,500 T O TA L Sponsor Shares (1) Assumes no redemptions (2) Inclusive of value attributable to all outstanding equity awards other than those subject to unsatisfied service-based vesting conditions; includes aggregate exercise prices of outstanding options and warrants (3) Represents estimated transaction expenses based on a $775M PIPE as of 5/6/2021 (4) Enterprise Value calculation excludes $18M in financing lease liabilities as of 12/31/2020 (5) Includes 1.5B Consideration Shares to Ginkgo, 172.5M shares to SRNG shareholders, 77.5M shares to PIPE shareholders and 30.2M shares retained by SRNG sponsor (inclusive of 150,000 shares transferred to SRNG’s independent directors) (6) Includes Ginkgo cash balance of $274M as of 4/30/2021; excludes restricted cash and any disbursements that may be made from US DFC loan under negotiation (7) Assumes no redemptions and excludes SRNG / Ginkgo earn-out shares and SRNG warrants 4 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Our Mission Make biology easier to engineer 5 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Our Mission Make biology easier to engineer 5 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


2006 Tom Knight with his master’s MIT,1972 thesis, a “minicomputer” The founders have been working together for nearly 20 years on this vision of synthetic biology 2019 6 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 12006 Tom Knight with his master’s MIT,1972 thesis, a “minicomputer” The founders have been working together for nearly 20 years on this vision of synthetic biology 2019 6 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


LEARN MORE LEARN MORE We can program cells (DNA) like we program computers (code) 7 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1LEARN MORE LEARN MORE We can program cells (DNA) like we program computers (code) 7 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Cell programming is increasingly impacting our lives Ginkgo’s work to close raw material gaps in the mRNA vaccine supply chain was recently featured on 60 Minutes Vaccines are developed and manufactured using cell programming tools 8 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Cell programming is increasingly impacting our lives Ginkgo’s work to close raw material gaps in the mRNA vaccine supply chain was recently featured on 60 Minutes Vaccines are developed and manufactured using cell programming tools 8 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Cell programming is addressing our most challenging environmental and social issues Food & Agriculture Industrials & Environment Consumer & Technology Pharma & Biotech Nucleic acid Wastewater Renewable Animal protein Sugar Plant extracts: Haircare and Antibody vaccine remediation chemicals replacement reduction flavors, skincare therapeutic production fragrances, proteins development cannabinoids Textiles and Antibiotic Sustainable Brewing & Fertilizer Microbiome PFAS dyes Skin discovery and building baking reduction therapeutics degradation microbiome manufacturing materials (protection Electronic Carbon Pest control Animal feed and Gene and cell and beauty) coatings sequestration aquaculture therapies and we’re just getting started… Read “Anatomy of an Read “Redesigning Read “Ingredient Read “Microscopic Underground Wildfire” on Grow the Banana” on Grow Revolution” on Grow Doctors” on Grow GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Cell programming is addressing our most challenging environmental and social issues Food & Agriculture Industrials & Environment Consumer & Technology Pharma & Biotech Nucleic acid Wastewater Renewable Animal protein Sugar Plant extracts: Haircare and Antibody vaccine remediation chemicals replacement reduction flavors, skincare therapeutic production fragrances, proteins development cannabinoids Textiles and Antibiotic Sustainable Brewing & Fertilizer Microbiome PFAS dyes Skin discovery and building baking reduction therapeutics degradation microbiome manufacturing materials (protection Electronic Carbon Pest control Animal feed and Gene and cell and beauty) coatings sequestration aquaculture therapies and we’re just getting started… Read “Anatomy of an Read “Redesigning Read “Ingredient Read “Microscopic Underground Wildfire” on Grow the Banana” on Grow Revolution” on Grow Doctors” on Grow GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


PROGRAM LAYER Ginkgo provides program management and technical execution to product companies across all industries LEARN MORE PLATFORM LAYER Ginkgo is building the leading horizontal platform for Ginkgo is the interface cell programming across all industries between a series of complex technologies and a customer spec LEARN MORE TECHNOLOGY LAYER Ginkgo integrates standard hardware and wraps it in proprietary software and automation 10 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1PROGRAM LAYER Ginkgo provides program management and technical execution to product companies across all industries LEARN MORE PLATFORM LAYER Ginkgo is building the leading horizontal platform for Ginkgo is the interface cell programming across all industries between a series of complex technologies and a customer spec LEARN MORE TECHNOLOGY LAYER Ginkgo integrates standard hardware and wraps it in proprietary software and automation 10 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We program cells for our customers so they can develop new products 11 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We program cells for our customers so they can develop new products 11 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY Customers run their programs on Ginkgo’s platform to drive business value % 303 300 Ginkgo partnered with Motif to develop more delicious and IMPROVEMENT OVER PROTEINS UNMODIFIED sustainable food. SOURCED STRAINS In just 1 year, 6 prototype strains were developed, and product samples were produced for benchmarking and early application testing. Improved variants were designed, built and validated over the next 9 months. The strain’s performance exceeded Motif’s specifications by >70%. Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 1 YEAR LATER ITERATIVE STRAIN IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SCREEN FOR BEST STRAIN ENGINEERING & PROTOTYPE STRAINS CONSTRUCTION & TESTING PROTEINS CANDIDATE PROTEIN PATHWAY BALANCING READY Sequence Similarity Network PROTOTYPE 12 Strain Strain Strain Percent Improvement over Seed Protein Percent Improvement over Unmodified Strains Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY Customers run their programs on Ginkgo’s platform to drive business value % 303 300 Ginkgo partnered with Motif to develop more delicious and IMPROVEMENT OVER PROTEINS UNMODIFIED sustainable food. SOURCED STRAINS In just 1 year, 6 prototype strains were developed, and product samples were produced for benchmarking and early application testing. Improved variants were designed, built and validated over the next 9 months. The strain’s performance exceeded Motif’s specifications by >70%. Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 1 YEAR LATER ITERATIVE STRAIN IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SCREEN FOR BEST STRAIN ENGINEERING & PROTOTYPE STRAINS CONSTRUCTION & TESTING PROTEINS CANDIDATE PROTEIN PATHWAY BALANCING READY Sequence Similarity Network PROTOTYPE 12 Strain Strain Strain Percent Improvement over Seed Protein Percent Improvement over Unmodified Strains Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


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Ginkgo is [a] valuable partner Ginkgo is critical to our success and Ginkgo is addressing a foundational providing services to our R&D group development of synbio solutions needed for us challenge that enables us to scale our that could not otherwise be to be successful. antibody discovery platform. Prior to done internally. C E O, partnering, we had screened 173 antibodies on I NDU S T R I AL S M A N A GE R, our own. Together, we are planning an initial P HA R MA screen of 5,000 antibodies and are jointly developing tools to screen tens of thousands at dramatically lower costs. Our collaboration has been successful in large CO -FOUNDER AND CEO, part because the Ginkgo team is thoughtful, P HA R MA creative, communicative, and willing to The engagement of Ginkgo as iterate as more data becomes available. As we a partner was absolutely grow, we hope to foster a similar culture. unprecedented, as if we were CHIEF BUSINE S S OFFICER, a single company working P HA R MA Ginkgo is opening new avenues for towards a single goal. research programs. Early exploratory D IR E C T OR , work, but critically important to support our CONSUMER / FOOD / T ECH pipeline. We highly value the Ginkgo relationship and the BUSINE S S UNI T HE AD, window it provides into synthetic biology as an P HA R MA industry and national capability. V P, IN T ELLIGENCE / DEFENSE Our collaboration with Ginkgo is a key pillar to our company strategy, Ginkgo developed a process to give us a therefore, the positive impact competitive advantage. can not be overstated. Ginkgo is a key enabler of scale up. D IR E C T OR , VP S OURCING, C O O, CONSUMER / FOOD / T ECH P HA R MA CONSUMER / FOOD / T ECH 14 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Ginkgo is [a] valuable partner Ginkgo is critical to our success and Ginkgo is addressing a foundational providing services to our R&D group development of synbio solutions needed for us challenge that enables us to scale our that could not otherwise be to be successful. antibody discovery platform. Prior to done internally. C E O, partnering, we had screened 173 antibodies on I NDU S T R I AL S M A N A GE R, our own. Together, we are planning an initial P HA R MA screen of 5,000 antibodies and are jointly developing tools to screen tens of thousands at dramatically lower costs. Our collaboration has been successful in large CO -FOUNDER AND CEO, part because the Ginkgo team is thoughtful, P HA R MA creative, communicative, and willing to The engagement of Ginkgo as iterate as more data becomes available. As we a partner was absolutely grow, we hope to foster a similar culture. unprecedented, as if we were CHIEF BUSINE S S OFFICER, a single company working P HA R MA Ginkgo is opening new avenues for towards a single goal. research programs. Early exploratory D IR E C T OR , work, but critically important to support our CONSUMER / FOOD / T ECH pipeline. We highly value the Ginkgo relationship and the BUSINE S S UNI T HE AD, window it provides into synthetic biology as an P HA R MA industry and national capability. V P, IN T ELLIGENCE / DEFENSE Our collaboration with Ginkgo is a key pillar to our company strategy, Ginkgo developed a process to give us a therefore, the positive impact competitive advantage. can not be overstated. Ginkgo is a key enabler of scale up. D IR E C T OR , VP S OURCING, C O O, CONSUMER / FOOD / T ECH P HA R MA CONSUMER / FOOD / T ECH 14 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Combining an industry-defining founding team with proven executives who have built iconic public companies Founding team has been working together for nearly 20 years Soaring Eagle brings a track record of success in SPACs Harry Sloan Jeff Sagansky Eli Baker Reshma Shetty Jason Kelly CEO, Chairman Partner President, CFO COO CEO Arie Belldegrun with Founder, Fmr CEO/Chairman, Kite Pharma Founder, Chairman, Allogene Barry Canton Austin Che Tom Knight CTO Strategy DNA Hacker With long-term support from a deeply experienced, industry-leading independent board Marijn Dekkers Christian Henry Shyam Sankar Chairman, Governance/Nominating Chair Audit Committee Chair Compensation Committee Chair Board member since 2019 Board member since 2016 Board member since 2016 Fmr Chairman, Unilever (NYSE:UL) President/CEO, PacBio (Nasdaq:PACB) COO, Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) Fmr CEO, Bayer (XTRA:BAYN) Fmr CFO/CCO, Illumina (Nasdaq:ILMN) Fmr CEO, Thermo Fisher (NYSE:TMO) 15 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Combining an industry-defining founding team with proven executives who have built iconic public companies Founding team has been working together for nearly 20 years Soaring Eagle brings a track record of success in SPACs Harry Sloan Jeff Sagansky Eli Baker Reshma Shetty Jason Kelly CEO, Chairman Partner President, CFO COO CEO Arie Belldegrun with Founder, Fmr CEO/Chairman, Kite Pharma Founder, Chairman, Allogene Barry Canton Austin Che Tom Knight CTO Strategy DNA Hacker With long-term support from a deeply experienced, industry-leading independent board Marijn Dekkers Christian Henry Shyam Sankar Chairman, Governance/Nominating Chair Audit Committee Chair Compensation Committee Chair Board member since 2019 Board member since 2016 Board member since 2016 Fmr Chairman, Unilever (NYSE:UL) President/CEO, PacBio (Nasdaq:PACB) COO, Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) Fmr CEO, Bayer (XTRA:BAYN) Fmr CFO/CCO, Illumina (Nasdaq:ILMN) Fmr CEO, Thermo Fisher (NYSE:TMO) 15 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers The same underlying Each new program drives We believe Ginkgo’s Each new program adds technology can be used platform improvements, ecosystem of services will predictable near-term to create applications leading to more demand. make us the obvious revenue from usage fees across all physical goods partner in the enormous, and provides Ginkgo industries. Ginkgo is the and largely untapped, upside through value first horizontal platform in market for cell share. this industry, supporting programming. all end markets. 16 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers The same underlying Each new program drives We believe Ginkgo’s Each new program adds technology can be used platform improvements, ecosystem of services will predictable near-term to create applications leading to more demand. make us the obvious revenue from usage fees across all physical goods partner in the enormous, and provides Ginkgo industries. Ginkgo is the and largely untapped, upside through value first horizontal platform in market for cell share. this industry, supporting programming. all end markets. 16 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers The same underlying technology can be used to create applications across all physical goods industries. Ginkgo is the first horizontal platform in this industry, supporting all end markets. 17 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers The same underlying technology can be used to create applications across all physical goods industries. Ginkgo is the first horizontal platform in this industry, supporting all end markets. 17 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


