BLUE MARBLE ENERGY CORPORATION AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT July 7, 2014
Exhibit 3.1
BLUE MARBLE ENERGY CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT
July 7, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Section 1 Definitions | 1 | |
1.1 | Certain Definitions | 1 |
Section 2 Registration Rights | 3 | |
2.1 | Requested Registration | 3 |
2.2 | Company Registration | 6 |
2.3 | Registration on Form S-3 | 7 |
2.4 | Expenses of Registration | 7 |
2.5 | Registration Procedures | 8 |
2.6 | Indemnification | 9 |
2.7 | Information by Holder | 11 |
2.8 | Restrictions on Transfer | 11 |
2.9 | Rule 144 Reporting | 12 |
2.10 | Market Stand-Off Agreement | 13 |
2.11 | Delay of Registration | 13 |
2.12 | Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights | 13 |
2.13 | Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights | 13 |
2.14 | Termination of Registration Rights | 13 |
Section 3 Information Covenants of the Company | 14 | |
3.1 | Basic Financial Information and Inspection Rights | 14 |
3.2 | Confidentiality | 14 |
3.3 | Board Expenses | 15 |
3.4 | Indemnification of Directors and Officers | 15 |
3.5 | Confidential Information and Inventions Agreements; Consultant Agreements. | 15 |
3.6 | Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance | 15 |
3.7 | Vesting | 15 |
3.8 | Termination of Covenants | 15 |
Section 4 Right of First Refusal | 15 | |
4.1 | Right of First Refusal to Significant Holders | 15 |
Section 5 Miscellaneous | 16 | |
5.1 | Amendment | 16 |
5.2 | Notices | 17 |
5.3 | Governing Law | 17 |
5.4 | Successors and Assigns | 17 |
5.5 | Entire Agreement | 18 |
5.6 | Delays or Omissions | 18 |
5.7 | Severability | 18 |
5.8 | Titles and Subtitles | 18 |
5.9 | Counterparts | 18 |
5.10 | Telecopy Execution and Delivery | 18 |
5.11 | Jurisdiction; Venue | 18 |
5.12 | Further Assurances | 19 |
5.13 | Conflict | 19 |
5.14 | Attorneys’ Fees | 19 |
5.15 | Aggregation of Stock | 19 |
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BLUE MARBLE ENERGY CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED
This Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of July 7, 2014, by and among Blue Marble Energy Corporation, a Washington corporation (the “Company”), and the persons and entities listed on Exhibit A hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).
Recitals
A. Certain of the Investors are parties to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement of even date herewith, between the Company and the Investors listed on the Schedule of Investors thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”), and it is a condition to the closing of the sale of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock to the Investors listed on such Schedule of Investors that such Investors and the Company execute and deliver this Agreement.
B. Certain of the Investors hold shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or shares of common stock issued upon conversion thereof (the “Existing Investors”) and possess certain registration rights, information rights, rights of first refusal and other rights pursuant to an Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement dated as of January 25, 2011 between the Company and such Existing Investors (the “Prior Rights Agreement”).
C. The Existing Investors desire to terminate the Prior Rights Agreement and further desire that this Agreement supersede and replace the Prior Rights Agreement in its entirety.
The parties therefore agree as follows:
Section 1
Definitions
1.1 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
(b) “Common Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.
(c) “Conversion Stock” shall mean shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
(d) “Corporate Event” shall have the meaning set forth in the Restated Articles.
(e) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor federal statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
(f) “Holder” shall mean any Investor who holds Registrable Securities and any holder of Registrable Securities to whom the registration rights conferred by this Agreement have been duly and validly transferred in accordance with Section 2.12 of this Agreement.
(g) “Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c).
(h) “Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c).
(i) “Initial Public Offering” shall mean the closing of the Company’s first firm commitment underwritten public offering of the Company’s Common Stock registered under the Securities Act.
(j) “Initiating Holders” shall mean any Holder or Holders who in the aggregate hold not less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities.
(k) “New Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
(l) “Other Selling Shareholders” shall mean persons other than Holders who, by virtue of agreements with the Company, are entitled to include their Other Shares in certain registrations hereunder.
(m) “Other Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock, other than Registrable Securities (as defined below), with respect to which registration rights have been granted.
