20,000,000 Units SEANERGY MARITIME CORP. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
20,000,000 Units
Maxim Group LLC
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
As Representative of the Underwriters
named on Schedule A hereto
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
As Representative of the Underwriters
named on Schedule A hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Seanergy Maritime Corp., a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (“Company”), hereby confirms its
agreement with Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim” or the “Representative”) and with the other underwriters
named on Schedule A hereto for which Maxim is acting as representative (the Representative
and the other underwriters being collectively referred to herein as the “Underwriters” or,
individually, an “Underwriter”) as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Securities.
1.1. Firm Securities.
1.1.1. Purchase of Firm Units. On the basis of the representations and warranties
herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to the several Underwriters, severally and not jointly, an aggregate of 20,000,000
units, plus any other units that may be included on a registration statement (“Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement”) filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Act (as defined below)
(the “Firm Units”) of the Company’s securities at a purchase price (net of discounts and
commissions, $.225 of which shall be deposited into the Trust Account (as defined below)) of $9.40
per Firm Unit. The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the
number of Firm Units set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A attached hereto and
made a part hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions ($0.225 of which shall be
deposited into the Trust Account pursuant to Section 1.5)) of $9.40 per Firm Unit. The Firm Units
are to be offered initially to the public (the “Offering”) at the offering price of $10.00 per Firm
Unit. Each Firm Unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $.0001 per
share (the “Common Stock”), and one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (the
“Warrant(s)”). The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Firm Units will not be
separately transferable until the 10th business day following the earlier to occur of: (i) the
expiration of the Underwriters’ Over-Allotment
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 2 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 2 of 45
Option (as defined in Section 1.2.1 hereof) or (ii) its exercise in full subject to (a) the
preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by the Company of the
proceeds of the Offering and the filing of such audited balance sheet with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on a Form 8–K or similar form by the Company which includes
such balance sheet; and (b) the Company issues a press release and files the same with the
Commission in a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing when such separate trading will begin. Each
Warrant entitles its holder to purchase one share of Common Stock for $6.50 per share during the
period commencing on the later of: (i) the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination
(as defined below) or (ii) one year from the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the
Registration Statement (as defined below) and terminating on the four-year anniversary of the
Effective Date. As used herein, the term “Business Combination” shall mean any acquisition of,
through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination,
one or more businesses in the maritime shipping industry, but will not be limited to pursuing
acquisition opportunities only within that industry. The Company has the right to redeem the
Warrants upon not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice at a price of $0.01 per Warrant at any
time; provided, however, that the last sale price of the Common Stock has been at least $14.25 for
any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third day prior
to the day on which notice is given. As used herein, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day
other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which national banks in New York, New York are not open
for business.
1.1.2. Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at
10:00 A.M., New York time, on the third Business Day (as elsewhere defined) following the Effective
Date (or the fourth Business Day following the Effective Date, if the Registration Statement is
declared effective after 4:30 p.m.) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the
Representative and the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall
be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The closing of the Offering is referred to
herein as the “Closing” and the hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Units is
referred to herein as the “Closing Date.” Payment for the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing
Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified
or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds. $200,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit;
$230,000,000 if the Over-allotment Option (as defined in Section 1.2) is exercised in full) of the
proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units and the Private Placement (as defined in
Section 1.4) shall be deposited into the trust account (the “Trust Account”) established by the
Company for the benefit of the public shareholders and the Underwriters, as described in the
Registration Statement and pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (the
“Trust Agreement”), which amount includes up to $4,500,000 ($0.225 per Firm Unit; $5,625,000 if the
Over-allotment Option is exercised in full, which represents $0.375 per Option Unit (as defined
below)), plus interest thereon, payable to the Underwriters as contingent compensation upon
consummation of a Business Combination (subject to Section 1.5 hereof). The remaining proceeds
(less commissions, expense allowance and actual expense payments or other fees payable pursuant to
this Agreement), if any, shall be paid to the order of the Company upon delivery to the
Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters)
representing the Firm Units (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”))
for the account of the Underwriters. The Firm
2
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 3 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 3 of 45
Units shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the
Representative may request in writing at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The
Company will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units for delivery, at least
one full Business Day prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or
deliver the Firm Units except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.
1.2. Over-Allotment Option.
1.2.1. Option Units. For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection
with the distribution and sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally
and not jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 units from the Company (the
“Over-allotment Option”). Such additional 3,000,000 units shall be identical in all respects to
the Firm Units and are hereinafter referred to as “Option Units.” The Firm Units and the Option
Units are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Units” and the Units, the shares of Common
Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Public Securities.” The purchase
price to be paid for each Option Unit (net of discounts and commissions) will be $9.40 per Option
Unit (with $.375 of the underwriting discount being deposited in the Trust Account pursuant to
Section 1.5). The Option Units are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price of
$10.00 per Option Unit.
1.2.2. Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to
Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part
(from time to time) of the Option Units within 45 days after the Effective Date. The Underwriters
will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units prior to the exercise of the
Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of
oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight
mail or facsimile transmission setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased and the
date and time for delivery of, and payment for, the Option Units, which will not be later than five
(5) Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the
Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Representative or at such other place and in
such other manner as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery
and payment for the Option Units does not occur on the Closing Date, the date and time of the
closing for such Option Units will be as set forth in the notice (hereinafter the “Option Closing
Date”). Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to
the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will
become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Units specified in such notice. If any Option
Units are to be purchased each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the
number of Option Units that bears the same proportion to the total number of Firm Units set forth
in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter.
1.2.3. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Option Units shall be made on the Option
Closing Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day)
3
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 4 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 4 of 45
funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, by deposit
of the sum of $9.40 per Option Unit (with $.375 of the underwriting discount being deposited into
the Trust Account as set forth in Section 1.5) in the Trust Account pursuant to the Trust Agreement
upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the
Underwriters) representing the Option Units (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of
the Underwriters. The certificates representing the Option Units to be delivered will be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Representative requests not less than two
Business Days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and will be
made available to the Representative for inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office
of the Company’s transfer agent or correspondent not less than one full Business Day prior to such
Closing Date or Option Closing Date.
1.3. Representative’s Purchase Option.
1.3.1. Purchase Option. The Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the
Representative (and/or their designees) on the Closing Date an option (“Representative’s Purchase
Option”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 units (the “Representative’s Units”) for an
aggregate purchase price of $100.00. Each of the Representative’s Units is identical to the Firm
Units. The Representative’s Purchase Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing
on the date that is sixth months from the Effective Date and expiring on the five-year anniversary
of the Effective Date at an initial exercise price per Representative’s Unit of $12.50, which is
equal to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the initial public offering price of a
Unit. The Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Units, the shares of Common Stock
(the “Representative’s Shares”) and the Warrants (the “Representative’s Warrants”) included in the
Representative’s Units and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Representative’s Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Representative’s
Securities.” The Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “Securities.”
1.3.2. Delivery and Payment. Delivery and payment for the Representative’s Purchase
Option shall be made on the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the Representative, upon
payment therefor, certificates for the Representative’s Purchase Option in the name or names and in
such authorized denominations as the Representative may request.
1.4. Private Placement. Prior to the Closing Date, all of the executive officers of
the Company and their designees, or entities wholly owned by them (the “Placement Investors”), each
of them being a “Non-US Person,” as such term is defined under Regulation S of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), purchased from the Company pursuant to the Subscription Agreements
(as defined in Section 2.25.2 hereof) an aggregate of 14,961,111 warrants identical to the Warrants
(the “Placement Warrants”) at a purchase price of $.90 per Placement Warrant in a private placement
(the “Private Placement”) effected pursuant to Regulation S under the Act. The Placement Warrants
and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Placement Warrants are hereinafter
referred to collectively as the “Placement Securities.” No underwriting discounts, commissions or
placement fees have been or will be payable in connection with the Private Placement. None of the
Placement Securities
4
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 5 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 5 of 45
may be sold, assigned or transferred by the Placement Investors until after consummation of a
Business Combination. The Placement Investors shall have no right to any liquidation distributions
with respect to any portion of the Placement Securities in the event the Company fails to
consummate a Business Combination. The Placement Investors shall not have redemption rights with
respect to the Placement Securities.