The promise and power of biology has never been more apparent 1 YEAR LATER: MARCH 2021 APRIL 2019 11 MONTHS L ATER: MARCH 2020 “...permits the manufacture of all manner of things “Planet earth is shutting down… desperate “Now we have entered…a life-science which used to be hard, even impossible, to make: governments are...handing out trillions of revolution. Children who study digital pharmaceuticals, fuels, fabrics, foods, and dollars in aid and loan guarantees” coding will be joined by those who study fragrances can all be built molecule by molecule.” genetic code.” READ MORE READ MORE 18 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1The promise and power of biology has never been more apparent 1 YEAR LATER: MARCH 2021 APRIL 2019 11 MONTHS L ATER: MARCH 2020 “...permits the manufacture of all manner of things “Planet earth is shutting down… desperate “Now we have entered…a life-science which used to be hard, even impossible, to make: governments are...handing out trillions of revolution. Children who study digital pharmaceuticals, fuels, fabrics, foods, and dollars in aid and loan guarantees” coding will be joined by those who study fragrances can all be built molecule by molecule.” genetic code.” READ MORE READ MORE 18 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


R&D spending alone accounts for nearly $40B in untapped demand Existing market for cell engineering lab operations ($B) $60 $58B Cell Engineering Labor Cell Engineering Tools $48B $50 Our scale $22 dramatically reduces costs $40B $40 $18 $33B This market represents $15 $28B $30 over 20,000+ potential $12 (1) new cell programs $10 We bring $20 $36 efficiency to $30 scientists at the $25 bench $21 $10 $17 $0 2019 2020E 2021E 2022E 2023E Source: Piper Sandler Research (1) Assumes approximately $2M annual expense per program, in line with current average annual spend per program at Ginkgo 19 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1R&D spending alone accounts for nearly $40B in untapped demand Existing market for cell engineering lab operations ($B) $60 $58B Cell Engineering Labor Cell Engineering Tools $48B $50 Our scale $22 dramatically reduces costs $40B $40 $18 $33B This market represents $15 $28B $30 over 20,000+ potential $12 (1) new cell programs $10 We bring $20 $36 efficiency to $30 scientists at the $25 bench $21 $10 $17 $0 2019 2020E 2021E 2022E 2023E Source: Piper Sandler Research (1) Assumes approximately $2M annual expense per program, in line with current average annual spend per program at Ginkgo 19 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


$2 to $4 trillion emerging market for bioengineered products Annual Direct Economic Impact By Domain 2030—2040 (partial estimate) $1.2T $1.2T High Estimate Low Estimate Programming + significant secondary effects not measured biology is to the physical world what $700B programming computers is to the information economy $300B $300B $500B $800B $200B $200B $100B Food & Materials & Health Consumer Other Agriculture Energy Source: McKinsey Global Institute; The Bio Revolution: Innovations transforming economies, societies, and our lives (May 13, 2020) Note: these estimates reflect the estimated biotechnology penetration of these end-markets 20 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1$2 to $4 trillion emerging market for bioengineered products Annual Direct Economic Impact By Domain 2030—2040 (partial estimate) $1.2T $1.2T High Estimate Low Estimate Programming + significant secondary effects not measured biology is to the physical world what $700B programming computers is to the information economy $300B $300B $500B $800B $200B $200B $100B Food & Materials & Health Consumer Other Agriculture Energy Source: McKinsey Global Institute; The Bio Revolution: Innovations transforming economies, societies, and our lives (May 13, 2020) Note: these estimates reflect the estimated biotechnology penetration of these end-markets 20 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers Each new program drives platform improvements, leading to more demand. 21 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers Each new program drives platform improvements, leading to more demand. 21 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Over 70 major customer programs across diverse industries have run on our platform = DIVERSIFIED PLATFORM Cumulative Major 3rd Party Programs Can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities and global threats 80 + PHARMA & BIOTECH Mammalian capabilities & PRE-2015: GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS Synlogic partnership First 5+ years of technology building 60 funded through non-dilutive government programs (DARPA, SBIR, etc.) + FOOD & NUTRITION Motif (Louis Dreyfus and Fonterra) launches portfolio of animal-free protein programs + AGRICULTURE Selection by Bayer for 40 agriculture JV after significant industry vetting + INDUSTRIAL & ENVIRONMENT Experience in flavors & fragrances enabled expansion into industrial chemicals 20 CONSUMER & TECHNOLOGY Early experimentation making fine chemicals for flavors & fragrances 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Consumer & Technology Industrial & Environment Agriculture Food & Nutrition Pharma & Biotech Government & Defense Note: “Major” programs exclude proof of concept work and ancillary projects and typically have at least $500K actual / expected development costs on behalf of a customer 22 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Over 70 major customer programs across diverse industries have run on our platform = DIVERSIFIED PLATFORM Cumulative Major 3rd Party Programs Can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities and global threats 80 + PHARMA & BIOTECH Mammalian capabilities & PRE-2015: GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS Synlogic partnership First 5+ years of technology building 60 funded through non-dilutive government programs (DARPA, SBIR, etc.) + FOOD & NUTRITION Motif (Louis Dreyfus and Fonterra) launches portfolio of animal-free protein programs + AGRICULTURE Selection by Bayer for 40 agriculture JV after significant industry vetting + INDUSTRIAL & ENVIRONMENT Experience in flavors & fragrances enabled expansion into industrial chemicals 20 CONSUMER & TECHNOLOGY Early experimentation making fine chemicals for flavors & fragrances 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Consumer & Technology Industrial & Environment Agriculture Food & Nutrition Pharma & Biotech Government & Defense Note: “Major” programs exclude proof of concept work and ancillary projects and typically have at least $500K actual / expected development costs on behalf of a customer 22 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Market defining customers have validated the platform across a wide range of end markets Industrials CONSUMER & TECH INDUSTRIALS & ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE FOOD & NUTRITION PHARMA & BIOTECH Fragrances Commodities & Specialty Chemicals Fertilizers & Crop Animal-free proteins Microbiome Therapeutics (G4, G41, G53) (G15, G24, G48, G51, G90, G101, G116, Enhancement (G114, G121, G122, G128, G136, G162) (G40, G83, G139, G143, G147, G150, G152) Cannabinoids G127, G134, G142, G159) (G50, G81, G133) Flavors & Sweeteners Biologics & Gene Therapy (G102, G123) Textiles Crop Protection (G49, G56, G125, G174) (G66, G70, G115, G185) Insect Repellent (G36) (G99, G119, G132, G151, G163, Nutrition Antibiotics & APIs (G166) Environment G165) (G35, G69, G109) (G21, G67, G72, G86, G111) High-tech electronics (G131, G138, G145, G153, G164, G171) Animal Feed Brewing & Baking COVID Vaccines & Therapeutics (G37, G43) (G16, G68, G71, G146) (G52, G95, G97) (G155, G157, G158, G163, G165, G169, G170) 23 Note: Reflects a portion of current / completed programs; program codes have been anonymized GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Market defining customers have validated the platform across a wide range of end markets Industrials CONSUMER & TECH INDUSTRIALS & ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE FOOD & NUTRITION PHARMA & BIOTECH Fragrances Commodities & Specialty Chemicals Fertilizers & Crop Animal-free proteins Microbiome Therapeutics (G4, G41, G53) (G15, G24, G48, G51, G90, G101, G116, Enhancement (G114, G121, G122, G128, G136, G162) (G40, G83, G139, G143, G147, G150, G152) Cannabinoids G127, G134, G142, G159) (G50, G81, G133) Flavors & Sweeteners Biologics & Gene Therapy (G102, G123) Textiles Crop Protection (G49, G56, G125, G174) (G66, G70, G115, G185) Insect Repellent (G36) (G99, G119, G132, G151, G163, Nutrition Antibiotics & APIs (G166) Environment G165) (G35, G69, G109) (G21, G67, G72, G86, G111) High-tech electronics (G131, G138, G145, G153, G164, G171) Animal Feed Brewing & Baking COVID Vaccines & Therapeutics (G37, G43) (G16, G68, G71, G146) (G52, G95, G97) (G155, G157, G158, G163, G165, G169, G170) 23 Note: Reflects a portion of current / completed programs; program codes have been anonymized GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


