FINANCIAL PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTING AGREEMENT
May 15,
2009
FINANCIAL
PUBLIC RELATIONS
THIS
FINANCIAL PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTING AGREEMENT, made this 15th day of May 2009
(the “Execution Date”), by and between: US SOLARTECH, INC., a Delaware
corporation with its principal office located at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (hereinafter referred to
as the "COMPANY") and XXXXXXX
X. XXXXX, located at 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
engaged in providing financial public relations services (hereinafter referred
to as "CONSULTANT").
WITNESSETH
THAT:
WHEREAS, the COMPANY requires certain
financial public relations services and desires to retain CONSULTANT, as an
independent contractor consultant, to provide such services, and CONSULTANT is
agreeable to such employment, and the parties desire a written document
formalizing their relationship and evidencing the terms of their
agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, and in consideration of the mutual
promises and covenants, the parties have agreed as follows:
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1.
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APPOINTMENT. The
COMPANY hereby appoints CONSULTANT as its non-exclusive financial public
relations advisor and hereby retains CONSULTANT, on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. CONSULTANT accepts such
appointment and agrees to perform the services upon the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
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2.
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TERM. The
term of this Agreement shall begin on May 15, 2009 and shall terminate on
May 14, 2012. This Agreement shall supersede any and all oral agreements
under which the parties have operated prior to the effective date of this
Agreement
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3.
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SERVICES. CONSULTANT
shall act, generally, as a non-exclusive financial public relations
consultant, using CONSULTANT’S best efforts in connection with performing
the following services (the “Services”) provided that to the Company’s
knowledge, the COMPANY is compliant with respect to the COMPANY’S filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (such filings being the “SEC
Filings”) in all material
respects:
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a.
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As
the COMPANY shall request or direct, CONSULTANT shall assist in
establishing relationships with, and advising the COMPANY with respect to,
current and prospective market makers regarding making a market in the
COMPANY’S securities, as well as broker-dealers, underwriters, and
analysts with respect to all matters associated with the COMPANY’S
securities, including, but not limited to efforts toward securing market
makers in connection with quotation of the COMPANY’S common stock on the
OTC Bulletin Board or the
NASDAQ;
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b.
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CONSULTANT
shall assist the COMPANY in identifying and approaching prospective
investors in the COMPANY’S securities and serve, at the COMPANY’S request
as a liaison between the COMPANY and such persons; however, as provided in
Section 4, CONSULTANT shall not participate directly or indirectly between
the COMPANY and such person with respect to structuring and/or closing a
transaction;
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c.
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CONSULTANT
shall advise the COMPANY with respect to communications and information,
including, but not limited to: interviews, articles, newsletters, press
releases, and other communications about the COMPANY as well as planning,
designing, developing, organizing, and distributing such communications
and information as the COMPANY may request or
direct.
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d.
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CONSULTANT
shall advise the COMPANY generally with respect to matters associated with
investor relations, including, but not limited to, reviewing shareholder
reports and newsletters, and advising on matters associated with special
and regular shareholder meetings.
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e.
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As
the COMPANY shall request or direct, CONSULTANT shall seek to make the
COMPANY, its management, its business plan and concept, and its financial
situation and prospects, known to the financial press and publications,
broker-dealers, mutual funds, institutional investors, market makers,
broker-dealers, private equity, hedge and other funds, and other members
of the financial community, through means including, but not limited to,
procurement of interviews of the COMPANY’S officers and executives by the
financial media and by analysts, market makers, broker-dealers, and other
members of the financial community.
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f.
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CONSULTANT,
in providing the foregoing services, shall be responsible for all costs of
providing the services including, but not limited to, out-of-pocket
expenses for travel, entertainment, postage, delivery service, (e.g.,
Federal Express), and telephone/ facsimile charges. For the avoidance of
doubt, CONSULTANT'S compensation under Paragraph 9 shall be deemed to
include all CONSULTANT'S costs and
expenses.
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g.