1.5. Contingent Portion of Underwriters’ Discount. The Representative, on behalf of
itself and the other Underwriters, agrees that 2.25% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the
Firm Units ($4,500,000) and 3.75% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any Option Units (an
additional $1,125,000 if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full) (collectively, such
amounts are the “Contingent Discount ”) will be deposited in and held in the Trust Account and
payable to the Representative, along with any interest accrued thereon (net of taxes payable on the
interest income earned on the Contingent Discount; provided, however, that the interest earned on
the Contingent Discount and payable to the Representative shall not exceed $420,000), in respect of
any IPO Shares (defined in Section 7.6 hereof) not redeemed pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof upon the
consummation of a Business Combination. The Representative, on behalf of itself and the other
Underwriters, agrees that the several Underwriters shall forfeit any rights or claims to the
Contingent Discount and any interest accrued thereon (net of taxes payable on the interest income
earned on the Contingent Discount) in respect of any IPO Shares that are redeemed pursuant to
Section 7.6 hereof. In addition, in the event that the Company is unable to consummate a Business
Combination and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), the trustee of the
Trust Account, commences liquidation of the Trust Account as provided in the Trust Agreement, the
Representative, on behalf of itself and the other Underwriters, agrees that (i) the several
Underwriters shall forfeit any rights or claims to the Contingent Discount and any interest accrued
thereon (net of taxes payable on the interest income earned on the Contingent Discount); and (ii)
the Contingent Discount, together with the all other amounts on deposit in the Trust Account, and
any accrued interest thereon (net of taxes payable on the interest income earned thereon), shall be
distributed on a pro-rata basis among the holders of the IPO Shares.
1.6. | Working Capital; Interest on Trust; Quarterly Distributions to Public Shareholders. |
1.6.1. Working Capital. Upon consummation of the Offering, $3,000,000 (the “Working
Capital”) of the proceeds of the Private Placement will be released to the Company, in accordance
with Section 3.29 hereof, to fund the working capital requirements of the Company.
1.6.2. Interest Income. All interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account
shall be added to the corpus of the Trust Account; provided, however, that, pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, up to an aggregate of $675,000 if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full (or a
lesser amount if less than the full Over-allotment Option is exercised, pro rata based on the
amount of the Over-allotment Option exercised) of the interest income earned on the Trust Account
will be released to the Company to replace $675,000 of the Working Capital used to pay the costs
and expenses associated with the exercised of the Over-allotment option; provided
5
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 6 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 6 of 45
further, however, that the interest income earned on the Contingent Discount shall be payable
to the Representative, subject to Section 1.5 hereof. The Company will also be permitted to draw
amounts necessary to pay taxes on the interest income earned and any other applicable taxes.
1.6.3. Quarterly Distributions to Public Shareholders. The Company may make quarterly
distributions of interest income earned on the Trust Account (net of: taxes payable and (i) up to
an aggregate of $675,000 of interest income released to the Company pursuant to Section 1.6.2
hereof and (ii) up to $420,000 of interest earned on Maxim Group LLC’s deferred underwriting
compensation) on a pro rata basis to Public Shareholders until the earlier of: (x) the consummation
of a Business Combination or (ii) the Termination Date.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants
to the Underwriters as follows:
2.1. Filing of Registration Statement.
2.1.1. Pursuant to the Act. The Company has filed with the Commission a registration
statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form F-1 (File No. 333-144436), including any
related preliminary prospectus (the “Preliminary Prospectus”), for the registration of the Public
Securities and the Representative’s Securities under the Act (including any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been
prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and
regulations (the “Regulations”) of the Commission under the Act. The conditions for use of Form
F-1 to register the Offering under the Act, as set forth in the General Instructions to such Form,
have been satisfied. Except as the context may otherwise require, any such registration statement,
as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective
(including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed
as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of
such time pursuant to Rule 430A of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Registration
Statement,” and the form of the final prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the
Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of
this Agreement, “Time of Sale”, as used in the Act, means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
date of this Agreement. Prior to the Time of Sale, the Company prepared preliminary prospectuses,
dated July 9, 2007 and September 4, 2007, for distribution by the Underwriters (together the “Sale
Preliminary Prospectus”). If the Company has filed, or is required pursuant to the terms hereof to
file, a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, then, unless otherwise specified, any reference herein
to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement. Other than a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, which, if filed, becomes effective
upon filing, no other document with respect to the Registration Statement has heretofore been filed
with the Commission. All of the Public Securities have been registered under the Act pursuant to
the Registration Statement or, if any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed, will be duly
registered under the Act with the filing of such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. To the extent
a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed, then a corresponding adjustment shall automatically
be made to the applicable
6
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 7 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 7 of 45
terms of this Agreement as necessary to reflect the changes contained in the Prospectus as
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) promulgated under the Act. The Registration Statement has been
declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof. If, subsequent to the date of this
Agreement, the Company or the Representative has determined that at the Time of Sale the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted a statement of
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading and have agreed to provide an opportunity to purchasers of the
Firm Units to terminate their old purchase contracts and enter into new purchase contracts, then
the Sale Preliminary Prospectus will be deemed to include any additional information available to
purchasers at the time of entry into the first such new purchase contract.
2.1.2. Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company has filed with the Commission a Form
8-A (File Number 001-33690) providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of the Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The
registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act has been declared
effective by the Commission on the date hereof.
2.2. No Stop Orders, etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any
foreign or state regulatory authority has issued any order or threatened to issue any order
preventing or suspending the use of any Sale Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or has instituted
or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to
such an order.
2.3. Disclosures in Registration Statement.
2.3.1. 10b-5 Representation. As of the date thereof and at all times subsequent
thereto up to and including September 24, 2007, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus contained all
material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the
Regulations, and did or will, in all material respects, conform to the requirements of the Act and
the Regulations. As of their respective filing and, in the case of the Registration Statement,
effectiveness dates, and at all times subsequent thereto up to the Closing Date and, as applicable,
each Option Closing Date, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained or will contain
all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the
Regulations, and did or will, in all material respects, conform to the requirements of the Act and
the Regulations. Neither the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus nor any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus contained therein, nor any amendment or supplement
thereto, on their respective dates, nor the Sale Preliminary Prospectus as of the Time of Sale did
or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in light of the circumstances
under which they were made), not misleading. When any Preliminary Prospectus or Sale Preliminary
Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as part of the Registration Statement
for the registration of the Securities or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the
Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the
Commission, such Preliminary Prospectus or Sale Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof
and supplements thereto complied or will have been
7
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 8 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 8 of 45
corrected in the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus to comply in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and did not and will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this
Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by
the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus
or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, which information, it is agreed,
shall consist solely of the names of the several Underwriters and the subsections captioned
“Pricing of Securities” and “Foreign Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of the Units” contained in
the section of the Prospectus entitled “Underwriting.”
2.3.2. Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the
Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus conform to the
descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required to
be described in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to
be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so
described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to
which the Company is a party or by which its property or business is or may be bound or affected
and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement or attached as an exhibit thereto, or
(ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is
in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to
the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as
such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under the foreign, federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the
remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may
be brought, and none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and
neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in breach or default
thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or
the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or default thereunder. To the Company’s
knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments
will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or
decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to
environmental laws and regulations.
2.3.3. Prior Securities Transactions. No securities of the Company have been sold by
the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Company since the date of the Company’s formation,
except as disclosed in the Registration Statement.
8
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 9 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 9 of 45
2.3.4. Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus concerning the effects of foreign, federal, state and
local regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material
respects and do not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
2.4. Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.
2.4.1. No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of which information
is given in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except
as otherwise specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the
condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no
material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this
Agreement; (iii) no member of the Company’s board of directors or management has resigned from any
position with the Company and (iv) no event or occurrence has taken place which materially impairs,
or would likely materially impair, with the passage of time, the ability of the members of the
Company’s board of directors or management to act in their capacities with the Company as described
in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
2.4.2. Recent Securities Transactions, etc. Subsequent to the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company
has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent,
for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in
respect to its capital stock.
2.5. Independent Accountants. Xxxxxxxx & Company, P.A. (“Xxxxxxxx”), whose report is
filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent registered public
accountants as required by the Act, the Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (including the rules and regulations promulgated by such entity, the “PCAOB”). To the
Company’s knowledge, Xxxxxxxx is duly registered and in good standing with the PCAOB. Xxxxxxxx has
not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement,
the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services,
as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
2.6. Financial Statements; Statistical Data.
2.6.1. Financial Statements. The financial statements, including the notes thereto
and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus, fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the
Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have
been prepared in conformity with the Regulations, consistently applied
9
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 10 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 10 of 45
throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration
Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein in conformity with the
Regulations. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus. The Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus
disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including
contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or
other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures,
capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. There are no pro forma or as
adjusted financial statements which are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the
Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus in accordance with Regulation S-X of the Regulations
which have not been included as so required.