The Foundry - Ginkgo’s physical infrastructure - drives a strong scale economic BW5 Lab-scale automation and significantly increased NGS capacity BW4 Added mammalian cell engineering capabilities BW3 Created scale modules by function KNIGHT’S LAW – our scale theory (e.g. DNA synthesis, -omics, BW2 sequencing, fermentation, etc.) “The cost to genetically engineer a cell decreases by 50% and the number of designs tested increases by BW1 3X+ per year in Ginkgo’s automated cell programming Early stages of building higher scale workflows and testing foundries.” automated techniques 24 2012 2016 2018 2019 2020 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1The Foundry - Ginkgo’s physical infrastructure - drives a strong scale economic BW5 Lab-scale automation and significantly increased NGS capacity BW4 Added mammalian cell engineering capabilities BW3 Created scale modules by function KNIGHT’S LAW – our scale theory (e.g. DNA synthesis, -omics, BW2 sequencing, fermentation, etc.) “The cost to genetically engineer a cell decreases by 50% and the number of designs tested increases by BW1 3X+ per year in Ginkgo’s automated cell programming Early stages of building higher scale workflows and testing foundries.” automated techniques 24 2012 2016 2018 2019 2020 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Ginkgo’s Foundry is scaling roughly 3x per year L A B OPER ATIONS: MEASURING WORK DONE ON THE PLATFORM STR AIN TESTS: MEASURING THE OUTPUT OF THE PLATFORM 1,000,000 10,000,000 1,000,000 100,000 100,000 3-4x annual increase pre-COVID 10,000 10,000 1,000 1,000 2-3x annual increase pre-COVID 100 100 10 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 25 Daily Lab Operations Daily Strain Tests GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Ginkgo’s Foundry is scaling roughly 3x per year L A B OPER ATIONS: MEASURING WORK DONE ON THE PLATFORM STR AIN TESTS: MEASURING THE OUTPUT OF THE PLATFORM 1,000,000 10,000,000 1,000,000 100,000 100,000 3-4x annual increase pre-COVID 10,000 10,000 1,000 1,000 2-3x annual increase pre-COVID 100 100 10 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 25 Daily Lab Operations Daily Strain Tests GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Unit costs to program cells have decreased by 50% per year $10,000 $1,000 FOUNDRY IS 5-10X CHEAPER THAN THE STATUS QUO ESTIMATED “BY HAND” COST $100 BY 2025, WE SHOULD BE TWO ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE MORE EFFICIENT THAN “BY HAND” COVID impact $10 $1 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2025 Note: Costs include all operational and R&D-related activities (i.e. both current programs and investments in future capacity) 26 Cost per Strain Test (rolling 3mo avg) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Unit costs to program cells have decreased by 50% per year $10,000 $1,000 FOUNDRY IS 5-10X CHEAPER THAN THE STATUS QUO ESTIMATED “BY HAND” COST $100 BY 2025, WE SHOULD BE TWO ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE MORE EFFICIENT THAN “BY HAND” COVID impact $10 $1 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2025 Note: Costs include all operational and R&D-related activities (i.e. both current programs and investments in future capacity) 26 Cost per Strain Test (rolling 3mo avg) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Codebase - Ginkgo’s scale data asset - is a source of long-term competitive advantage unique gene sequences pulled 3.4B+ from all public databases proprietary gene sequences acquired 440M And growing… codebase accumulates as we run new experiments in the foundry and build new: “Ginkgo will organize the world’s biological code and make it useful.” -GINKGO HE AD OF CODEBA SE, PATRICK BOYLE Organisms Genetic Code Biological Tools 27 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Codebase - Ginkgo’s scale data asset - is a source of long-term competitive advantage unique gene sequences pulled 3.4B+ from all public databases proprietary gene sequences acquired 440M And growing… codebase accumulates as we run new experiments in the foundry and build new: “Ginkgo will organize the world’s biological code and make it useful.” -GINKGO HE AD OF CODEBA SE, PATRICK BOYLE Organisms Genetic Code Biological Tools 27 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


(1) The $70B+ nitrogen-based fertilizer market accounts for approximately: 5% of global greenhouse We learn from wild (2) gas emissions biology to grow our 4% of global natural gas (3) Codebase production …and local environmental problems from runoff IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM Some crops, such as legumes, have symbiotic microbes that convert atmospheric nitrogen into fertilizer, delivered straight to the plant’s roots… Joyn is working with Ginkgo to leverage this same Codebase for key cereal crops (1) Source: Grandview Research, as of 2018; imputed 2021 market shown (2) Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, as of 2018 (3) Source: SSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (part of DEA), cited by Natural Gas Now, October 2014 28 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1(1) The $70B+ nitrogen-based fertilizer market accounts for approximately: 5% of global greenhouse We learn from wild (2) gas emissions biology to grow our 4% of global natural gas (3) Codebase production …and local environmental problems from runoff IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM Some crops, such as legumes, have symbiotic microbes that convert atmospheric nitrogen into fertilizer, delivered straight to the plant’s roots… Joyn is working with Ginkgo to leverage this same Codebase for key cereal crops (1) Source: Grandview Research, as of 2018; imputed 2021 market shown (2) Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, as of 2018 (3) Source: SSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (part of DEA), cited by Natural Gas Now, October 2014 28 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM We design codebase when C AT TLE (BEEF & DAIRY ) INDUS T RY: working on programs (1) $1 trillion global market (2) 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions Organisms like yeast (shown above) are the biological factories for producing a wide range of molecules (1) Source: imarc Group (February 2020) and Grandview Research (January 2019) (2) Source: Barclays Research (April 2019) 29 (1) Note targets are illustrative as Motif has not announced specific products. C OD EB A S E (1) EGG PROTEINS (1) ME AT PROTEINS (1) DAIRY PROTEINS GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM We design codebase when C AT TLE (BEEF & DAIRY ) INDUS T RY: working on programs (1) $1 trillion global market (2) 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions Organisms like yeast (shown above) are the biological factories for producing a wide range of molecules (1) Source: imarc Group (February 2020) and Grandview Research (January 2019) (2) Source: Barclays Research (April 2019) 29 (1) Note targets are illustrative as Motif has not announced specific products. C OD EB A S E (1) EGG PROTEINS (1) ME AT PROTEINS (1) DAIRY PROTEINS GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We re-use codebase across programs to improve outcomes and efficiency z C OD EB A S E The SAME YEAST used to generate proteins for food can produce proteins used in personal care products, such as collagen, elastin, and keratin Kalo 30 (1) Note targets are illustrative as Kalo has not announced specific products. GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We re-use codebase across programs to improve outcomes and efficiency z C OD EB A S E The SAME YEAST used to generate proteins for food can produce proteins used in personal care products, such as collagen, elastin, and keratin Kalo 30 (1) Note targets are illustrative as Kalo has not announced specific products. GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Ginkgo’s virtuous cycle drives platform growth 31 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Ginkgo’s virtuous cycle drives platform growth 31 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers We believe Ginkgo’s ecosystem of services will make us the obvious partner in the enormous, and largely untapped, market for cell programming. 32 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers We believe Ginkgo’s ecosystem of services will make us the obvious partner in the enormous, and largely untapped, market for cell programming. 32 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Each new cell program can accelerate adoption within new markets and lead to further sales with existing customers Ability to grow significantly within existing Early proof points within an industry customer accounts can lead to follow-on demand 12 10 (1) Major Program Minor Program Proof of Concept 8 6 [CONFIDENTIAL] 4 In advanced discussions with leading pharmaceutical contract manufacturer 2 [CONFIDENTIAL] Optimizing pDNA production 0 for another nucleic acid Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 vaccine company (1) Major programs typically incur well over $500K of annual R&D spending, minor programs are typically smaller add-on programs that have less than $500K of annual R&D spend, proof-of-concept programs are typically small programs that are often set up as a business development effort 33 # of Active Programs / Yr (Customer X) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Each new cell program can accelerate adoption within new markets and lead to further sales with existing customers Ability to grow significantly within existing Early proof points within an industry customer accounts can lead to follow-on demand 12 10 (1) Major Program Minor Program Proof of Concept 8 6 [CONFIDENTIAL] 4 In advanced discussions with leading pharmaceutical contract manufacturer 2 [CONFIDENTIAL] Optimizing pDNA production 0 for another nucleic acid Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 vaccine company (1) Major programs typically incur well over $500K of annual R&D spending, minor programs are typically smaller add-on programs that have less than $500K of annual R&D spend, proof-of-concept programs are typically small programs that are often set up as a business development effort 33 # of Active Programs / Yr (Customer X) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Strong 2021 sales pipeline with mix of new customers and expanded relationships [CONFIDENTIAL] Kalo Launched a new spin-out in personal New relationship with top 5 agchem New multi-product collaboration with top global care space, with strategic and financial company, focused on discovery and flavors & fragrances customer, building on investors development of crop protection agents successful historical program execution 100 95+ [key expansion areas] 6 7 major ~23 programs PROB. ADJ. 9 launched as of Crop 4/5/2021 protection Sugar reduction (2 new logos accounted for Renewable Recycling Protein 13 3 programs) feedstocks availability and Wastewater functionality remediation 50 13 Cell & gene Pulp/Paper therapy Skin 73 Antibodies microbiome 17 Nucleic acid Sustainability therapeutics Antibiotic manufacturing 15 0 Consumer & Technology Industrial Agriculture Pharma & Biotech Food & Nutrition Government & Defense Cumulative Historical + 2021 All Historical Programs 2021 34 Number of “Major” Pipeline Programs GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Strong 2021 sales pipeline with mix of new customers and expanded relationships [CONFIDENTIAL] Kalo Launched a new spin-out in personal New relationship with top 5 agchem New multi-product collaboration with top global care space, with strategic and financial company, focused on discovery and flavors & fragrances customer, building on investors development of crop protection agents successful historical program execution 100 95+ [key expansion areas] 6 7 major ~23 programs PROB. ADJ. 9 launched as of Crop 4/5/2021 protection Sugar reduction (2 new logos accounted for Renewable Recycling Protein 13 3 programs) feedstocks availability and Wastewater functionality remediation 50 13 Cell & gene Pulp/Paper therapy Skin 73 Antibodies microbiome 17 Nucleic acid Sustainability therapeutics Antibiotic manufacturing 15 0 Consumer & Technology Industrial Agriculture Pharma & Biotech Food & Nutrition Government & Defense Cumulative Historical + 2021 All Historical Programs 2021 34 Number of “Major” Pipeline Programs GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Our ecosystem will soon support hundreds of new cell programs a year 600 508 500 Self-Service Portals 400 Ecosystem Support 300 268 Still only 1-2% Platform Scaling of the market for 200 cell engineering (1) R&D services 136 Expand within Base 100 Leverage Proof Points 60 23 17 0 2020A 2021E 2022P 2023P 2024P 2025P (1) Source: Piper Sandler Research; assumes each program is approximately $2M per year of cell engineering spend and growth estimate of 0% and 20% 35 New Programs by Year GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Our ecosystem will soon support hundreds of new cell programs a year 600 508 500 Self-Service Portals 400 Ecosystem Support 300 268 Still only 1-2% Platform Scaling of the market for 200 cell engineering (1) R&D services 136 Expand within Base 100 Leverage Proof Points 60 23 17 0 2020A 2021E 2022P 2023P 2024P 2025P (1) Source: Piper Sandler Research; assumes each program is approximately $2M per year of cell engineering spend and growth estimate of 0% and 20% 35 New Programs by Year GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Ginkgo is creating the industry standard ecosystem Like other horizontal tech platforms, Ginkgo is building a strong developer community - wrapping services around the platform to drive industry growth and, ultimately, demand Launched Ginkgo Ferment, our annual conference, in 2018 VIEW KEYNOTE Other leading developer conferences 36 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Ginkgo is creating the industry standard ecosystem Like other horizontal tech platforms, Ginkgo is building a strong developer community - wrapping services around the platform to drive industry growth and, ultimately, demand Launched Ginkgo Ferment, our annual conference, in 2018 VIEW KEYNOTE Other leading developer conferences 36 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