(n) “Registrable Securities” shall mean (i) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the conversion of the Shares and (ii) any Common Stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of the shares referenced in (i) above; provided, however, that Registrable Securities shall not include any shares of Common Stock described in clause (i) or (ii) above which have previously been registered or which have been sold to the public either pursuant to a registration statement or Rule 144, or which have been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not validly assigned in accordance with this Agreement.
(o) The terms “register,” “registered” and “registration” shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement.
(p) “Registration Expenses” shall mean all expenses incurred in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration, qualification, and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, and expenses of any regular or special audits incident to or required by any such registration and the reasonable fees and disbursements of a single special counsel for the selling Holders not to exceed $40,000, but shall not include Selling Expenses, fees and disbursements of other counsel for the Holders and the compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any event by the Company.
(q) “Restated Articles” shall mean the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time to time.
(r) “Restricted Securities” shall mean any Registrable Securities required to bear the first legend set forth in Section 2.8(b).
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(s) “Rule 144” shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.
(t) “Rule 145” shall mean Rule 145 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission
(u) “Rule 415” shall mean Rule 415 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.
(v) “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar successor federal statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
(w) “Selling Expenses” shall mean all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder other than the reasonable fees and disbursements of a single special counsel for the selling Holders not to exceed $40,000.
(x) “Series A Preferred Stock” shall mean shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock.
(y) “Series A-1 Preferred Stock” shall mean shares of the Company’s Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
(z) “Shares” shall mean the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
(aa) “Significant Holders” shall mean each Holder with at least 1,000,000 Shares or Conversion Stock (as may be adjusted from time to time for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, subdivisions, recapitalizations and the like).
(bb) “Withdrawn Registration” shall mean a forfeited demand registration under Section 2.1 in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 2.4.
Section 2
Registration Rights
2.1 Requested Registration.
(a) Request for Registration. Subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 2.1, if the Company shall receive from Initiating Holders a written request signed by such Initiating Holders that the Company effect any registration with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities (such request shall state the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be disposed of by such Initiating Holders), the Company will:
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(i) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all other Holders; and
(ii) as soon as practicable, file and use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration (including, without limitation, filing post-effective amendments, appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws, and appropriate compliance with the Securities Act) and to permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request received by the Company within twenty (20) days after such written notice from the Company is mailed or delivered.
(b) Limitations on Requested Registration. The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.1:
(i) Prior to the earlier of (A) the five (5) year anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (B) one hundred and eighty (180) days following the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company covering an underwritten offering of any of its securities to the general public (or the subsequent date on which all market stand-off agreements applicable to the offering have terminated);
(ii) If the Initiating Holders, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration statement, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) the aggregate proceeds of which are less than (A) $25,000,000 in the case of the first public offering of the Company’s Common Stock or (B) $10,000,000 in the case of any subsequent public offering of the Company’s Common Stock;
(iii) In any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification, or compliance, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;
(iv) After the Company has initiated two (2) such registrations pursuant to this Section 2.1;
(v) During the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration (or ending on the subsequent date on which all market stand-off agreements applicable to the offering have terminated); provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;
(vi) If the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request made under Section 2.3;
(vii) If the Initiating Holders do not request that such offering be firmly underwritten by underwriters selected by the Initiating Holders (subject to the consent of the Company); or
(viii) With respect to the first public offering of the Company’s Common Stock, if the Company and the Initiating Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of the underwriter described in clause (b)(vii) above to firmly underwrite the offer.
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(c) Deferral. If (i) in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, the filing of a registration statement covering the Registrable Securities would be detrimental to the Company and the board of directors of the Company concludes, as a result, that it is in the best interests of the Company to defer the filing of such registration statement at such time, and (ii) the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, it would be detrimental to the Company for such registration statement to be filed in the near future and that it is, therefore, in the best interests of the Company to defer the filing of such registration statement, then (in addition to the limitations set forth in Section 2.1(b)(v) above) the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders, and, provided further, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than two (2) times in any twelve-month period.
(d) Other Shares. The registration statement filed pursuant to the request of the Initiating Holders may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(e), include Other Shares, and may include securities of the Company being sold for the account of the Company.