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In
connection with CONSULTANT’S provision of the foregoing services,
CONSULTANT will regularly review SEC Filings and familiarize himself with
the COMPANY’S most updated public
disclosures.
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4.
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EXCLUDED
SERVICES. CONSULTANT is not a registered broker-dealer
or licensed brokerage firm and nothing contained in this Agreement shall
be construed to require that CONSULTANT provide any services which would
require such registration or licensing including, but not limited to, the
raising of capital or the sale of
securities.
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5.
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LIMITATIONS ON
SERVICES. The parties recognize that certain
responsibilities and obligations are imposed by federal and state
securities laws and by the applicable rules and regulations of stock
exchanges, the National Association of Securities Dealers, in-house
"due-diligence" or "compliance" departments of brokerage houses,
etc. Accordingly, CONSULTANT
agrees:
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a.
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CONSULTANT
shall not release any financial or other information or data about the
COMPANY without the consent and approval of the COMPANY and all written
materials to be provided to a third party, shall be pre-approved by the
COMPANY in writing.
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b.
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CONSULTANT
shall not conduct any meetings with financial analysts without informing
the COMPANY in advance of the proposed meeting and the format or agenda of
such meeting and providing the COMPANY with an opportunity to have a
representative of the COMPANY attend such
meeting.
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c.
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CONSULTANT
shall NOT release any information or data about the COMPANY which is not
disclosed in SEC Filings.
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d.
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CONSULTANT
acknowledges that the COMPANY has filed a registration statement
registering the resale of the COMPANY’S common stock on form S-1, and
understands that such filing triggers restrictions on permitted activities
with respect to sale of the COMPANY’S securities. Accordingly, at present
and at any other time during which a registration statement has been filed
through the conclusion six months (or such other period providing for a
safe harbor from integration under Regulation D of the Securities Act of
1933 as shall be in effect) following the effective date of any
registration statement, CONSULTANT must confirm with the COMPANY that the
COMPANY’S counsel has no objection to CONSULTANT’S planned
activities.
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e.
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CONSULTANT
shall NOT, take any action or advise or knowingly permit the COMPANY to
take any action, which could violate any United States federal or state or
foreign securities laws or rules and regulations issued thereunder, or any
other applicable law.
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6.
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DUTIES OF
COMPANY.
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a.
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From
time to time, the COMPANY shall provide CONSULTANT with such information
which COMPANY deems appropriate and relevant to CONSULTANT in connection
with CONSULTANT’S performance of the Services, including, but not limited
to, sharing the COMPANY’S marketing materials with the
COMPANY.
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b.
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COMPANY
shall promptly notify CONSULTANT of the filing of any registration
statement for the sale of securities and of any other event which triggers
restrictions on publicity.
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c.
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COMPANY
shall endeavor to contemporaneously notify CONSULTANT if any information
or data being supplied to CONSULTANT has not been generally released or
promulgated, provided that CONSULTANT shall remain solely responsible for
CONSULTANT’S compliance with applicable rules pertaining to protection of
material non-public information.
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7.
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REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES.
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a.
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The
COMPANY represents that it has not knowingly provided CONSULTANT with any
information which is misleading.
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b.
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CONSULTANT
represents and warrants that CONSULTANT has the experience, skills,
business connections and reputation necessary to perform his duties
hereunder.
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c.
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CONSULTANT
represents and warrants that CONSULANT shall use his best efforts to
familiarize himself with the COMPANY’S SEC Filings and other information
provided by the COMPANY, and that CONSULTANT’S statements to third parties
shall not go beyond the scope of such
information.
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d.
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CONSULTANT
represents and warrants that he is not currently, and has never been, the
subject of a formal or to the best of CONSULTANT’S knowledge an informal
investigation by, or been fined, censured, reprimanded, or suspended by,
the SEC, any state securities authority, or any other state, federal or
other government or administrative body regarding any civil or criminal
action in the United States or any foreign jurisdiction, and undertakes to
immediately inform the COMPANY in writing upon becoming aware of any of
the foregoing. CONSULTANT undertakes to comply with all federal
and state securities laws and any other applicable
laws.