2.6.2. Statistical Data. The statistical, industry-related and market-related data
included in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus are
based on or derived from sources which the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are
reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.
2.7. Authorized Capital; Options, etc. The Company had at the date or dates indicated
in each of the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the
case may be, duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the
Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based on the
assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth
therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement, the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date and the
Option Closing Date, if any, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares of Common Stock or any security convertible
into shares of Common Stock, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares of Common
Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.
2.8. Valid Issuance of Securities, etc.
2.8.1. Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the
holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of
the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights
granted by the Company. The outstanding shares of Common Stock conform to the descriptions thereof
contained in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. All
offers and sales of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company were at all relevant times either
registered under the Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on
the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares of Common Stock, exempt from
such registration requirements.
10
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 11 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 11 of 45
2.8.2. Securities Sold. The Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for
issuance and when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the
holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such
holders; the Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of
any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate
action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been
duly and validly taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to the descriptions
thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus, as the case may be. When issued, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the
Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective exercise prices
therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with
the terms thereof and such Representative’s Purchase Option, Representative’s Warrants and Warrants
are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under foreign, federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the
remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may
be brought. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Purchase
Option, the Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants have been reserved for issuance upon the
exercise of the respective Warrants upon payment of the consideration therefore, and when issued in
accordance with the terms thereof, will be duly and validly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by
reason of being such holders.
2.8.3. Placement Warrants. The Placement Warrants constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective
exercise prices therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in
accordance with the terms thereof, and such Placement Warrants are enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii)
as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under foreign,
federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive
and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Placement Warrants have been reserved and, when issued in accordance
with the terms of the Placement Warrants, will be duly and validly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable, and the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders.
2.8.4. No Integration. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has, prior to
the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities which are required to be “integrated”
11
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 12 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 12 of 45
pursuant to the Act or the Regulations with the offer and sale of the Securities pursuant to
the Registration Statement.
2.9. Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the
Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company
have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Act
or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.
2.10. Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. This Agreement, the Warrant
Agreement (as defined in Section 2.24 hereof), the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement (as
defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof), the Subscription Agreements (as defined in Section 2.25.2
hereof), the Representative’s Purchase Option (as defined in Section 1.3.1), the Escrow Agreement
(as defined in Section 2.23.3 hereof) and the Registration Rights Agreement by and among the
Company and the Initial Shareholders (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) have been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding
agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any
indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under foreign, federal and state laws; and
(iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief
may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.
2.11. No Conflicts, etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of
this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the
Subscription Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and
therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and
will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a breach
or violation of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default
under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement,
obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company is a party or bound or to which
its property is subject except pursuant to the Trust Agreement; (ii) result in any violation of the
provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the
Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order
or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its properties or business.
2.12. No Defaults; Violations. No material default or violation exists in the due
performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or
instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or
12
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 13 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 13 of 45
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which
any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation of any
term or provision of its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or in
violation of any material franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or
decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its properties or businesses.
2.13. Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.
2.13.1. Conduct of Business. The Company has all requisite corporate power and
authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and
permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date
hereof to conduct its business for the purposes described in the Registration Statement, the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus concerning the effects of foreign, federal, state and
local regulation on this Offering and the Company’s business purpose as currently contemplated are
correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Since its formation, the Company has conducted no business
and has incurred no liabilities other than in connection with and in furtherance of the Offering.
2.13.2. Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and
all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been
obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency
or other body, foreign or domestic, is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery, of the
Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement,
the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Services Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and as
contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus, except
with respect to applicable foreign, federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations
promulgated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”).
2.14. D&O Questionnaires. All information contained in the questionnaires (the
“Questionnaires”) completed by each of the Company’s officers and directors (the
“Directors/Officers”) and Initial Shareholders (as defined below) immediately prior to the Offering
and provided to the Underwriters as well as the biographies attached as exhibits to each person’s
Insider Letter (as defined in Section 2.25.1) is true and correct and the Company has not become
aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the questionnaires
completed by the Directors/Officers and Initial Shareholders to become inaccurate and incorrect.
13
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 14 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 14 of 45
2.15. Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding,
inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best
of the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the
Company’s knowledge, any of the Directors/Officers or any of the shareholders of the Company
immediately prior to the Offering ( the “Initial Shareholders”) which has not been disclosed in the
Registration Statement, the Questionnaires, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
2.16. Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in
which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification,
except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Company, its
business, assets or operations.
2.17. No Contemplation of a Business Combination. Prior to the date hereof, no
Company Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) has, and as of the Closing, the Company and such Company
Affiliates will not have: (a) had any specific Business Combination under consideration or
contemplation; (b) directly or indirectly, contacted any potential target business or their
representatives or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to effecting any
potential Business Combination with the Company or taken any measure, directly or indirectly to
locate a target business; or (c) engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify
or locate any suitable acquisition candidate for the Company.
2.18. Transactions Affecting Disclosure to NASD.
2.18.1. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and
the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating
to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any Company Affiliate
with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or
understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Initial Shareholder that may
affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by the NASD.
2.18.2. The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or
otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of
such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or
provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any NASD member; or (iii) to any person or entity that has
any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any NASD member, within the twelve months
prior to the Effective Date, other than payments to Maxim in connection with the Offering.
2.18.3. No Directors/Officers, or any direct or indirect beneficial owner of any class of the
Company’s securities including the Initial Shareholders and holders of securities purchased in the
Private Placement (whether debt or equity, registered or unregistered, regardless
14
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 15 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 15 of 45
of the time acquired or the source from which derived) (any such individual or entity, a
“Company Affiliate”) is a member, a person associated, or affiliated with a member of the NASD.
2.18.4. No Company Affiliate is an owner of stock or other securities of any member of the
NASD (other than securities purchased on the open market).
2.18.5. No Company Affiliate has made a subordinated loan to any member of the NASD.
2.18.6. No proceeds from the sale of the Public Securities (excluding underwriting
compensation), the Representative’s Securities or Placement Securities will be paid to any NASD
member, or any persons associated or affiliated with a member of the NASD, except as specifically
authorized herein.
2.18.7. Except with respect to Maxim, the Company has not issued any warrants or other
securities, or granted any options, directly or indirectly to anyone who is a potential underwriter
in the Offering or a related person (as defined by NASD rules) of such an underwriter within the
180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement.
2.18.8. No person to whom securities of the Company have been privately issued within the
180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement has any relationship
or affiliation or association with any member of the NASD.
2.18.9. No NASD member intending to participate in the Offering has a conflict of interest
with the Company. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” exists when a member of the NASD
and/or its associated persons, parent or affiliates in the aggregate beneficially own 10% or more
of the Company’s outstanding subordinated debt or common equity, or 10% or more of the Company’s
preferred equity. “Members participating in the Offering” include managing agents, syndicate group
members and all dealers which are members of the NASD.
2.18.10. Except with respect to Maxim in connection with the Offering, the Company has not
entered into any agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, any consulting agreement
or any other type of agreement) during the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the
Registration Statement, which arrangement or agreement provides for the receipt of any item of
value and/or the transfer or issuance of any warrants, options, or other securities from the
Company to an NASD member, any person associated with a member (as defined by NASD rules), any
potential underwriters in the Offering and/or any related persons.
2.19. Taxes.
2.19.1. There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Xxxxxxxx Islands
law, U.S. federal law or the laws of any U.S. state or any political subdivision thereof,
15
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 16 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 16 of 45
required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities.
2.19.2. The Company has filed all non-U.S., U.S. federal, state and local tax returns that are
required to be a filed or has requested extensions thereof, except in any case in which the failure
to so file would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company, taken as a whole, whether or not
arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or
contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus and has
paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against
it, to the extent that any of the foregoing in due and payable, except for any such assessment,
fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith or as would not have a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or
properties of the Company, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of
business, except as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus.
2.20. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of the Company
Affiliates or any other person acting on behalf of the Company is aware of or has taken any action,
directly or indirectly, that: (i) would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”) or
otherwise subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding; (ii) if not done in the past, might have had a material adverse effect on
the Company or the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the
financial statements contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or (iii) if not
continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of
the Company, including, without limitation, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar
benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any
customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any
governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political
party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office
(domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the
business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction). The
Company’s internal accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply
with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.21. Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act. The operations of the Company
are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and
reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transaction Reporting Act of 1970, as amended,
the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any
related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any
governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding
by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the
Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the
Company, threatened.