(e) Underwriting. The right of any Holder to include all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in an underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities to the extent provided herein. If the Company shall request inclusion in any registration pursuant to Section 2.1 of securities being sold for its own account, or if other persons shall request inclusion in any registration pursuant to Section 2.1, the Initiating Holders shall, on behalf of all Holders, offer to include such securities in the underwriting and such offer shall be conditioned upon the participation of the Company or such other persons in such underwriting and the inclusion of the Company’s and such person’s other securities of the Company and their acceptance of the further applicable provisions of this Section 2 (including Section 2.10). The Company shall (together with all Holders and other persons proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company, which underwriters are reasonably acceptable to a majority-in-interest of the Initiating Holders.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.1, if the underwriters advise the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, the number of Registrable Securities and Other Shares that may be so included shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, among all Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities in such registration statement based on the pro rata percentage of Registrable Securities held by such Holders, assuming conversion; (ii) second, to the Other Selling Shareholders; and (iii) third, to the Company, which the Company may allocate, at its discretion, for its own account, or for the account of other holders or employees of the Company.
If a person who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided above does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting, such person shall be excluded therefrom by written notice from the Company, the underwriter or the Initiating Holders. The securities so excluded shall also be withdrawn from registration. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall also be withdrawn from such registration. If shares are so withdrawn from the registration and if the number of shares to be included in such registration was previously reduced as a result of marketing factors pursuant to this Section 2.1(e), then the Company shall then offer to all Holders and Other Selling Shareholders who have retained rights to include securities in the registration the right to include additional Registrable Securities or Other Shares in the registration in an aggregate amount equal to the number of shares so withdrawn, with such shares to be allocated among such Holders and Other Selling Shareholders requesting additional inclusion, as set forth above.
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2.2 Company Registration.
(a) Company Registration. If the Company shall determine to register any of its securities either for its own account or the account of a security holder or holders, other than a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.3, a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans, a registration relating to the offer and sale of debt securities, a registration relating to a corporate reorganization or other Rule 145 transaction, or a registration on any registration form that does not permit secondary sales, the Company will:
(i) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all Holders; and
(ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such registration (and any related qualification under blue sky laws or other compliance), except as set forth in Section 2.2(b) below, and in any underwriting involved therein, all of such Registrable Securities as are specified in a written request or requests made by any Holder or Holders received by the Company within ten (10) days after such written notice from the Company is mailed or delivered. Such written request may specify all or a part of a Holder’s Registrable Securities.
(b) Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice given pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(i). In such event, the right of any Holder to registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company, the Other Selling Shareholders and other holders of securities of the Company with registration rights to participate therein distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or underwriters selected by the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.2, if the underwriters advise the Company in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, the underwriters may (subject to the limitations set forth below) exclude all Registrable Securities from, or limit the number of Registrable Securities to be included in, the registration and underwriting. The Company shall so advise all holders of securities requesting registration, and the number of shares of securities that are entitled to be included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated, as follows: (i) first, to the Company for securities being sold for its own account; (ii) second, to the Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities in such registration statement based on the pro rata percentage of Registrable Securities held by such Holders, assuming conversion; and (iii) third, to the Other Selling Shareholders requesting to include Other Shares in such registration statement based on the pro rata percentage of Other Shares held by such Other Selling Shareholders, assuming conversion.
If a person who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided above does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting, such person shall also be excluded therefrom by written notice from the Company or the underwriter. The Registrable Securities or other securities so excluded shall also be withdrawn from such registration. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration. If shares are so withdrawn from the registration and if the number of shares to be included in such registration was previously reduced as a result of marketing factors pursuant to this Section 2.2(b), then the Company shall either replace such withdrawn shares with its own securities or offer to all Holders and Other Selling Shareholders who have retained rights to include securities in the registration the right to include additional Registrable Securities or Other Shares in the registration in an aggregate amount up to the number of shares so withdrawn (and not otherwise replaced with the securities of the Company), with such shares to be allocated among such Holders and Other Selling Shareholders requesting additional inclusion, as set forth above.
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(c) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.2 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has elected to include securities in such registration.
2.3 Registration on Form S-3.
(a) Request for Form S-3 Registration. After its initial public offering, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to qualify for registration on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms. After the Company has qualified for the use of Form S-3, in addition to the rights contained in the foregoing provisions of this Section 2 and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 2.3, if the Company shall receive from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities a written request that the Company effect any registration on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement with respect to all or part of the Registrable Securities (such request shall state the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be disposed of and the intended methods of disposition of such shares by such Holder or Holders), the Company will take all such action with respect to such Registrable Securities as required by Section 2.1(a)(i) and (ii).