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8.
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INDEMNIFICATION.
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a.
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COMPANY
hereby agrees to indemnify CONSULTANT against, and to hold CONSULTANT
harmless from, any claims, demands, suits, loss, and damages directly
arising out of the COMPANY’S breach of its obligations under this
Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any
provision herein, the COMPANY shall not be liable for any consequential
damages or claims for lost opportunities or
profits. Notwithstanding any provision herein, absent the
COMPANY’S gross negligence or willful misconduct, the COMPANY’S
indemnification obligation hereunder shall be limited to the aggregate
amount of investments from individuals introduced by CONSULTANT to the
COMPANY pursuant to this Agreement.
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b.
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CONSULTANT
hereby agrees to indemnify the COMPANY against, and to hold the COMPANY
harmless from any claims, demands, suits, loss, and damages directly
arising out of CONSULTANT’S breach of its obligations under this
Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any
provision herein, the CONSULTANT shall not be liable for any consequential
damages or claims for lost opportunities or
profits. Notwithstanding any provision herein, absent the
CONSULTANT’S gross negligence or willful misconduct, the CONSULTANT’S
indemnification obligation hereunder shall be limited to the aggregate
amount of investments from individuals introduced by CONSULTANT to the
COMPANY pursuant to this Agreement.
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c.
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An
indemnifying part hereunder shall be entitled to select counsel and
control the process concerning, including the rendering of all material
decisions, any indemnification
hereunder.
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9.
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COMPENSATION.
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a.
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In
consideration for CONSULTANT’S provision of services hereunder, COMPANY
shall compensate CONSULTANT in accordance with Schedule A
hereto, at the times and subject to CONSULTANT’S having
met each of the previous milestones set forth
therein. The COMPANY shall be under no obligation to register
the resale of the securities issued hereunder, or the securities issuable
upon exercise thereof, and shall have the right to require CONSULTANT to
make reasonable representations in connection with the issuance
thereof.
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b.
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The
parties acknowledge that in negotiating this fee arrangement they
recognize that the Services will probably not be performed in equal
monthly segments, but may be substantial during the early portion of the
term and less intensive thereafter as relationships and communications
lines are established directly by the
COMPANY.
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10.
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RELATIONSHIP OF
PARTIES. CONSULTANT is an independent contractor,
responsible for compensation of its agents, employees and representatives,
as well as all applicable withholding therefrom and taxes thereon,
including unemployment compensation and all workers’ compensation
insurance. This Agreement does not establish any partnership, joint
venture, or other business entity or association between the parties and
neither party is intended to have any interest in the business or property
of the other. Notwithstanding any provision herein, CONSULTANT
shall have no authority to obligate or bind the COMPANY in any manner, and
any representation or action by CONSULTANT implying the contrary shall
constitute a material breach of this
Agreement.
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11.
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TERMINATION. This
agreement may not be terminated by either party prior to the expiration of
the term provided in Paragraph 2 above except as
follows:
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a.
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Upon
failure of the other party to cure a default under, or a breach of, this
Agreement within thirty (30) days after written notice is given as to such
breach by the terminating party;
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b.
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Upon
the bankruptcy or liquidation of the other party, whether voluntary or
involuntary;
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c.
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Upon
the other party taking the benefit of any insolvency law;
and/or
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d.
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Upon
the other party having or applying for a receiver for all or a substantial
part of such party's assets or
business.
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For the
avoidance of doubt, CONSULTANT shall not be entitled to receive any unearned
compensation hereunder subsequent to termination.
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12.