REGULATORY We will be greatly expanding our ecosystem of services for cell programmers running on the Ginkgo platform Ginkgo annual developer Open-source conference and product Source of innovative bioengineering tools showcase technologies for industry partners: hub for investment, Help drive legislative acquisition, and partnership change for novel categories Mature manufacturing network across industries w/ clean tech-transfer protocols Help clients file patents / protect IP Biosecurity ESG Capital Access + Foundry Credits Ferment Consortium 37 COMMUNITY GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1REGULATORY We will be greatly expanding our ecosystem of services for cell programmers running on the Ginkgo platform Ginkgo annual developer Open-source conference and product Source of innovative bioengineering tools showcase technologies for industry partners: hub for investment, Help drive legislative acquisition, and partnership change for novel categories Mature manufacturing network across industries w/ clean tech-transfer protocols Help clients file patents / protect IP Biosecurity ESG Capital Access + Foundry Credits Ferment Consortium 37 COMMUNITY GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers Each new program adds predictable near-term revenue from usage fees and provides Ginkgo upside through value share. 38 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers Each new program adds predictable near-term revenue from usage fees and provides Ginkgo upside through value share. 38 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Programs drive both predictable near-term revenues and long-term value creation with asymmetric upside potential Foundry Downstream Value Upfront payments to cover R&D Value sharing via customer equity and/or costs for customer programs royalties on completed programs Foundry Royalty Stream Equity Equity represents the risk- adjusted NPV of a potential royalty stream OR … … … … Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 0 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Highly predictable revenue Cash flows from value share are typically 100% contribution margin stream independent of as Ginkgo incurs minimal ongoing support or delivery costs program success The choice to structure downstream economics as royalties or equity is typically based on customer size Note: Illustrative economics; variation exists between programs 39 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Programs drive both predictable near-term revenues and long-term value creation with asymmetric upside potential Foundry Downstream Value Upfront payments to cover R&D Value sharing via customer equity and/or costs for customer programs royalties on completed programs Foundry Royalty Stream Equity Equity represents the risk- adjusted NPV of a potential royalty stream OR … … … … Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 0 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Highly predictable revenue Cash flows from value share are typically 100% contribution margin stream independent of as Ginkgo incurs minimal ongoing support or delivery costs program success The choice to structure downstream economics as royalties or equity is typically based on customer size Note: Illustrative economics; variation exists between programs 39 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Program unit economics are strong and improving FOUNDRY USAGE FEES DOWNSTREAM VALUE CAPTURE Foundry Downstream Value Ginkgo receives downstream value in multiple forms. The equity Ginkgo has steadily increased the portion of program value per program provides context for the future value. R&D costs that are covered upfront by customers 54 120% 100% (2) Adj. for Free COVID Services Ginkgo will recognize royalty % Direct Cost Coverage Royalty / revenues over time as 100% Other 80% programs are completed These should be 20 and commercialized roughly equivalent in value over the long- 80% run, but royalties take 60% longer to materialize The current equity value of 60% our major programs is 40% over $500M (3) Equity 40% 34 …representing an average of 20% $15M per program 20% 0% 0% Major Programs 14-15 16-17 18-19 2020 (2017-2020) Year Deal Signed (1) Represents cumulative revenues from 2017-2020 for programs signed in the relevant year(s) divided by the total program expenses in 2017-2020 (2) Adjusts out expenses associated with programs Ginkgo performed under our free $25M commitment to COVID programs in spring 2020 40 (3) Includes one program for publicly-traded Cronos which is structured as a lump-sum equity payment upon delivery (1) % Cost Coverage of Programs Number of Major Programs Initiated GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Program unit economics are strong and improving FOUNDRY USAGE FEES DOWNSTREAM VALUE CAPTURE Foundry Downstream Value Ginkgo receives downstream value in multiple forms. The equity Ginkgo has steadily increased the portion of program value per program provides context for the future value. R&D costs that are covered upfront by customers 54 120% 100% (2) Adj. for Free COVID Services Ginkgo will recognize royalty % Direct Cost Coverage Royalty / revenues over time as 100% Other 80% programs are completed These should be 20 and commercialized roughly equivalent in value over the long- 80% run, but royalties take 60% longer to materialize The current equity value of 60% our major programs is 40% over $500M (3) Equity 40% 34 …representing an average of 20% $15M per program 20% 0% 0% Major Programs 14-15 16-17 18-19 2020 (2017-2020) Year Deal Signed (1) Represents cumulative revenues from 2017-2020 for programs signed in the relevant year(s) divided by the total program expenses in 2017-2020 (2) Adjusts out expenses associated with programs Ginkgo performed under our free $25M commitment to COVID programs in spring 2020 40 (3) Includes one program for publicly-traded Cronos which is structured as a lump-sum equity payment upon delivery (1) % Cost Coverage of Programs Number of Major Programs Initiated GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Growth in foundry revenues and new programs drives valuation Actuals Projections (1) ($M) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Foundry Billable Revenue $30 $54 $64 $100 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 % growth 78% 18% 57% 75% 95% 84% 75% memo: GAAP Adjustments $3 $0 ($4) GAAP Foundry Revenue $33 $54 $59 2017-2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20 34 # New Programs 23 60 136 268 508 Royalty Equity 54 % growth 157% 127% 97% 90% Increases if: p(success) increases, value of programs increases (2) Risk-Adjusted NPV / Program ~$15M Decreases if: lower take rates, value of programs decreases (2) # New Programs × NPV / Program NPV of New Programs Signed ~$500M (1) 2020A financials are draft audited and subject to final adjustments and line-item classifications 41 (2) Based on management estimate of the average current equity value of our cumulative major programs from 2017 to 2020 Key Program Metrics Key Foundry Metrics GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Growth in foundry revenues and new programs drives valuation Actuals Projections (1) ($M) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Foundry Billable Revenue $30 $54 $64 $100 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 % growth 78% 18% 57% 75% 95% 84% 75% memo: GAAP Adjustments $3 $0 ($4) GAAP Foundry Revenue $33 $54 $59 2017-2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20 34 # New Programs 23 60 136 268 508 Royalty Equity 54 % growth 157% 127% 97% 90% Increases if: p(success) increases, value of programs increases (2) Risk-Adjusted NPV / Program ~$15M Decreases if: lower take rates, value of programs decreases (2) # New Programs × NPV / Program NPV of New Programs Signed ~$500M (1) 2020A financials are draft audited and subject to final adjustments and line-item classifications 41 (2) Based on management estimate of the average current equity value of our cumulative major programs from 2017 to 2020 Key Program Metrics Key Foundry Metrics GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