(b) Limitations on Form S-3 Registration. The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or take any action to effect, any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.3:
(i) In the circumstances described in either Sections 2.1(b)(i), 2.1(b)(iii) or 2.1(b)(v);
(ii) If the Holders, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) on Form S-3 at an aggregate price to the public of less than $750,000; or
(iii) If, in a given twelve-month period, the Company has effected one (1) such registration in such period.
(c) Deferral. The provisions of Section 2.1(c) shall apply to any registration pursuant to this Section 2.3.
(d) Underwriting. If the Holders of Registrable Securities requesting registration under this Section 2.3 intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, the provisions of Section 2.1(e) shall apply to such registration. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as requests for registration or registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.1.
2.4 Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with registrations pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered or because a sufficient number of Holders shall have withdrawn so that the minimum offering conditions set forth in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 are no longer satisfied (in which case all participating Holders shall bear such expenses pro rata among each other based on the number of Registrable Securities requested to be so registered), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to a demand registration pursuant to Section 2.1; provided, further, however, in the event that a withdrawal by the Holders is based upon material adverse information relating to the Company that is different from the information known or available (upon request from the Company or otherwise) to the Holders requesting registration at the time of their request for registration under Section 2.1, such registration shall not be treated as a counted registration for purposes of Section 2.1, even though the Holders do not bear the Registration Expenses for such registration. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders shall be borne by the holders of securities included in such registration pro rata among each other on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered.
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2.5 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration effected by the Company pursuant to Section 2, the Company will keep each Holder advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration and as to the completion thereof. At its expense, the Company will:
(a) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, and keep such registration effective for a period of ending on the earlier of the date which is ninety (90) days from the effective date of the registration statement or such time as the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution described in the registration statement relating thereto or in the case of a registration statement filed on Form S-3 pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act, until such time as the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution described in the registration statement relating thereto;
(b) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement for the period set forth in subsection (a) above;
(c) Furnish such number of prospectuses, including any preliminary prospectuses, and other documents incident thereto, including any amendment of or supplement to the prospectus, as a Holder from time to time may reasonably request;
(d) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdiction as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions;
(e) Notify each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in light of the circumstances then existing, and following such notification promptly prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in light of the circumstances then existing;
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(f) Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such registration statement and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;
(g) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed; and
(h) In connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.3, enter into an underwriting agreement in form reasonably necessary to effect the offer and sale of Common Stock; provided such underwriting agreement contains reasonable and customary provisions; and provided, further, that each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.
2.6 Indemnification.
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each of its officers, directors and partners, legal counsel and accountants and each person controlling such Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, with respect to which registration, qualification or compliance has been effected pursuant to this Section 2, and each underwriter, if any, and each person who controls within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act any underwriter, against all expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions, proceedings or settlements in respect thereof) arising out of or based on: (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any prospectus, offering circular or other document (including any related registration statement, notification or the like) incident to any such registration, qualification or compliance, (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation (or alleged violation) by the Company of the Securities Act, any state securities laws or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any offering covered by such registration, qualification or compliance, and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, each of its officers, directors, partners, legal counsel and accountants and each person controlling such Holder, each such underwriter and each person who controls any such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action; provided that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by such Holder, any of such Holder’s officers, directors, partners, legal counsel or accountants, any person controlling such Holder, such underwriter or any person who controls any such underwriter, and stated to be specifically for use therein; and provided, further that, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
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(b) To the extent permitted by law, each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration, qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, officers, partners, legal counsel and accountants and each underwriter, if any, of the Company’s securities covered by such a registration statement, each person who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, each other such Holder, and each of their officers, directors and partners, and each person controlling each other such Holder, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on: (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any prospectus, offering circular or other document (including any related registration statement, notification, or the like) incident to any such registration, qualification or compliance; or (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company and such Holders, directors, officers, partners, legal counsel and accountants, persons, underwriters, or control persons for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided, however, that the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, further, that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 2.6(b) exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.
(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section 2.6 (the “Indemnified Party”) shall give notice to the party required to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom; provided, that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such defense at such party’s expense; and provided, further, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section 2.6, to the extent such failure is not prejudicial. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that 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. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such information regarding itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying Party may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. No person or entity will be required under this Section 2.6(d) to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds from the offering received by such person or entity, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such person or entity. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.