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CONFIDENTIALITY. The
parties acknowledge that during the course of their relationship that
CONSULTANT may acquire information regarding the COMPANY or its
affiliates, its business activities, strategies, pricing, network
information, services, products and operations or those of its clients
(actual or potential), customers and suppliers, and its trade secrets,
whether oral or written, of a confidential and proprietary nature (“Confidential
Information”). CONSULTANT shall hold such Confidential Information
in strict confidence and shall not reveal the same, except for any
information which is: (a) generally available to or known to the public;
(b) known to CONSULTANT prior to the negotiations leading to this
Agreement; (c) independently developed by CONSULTANT outside the scope of
this Agreement; (d) lawfully received by CONSULTANT from a third party
without any obligation of confidentiality; (e) approved in writing for
disclosure by the COMPANY; or (f) required to be disclosed pursuant to any
binding legal, judicial or governmental request. This paragraph
shall be binding upon the parties and shall survive expiration or
termination of this Agreement or any subsequent legally binding definitive
agreement between the parties for a period of one (1) year after such
expiration or termination.
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13.
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ATTORNEY'S
FEES. Should either party default in the terms or
conditions of this Agreement and suit be filed as result of such default,
the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs incurred as a
result of such default including all costs and reasonable attorney's fees,
expenses and court costs through trial and
appeal.
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14.
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WAIVER OF
BREACH. The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate to be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the other
party.
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15.
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ASSIGNMENT. The
rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors, and assigns of
the parties, provided that notwithstanding any provision herein,
CONSULTANT shall not assign this Agreement and any attempt at such
Assignment shall constitute a breach of this Agreement and
shall be ineffective.
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16.
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NOTICES. Any
notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be
sufficient if in writing, and if sent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the party’s address set forth in the preamble
hereto.
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17.
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OWNERSHIP OF MARKETING
MATERIALS. CONSULTANT acknowledges that brochures,
marketing materials and other materials prepared by the COMPANY or
CONSULTANT in connection with CONSULTANT’S performance of the Services
shall be deemed the sole and exclusive property of the COMPANY and the
COMPANY hereby grants CONSULTANT a non-exclusive, revocable license to use
all such materials. Any materials prepared by CONSULTANT in
connection herewith shall be deemed “work for
hire.”
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18.
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GOVERNING LAW,
DISPUTES. The Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. The parties
hereto hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of any federal or
state court located within the State of New York and that all claims,
actions or proceedings related to the subject matter hereof may be heard
and determined in such courts.
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19.
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SEVERABILITY. In the
event that a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this
Agreement to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, it is the intention of
the parties that such court shall modify such provision as necessary so
that it shall be legal, valid and enforceable. The illegality,
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
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20.
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ENTIRE
AGREEMENT. This instrument contains the entire agreement
of the parties and supersedes all prior communications and agreements,
whether oral or written, between the parties prior to the date hereof and
may be modified only by agreement in writing, signed by the party against
whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension, or
discharge is sought
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, have
executed this Agreement.
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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US
SOLARTECH, INC.
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By:
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Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, CFO
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8
SCHEDULE
A
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1.
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On
the forty-fifth day following the Execution Date, the COMPANY shall issue
to CONSULTANT options to purchase One Hundred Thousand
(100,000) shares of the COMPANY’S Common Stock, substantially under the
same terms provided in the warrants issued by the COMPANY in
connection with the COMPANY’S conversion to a Delaware corporation
(“Options ”) at an exercise price of $2.00 per share; provided that by
such date, CONSULTANT shall, in addition to performing the Services, have
accomplished all of the following:
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·
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Introduced
the COMPANY to a market maker(s) not previously introduced to the COMPANY,
and assisted the COMPANY in securing a market maker
that (i) agreed to make a bona fide market in the
COMPANY’S common stock on the OTB Bulletin Board and (ii) timely
filed FINRA report(s) and other reports in connection
therewith;
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·
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Arranged
a minimum of two (2) meetings with separate investment bankers acceptable
to the COMPANY and not previously introduced to the COMPANY to discuss
financing and other investment banking activities with the
COMPANY.
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2.