16
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 17 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 17 of 45
2.22. Patriot Act. Neither the Company nor any Company Affiliate has violated: (i)
the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, or (iii) the Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001,
and/or the rules and regulations promulgated under any such law, or any successor law.
2.23. Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of
the Company and delivered to the Representative or to its counsel shall be deemed a representation
and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
2.24. Warrant Agreement. The Company has entered into a warrant agreement with
respect to the Warrants and the Placement Warrants with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant
Agreement”).
2.25. Agreements With Company Affiliates.
2.25.1. Insider Letters. The Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding
and enforceable agreements (except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as
enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or noncompete provision may be limited under
foreign, federal and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought) annexed as exhibits to
the Registration Statement (the “Insider Letter”), pursuant to which each of the Company Affiliates
agrees to certain matters, including but not limited to, the voting of shares of Common Stock held
by them and certain matters described as being agreed to by them under the “Proposed Business”
Section of the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus.
2.25.2. Subscription Agreement. Each of the Placement Investors has executed and
delivered a subscription agreement, annexed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
(collectively the “Subscription Agreements”), pursuant to which the Placement Investors have, among
other things, purchased an aggregate of 14,961,111 Placement Warrants in the Private Placement.
Pursuant to each of the Subscription Agreements, each of the Placement Investors has waived any and
all rights and claims that it may have to any proceeds, and any interest thereon, held in the Trust
Account in respect of the Placement Securities in the event that a Business Combination is not
consummated and the Trust Account is liquidated in accordance with the terms of the Trust
Agreement.
2.25.3. Escrow Agreement. The Company has caused the Initial Shareholders, to the
extent they own Common Stock of the Company prior to the Offering (excluding securities contained
in the Placement Securities), to enter into an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) with
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Escrow Agent”) substantially in the form filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement whereby the Common
17
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 18 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 18 of 45
Stock owned by such parties prior to the Offering will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent
for a period (the “Escrow Period”) commencing on the Effective Date and expiring on the first
anniversary of the consummation of the Business Combination. During the Escrow Period, such
parties shall be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring such securities (except (a) to
spouses and children of such parties and trusts established for their benefit or (b) after the
consummation of a Business Combination, to participate in a transaction whereby all the outstanding
securities of the Company are exchanged or converted into cash or another entity’s securities;
provided, however, such Initial Shareholders shall retain the right to vote such securities, as
applicable. To the Company’s knowledge, the Escrow Agreement is enforceable against each of the
Initial Shareholders and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or
both, result in a breach of, or conflict with, any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a
default under, and agreement or instrument to which any of the Initial Shareholders is a party.
The Escrow Agreement shall not be amended, modified or otherwise changed without the prior written
consent of Maxim, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
2.25.4. No Director/Officer is subject to any non-competition agreement or non-solicitation
agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect his ability to be and
act in the capacity of a Director/Officer of the Company.
2.26. Investment Management Trust Agreement. The Company has entered into the Trust
Agreement with respect to certain proceeds of the Offering and the Private Placement substantially
in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
2.27. Covenants Not to Compete. No Company Affiliate is subject to any noncompetition
agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially
affect his ability to be a director, officer or employee of the Company.
2.28. Investments. No more than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)) of the Company’s total assets
(exclusive of cash items and “Government Securities,” as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the
Investment Company Act) consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income after taxes is
derived from, securities other than Government Securities.
2.29. Subsidiaries. The Company does not own an interest in any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.
2.30. Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between
or among any of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the one hand, and any director, officer,
shareholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the other hand, which
is required by the Act, the Exchange Act or the Regulations to be described in the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus which is not so described and
described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for
business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company
to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective
family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Sale
18
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 19 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 19 of 45
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. The Company has not extended or maintained credit,
arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal
loan to or for any director or officer of the Company.
2.31. No Influence. The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer,
the Firm Units to any person or entity with the intention of unlawfully influencing: (a) a customer
or supplier of the Company or any affiliate of the Company to alter the customer’s or supplier’s
level or type of business with the Company or such affiliate or (b) a journalist or publication to
write or publish favorable information about the Company or any such affiliate.
2.32. AMEX Rules. As of the Effective Date, the Company’s Board of Directors shall
have validly appointed an audit committee and nominating committee whose composition satisfies the
transitional requirements of the rules and regulations of the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) and
the Company’s Board of Directors and/or audit committee and the nominating committee has each
adopted a charter that satisfies the requirements of AMEX. Neither the Company’s Board of
Directors nor the audit committee thereof has been informed, nor is any director of the Company
aware, of: (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the
Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; or (ii) any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
2.33. Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx. The Company is in material compliance with the provisions of
the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
and related or similar rules and regulations promulgated by AMEX or any other governmental or self
regulatory entity or agency, that are applicable to it as of the date hereof.
2.34. Listing of the Public Securities on AMEX. As of the Effective Date, the Public
Securities have been authorized for listing on the AMEX and, to the Company’s knowledge, no
proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would effect, and no event or circumstance has
occurred as of the Effective Date which is reasonably likely to effect, the listing of the Public
Securities on the AMEX.
2.35. Definition of “Knowledge”. As used in herein, the term “knowledge of the
Company” (or similar language) shall mean the knowledge of the officers and directors of the
Company who are named in the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus, with the assumption that
such officers and directors shall have made reasonable and diligent inquiry of the matters
presented.
3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1. Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company will deliver to the
Representative, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or
19
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 20 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 20 of 45
Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and shall not file any such amendment
or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2. Federal Securities Laws.
3.2.1. Compliance. During the time when a prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Act, the Company will use all reasonable efforts to comply with all requirements imposed
upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange
Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or
dealings in the Public Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If
at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under
the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the
Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as
then amended or supplemented includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary during such
period to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Sale Preliminary Prospectus
and Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and
prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment to
the Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and
Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect
such compliance.
3.2.2. Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and
substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of
Rule 424 of the Regulations.
3.2.3. Exchange Act Registration. For a period of five years from the Effective Date,
or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated and dissolved, the
Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Units, Common Stock and
Warrants (in the case of the Warrants, until the Warrants expire and are no longer exercisable)
under the provisions of the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the Units, Common Stock
or Warrants under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of Maxim.
3.2.4. Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Compliance. As soon as it is legally required to do so, the
Company shall take all actions necessary to obtain and thereafter maintain material compliance with
each applicable provision of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and related or similar rules and regulations promulgated by any other
governmental or self regulatory entity or agency with jurisdiction over the Company.
3.3. Blue Sky Filing. Unless the Securities are listed or quoted, as the case may be,
on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market or AMEX, the Company will endeavor in good
faith, in cooperation with the Representative, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement
becomes effective, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale
20
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 21 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 21 of 45
under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably
designate, provided that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a
result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a
foreign corporation doing business in such jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such
qualification shall be effected, the Company will, unless the Representative agrees that such
action is not at the time necessary or advisable, use all reasonable efforts to file and make such
statements or reports at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction.
3.4. Delivery of Materials to Underwriters. The Company will deliver to each of the
several Underwriters, without charge and from time to time during the period when a prospectus is
required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act, such number of copies of each Sale
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents as such
Underwriters may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to the Representative two manually executed
Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies
of all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all manually executed
consents of certified experts.
3.5. Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative. The Company
will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective and will notify
the Representative immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective
amendment thereto or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of
the issuance by any foreign or state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of
the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the
initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and
delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement
or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from
the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in Section 3.4
hereof that, in the judgment of the Company or its counsel, makes any statement of a material fact
made in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus untrue or
that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary
Prospectus and Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, (with respect to the Prospectus
and the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and in light of the circumstances under which they were made),
not misleading. If the Commission or any foreign or state securities commission shall enter a stop
order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to
obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
3.6. Review of Financial Statements. Until the earlier of five years from the
Effective Date, or until such earlier upon which the Company is required to be liquidated and
dissolved, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified
public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the
first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial information, the
filing of
21
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 22 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 22 of 45
the Company’s Form 10-Q quarterly report (if required) and the mailing of quarterly financial
information to shareholders, if applicable.
3.7. Affiliated Transactions.
3.7.1. Business Combinations. The Company will not consummate a Business Combination
with any entity which is affiliated with any Company Affiliate unless the Company obtains an
opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the Business Combination is fair to the
Company’s shareholders from a financial perspective.