2.7 Information by Holder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification, or compliance referred to in this Section 2.
2.8 Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) The holder of each certificate representing Registrable Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Section 2.8. Each Holder agrees not to make any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition of all or any portion of the Restricted Securities, or any beneficial interest therein, unless and until the transferee thereof has agreed in writing for the benefit of the Company to take and hold such Restricted Securities subject to, and to be bound by, the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.8 and Section 2.10, and:
(i) There is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and the disposition is made in accordance with the registration statement; or
(ii) The Holder shall have given prior written notice to the Company of the Holder’s intention to make such disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed description of the manner and circumstances of the proposed disposition, and the Holder shall have furnished the Company, at the Holder’s expense, with (i) an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such disposition will not require registration of such Restricted Securities under the Securities Act or (ii) a “no action” letter from the Commission to the effect that the transfer of such securities without registration will not result in a recommendation by the staff of the Commission that action be taken with respect thereto, whereupon the holder of such Restricted Securities shall be entitled to transfer such Restricted Securities in accordance with the terms of the notice delivered by the Holder to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no registration or opinion of counsel shall be required for transfers by an Investor of not less that twenty percent (20%) of the Shares originally acquired by such Investor from the Company to (i) a spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent of such Investor or one or more trusts for the exclusive benefit of such persons and (ii) any entity wholly owned by such Investor and/or those persons or trusts described in (i) in any combination thereof (each of (i) and (ii), a “Permitted Assignee”); provided, that (i) each such transfer to a Permitted Assignee would not result in the loss of any state or federal securities exemption relied on by the Company and is otherwise in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities laws and (ii) there are not more than five (5) Permitted Assignees who hold the Series A Warrants (as defined in the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement between the Company and the other signatories thereto of even date herewith) in whole or in part or the Restricted Securities.
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(b) Each certificate representing Registrable Securities shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Agreement) be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend substantially similar to the following (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities laws):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF CERTAIN STATES. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM. THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION OTHERWISE COMPLIES WITH THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO (1) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE, INCLUDING A LOCK-UP PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF A PUBLIC OFFERING, AS SET FORTH IN AN INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND (2) VOTING RESTRICTIONS AS SET FORTH IN A VOTING AGREEMENT AMONG THE COMPANY AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDERS OF THESE SHARES, COPIES OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.
The Holders consent to the Company making a notation on its records and giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Restricted Securities in order to implement the restrictions on transfer established in this Section 2.8.
(c) The first legend referring to federal and state securities laws identified in Section 2.8(b) stamped on a certificate evidencing the Restricted Securities and the stock transfer instructions and record notations with respect to the Restricted Securities shall be removed and the Company shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of Restricted Securities if (i) those securities are registered under the Securities Act or (ii) the holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that a sale or transfer of those securities may be made without registration or qualification.
2.9 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Restricted Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:
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(a) Make and keep adequate current public information with respect to the Company available in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times from and after ninety (90) days following the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public;
(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements; and
(c) So long as a Holder owns any Restricted Securities, furnish to the Holder forthwith upon written request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time from and after ninety (90) days following the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public), and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing a Holder to sell any such securities without registration.
2.10 Market Stand-Off Agreement. Each Holder shall not sell or otherwise transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, of any Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by such Holder (other than those included in the registration) during the one hundred and eighty (180) day period following the effective date of the registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering filed under the Securities Act (or such other period as may be requested by the Company or an underwriter to accommodate regulatory restrictions on (i) the publication or other distribution of research reports and (ii) analyst recommendations and opinions, including, but not limited to, the restrictions contained in NASD Rule 2711(f)(4) or NYSE Rule 472(f)(4), or any successor provisions or amendments thereto), provided, that the obligations described in this section shall only be applicable to the Holder if all officers and directors of the Company are bound by similar agreements and the Company uses commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a similar agreement from all holders of 1% or greater of the Company’s outstanding capital stock. The obligations described in this Section 2.10 shall not apply to a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans on Form S-l or Form S-8 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future, or a registration relating solely to a transaction on Form S-4 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions and may stamp each such certificate with the second legend set forth in Section 2.8(b) with respect to the shares of Common Stock (or other securities) subject to the foregoing restriction until the end of such one hundred and eighty (180) day (or other) period. Each Holder agrees to execute a market standoff agreement with said underwriters in customary form consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.10. Any discretionary waiver or termination of the restrictions of any market stand-off agreements by the Company or the underwriters on behalf of a director or officer of the Company shall apply to the Investors subject to such agreements pro rata based on the number of shares subject to such agreements.