These value streams support a strong valuation with meaningful upside potential FOUNDRY DOWNSTREAM VALUE BIOSECURITY 2021E Revenue (2024E) $628M 2025E New Programs 500+ $50M Revenue $12 Biosecurity may become a long- Rev. Growth (21-24E) 84% Annual Platform Value Add term revenue stream if = New Programs × NPV / Program $7.6B +/- $8 governments decide to invest in pandemic preparedness and $4B +/- Growth Life Science Tools Multiples $4 biosecurity more broadly $2B +/- $900M +/- $345M +/- 18.7x $0 Median 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 (1) Revenue Multiple OTHER Growth Tech Platform Multiples Discount rate applied to all annual NPVs and terminal value to 16.6x determine aggregate value today Median 2024 (1) Revenue Multiple For example, licensing and/or manufacturing of vaccinia capping enzyme (VCE) strain may yield significant near-term royalty Illustrative Valuation Illustrative Valuation revenues Higher Discount Rate vs. Peers: 20% 17.5x 2024E Revenue Conservative Terminal Growth Rate: 5% $11B $25B $628M 2024E Revenue No Improvements to Historical NPV/Program: $15M (1) Source: CapitalIQ, multiples reflect median of peer set as of 5/3/2021 42 VALUE TODAY + TERMINAL VALUE GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1These value streams support a strong valuation with meaningful upside potential FOUNDRY DOWNSTREAM VALUE BIOSECURITY 2021E Revenue (2024E) $628M 2025E New Programs 500+ $50M Revenue $12 Biosecurity may become a long- Rev. Growth (21-24E) 84% Annual Platform Value Add term revenue stream if = New Programs × NPV / Program $7.6B +/- $8 governments decide to invest in pandemic preparedness and $4B +/- Growth Life Science Tools Multiples $4 biosecurity more broadly $2B +/- $900M +/- $345M +/- 18.7x $0 Median 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 (1) Revenue Multiple OTHER Growth Tech Platform Multiples Discount rate applied to all annual NPVs and terminal value to 16.6x determine aggregate value today Median 2024 (1) Revenue Multiple For example, licensing and/or manufacturing of vaccinia capping enzyme (VCE) strain may yield significant near-term royalty Illustrative Valuation Illustrative Valuation revenues Higher Discount Rate vs. Peers: 20% 17.5x 2024E Revenue Conservative Terminal Growth Rate: 5% $11B $25B $628M 2024E Revenue No Improvements to Historical NPV/Program: $15M (1) Source: CapitalIQ, multiples reflect median of peer set as of 5/3/2021 42 VALUE TODAY + TERMINAL VALUE GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Leveraging capital to build the heart of the emerging cell programming ecosystem PL ATFORM & CAPACIT Y We are accelerating growth in capacity by integrating new technologies across the existing footprint, building new foundry space, and investing in software and automation to increase utilization. We strive to be the best place for the world’s top scientists, engineers, and software developers to build their careers ECOSYSTEM ACCELER ATION Capital availability centers Ginkgo at the heart of the next generation of programs by providing access to Foundry credits and capital STR ATEGIC ACQUISITIONS / PARTNERSHIPS Ginkgo has successfully acquired several technology and codebase assets. We plan to continue to selectively acquire assets in strategically important areas 43 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Leveraging capital to build the heart of the emerging cell programming ecosystem PL ATFORM & CAPACIT Y We are accelerating growth in capacity by integrating new technologies across the existing footprint, building new foundry space, and investing in software and automation to increase utilization. We strive to be the best place for the world’s top scientists, engineers, and software developers to build their careers ECOSYSTEM ACCELER ATION Capital availability centers Ginkgo at the heart of the next generation of programs by providing access to Foundry credits and capital STR ATEGIC ACQUISITIONS / PARTNERSHIPS Ginkgo has successfully acquired several technology and codebase assets. We plan to continue to selectively acquire assets in strategically important areas 43 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


The most powerful technologies require the most care Our culture is built on care, transparency, diversity, employee ownership and a deep, humble respect for biology. We take care in considering which programs we pursue We invest in our and which we do not, and explore the implications of biotechnologies through many forums, including our communities and their magazine: GROW biosecurity as well as robust ESG practices. READ MORE ABOUT: • The meaning of nature after biotechnology • The legacy of eugenics in beauty • The role of the philosopher in the life sciences • The potential for synthetic biology to save coral reefs • The impact of the pandemic on scientists and science 44 GI GI NK NKGO GO BI BI O O W W O O R R KK SS P I P E D E CK | AP R I L 2021 INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1The most powerful technologies require the most care Our culture is built on care, transparency, diversity, employee ownership and a deep, humble respect for biology. We take care in considering which programs we pursue We invest in our and which we do not, and explore the implications of biotechnologies through many forums, including our communities and their magazine: GROW biosecurity as well as robust ESG practices. READ MORE ABOUT: • The meaning of nature after biotechnology • The legacy of eugenics in beauty • The role of the philosopher in the life sciences • The potential for synthetic biology to save coral reefs • The impact of the pandemic on scientists and science 44 GI GI NK NKGO GO BI BI O O W W O O R R KK SS P I P E D E CK | AP R I L 2021 INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers We hope… …that when technology meets biology, life finds a way. 45 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1We believe… 1 2 3 4 Programming cells Ginkgo’s platform Ginkgo is becoming Our value increases will be as impactful improves with scale the industry standard with each new program as programming added to the platform computers We hope… …that when technology meets biology, life finds a way. 45 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


APPENDIX 46APPENDIX 46


Attractive entry valuation vs. peers CY 2021-24E Revenue CAGR (2) (1) Median: 32% Median: 33% 84% 54% 53% 38% 36% 32% 33% 32% 29% 28% 14% NM (4) Adjusted for CY 2024 TEV / Revenue value share Median: 18.7x Median: 16.6x 27.2x (1) 24.1x 21.6x 20.9x 19.2x 18.9x 16.6x 16.5x 15.5x 13.7x (3) 12.6x 10.8x 10.1x (4) (5) CY 2024 Growth Adjusted TEV / Revenue Adjusted for 1.15x value share (2) Median: 0.48x Median: 0.42x 0.75x 0.68x 0.66x 0.48x 0.46x 0.42x (1) 0.36x 0.33x 0.29x (3) 0.19x 0.11x NM (4) Source: Company filings and Capital IQ as of 5/3/2021 4. Veeva CY2024 figures excludes SVB Leerink estimates 1. Includes Foundry Billable Revenues only 5. Calculated as CY 2024 revenue multiple divided by ’21-’24 revenue CAGR 47 2. Excludes AbCellera Life Science Leaders Software and Data 3. Includes Foundry Billable Revenues and one-tenth of cumulative 2017-2024 NPV from New Programs GI NKGO BI O W O R K S P I P E D E CK | AP R I L 2021Attractive entry valuation vs. peers CY 2021-24E Revenue CAGR (2) (1) Median: 32% Median: 33% 84% 54% 53% 38% 36% 32% 33% 32% 29% 28% 14% NM (4) Adjusted for CY 2024 TEV / Revenue value share Median: 18.7x Median: 16.6x 27.2x (1) 24.1x 21.6x 20.9x 19.2x 18.9x 16.6x 16.5x 15.5x 13.7x (3) 12.6x 10.8x 10.1x (4) (5) CY 2024 Growth Adjusted TEV / Revenue Adjusted for 1.15x value share (2) Median: 0.48x Median: 0.42x 0.75x 0.68x 0.66x 0.48x 0.46x 0.42x (1) 0.36x 0.33x 0.29x (3) 0.19x 0.11x NM (4) Source: Company filings and Capital IQ as of 5/3/2021 4. Veeva CY2024 figures excludes SVB Leerink estimates 1. Includes Foundry Billable Revenues only 5. Calculated as CY 2024 revenue multiple divided by ’21-’24 revenue CAGR 47 2. Excludes AbCellera Life Science Leaders Software and Data 3. Includes Foundry Billable Revenues and one-tenth of cumulative 2017-2024 NPV from New Programs GI NKGO BI O W O R K S P I P E D E CK | AP R I L 2021