3.7.2. Administrative Services. The Company has entered into an agreement (the
“Services Agreement”) with Diadochi Alvertou Zafet S.A., in the form filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement pursuant to which Diadochi Alvertou Zafet S.A. will make available to the
Company general and administrative services including office space, utilities, receptionist and
secretarial support for the Company’s use for $7,500 per month, which shall be payable out of the
Working Capital.
3.7.3. Compensation. Except as set forth in this Section 3.7, the Company shall not
pay any Company Affiliate or any of their affiliates any fees or compensation from the Company, for
services rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection with, this Offering or the consummation
of a Business Combination; provided that Company Affiliates shall be entitled to reimbursement from
the Company for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the Company’s behalf, which includes an
aggregate of $450,986 in loans which were made to the Company prior to the effective date of the
Registration Statement and expenses incurred by them in connection with seeking and consummating a
Business Combination.
3.8. Secondary Market Trading and Standard & Poor’s. In the event the Public
Securities are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or AMEX or quoted on the Nasdaq Global
Market: (a) the Company will apply to be included in Standard and Poor’s Daily News and Corporation
Records Corporate Descriptions for a period commencing on the Effective Date and expiring on the
fifth anniversary of the consummation of a Business Combination, (b) the Company shall take such
steps as may be necessary to obtain a secondary market trading exemption for the Company’s
securities in such jurisdictions as may be requested by the Representative; provided, however, no
qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would
be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in
such jurisdiction. The Company shall also take such other action as may be reasonably requested by
the Representative to obtain a secondary market trading exemption I such other states as may be
requested by the Representative.
3.9. Warrant Solicitation Fees. The Company hereby engages Maxim, on a non-exclusive
basis, as its agent for the solicitation of the exercise of the Warrants. The Company will
(i) assist Maxim with respect to such solicitation, if requested by Maxim, and (ii) at Maxim’s
request, provide Maxim, and direct the Company’s transfer and warrant agent to provide to Maxim, at
the Company’s cost, lists of the record and, to the extent known, beneficial owners of, the
Warrants. Commencing one year from the Effective Date, the Company will pay
22
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 23 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 23 of 45
Maxim a commission of five percent (5%) of the cash proceeds received upon the exercise of the
Warrants for each Warrant exercised, payable on the date of such exercise, on the terms provided
for in the Warrant Agreement, only if permitted under the rules and regulations of the NASD and
only to the extent that an investor who exercises his Warrants specifically designates, in writing,
that Maxim solicited his exercise. The Company agrees to disclose the arrangement to pay such
solicitation fees to Maxim in any prospectus used by the Company in connection with the
registration of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants.
3.10. Financial Public Relations Firm. Promptly after the execution of a definitive
agreement for a Business Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations firm
reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a term to be agreed upon by the Company and the
Representative.
3.11. Reports to the Representative.
3.11.1. Periodic Reports, etc. For a period of five years from the Effective Date or
until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated and dissolved, the
Company will furnish to the Representative (Attn: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Director of Investment Banking)
and its counsel copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the
Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities, and
promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be
required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and
article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy
of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1 or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company; (iv)
five copies of each registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission under the Act;
(v) a copy of monthly statements, if any, setting forth such information regarding the Company’s
results of operations and financial position (including balance sheet, profit and loss statements
and data regarding outstanding purchase orders) as is regularly prepared by management of the
Company; and (vi) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the
affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time
reasonably request; provided that the Representative shall sign, if requested by the Company, a
Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the
Representative and its counsel in connection with the Representative’s receipt of such information.
Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and
Retrieval System (“XXXXX”) shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Representative pursuant to
this section.
3.11.2. Transfer Sheets. For a period of five years following the Effective Date or
until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall
retain a transfer and warrant agent acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer Agent”) and
during the two (2) year period following the Closing Date, will furnish to the Underwriters at the
Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the
Representative may request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the
Transfer Agent and DTC. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company is acceptable to the
23
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 24 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 24 of 45
Underwriters. In addition, for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, the Company,
at its expense, shall provide the Representative a subscription to the Company’s weekly Depository
Transfer Company Security Position Reports.
3.11.3. Secondary Market Trading Survey. In the event the Public Securities are no
longer listed or quoted, as the case may be, on the New York Stock Exchange, AMEX or the Nasdaq
Global Market, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the
Company shall engage Ellenoff Xxxxxxxx & Schole LLP (“EG&S”), for a one-time fee of $5,000, to
deliver and update to the Underwriters on a timely basis, but in any event at the beginning of each
fiscal quarter, a written report detailing those states in which the Public Securities may be
traded in non-issuer transaction under the Blue Sky laws of the fifty States (the “Secondary Market
Trading Survey”).
3.12. Disqualification of Form F-1 and F-3 or S-1 and S-3. For a period equal to
seven years from the date hereof, the Company will not take any action or actions which may prevent
or disqualify the Company’s use of Form F-1 or F-3 or Form S-1 and S-3 (or other appropriate form)
for the registration of the Warrants under the Act.
3.13. Payment of Expenses.
3.13.1. General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on
each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at Closing
Date, all fees and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the preparation, printing, filing and mailing
(including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) of the Registration Statement, the
Sale Preliminary Prospectus, and the final Prospectus and mailing of this Agreement and related
documents, including the cost of all copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements
thereto supplied to the Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters; (ii) the
printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units, the shares of Common Stock and the
Warrants included in the Units, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iii) the
listing of the Public Securities on AMEX; (iv) filing fees, costs and expenses incurred in
registering the Offering with the NASD (including all COBRADesk fees); (v) fees and disbursements
of the transfer and warrant agent; (vi) costs of placing “tombstone” advertisements in the The Wall
Street Journal, the New York Times and a third publication to be selected by the Representative, in
an amount not to exceed $40,000; (vii) the Company’s own expenses associated with “due diligence”
meetings; (viii) the preparation, binding and delivery of leather bound volumes in quantity, form
and style reasonably satisfactory to the Representative and transaction lucite cubes or similar
commemorative items in a style and quantity as reasonably requested by the Representative; (ix) all
Company costs and expenses associated with “road show” marketing and “due diligence” trips for the
Company’s management to meet with prospective investors, including without limitation, all travel,
food and lodging expenses associated with such trips incurred by the Company; and (x) all other
costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise
specifically provided for in this Section 3.13.1. The Representative may deduct from the net
proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing
24
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 25 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 25 of 45
Date, if any, the expenses set forth above to be paid by the Company to the Representative and
others. The Company also agrees that it will engage and pay for, at the Company’s expense, an
investigative search firm to conduct an investigation of the principals of the Company (such
investigation to cost no more than $3,000 per person). If the Offering is not consummated for any
reason whatsoever, except as a result of the Representatives or any Underwriter’s breach or default
with respect to any of its obligations described in this Agreement, then the Company shall
reimburse the Representative in full for its out of pocket accountable expenses actually incurred
by the Representative, including, without limitation, its legal fees (which legal fees shall not
exceed $100,000 less any amounts previously paid).
3.13.2. Non-accountable Expenses. The Company further agrees that in addition to the
expenses payable pursuant to Section 3.13.1, on the Closing Date, it will pay to the Representative
a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds received by the
Company from the sale of the Firm Units (of which $50,000 has previously been paid) by deduction
from the proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein.
3.13.3. Fee on Business Combination. Upon consummation of a Business Combination, the
Company further agrees that in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to Sections 3.13.1 and
3.13.2, it will pay to the Underwriters and the Representative the Contingent Discount plus
interest earned on the Contingent Discount, subject to Section 1.5 hereof.
3.14. Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the
Private Placement and this Offering received by it in a manner substantially consistent with the
application described under the caption “Use Of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.
3.15. Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make
generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first
day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which
need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless
required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under
Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after
the Effective Date.
3.16. Notice to NASD.
3.16.1. Business Combination. In the event any person or entity (regardless of any
NASD affiliation or association) is engaged to assist the Company in its search for a merger
candidate or to provide any other merger and acquisition services, the Company will provide the
following information (the “Merger Information”) to the NASD and Representative prior to the
consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete details of all services and copies of
agreements governing such services; and (ii) justification as to why the person or entity providing
the merger and acquisition services should not be considered an “underwriter and related person”
with respect to the Company’s initial public offering, as such term is defined in Rule 2710 of the
NASD’s Conduct Rules. The Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or
potential arrangement will be made in the proxy statement which the
25
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 26 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 26 of 45
Company will file for purposes of soliciting shareholder approval for the Business
Combination. Upon the Company’s delivery of the Merger Information to the Representative, the
Company hereby expressly authorizes the Representative to provide such information directly to the
NASD as a result of representations the Representative has made to the NASD in connection with the
Offering.