2.11 Delay of Registration. No Holder shall have any right to take any action to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise delay any registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Section 2.
2.12 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company to register securities granted to a Holder by the Company under this Section 2 may be transferred or assigned by a Holder only to (i) a Permitted Assignee or (ii) a transferee or assignee of not less than 1,000,000 shares of Registrable Securities (as presently constituted and subject to subsequent adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock splits, and the like); provided that (i) such transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities is effected in accordance with the terms of Section 2.8 and applicable securities laws, (ii) the Company is given written notice prior to said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are intended to be transferred or assigned and (iii) the transferee or assignee of such rights assumes in writing the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement, including without limitation the obligations set forth in Section 2.10.
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2.13 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company giving such holder or prospective holder any registration rights, the terms of which are senior to the registration rights granted to the Holders hereunder.
2.14 Termination of Registration Rights. The right of any Holder to request registration or inclusion in any registration pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2 or 2.3 shall terminate on the earlier of (i) such date, on or after the closing of the Company’s first registered public offering of Common Stock, on which all shares of Registrable Securities held or entitled to be held upon conversion by such Holder may immediately be sold under Rule 144 during any ninety (90) day period, (ii) five (5) years after the closing of the Company’s Initial Public Offering and (iii) the consummation of a Corporate Event.
Section 3
Information Covenants of the Company
The Company hereby covenants and agrees, as follows:
3.1 Basic Financial Information and Inspection Rights.
(a) Basic Financial Information. The Company will furnish to each Significant Holder:
(i) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an income statement for such fiscal year, a balance sheet of the Company and statement of shareholders’ equity as of the end of such year, and a statement of cash flows for such year, such year-end financial reports to be in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”);
(ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, an unaudited profit or loss statement, a statement of cash flows for such fiscal quarter and an unaudited balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter;
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(iii) not less than 21 days prior to the end of each fiscal year, a budget and business plan for the next fiscal year which shall be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.
(b) Inspection Rights. The Company will afford to each Significant Holder and to such Holder’s accountants and counsel, reasonable access during normal business hours to all of the Company’s respective properties, books and records. Each such Holder shall have such other access to management and information as is necessary for it to comply with applicable laws and regulations and reporting obligations. The Company shall not be required to disclose details of contracts with or work performed for specific customers and other business partners where to do so would violate confidentiality obligations to those parties. Holders may exercise their rights under this Section 3.1(b) only for purposes reasonably related to their interests under this Agreement and related agreements. The rights granted pursuant to this Section 3.1(b) may not be assigned or otherwise conveyed by the Holders or by any subsequent transferee of any such rights without the prior written consent of the Company except as authorized in this Section 3.1(b).
3.2 Confidentiality. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no Holder by reason of this Agreement shall have access to any trade secrets or classified information of the Company. The Company shall not be required to comply with any information rights of Section 3 in respect of any Holder whom the Company reasonably determines to be a competitor or an officer, employee, director or holder of more than ten percent (10%) of a competitor. Each Holder acknowledges that the information received by them pursuant to this Agreement may be confidential and for its use only, and it will not use such confidential information in violation of the Exchange Act or reproduce, disclose or disseminate such information to any other person (other than its employees or agents having a need to know the contents of such information, and its attorneys), except in connection with the exercise of rights under this Agreement, unless the Company has made such information available to the public generally or such Holder is required to disclose such information by applicable law, regulation or legal process. In the event a Holder is required to disclose such information by applicable law, regulation or legal process, such Holder shall provide the Company prompt written notice and shall cooperate with the Company to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy to prevent such disclosure.
3.3 Board Expenses. In the event that an in-person board meeting is requested by the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors or its chief executive officer, the Company will pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable air fare and hotel expenses) of non-employee members of the Board in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board upon presentation to the Company of an itemized accounting of such expenses with reasonable supporting data.
3.4 Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall provide for the Company’s indemnification of its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Company shall enter into a standard form of indemnification agreement approved by the Board with each of its directors.