Projected P&L (1) ($M) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Foundry Billable Revenue $64 $100 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 % growth 18% 57% 75% 95% 84% 75% memo: GAAP Adjustments ($4) GAAP adjustments not projected Foundry Revenue (GAAP) $59 $100 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 Emerging business, projections not provided (+) Biosecurity $17 $50 Total GAAP Revenue $77 $150 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 (2) Adjusted EBITDA ($123) ($157) ($156) ($136) ($47) $166 (3) Capital Expenditures ($72) ($66) ($118) ($146) ($193) ($234) (1) 2020A financials are draft audited and subject to final adjustments and line item classifications (2) See slide 50 for a reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA for historical periods presented (3) 2020 CapEx of $72M includes $14M of CapEx that is included in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses at 12/31/2020 48 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Projected P&L (1) ($M) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Foundry Billable Revenue $64 $100 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 % growth 18% 57% 75% 95% 84% 75% memo: GAAP Adjustments ($4) GAAP adjustments not projected Foundry Revenue (GAAP) $59 $100 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 Emerging business, projections not provided (+) Biosecurity $17 $50 Total GAAP Revenue $77 $150 $175 $341 $628 $1,099 (2) Adjusted EBITDA ($123) ($157) ($156) ($136) ($47) $166 (3) Capital Expenditures ($72) ($66) ($118) ($146) ($193) ($234) (1) 2020A financials are draft audited and subject to final adjustments and line item classifications (2) See slide 50 for a reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA for historical periods presented (3) 2020 CapEx of $72M includes $14M of CapEx that is included in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses at 12/31/2020 48 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Summary of Historical Income Statements Year Ended December 31, (1) ($ in M) 2019A 2020A (2) Revenue $54.2 $76.7 % Growth 66% 41% Cost of Biosecurity product revenue 0.0 6.7 Cost of Biosecurity service revenue 0.0 8.9 Research & development 96.3 159.8 General & administrative 29.5 38.3 Total Operating Expenses $125.8 $213.7 Loss from Operations ($71.6) ($137.0) Net interest income 3.3 0.2 Loss on equity method investments (46.9) (3.1) Loss on investments (7.8) (1.1) Other income, net 3.2 16.1 Loss before provision for income taxes ($119.8) ($124.8) Provision for income taxes 0.0 1.9 Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss ($119.9) ($126.7) (Loss) / Income attributable to NCI (0.5) (0.1) Net Loss Attributable to Ginkgo ($119.3) ($126.6) (1) 2020A draft audited financials subject to final adjustments and line item classifications. 49 (2) GAAP revenue includes transactions with platform ventures (Motif, Joyn, and Allonnia) as well as other structured partnerships (Genomatica and Synlogic) where, as part of these transactions, Ginkgo received an equity interest in such entities. These equity investees are considered related parties due to the equity position Ginkgo received in these entities and generated total revenues of $42.5M and $35.3M in 2020 and 2019, respectively. GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Summary of Historical Income Statements Year Ended December 31, (1) ($ in M) 2019A 2020A (2) Revenue $54.2 $76.7 % Growth 66% 41% Cost of Biosecurity product revenue 0.0 6.7 Cost of Biosecurity service revenue 0.0 8.9 Research & development 96.3 159.8 General & administrative 29.5 38.3 Total Operating Expenses $125.8 $213.7 Loss from Operations ($71.6) ($137.0) Net interest income 3.3 0.2 Loss on equity method investments (46.9) (3.1) Loss on investments (7.8) (1.1) Other income, net 3.2 16.1 Loss before provision for income taxes ($119.8) ($124.8) Provision for income taxes 0.0 1.9 Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss ($119.9) ($126.7) (Loss) / Income attributable to NCI (0.5) (0.1) Net Loss Attributable to Ginkgo ($119.3) ($126.6) (1) 2020A draft audited financials subject to final adjustments and line item classifications. 49 (2) GAAP revenue includes transactions with platform ventures (Motif, Joyn, and Allonnia) as well as other structured partnerships (Genomatica and Synlogic) where, as part of these transactions, Ginkgo received an equity interest in such entities. These equity investees are considered related parties due to the equity position Ginkgo received in these entities and generated total revenues of $42.5M and $35.3M in 2020 and 2019, respectively. GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Historical Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, (1) ($ in M) 2019A 2020A Net Loss Attributable to Ginkgo ($119.3) ($126.6) Net interest income (3.3) ($0.2) Depreciation and amortization 10.8 $13.9 Loss attributable to equity method investments, net of NCI 46.4 $2.9 Loss on investments 7.8 $1.1 Provision for income taxes 0.0 $1.9 Stock compensation expense 0.8 $0.5 Other non-recurring transactions (3.1) ($14.9) Adjusted EBITDA ($60.0) ($121.4) (1) 2020A draft audited financials subject to final adjustments and line item classifications. 50 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Historical Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, (1) ($ in M) 2019A 2020A Net Loss Attributable to Ginkgo ($119.3) ($126.6) Net interest income (3.3) ($0.2) Depreciation and amortization 10.8 $13.9 Loss attributable to equity method investments, net of NCI 46.4 $2.9 Loss on investments 7.8 $1.1 Provision for income taxes 0.0 $1.9 Stock compensation expense 0.8 $0.5 Other non-recurring transactions (3.1) ($14.9) Adjusted EBITDA ($60.0) ($121.4) (1) 2020A draft audited financials subject to final adjustments and line item classifications. 50 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Historical Foundry GAAP to Billable Revenue Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, (1) ($ in M) 2019A 2020A Foundry Revenue (GAAP) $54.2 $59.2 % Growth 66% 9% (2) 2.7 13.6 Synlogic Adjustment (3) (3.2) (9.3) Equity Investee Adjustment Total Adjustments ($0.4) $4.3 Foundry Billable Revenue $53.7 $63.5 % Growth 78% 18% (1) 2020A draft audited financials subject to final adjustments and line item classifications. (2) Adjustment to increase Foundry Billable Revenue for the value of services provided to Synlogic which are not reported under GAAP due to an attribution of the amount paid above fair value for the Synlogic equity to the services prepayment at the time of the investment. (3) Adjustment to decrease Foundry Billable Revenue for non-cash revenue that is recognized under GAAP to account for equity received at the time of inception of the collaboration. 51 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Historical Foundry GAAP to Billable Revenue Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, (1) ($ in M) 2019A 2020A Foundry Revenue (GAAP) $54.2 $59.2 % Growth 66% 9% (2) 2.7 13.6 Synlogic Adjustment (3) (3.2) (9.3) Equity Investee Adjustment Total Adjustments ($0.4) $4.3 Foundry Billable Revenue $53.7 $63.5 % Growth 78% 18% (1) 2020A draft audited financials subject to final adjustments and line item classifications. (2) Adjustment to increase Foundry Billable Revenue for the value of services provided to Synlogic which are not reported under GAAP due to an attribution of the amount paid above fair value for the Synlogic equity to the services prepayment at the time of the investment. (3) Adjustment to decrease Foundry Billable Revenue for non-cash revenue that is recognized under GAAP to account for equity received at the time of inception of the collaboration. 51 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