3.16.2. Broker/Dealer. In the event the Company intends to register as a
broker/dealer, merge with or acquire a registered broker/dealer, or otherwise become a member of
NASD, it shall promptly notify the NASD.
3.17. Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees,
directors or shareholders (without the consent of Maxim) has taken or will take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to
cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the
price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.
3.18. Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting
controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as
necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is
permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and
appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
3.19. Accountants. For a period of five years from the Effective Date or until such
earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain Xxxxxxxx
& Company, P.A. or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to Maxim.
3.20. Form 8-K’s. The Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent
public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (the
“Audited Financial Statements”) reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the
Offering and Private Placement as well as the proceeds from the exercise of the Over-allotment
Option if such exercise has occurred on the date of the Prospectus. Within three (3) days of the
Effective Date, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K (or Form 6-K, if applicable)
with the Commission, which Report shall contain the Company’s Audited Financial Statements. The
Company shall make a similar filing (without financial statements) upon the Underwriters’ exercise
of the Over-allotment Option, if any.
3.21. NASD. The Company shall advise the NASD if it is aware that any 5% or greater
shareholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an NASD member
participating in the distribution of the Securities.
26
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 27 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 27 of 45
3.22. Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
shall have been done to the reasonable satisfaction to counsel for the Underwriters.
3.23. Investment Company. The Company shall cause the proceeds of the Offering to be
held in the Trust Account to be invested only in “government securities” with specific maturity
dates or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the
Investment Company Act as set forth in the Trust Agreement and disclosed in the Prospectus. The
Company will otherwise conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the
Investment Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will
be engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading
securities.
3.24. Press Releases. The Company agrees that it will not issue press releases or
engage in any other publicity, without Maxim’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably
withheld), for a period of ninety (90) days after the Closing Date.
3.25. Key-Man Insurance. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the
Company will obtain key person life insurance with an insurer rated at least AA or better in the
most recent addition of “Best’s Life Reports” in the aggregate amount of $2,000,000 on each of the
lives of Xx. Xxxxxx Koutsoliotsos and Xx. Xxxxx Zafet. Such insurance shall be maintained in full
force and effect for a period of three years from the consummation of the Business Combination.
The Company shall be the sole beneficiary of such policy.
3.26. Electronic Prospectus. The Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered to
the Representative, at its expense, within one (1) Business Day from the effective date of this
Agreement, an Electronic Prospectus to be used by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering.
As used herein, the term “Electronic Prospectus” means a form of prospectus, and any amendment or
supplement thereto, that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an
electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that may be transmitted electronically by
the other Underwriters to offerees and purchasers of the Units for at least the period during which
a Prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Act; (ii) it shall
disclose the same information as the paper prospectus and prospectus filed pursuant to XXXXX,
except to the extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in
which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic prospectus with a
fair and accurate narrative description or tabular representation of such material, as appropriate;
and (iii) it shall be in or convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, satisfactory
to the Representative, that will allow recipients thereof to store and have continuously ready
access to the prospectus at any future time, without charge to such recipients (other than any fee
charged for subscription to the Internet as a whole and for on-line time). The Company hereby
confirms that it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to XXXXX or
otherwise with the Commission and in the Registration Statement at the time it was declared
effective an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her
representative within the period when a prospectus relating to the Units is required to be
27
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 28 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 28 of 45
delivered under the Act, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly,
without charge, a paper copy of the Prospectus.
3.27. Reservation of Shares. The Company will reserve and keep available that maximum
number of its authorized but unissued securities which are issuable upon exercise of the Warrants,
the Placement Warrants and the Representative’s Securities outstanding from time to time.
3.28. Board Advisor. The Company agrees that it will, upon completion of the proposed
public offering contemplated herein, for a period of no less than two (2) years, engage a designee
of the Representative as an advisor (“Advisor”) to its Board of Directors, which Advisor shall
attend meetings of the Board of Directors, receive all notices and other correspondence and
communications sent by the Company to members of its Board of Directors provided, that such Advisor
shall not be entitled to any compensation, other than reimbursement for all costs incurred in
attending such meetings including, food, lodging, and transportation. The Company further agrees
that, during said two (2) year period, it shall schedule no less than four (4) formal and “in
person” meetings of its Board of Directors in each such year at which meetings such Advisor shall
be permitted to attend as set forth herein; said meetings shall be held quarterly each year and ten
(10) days’ advance notice of such meetings shall be given to the Advisor. Further, during such two
(2) year period, the Company shall give notice to the Representative with respect to any proposed
acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations or other similar transactions. The Company shall indemnify
and hold such Advisor harmless against any and all claims, actions, damages, costs and expenses,
and judgments arising solely out of the attendance and participation of such Advisor at any such
meeting described herein, and, if the Company maintains a liability insurance policy affording
coverage for the acts of its officers and directors, it shall, if possible, include such Advisor as
an insured under such policy.
3.29. Private Placement Proceeds. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, the Private
Placement shall be consummated and the Placement Investors shall deposit the full purchase price of
$13,464,999.90 into an account with Loeb & Loeb LLP, special counsel to the Company (“Loeb”),
established for the benefit of the Company. Upon the consummation of the IPO, Loeb shall transfer
$10,464,999.90 of the proceeds from the Private Placement into the Trust Account and the remaining
$3,000,000 into a Company account and shall provide Maxim with evidence of the same.
3.30. No Amendment to Charter. The Company covenants and agrees that it will not seek
to amend or modify provisions (A) through (E) of Article Sixth of its Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation without the approval of 95% of holders of its outstanding Common Stock
during the Business Acquisition Period (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation).
3.30.1. The Company acknowledges that the purchasers of the Firm Units and the Option Units in
the Offering shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 3.30.
28
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 29 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 29 of 45
3.30.2. The Representative and the Company specifically agree that, except pursuant to its own
terms, this Section 3.30 shall not be modified or amended in any way.
3.31. Additional Independent Directors. Within one (1) year of the Closing Date, the
Company shall have appointed at least two (2) additional independent directors to serve on the
Company’s Board of Directors and one additional independent director to serve on the Company’s
audit committee in compliance with the rules and regulations of AMEX.
3.32. AMEX Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to maintain the listing of
the Public Securities on AMEX or other national securities exchange acceptable to the
Representative for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of this Agreement.
4. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several
Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units, as provided herein, shall be subject to the
continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and
as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy of the
statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof and to the performance
by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following conditions:
4.1. Regulatory Matters.
4.1.1. Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have
become effective not later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or such
later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Representative, and, at each of the
Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall have been
instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the
Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction
of EG&S, as counsel to the Underwriters.
4.1.2. NASD Clearance. By the Effective Date, the Representative shall have received
clearance from the NASD as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters
as described in the Registration Statement.
4.1.3. No Commission Stop Order. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, the Commission has not issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any part thereof, and has not
instituted or threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.
4.1.4. No Blue Sky Stop Orders. No order suspending the sale of the Units in any
jurisdiction designated by the Representative pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof shall have been issued
on either the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, and no proceedings for that purpose shall
have been instituted or shall be contemplated.
29
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 30 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 30 of 45
4.1.5. AMEX Listing. The Public Securities shall have been approved for listing on
AMEX.
4.2. Company Counsel Matters.
4.2.1. Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall
have received the favorable opinion of Loeb and Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, P.C. (“Xxxxxx”), Xxxxxxxx Islands
counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in forms
attached as Exhibits A and B hereto.
The opinion of counsel(s) shall further include a statement to the effect that such counsel(s)
participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives
of the independent public accountants for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at
which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus,
and related matters were discussed and although such counsel is not passing upon and does not
assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in
the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (except as otherwise
set forth in this opinion), no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead it to
believe that the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, as of the date of such opinion or in the case of the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus, as of the date thereof, contained any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it
being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements
and schedules and other financial and statistical data included in the Registration Statement, the
Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus).
4.2.2. Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Option Closing Date, if any,
the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Loeb and/or Xxxxxx, dated the
Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the counsel to the Representative, confirming as of the Option Closing Date, the
statements made by Loeb and/or Xxxxxx in its opinion delivered on the Closing Date.
4.2.3 Reliance. In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters
involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in
which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in
such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with
the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on
certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of
various jurisdiction having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good
standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be
delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The opinion of counsel for the Company and
any opinion relied upon by such counsel for the Company shall include a
30
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 31 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 31 of 45
statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the Underwriters in its
opinion delivered to the Underwriters.