3.5 Confidential Information and Inventions Agreements; Consultant Agreements. The Company shall require that as a condition of employment or the formation of a consulting relationship with the Company (as the case may be), each person now or hereafter employed by it or any subsidiary as an officer, employee or consultant enter into a confidential information and inventions agreement or consultant agreement substantially in the forms approved by the Board.
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3.6 Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance. The Company shall maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers directors’ and officers’ insurance in an amount customary for companies at the stage of the Company’s development.
3.7 Vesting. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, all stock, stock options and other stock equivalents (“Employee Stock”) issued after the date of this Agreement to employees, directors, consultants and other service providers (as compensation for services) shall be subject to vesting over a four (4) year period as follows: (i) twenty five percent (25%) of such stock shall vest at the end of the first year following the date of issuance or the date such person’s services commence with the Company, as applicable, and (ii) seventy five percent (75%) of such stock shall vest in equal monthly increments for each full month of employment thereafter over the next three (3) years. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, with respect to any unvested portion of any restricted stock that is Employee Stock, the Company shall have a repurchase option upon the holder’s termination of employment or service with the Company at no more than cost. In addition, the Company shall have a right of first refusal on any Employee Stock in the event of any proposed transfer or sale of such Employee Stock.
3.8 Termination of Covenants. The covenants set forth in this Section 3 shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) the closing of the Company’s Initial Public Offering; (ii) when the Company first becomes subject to the periodic reporting requirements of Section 12(g) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and (ii) a Corporate Event.
Section 4
Right of First Refusal
4.1 Right of First Refusal to Significant Holders. The Company hereby grants to each Significant Holder the right of first refusal to purchase its pro rata share of New Securities (as defined in this Section 4.1(a)) which the Company may, from time to time, propose to sell and issue after the date of this Agreement. A Significant Holder’s pro rata share, for purposes of this right of first refusal, is equal to the ratio of (a) the number of shares of Common Stock owned by such Significant Holder immediately prior to the issuance of New Securities (assuming full conversion of the Shares and full conversion of all outstanding convertible securities held by such Significant Holder) to (b) the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of New Securities (assuming full conversion of the Shares and full conversion of all outstanding convertible securities). This right of first refusal shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) “New Securities” shall mean any capital stock (including Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock) of the Company whether now authorized or not, and rights, convertible securities, options or warrants to purchase such capital stock, and securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, exercisable or convertible into capital stock, other than (i) securities that are excluded from the definition of “Additional Stock” pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.4.5(d)(vi)(1) through (10) of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time (or any successor provision) and (ii) securities that are designated in writing as excluded from the definition of New Securities by the Significant Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Significant Holders.
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(b) In the event the Company proposes to undertake an issuance of New Securities, it shall give each Significant Holder written notice of its intention, describing the type of New Securities, and their price and the general terms upon which the Company proposes to issue the same. Each Significant Holder shall have ten (10) business days after any such notice is deemed to be delivered (pursuant to Section 5.2) to agree to purchase such Holder’s pro rata share of such New Securities for the price and upon the terms specified in the notice by giving written notice to the Company, in substantially the form attached as Schedule 1, and stating therein the quantity of New Securities to be purchased.
(c) In the event the Holders fail to exercise fully the right of first refusal within said ten (10) day period (the “Election Period”), the Company shall have ninety (90) days thereafter to sell or enter into an agreement (pursuant to which the sale of New Securities covered thereby shall be closed, if at all, within ninety (90) days from the date of said agreement) to sell that portion of the New Securities with respect to which the Significant Holders’ right of first refusal option set forth in this Section 4.1 was not exercised, at a price and upon terms no more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the Company’s notice to Significant Holders delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(b). In the event the Company has not sold within such ninety (90) day period following the Election Period, or such ninety (90) day period following the date of said agreement, the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities, without first again offering such securities to the Significant Holders in the manner provided in this Section 4.1.
(d) The right of first refusal granted under this Agreement shall expire upon the earlier of, and shall not be applicable to, (i) the Company’s initial public offering with a firm commitment underwriting by a nationally recognized firm pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act covering the offering and sale of the Company’s Common Stock, with a per share offering price of at least four (4) times the original Series A Issue Price (as defined in Section 4.4.5(a) of the Restated Articles) and aggregate proceeds to the Company of not less than $10,000,000, (ii) the date on which the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and (iii) any Corporate Event.