ADDITIONAL CASE STUDIES 52ADDITIONAL CASE STUDIES 52


CASE STUDY 1 A leading company for production of natural Producing cultured ingredients was looking for cost-saving opportunities. Ginkgo identified a plan to ingredients at scale fine-tune existing pathways in yeast to produce multiple flavors more efficiently, then optimized the conditions for scale-up. Ginkgo’s Result Ginkgo’s Foundry utilizes the ambr250 disposable reactor system to inform design of experiments and reduce operating costs via automation, Client’s Goal allowing us to run hundreds of bioreactors simultaneously. Using the information generated to rationally improve the strain and fermentation process conditions, Ginkgo exceeded the client’s desired product titer by 50%. Apr. '15 Sep. '15 Dec. '15 Mar. '16 Nov. '16 Feb. '17 53 Product Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 1 A leading company for production of natural Producing cultured ingredients was looking for cost-saving opportunities. Ginkgo identified a plan to ingredients at scale fine-tune existing pathways in yeast to produce multiple flavors more efficiently, then optimized the conditions for scale-up. Ginkgo’s Result Ginkgo’s Foundry utilizes the ambr250 disposable reactor system to inform design of experiments and reduce operating costs via automation, Client’s Goal allowing us to run hundreds of bioreactors simultaneously. Using the information generated to rationally improve the strain and fermentation process conditions, Ginkgo exceeded the client’s desired product titer by 50%. Apr. '15 Sep. '15 Dec. '15 Mar. '16 Nov. '16 Feb. '17 53 Product Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 1 Producing cultured ingredients at scale Ginkgo ambr250 EOF Optimal Process (average of 20 runs) Ginkgo’s system enables high Ginkgo ambr250 EOF throughput screening without Deployed Process (increased process robustness) compromising quality of data. The conditions optimized at a Pilot 250L volume of 250 mL were effectively translated into pilot Commercial 50,000L and commercial scale, and the cultured ingredients reached commercial production with Elapsed Fermentation Time (h) our manufacturing partners. FERMIC ME XICO 54 Product Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 1 Producing cultured ingredients at scale Ginkgo ambr250 EOF Optimal Process (average of 20 runs) Ginkgo’s system enables high Ginkgo ambr250 EOF throughput screening without Deployed Process (increased process robustness) compromising quality of data. The conditions optimized at a Pilot 250L volume of 250 mL were effectively translated into pilot Commercial 50,000L and commercial scale, and the cultured ingredients reached commercial production with Elapsed Fermentation Time (h) our manufacturing partners. FERMIC ME XICO 54 Product Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 2 6 GINKGO APPROACH 5 LED TO DISCOVERY OF Using biomining 4 A BETTER PROTEIN techniques to 3 recycle compounds 2 1 Some of the compounds in objects we 0 use everyday are difficult to recycle. Previous Best in Market Best Ginkgo Identified By identifying proteins that selectively Protein Protein bind to these compounds, we can The Ginkgo Foundry allows us to synthesize, screen, and test for recover them from post-manufacturing these proteins at a scale unmatched by others. In our primary or recycled material, moving us closer screen, we screened over 1000 unique proteins, testing a total of to a circular economy. over 10,000 samples. From that screen, we identified the best hits. In our secondary screen, we discovered a protein that binds hard-to-recycle compounds 5X more than previously seen in the market. 55 Relative Signal of Bound Compounds GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 2 6 GINKGO APPROACH 5 LED TO DISCOVERY OF Using biomining 4 A BETTER PROTEIN techniques to 3 recycle compounds 2 1 Some of the compounds in objects we 0 use everyday are difficult to recycle. Previous Best in Market Best Ginkgo Identified By identifying proteins that selectively Protein Protein bind to these compounds, we can The Ginkgo Foundry allows us to synthesize, screen, and test for recover them from post-manufacturing these proteins at a scale unmatched by others. In our primary or recycled material, moving us closer screen, we screened over 1000 unique proteins, testing a total of to a circular economy. over 10,000 samples. From that screen, we identified the best hits. In our secondary screen, we discovered a protein that binds hard-to-recycle compounds 5X more than previously seen in the market. 55 Relative Signal of Bound Compounds GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 3 Foundries allow us to explore a broader range of biological diversity Enzymes come from a wide variety of source organisms Powered by gigabase-scale DNA synthesis, Ginkgo explores biodiversity to identify novel or improved enzyme activities and design pathways programmatically Clusters of enzymes without any Cluster containing best- existing annotation, which Ginkgo documented enzymes can investigate further for this class 56 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 3 Foundries allow us to explore a broader range of biological diversity Enzymes come from a wide variety of source organisms Powered by gigabase-scale DNA synthesis, Ginkgo explores biodiversity to identify novel or improved enzyme activities and design pathways programmatically Clusters of enzymes without any Cluster containing best- existing annotation, which Ginkgo documented enzymes can investigate further for this class 56 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 4 Approach: By capitalizing on the capacity of the Foundry, Ginkgo could screen a large number of pathway architectures to construct the pathway. Pathway design promoters enzyme 1 enzyme 2 enzyme 3 for a complex x 8 x 4 9 x 4 metabolic pathway Situation: A client wished to decrease = 1,152 synthons their reliance on expensive feedstocks and replace it with a low-cost 2,719 PATHWAYS EVALUATED substrate that the strain could not naturally assimilate. Ginkgo engineered a strain to assimilate the low-cost substrate, while maintaining 7,717 ENZYMES SCREENED productivity and yield. 109,000,000 BASE PAIRS OF SYNTHETIC DNA DESIGNED 57 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 4 Approach: By capitalizing on the capacity of the Foundry, Ginkgo could screen a large number of pathway architectures to construct the pathway. Pathway design promoters enzyme 1 enzyme 2 enzyme 3 for a complex x 8 x 4 9 x 4 metabolic pathway Situation: A client wished to decrease = 1,152 synthons their reliance on expensive feedstocks and replace it with a low-cost 2,719 PATHWAYS EVALUATED substrate that the strain could not naturally assimilate. Ginkgo engineered a strain to assimilate the low-cost substrate, while maintaining 7,717 ENZYMES SCREENED productivity and yield. 109,000,000 BASE PAIRS OF SYNTHETIC DNA DESIGNED 57 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 4 30 Pathway design for a complex 22.5 metabolic pathway 15 The strains transferred to the customer could assimilate the 7.5 new feedstock 25 times more than the original strain, achieving the target. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Results over time à 58 Assimilation of new feedstock (%) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 4 30 Pathway design for a complex 22.5 metabolic pathway 15 The strains transferred to the customer could assimilate the 7.5 new feedstock 25 times more than the original strain, achieving the target. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Results over time à 58 Assimilation of new feedstock (%) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 5 Making more sustainable foods with kilogram-scale protein production Situation: Ginkgo partnered with Motif FoodWorks to develop commercial yeast strains and processes for protein production at the kilogram scale. The target protein would be used to make foods more delicious and sustainable. 59 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 5 Making more sustainable foods with kilogram-scale protein production Situation: Ginkgo partnered with Motif FoodWorks to develop commercial yeast strains and processes for protein production at the kilogram scale. The target protein would be used to make foods more delicious and sustainable. 59 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 5 Making more sustainable foods % with kilogram-scale protein production 303 300 IMPROVEMENT OVER PROTEINS UNMODIFIED Discovery: Leveraging our Codebase and Foundry, we SOURCED STRAINS identified and screened hundreds of distinct candidate proteins. Top performers were engineered with novel expression systems to maximize protein expression. In just 1 year, 6 prototype strains were developed, and product samples were produced for benchmarking and early application testing. Improved variants were designed, built and validated over the next 9 months. Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 1 YEAR LATER ITERATIVE STRAIN IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SCREEN FOR BEST STRAIN ENGINEERING & PROTOTYPE STRAINS CONSTRUCTION & TESTING PROTEINS CANDIDATE PROTEIN PATHWAY BALANCING READY Sequence Similarity Network PROTOTYPE Strain Strain Strain 60 Percent Improvement over Seed Protein Percent Improvement over Unmodified Strains Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 5 Making more sustainable foods % with kilogram-scale protein production 303 300 IMPROVEMENT OVER PROTEINS UNMODIFIED Discovery: Leveraging our Codebase and Foundry, we SOURCED STRAINS identified and screened hundreds of distinct candidate proteins. Top performers were engineered with novel expression systems to maximize protein expression. In just 1 year, 6 prototype strains were developed, and product samples were produced for benchmarking and early application testing. Improved variants were designed, built and validated over the next 9 months. Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 1 YEAR LATER ITERATIVE STRAIN IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SCREEN FOR BEST STRAIN ENGINEERING & PROTOTYPE STRAINS CONSTRUCTION & TESTING PROTEINS CANDIDATE PROTEIN PATHWAY BALANCING READY Sequence Similarity Network PROTOTYPE Strain Strain Strain 60 Percent Improvement over Seed Protein Percent Improvement over Unmodified Strains Titer (g/L) GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 5 Making more sustainable foods with kilogram-scale protein production Scale: Within 2 years, Ginkgo developed commercial strains from scratch, as well as fermentation and downstream purification processes that are now being used at kilogram-scale, with a total projected 3 years time-to-market for the final food ingredient product. The strain’s performance exceeded Motif’s specifications by >70%. Further, we identified a set of novel protein expression systems that exceed performance of best-in-class systems by 5-20 fold, thereby increasing productivity, reducing cost, and improving scalability over additional rounds of engineering. OUR FOUNDRY can be easily repurposed to create additional food products, thereby shortening the time-to-market for each new product, and helping us forge the future of more sustainable and accessible foods. 61 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 5 Making more sustainable foods with kilogram-scale protein production Scale: Within 2 years, Ginkgo developed commercial strains from scratch, as well as fermentation and downstream purification processes that are now being used at kilogram-scale, with a total projected 3 years time-to-market for the final food ingredient product. The strain’s performance exceeded Motif’s specifications by >70%. Further, we identified a set of novel protein expression systems that exceed performance of best-in-class systems by 5-20 fold, thereby increasing productivity, reducing cost, and improving scalability over additional rounds of engineering. OUR FOUNDRY can be easily repurposed to create additional food products, thereby shortening the time-to-market for each new product, and helping us forge the future of more sustainable and accessible foods. 61 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 6 Producing cultured cannabinoids Plants like cannabis hold many unique compounds that can have important health benefits, but many of those compounds are impractical and expensive to extract and purify. With our landmark partnership with Cronos Group, we are working to produce eight target cultured cannabinoids at high quality and purity. To scale manufacturing of products from this partnership, our deployment team supported the evaluation and build-out of an 84,000 square foot fermentation facility in Winnipeg, Canada. 62 IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 6 Producing cultured cannabinoids Plants like cannabis hold many unique compounds that can have important health benefits, but many of those compounds are impractical and expensive to extract and purify. With our landmark partnership with Cronos Group, we are working to produce eight target cultured cannabinoids at high quality and purity. To scale manufacturing of products from this partnership, our deployment team supported the evaluation and build-out of an 84,000 square foot fermentation facility in Winnipeg, Canada. 62 IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 7 Engineering living Situation: For approximately 2 years, Synlogic had been prototyping a strain and pathway to medicines consume leucine, but initial modeling suggested that more activity was needed for target therapeutic effect. Approach: To optimize the complex pathway to increase consumption, Ginkgo sourced, synthesized and screened 3,600 enzymes to identify the best performing enzymes. Using the best enzymes, we designed and screened a combinatorial library of 350 pathways. HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING OF PATHWAYS + PERFORMANCE Presented at SEED June 2019 63 IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 7 Engineering living Situation: For approximately 2 years, Synlogic had been prototyping a strain and pathway to medicines consume leucine, but initial modeling suggested that more activity was needed for target therapeutic effect. Approach: To optimize the complex pathway to increase consumption, Ginkgo sourced, synthesized and screened 3,600 enzymes to identify the best performing enzymes. Using the best enzymes, we designed and screened a combinatorial library of 350 pathways. HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING OF PATHWAYS + PERFORMANCE Presented at SEED June 2019 63 IMAGE CREDIT: KAREN INGRAM GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


Enzyme 2 Enzyme 3 Enzyme 1 CASE STUDY Leucine Byproduct 7 Rapid pathway development 3-step leucine consumption pathway PARENT PATHWAY PERFORMANCE High-throughput screening of pathways using targeted metabolomics Metagenomic enzyme High throughput screening Use top enzymes to design sourcing and synthesis of >1200 enzymes per class combinatorial library of Presented at SEED June 2019 350 pathways 64 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1Enzyme 2 Enzyme 3 Enzyme 1 CASE STUDY Leucine Byproduct 7 Rapid pathway development 3-step leucine consumption pathway PARENT PATHWAY PERFORMANCE High-throughput screening of pathways using targeted metabolomics Metagenomic enzyme High throughput screening Use top enzymes to design sourcing and synthesis of >1200 enzymes per class combinatorial library of Presented at SEED June 2019 350 pathways 64 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 7 Engineering living medicines With a simpler biological design, Ginkgo improved the Synlogic strain’s ability to consume leucine by nearly 7x. Furthermore, the Synlogic-Ginkgo optimized strain SYN5941 lowers protein-induced leucine consumption in non-human primates. Presented at SEED June 2019 65 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 7 Engineering living medicines With a simpler biological design, Ginkgo improved the Synlogic strain’s ability to consume leucine by nearly 7x. Furthermore, the Synlogic-Ginkgo optimized strain SYN5941 lowers protein-induced leucine consumption in non-human primates. Presented at SEED June 2019 65 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1


CASE STUDY 8 Leveraging scale to optimize enzyme activity enzyme activity C A S E S T UD Y Our client was seeking an enzyme that could New IP enhance an underperforming, in-house program in the industrials space Ginkgo created a diverse library of 1,700+ enzyme variants, informed by our Codebase I M P A C T Our program reduced enzyme requirement by Client’s Prior Best 80% and improved performance Without Ginkgo’s capacity for testing or broad Codebase, the best enzyme wouldn’t likely have been discovered or selected for testing enzymes tested 66 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1CASE STUDY 8 Leveraging scale to optimize enzyme activity enzyme activity C A S E S T UD Y Our client was seeking an enzyme that could New IP enhance an underperforming, in-house program in the industrials space Ginkgo created a diverse library of 1,700+ enzyme variants, informed by our Codebase I M P A C T Our program reduced enzyme requirement by Client’s Prior Best 80% and improved performance Without Ginkgo’s capacity for testing or broad Codebase, the best enzyme wouldn’t likely have been discovered or selected for testing enzymes tested 66 GI NKGO BI O W O R K S INV E S T O R P R E S E N T A T IO N| M A Y 2 0 2 1

Exhibit 99.3

Key Risks Relating to Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”)

Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects could be adversely affected. In that event, you could lose part or all of your investment. In addition, the risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic may have the effect of heightening many of the other risks associated with our business. All references in this section to “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the business combination and to the post-business combination public company and its subsidiaries.