4.3. Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the
Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a letter,
addressed to the Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including
the non-material nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in clause (iii) below) to
the Representative and to EG&S from Xxxxxxxx & Company, P.A. dated, respectively, as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any:
(i) Confirming that they are independent accountants with respect to the Company within the
meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations and that they have not, during the periods
covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used
in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act;
(ii) Stating that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the published Regulations thereunder;
(iii) Stating that, on the basis of a limited review which included a reading of the latest
available unaudited interim financial statements of the Company (with an indication of the date of
the latest available unaudited interim financial statements), a reading of the latest available
minutes of the shareholders and board of directors and the various committees of the board of
directors, consultations with officers and other employees of the Company responsible for financial
and accounting matters and other specified procedures and inquiries, nothing has come to their
attention which would lead them to believe that: (a) the unaudited financial statements of the
Company included in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus
do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
the Act and the Regulations or are not fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus; or (b) at a date not later than five days prior to the Effective
Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any change in the capital
stock or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease in the shareholders’ equity of the Company
as compared with amounts shown in the December 31, 2006 balance sheet included in the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, other than as set forth in or
contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or,
if there was any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease, and (c) during the period
from December 31, 2006 to a specified date not later than two (2) days prior to the Effective Date,
Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any decrease in revenues, net
earnings or net earnings per share of Common Stock, in each case as compared with the corresponding
period in the preceding year and as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding
quarter, other
31
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 32 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 32 of 45
than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or, if
there was any such decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;
(iv) Setting forth, at a date not later than five days prior to the Effective Date, the
amount of liabilities of the Company;
(v) Stating that they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages
of revenues and earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining to the Company set
forth in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus in each
case to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be
derived from the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and excluding
any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the
application of specified readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do
not constitute an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) set forth
in the letter and found them to be in agreement;
(vi) Stating that they have not during the immediately preceding five year period brought to
the attention of the Company’s management any reportable condition related to internal structure,
design or operation as defined in the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 60 “Communication of
Internal Control Structure Related Matters Noted in an Audit,” in the Company’s internal controls;
and
(vii) Statements as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby as
the Representative may reasonably request.
4.4. Officers’ Certificates.
4.4.1. Officers’ Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the
Chairman of the Board or the President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company,
dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, respectively, to the effect
that the Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4.5
hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2
hereof are true and correct. In addition, the Representative will have received such other and
further certificates of officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably request.
4.4.2. Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Date, as the
case may be, respectively, certifying: (i) that the By-Laws and Second Amended and
32
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 33 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 33 of 45
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company are true and complete, have not been
modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions relating to the public
offering contemplated by this Agreement are in full force and effect and have not been modified;
(iii) all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (iv) as to the
incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be
attached to such certificate.
4.5. No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving
a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities,
financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set
forth in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus; (ii) no action
suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company
or any Company Affiliate before or by any court or foreign, federal or state commission, board or
other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially
adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the
Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and
Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor
shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the
Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall
contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act
and the Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and
the Regulations, and none of the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein (in the case of the , the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading.
4.6. Delivery of Agreements.
4.6.1. Effective Date Deliveries. On the Effective Date, the Company shall have
delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Escrow Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement and all of the Insider Letters.
4.6.2. Closing Date Deliveries. On the Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered
to the Representative, the Representative’s Purchase Option.
5. Indemnification.
5.1. Indemnification of Underwriters.
5.1.1. General. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each dealer selected by the
33
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 34 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 34 of 45
Representative that participates in the offer and sale of the Units (each a “Selected Dealer”)
and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who
controls any such Underwriter or dealer (“controlling person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and its counsel, against any and all loss, liability,
claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation,
commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of
the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the Underwriters and any third party or
otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any
other foreign, federal, state or local statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or at common law
or otherwise or under the laws, rules and regulation of foreign countries, arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus (as from time to time each
may be amended and supplemented); (ii) in any post-effective amendment or amendments or any new
registration statement and prospectus relating to any the securities of the Company described
herein; or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5
collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information
furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Units under the securities
laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any foreign or state securities commission or agency,
the American Stock Exchange, the OTC Bulletin Board or Nasdaq or any securities exchange; or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of
such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereof, or in any application, as the case may be, which
furnished written information, it is expressly agreed, consists solely of the information described
in the last sentence of Section 2.3.1. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Representative
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers,
directors or controlling persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities or in
connection with the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.
5.1.2. Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter or controlling
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1,
such Underwriter shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and
the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel
(subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter) and payment of actual expenses. Such
Underwriter or controlling person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any
such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or
such controlling person unless: (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company
shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action;
(ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action; or
(iii) such indemnified party or
34
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 35 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 35 of 45
parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them
which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company
shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or
parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional
firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter and/or controlling person shall be borne by the
Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter or
controlling person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall
have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
5.2. Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly,
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, and employees and
agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, and its counsel, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriters, as incurred, but
only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made
in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written
information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of the
Underwriter expressly for use in such Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus, the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application, which furnished
written information, it is expressly agreed, consists solely of the information described in the
last sentence of Section 2.3.1. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any
other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which
indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties
given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights
and duties given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.
5.3. Contribution.
5.3.1. Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution
under the Act in any case in which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5
makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a
final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal
or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such
case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case, or
(ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any
such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and
in each such case, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement
incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions that the
Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting
discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial
35
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 36 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 36 of 45
offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided,
that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
Public Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in
respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this Section,
each director, officer and employee of an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each
person, if any, who controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriters or the
Company, as applicable.
5.3.2. Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to this
Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party
(“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the omission
to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any
other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is
brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of
the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled
to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly
notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on
account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking
contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party
seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution
provisions contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any
right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriters’
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.
6. Default by an Underwriter.
6.1. Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. If any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase the Firm Units or the Option
Units, if the over-allotment option is exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or
Option Units with respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the
number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, then
such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates shall be purchased by the
non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder.
6.2. Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. In the event that the
default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units,
the Representative may, in its discretion, arrange for the Representative or for another party or
parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option Units to which such default relates on the
36
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 37 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 37 of 45
terms contained herein. If within one (1) Business Day after such default relating to more
than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of
such Firm Units or Option Units, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1)
Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to the Representative to
purchase said Firm Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event that neither the
Representative nor the Company arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option Units to which
a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Representative or the Company without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in
Sections 3.13 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof);
provided, however, that if such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement
will not terminate as to the Firm Units; and provided further that nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other several Underwriters and to the
Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.
6.3. Postponement of Closing Date. In the event that the Firm Units or Option Units
to which the default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be
purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, the Representative or the Company shall have
the right to postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in
any event exceeding five (5) Business Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made
necessary in the Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, or in any other
documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment to, or to
supplement, the Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, that in the
opinion of counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as
used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as
if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.
7. Additional Covenants.
7.1. Additional Shares or Options. The Company hereby agrees that until the Company
consummates a Business Combination, it shall not issue any shares of Common Stock or any options or
other securities convertible into Common Stock, or any shares of Preferred Stock which participate
in any manner in the Trust Account or which vote as a class with the Common Stock on a Business
Combination.
7.2. Trust Account Waiver Acknowledgments. The Company hereby agrees that it will not
commence its due diligence investigation of any operating business or businesses which the Company
seeks to acquire (each, a “Target Business”) or obtain the services of any vendor unless and until
such Target Business or vendor acknowledges in writing, whether through a letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in
any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that (a) it has read the Prospectus and
understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of
$200,000,000 (without giving effect to any exercise of the Over-allotment Option) for the benefit
of the Public Shareholders and that, except for taxes payable by us and (x) up to $675,000 of such
interest in the event of exercise of the over-allotment option
37
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 38 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 38 of 45
and (ii) up to $420,000 of interest earned on Maxim Group LLC’s deferred underwriting
compensation, the Company may disburse monies from the Trust Account only: (i) to the Public
Shareholders in the event of the conversion of their shares or the dissolution and liquidation of
the Trust Account as part of the Company’s plan of dissolution and liquidation or (ii) to the
Company after it consummates a Business Combination and (b) for and in consideration of the Company
(1) agreeing to evaluate such Target Business for purposes of consummating a Business Combination
with it or (2) agreeing to engage the services of the vendor, as the case may be, such Target
Business or vendor agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in
or to any monies of the Trust Account (“Claim”) and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a
result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will
not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The foregoing letters shall
substantially be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C and D, respectively.