Section 5
Miscellaneous
5.1 Amendment. Except as expressly provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument referencing this Agreement and signed by the Company and the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities (excluding any of such shares that have been sold to the public or pursuant to Rule 144); provided, however, that Holders purchasing shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series A-1 Preferred Stock may become parties to this Agreement by executing a counterpart of this Agreement without any amendment of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph or any consent or approval of any other Holder. Any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon each Holder and each future holder of all such securities of Holder. Each Holder acknowledges that by the operation of this paragraph, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities (excluding any of such shares that have been sold to the public or pursuant to Rule 144) will have the right and power to diminish or eliminate all rights of such Holder under this Agreement.
5.2 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile (if to an Investor or Holder) or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:
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(a) if to an Investor, to such Investor’s address or facsimile number as shown in the exhibits to this Agreement or in the Company’s records, as may be updated in accordance with the provisions hereof; or
(b) if to the Company, to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, or at such other current address as the Company shall have furnished to the Investors or Holders, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx at Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, Professional Corporation, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000.
Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or for notices both sent and received within the United States, if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier and for notices sent or received outside the United States, if sent via an internationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, three business days after deposit with the courier), or (ii) for notices both sent and received within the United States, if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via facsimile, upon confirmation of facsimile transfer, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipient’s next business day. In the case of a notice given by the means specified in (i) or (iii) a copy of the notice shall also be sent by e-mail to the recipient. In the event of any conflict between the Company’s books and records and this Agreement or any notice delivered hereunder, the Company’s books and records will control absent fraud or error. A “business day” shall be a day on which banks are open for business (other than a Saturday) in both London, United Kingdom, and Seattle, Washington, USA. A person can change its details for notice by giving notice in accordance with this section.
5.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the internal laws of the State of Washington as applied to agreements entered into among Washington residents to be performed entirely within Washington, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
5.4 Successors and Assigns. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, and any and all rights, duties and obligations hereunder, shall not be assigned, transferred, delegated or sublicensed by any Investor without the prior written consent of the Company other than to a Permitted Assignee. Any attempt by an Investor without such permission to assign, transfer, delegate or sublicense any rights, duties or obligations that arise under this Agreement shall be void. Subject to the foregoing and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
5.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the exhibits hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and supersedes in its entirety the Prior Rights Agreement, which shall have no further force and effect. No party hereto shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner with regard to the subjects hereof or thereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein.
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5.6 Delays or Omissions. Except as expressly provided herein, no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party to this Agreement upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-defaulting party, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party to this Agreement, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
5.7 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
5.8 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to sections, paragraphs and exhibits shall, unless otherwise provided, refer to sections and paragraphs hereof and exhibits attached hereto.
5.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties that execute such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
5.10 Telecopy Execution and Delivery. A facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties hereto and delivered by such party by facsimile or any similar electronic transmission device pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen. Such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes. At the request of any party hereto, all parties hereto agree to execute and deliver an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction hereof.
5.11 Jurisdiction; Venue. The parties, by their execution of this Agreement, hereby irrevocably submit to the in persona jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Washington and of the United States District Courts that are located in King County, Washington, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement.
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5.12 Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver, by the proper exercise of its corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other powers, all such other and additional instruments and documents and do all such other acts and things as may be necessary to more fully effectuate this Agreement.
5.13 Conflict. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Company’s articles of incorporation or its bylaws, the terms of the Company’s articles of incorporation or its bylaws, as the case may be, will control.
5.14 Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any suit or action is instituted to enforce any provision in this Agreement, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with respect to this Agreement.
5.15 Aggregation of Stock. All securities held or acquired by affiliated entities (including affiliated venture capital funds) or persons shall be aggregated together for purposes of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.
(signature pages follow)
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The parties are signing this Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory clause.
BLUE MARBLE ENERGY CORPORATION, | ||
a Washington corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |
Its: | Co-CEO/CBO |
The parties are signing this Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory clause.
SERIES A INVESTOR: | |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |
Xxxxx X. Xxxx |
The parties are signing this Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory clause.
INVESTORS: |
PRINT INVESTOR NAME |
INVESTOR (if individual) | INVESTOR (if entity): | ||
By: | |||
Signature | |||
Name: | |||
Signature of Co-Signer (if any) | |||
Its: | |||
Name of Co-Signer (Type or Print) |