The list below is qualified in its entirety by disclosures contained in future documents filed or furnished by Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (“SEAC”), or otherwise with respect to SEAC, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the documents filed or furnished in connection with the proposed transactions between Ginkgo and SEAC. The risks presented in such filings may differ significantly from and be more extensive than those presented below.

Risks Related to our Business and Industry

 

   

We have a history of net losses. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.

 

   

We will need substantial additional capital in the future in order to fund our business.

 

   

Our ability to enter into a definitive agreement with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and our general level of indebtedness could adversely affect liquidity and have an adverse effect on our valuation, operations and business.

 

   

We have experienced rapid growth and expect our growth to continue, and if we fail to effectively manage our growth, then our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

   

Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects and the risk of your investment.

 

   

We own and may in the future own equity interests in certain of our customers; consequently, we have exposure to the volatility and liquidity risks inherent in holding their equity and overall operational and financial performance of these businesses.

 

   

We may pursue strategic acquisitions and investments that could have an adverse impact on our business if they are unsuccessful.

 

   

Our programs may not achieve projected development milestones and other anticipated key events in the expected timelines or at all, which could have an adverse impact on our business and could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

   

We rely on our customers to develop, produce and manufacture products using the engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes that we develop. If these initiatives by our customers are not successful or do not achieve commercial success, or if our customers discontinue their development, production and manufacturing efforts using our engineered cells, our future financial position may be adversely impacted.


   

Our revenue is concentrated in a limited number of customers, some of which are related parties, and our revenue, results of operations, cash flows and reputation in the marketplace may suffer upon the loss of a significant customer.

 

   

If we cannot maintain and expand current customer partnerships and enter into new customer partnerships, our business could be adversely affected.

 

   

Our partners have significant discretion in determining when and whether to make announcements, if any, about the status of our partnerships, including about developments and timelines for advancing programs, and the price of our common stock may decline as a result of announcements of unexpected results or developments.

 

   

Rapidly changing technology and extensive competition in the synthetic biology industry could make the products and processes we are developing obsolete or non-competitive unless we continue to collaborate on the development of new and improved products and processes and pursue new market opportunities.

 

   

The market, including customers and potential investors, may be skeptical of our ability to deliver on our research and development capabilities because they are based on a relatively novel and complex technology.

 

   

Ethical, legal and social concerns about genetically modified organisms could limit or prevent the use of products or processes using our technologies, limit public acceptance of such products or processes and limit our revenues.

 

   

Our release of genetically modified organisms, whether inadvertent or purposeful, into uncontrolled environments could have unintended consequences, which may result in increased regulatory scrutiny and otherwise harm our business and financial condition.

 

   

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the global attempt to contain it may harm our business and results of operations.

 

   

Our ability to operate in any respect may be interrupted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

 

   

Uncertainty regarding the sales and delivery of our individual and pooled sample tests could materially adversely affect our business.

 

   

Uncertainty regarding the ongoing demand and/or capacity (including capacity at third party clinical testing laboratories) of our individual and pooled sample tests could materially adversely affect our business.

 

   

We may be subject to tort liability if our COVID-19 tests provide inaccurate results.

 

   

Our business could be harmed if we are not able to adequately protect our intellectual property.

 


   

Our business may be harmed if we fail to adequately protect biological materials.

 

   

Failures of our systems of software (including open source software), information technologies and infrastructure (including cloud infrastructure) could result in an adverse effect on our business and/or results of operations.

 

   

We depend on sophisticated information technology and equipment systems, and any failure of these systems could harm our business.

 

   

If we experience a significant cybersecurity breach or disruption in our information systems or any of our partners’ information systems, our business could be adversely affected.

 

   

Breaches of physical security systems and/or theft of physical materials could result in significant financial, legal, regulatory, business and reputational harm to us.

 

   

Our reliance on suppliers of raw materials and equipment and our use of contract manufacturers exposes us to risks relating to costs, contractual terms, supply and logistics.

 

   

We must continue to secure and maintain sufficient and stable supplies of laboratory reagents, consumables, equipment, and laboratory services.

 

   

We depend on a limited number of suppliers for critical supplies and services for research, development and manufacturing of our products and processes. The loss of any one or more of these suppliers or their failure to supply us with the necessary supplies or services on a timely basis, could cause delays in our research, development or production capacity and adversely affect our business.

 

   

Loss of key personnel, including our founders and senior executives, and/or failure to attract, train and retain additional key personnel could delay our cell engineering programs and harm our research and development efforts and our ability to meet our business objectives, particularly given the substantial investment required to train certain of our employees.

 

   

We use biological, hazardous, flammable and/or regulated materials that require considerable training, expertise and expense for handling, storage and disposal and may result in claims against us.

 

   

Our business and results of operations are dependent on adequate access to laboratory and office space and suitable physical infrastructure, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and network infrastructure, to conduct our operations. If we are unable to access enough space or we experience failures of our physical infrastructure, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

   

We rely on our customers, joint ventures and other third parties to deliver timely and accurate information in order to accurately report our financial results in the time frame and manner required by law.

 

   

We use estimates in determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. If our estimates prove to be incorrect, we may be required to write down the value of these assets or write up the value of these liabilities, which could adversely affect our financial position.

 


   

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

 

   

Failure to comply with federal, state, local and international laws and regulations could adversely affect our business and our financial condition.

 

   

We may incur significant costs complying with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could expose us to significant liabilities.

 

   

We are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements, including certain laboratory testing standards, and we may be unable to comply with such requirements.

 

   

The testing industry is subject to complex and costly regulation and if government regulations are interpreted or enforced in a manner adverse to us, we may be subject to enforcement actions, penalties, exclusion, and other material limitations on our operations.

 

   

We have pursued in the past and may pursue additional U.S. Government contracting and subcontracting opportunities in the future, and as a U.S. Government contractor and subcontractor, we are subject to a number of procurement rules and regulations.

 

   

International expansion of our business exposes us to business, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks associated with doing business outside of the United States.

 

   

Changes in government regulations may materially and adversely affect our sales and results of operations.

 

   

We are subject to certain U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. We can face serious consequences for violations.

 

   

Data collection outside of the United States may be governed by restrictive regulations governing the use, processing and cross-border transfer of personal information.

 

   

Governmental trade controls, including export and import controls, sanctions, customs requirements and related regimes, could subject us to liability or loss of contracting privileges or limit our ability to compete in certain markets.

 

   

Changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations or financial conditions.

 

   

The SEC has recently issued guidance on the potential treatment of warrants as liabilities. Pending an analysis of warrants, there may be implications for SEAC’s financial statements if it is determined that SEAC’s outstanding warrants should be classified as liabilities.

 

   

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

 


   

We may become subject to lawsuits or indemnity claims in the ordinary course of business, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

   

We may be subject to claims by third parties asserting that our employees, consultants, or contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties, or we have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their current or former employers or claims asserting we have misappropriated their intellectual property, or claiming ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.

 

   

We may need to commence or defend litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which may include defending against claims that we or one of our customers has violated a third party’s intellectual property rights. Commencing or defending such litigation would divert resources and management’s time and attention, and the results may be uncertain.

 

   

Our collection, use and disclosure of personal information, including health and employee information, is subject to U.S. state and federal privacy and security regulations, and our failure to comply with those regulations or to adequately secure the information we hold could result in significant liability or reputational harm.

 

   

Theft, loss, or misuse of personal data about our employees, contractors, customers, or other third parties could increase our expenses, damage our reputation, or result in legal or regulatory proceedings.

 

   

We do not have exclusive rights to intellectual property we develop under U.S. federally funded research grants and contracts, and we could ultimately share or lose the rights we do have under certain circumstances.

 

   

We use naturally occurring materials that are not patentable and changes to patent laws in the United States and other jurisdictions could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our technologies, products and services.

Risks Relating to our Organizational Structure and Governance

 

   

If we were deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, following the consummation of the business combination, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

   

Following the closing of our initial business combination, our employees will hold high-vote shares of our common stock (including shares granted or otherwise issued to our employees in the future). Our certificate of incorporation will authorize a large number of shares of high-vote common stock. This will limit or preclude other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval. We also cannot predict the effect the dual-class structure of our common stock may have on the market price of our common stock.

 

   

Our focus on the long-term best interests of our mission, our company and our consideration of all of our stakeholders, including our stockholders, employees, the communities in which we operate and other stakeholders that we may identify from time to time, may conflict with short-term or medium-term financial interests and business performance, which may negatively impact the value of our common stock.



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