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On
the date which is eighteen (18) months following the Execution Date, the
COMPANY shall issue to CONSULTANT, Options to purchase Fifty Thousand
(50,000) shares of the COMPANY’S common stock, at an exercise price of
$3.00 per share; provided that by such date, CONSULTANT, shall in addition
to performing the Services, have accomplished all the
following:
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·
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Arranged for a minimum of
three (3) additional meetings with separate market makers acceptable to
the COMPANY and not previously introduced to the COMPANY, toward
maintaining bona
fide markets for the COMPANY’S common
stock.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of three (3) meetings with separate broker dealers,
including analysts acceptable to the COMPANY and not previously introduced
to the COMPANY in order to assist the Company in increasing its market
exposure with broker dealers, including research
analysts.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of three (3) additional meetings (in addition to the
meetings described elsewhere on this Schedule A)
with investment bankers acceptable to the COMPANY and not previously
introduced to the COMPANY to discuss financing and other investment
banking activities with the
COMPANY.
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3.
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On
the date which is twenty four (24) months following the Execution Date,
the COMPANY shall issue to CONSULTANT Options to purchase Fifty Thousand
(50,000) shares of the Company’s Common Stock, at an exercise price of
$3.00 per share; provided that by such date, CONSULTANT, in addition to
performing the other Services, shall have accomplished all of the
following:
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of two (2) additional meetings (in addition to the meetings
described elsewhere on this Schedule A)
with market makers acceptable to the COMPANY and not previously introduced
to the COMPANY, toward maintaining bona fide markets for
the COMPANY’S common stock.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of three (3) additional meetings (in addition to the
meetings described elsewhere on this Schedule A)
with broker dealers, including analysts acceptable to the COMPANY in order
to assist the Company in increasing its market exposure with broker
dealers, including research
analysts.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of two (2) additional meetings (in addition to the meetings
described elsewhere on this Schedule A)
with reputable investment bankers acceptable to the COMPANY and not
previously introduced to the COMPANY, to discuss financing and other
investment banking activities with the
COMPANY.
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4.
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On
the date which is thirty (30) months following the Execution Date, the
COMPANY shall issue to CONSULTANT Options to purchase Fifty Thousand
(50,000) shares of the Company’s Common Stock, at an exercise price of
$4.00 per share; provided that by such date, CONSULTANT, in addition to
performing the Services, shall have accomplished all of the
following:
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·
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Arranged for a minimum of
one (1) meeting with additional market makers acceptable to the COMPANY,
and not previously introduced to the COMPANY, toward maintaining bona fide markets for
the COMPANY’S common stock.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of three (3) additional meetings with broker dealers,
including analysts acceptable to the COMPANY and not previously introduced
to the COMPANY, in order to assist the Company in increasing its market
exposure with broker dealers, including research
analysts.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of two (2) additional meetings with investment bankers
acceptable to the COMPANY, and not previously introduced to the COMPANY,
to discuss financing and other investment banking activities with the
COMPANY.
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5.
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On
the date which is thirty-six (36) months following the Execution
Date, the COMPANY shall issue to CONSULTANT Options to purchase
Fifty Thousand (50,000) shares of the Company’s Common Stock, at an
exercise price of $4.00 per share; provided that by such date, CONSULTANT,
in addition to performing the Services, shall have accomplished all of the
following:
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of one (1) additional meeting with market makers acceptable
to the COMPANY, and not previously introduced to the COMPANY, toward
maintaining bona
fide markets for the COMPANY’S common
stock.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of three (3) additional meetings with broker dealers
acceptable to the COMPANY, and not previously introduced to the COMPANY,
in order to assist the Company in increasing its market exposure with
broker dealers, including research
analysts.
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·
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Arranged
for a minimum of one (1) additional meeting with an investment banker
acceptable to the COMPANY, and not previously introduced to the COMPANY,
to discuss financing and other investment banking activities with the
COMPANY.
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The
Options shall be exercisable within three (3) years of issuance.
For the
avoidance of doubt, market makers, broker dealers, and investment bankers
referred to herein must be fully licensed to perform the functions they perform,
reputable in their professions, and not be the subject of any formal or informal
civil or criminal investigation by the Securities Exchange Commission, any state
securities commission, or any other governmental or regulatory
authority.
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