7.3. Insider Letters. The Company shall not take any action or omit to take any
action which would cause a breach of any of the Insider Letters executed between each Company
Affiliate and Maxim and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider Letters
without the prior written consent of Maxim.
7.4. Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the Company to be in
breach or violation of its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws.
Except as set forth in Section 3.30, prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the
Company will not amend its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws
without the prior written consent of Maxim.
7.5. Proxy and Other Information. The Company shall provide counsel to the
Representative with ten copies of all proxy information and all related material filed with the
Commission in connection with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the
Commission. In addition, the Company shall furnish any other state in which its initial public
offering was registered, such information as may be requested by such state.
7.6. Acquisition/Liquidation Procedure.
7.6.1. The Company agrees: (i) that, prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, it
will submit such transaction to the Company’s shareholders for their approval (“Business
Combination Vote”) even if the nature of the acquisition is such as would not ordinarily require
shareholder approval under Xxxxxxxx Islands law; and (ii) that, in the event that the Company does
not effect a Business Combination by the termination date of the Company’s corporate existence (the
“Termination Date”), the Company shall take all action necessary to dissolve the Company and
liquidate the Trust Account to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably practicable, subject to
the requirements of the laws of the Republic of Xxxxxxxx Islands. Upon liquidation of the Trust
Account, the Company will distribute to all holders of IPO Shares (defined below) an aggregate sum
equal to $10.00 per unit (plus the interest income earned on the Trust Account not previously
distributed to holders of the IPO Shares but net of:
38
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 39 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 39 of 45
(i) taxes payable; (ii) interest income previously distributed to Public Shareholders; and
(iii) up to an aggregate of $675,000 of interest income that we may draw in the event the
over-allotment option is exercised in full) plus a pro rata share of any remaining net assets,
subject to any valid claims by our creditors that are not covered by amounts held in the Trust
Account or the indemnities provided by the Company’s directors and officers. Only holders of IPO
Shares (as defined below) shall be entitled to receive liquidating distributions and the Company
shall pay no liquidating distributions with respect to any other shares of capital stock of the
Company, including the Placement Warrants. With respect to any vote for any plan of dissolution
and liquidation recommended by the Company’s Board of Directors, if any, the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause all of the Company Affiliates to vote the shares of Common Stock
owned by them in favor of such plan of dissolution and liquidation.
7.6.2. With respect to the Business Combination Vote, the Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause all of the Initial Shareholders to vote the shares of Common Stock owned by
them immediately prior to this Offering in accordance with the majority of the IPO Shares. In
addition, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Initial Shareholders to
vote shares of Common Stock they acquire in the IPO or in the aftermarket in favor of the Business
Combination. At the time the Company seeks approval of any potential Business Combination, the
Company will offer each of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock issued in this Offering (the
“IPO Shares”) the right to convert their IPO Shares at a per share price equal to $10.00 (the
“Redemption Price”). If holders of up to one share less than 35.0% in interest of the Company’s
IPO Shares vote against such approval of a Business Combination, the Company may, but will not be
required to, proceed with such Business Combination. If the Company elects to so proceed, it will
redeem shares, based upon the Redemption Price, from those holders of IPO Shares who affirmatively
requested such conversion and who voted against the Business Combination. If holders of 35.0% or
more in interest of the IPO Shares vote against approval of any potential Business Combination, the
Company will not proceed with such Business Combination and will not convert such shares. Only
holders of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive liquidating distributions and the Company shall
pay no liquidating distributions with respect to any other shares of capital stock of the Company.
7.7. Rule 419. The Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the
Company from becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any Business
Combination, including, but not limited to, using its best efforts to prevent any of the Company’s
outstanding securities from being deemed to be a “xxxxx stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the
Exchange Act during such period.
7.8. Presentation of Potential Target Businesses. The Company shall cause each of the
Company Affiliates to agree that, in order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may
arise from multiple affiliations, the Company Affiliates will present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or company, any suitable opportunity to
acquire an operating business, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business
Combination, the liquidation of the Company or until such time as the Company
39
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 40 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 40 of 45
Affiliates cease to be affiliates of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary
obligations the Company Affiliates might have.
7.9. Target Net Assets. The Company agrees that the initial Target Business that it
acquires must have a fair market value equal to at least 80.0% of the amount in the Trust Account
at the time of such acquisition (exclusive of Maxim’s Contingent Discount plus interest thereon
held in the Trust Account). The fair market value of such business must be determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community,
such as actual and potential sales, earnings and cash flow and book value. If the Board of
Directors of the Company is not able to independently determine that the Target Business has a fair
market value of at least 80.0% of the amount in the Trust Account (exclusive of the Contingent
Discount plus interest thereon held in the trust account) at the time of such acquisition, the
Company will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm which is a
member of the NASD with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. The Company is not required
to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if the Company’s
Board of Directors independently determines that the Target Business does have sufficient fair
market value.
8. Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. Except as the context
otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement
shall be deemed to be representations, warranties and agreements at the Closing Date or the Option
Closing Date, if any, and such representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and
Company, including the indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative
and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Underwriter, the Company or any controlling person, and shall survive termination of this Agreement
or the issuance and delivery of the Securities to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the
expiration of any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh (7th) anniversary of the later
of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the representations,
warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.
9. Effective Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof.
9.1. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at
the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.
9.2. Termination. Maxim shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time
prior to any Closing Date: (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has
materially disrupted or, in the Representative’s sole opinion, will in the immediate future
materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, the AMEX, the Boston Stock Exchange or on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or
successor trading market) shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall
have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or maximum
ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board or by
order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the
United States shall have become involved in a war or an increase in
40
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 41 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 41 of 45
major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or
federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which
materially adversely impacts the United States securities market, or (vi) if the Company shall have
sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other
calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the
Representative’s sole opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Units, or
(vii) if any of the Company’s representations, warranties or covenants hereunder are breached, or
(viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material
adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in
general market conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after
the date hereof, as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with
the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters
for the sale of the Units.
9.3. Expenses. In the event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any
reason whatsoever, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms
herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out of pocket expenses related to the
transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.13.1 hereof.
9.4. Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this
Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this
Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way effected
by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part
hereof.
10. Miscellaneous.
10.1. Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically
provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or reputable overnight courier
or delivered by facsimile transmission (with printed confirmation of receipt) and confirmed and
shall be deemed given when so mailed, delivered or faxed (or if mailed, two days after such
mailing):
If to the Representative:
Maxim Group LLC
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Director of Investment Banking
Fax: (000) 000-0000
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Director of Investment Banking
Fax: (000) 000-0000
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Ellenoff Xxxxxxxx & Schole LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Floor
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Floor
41
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 42 of 00
September 24, 2007
Page 42 of 00
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
If to the Company:
Seanergy Maritime Acquisition Corp.
00, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
000 00 X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx
Attn: Georgios Koutsolioutsos, Co-Chairman of the Board and President
Fax: 00-000-0000000
00, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
000 00 X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx
Attn: Georgios Koutsolioutsos, Co-Chairman of the Board and President
Fax: 00-000-0000000
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Loeb & Loeb LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
10.2. Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience
of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the
terms or provisions of this Agreement.
10.3. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed
by each of the parties hereto.
10.4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and
documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitute the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to
the subject matter hereof.
10.5. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall
be binding upon the Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the controlling persons,
directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal
representatives and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any
provisions herein contained.
10.6. Governing Law, Venue, etc.
10.6.1. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws
42
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 43 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 43 of 45
principles thereof. Each of the Representative and the Company (and any individual signatory
hereto): (i) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted exclusively in New York
Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York, (ii) waives any objection which such party may have or hereafter to the venue of any
such suit, action or proceeding and (iii) irrevocably and exclusively consents to the jurisdiction
of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding.
10.6.2. Each of the Representative and the Company (and any individual signatory hereto)
further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any
such suit, action or proceeding in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon
the Company or any such individual mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address shall be
deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company or any such individual in any
such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Representative mailed by certified
mail to the Representative’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service process
upon the Representative, in any such suit, action or proceeding.
10.6.3. THE COMPANY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON
BEHALF OF ITS EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT
OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS.
10.6.4. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled
to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to
such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.
10.7. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the
parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart
of this Agreement by fax or email/.pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery
thereof.
10.8. Waiver, etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce
any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such
provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the
right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this
Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of
this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed
43
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 44 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 44 of 45
by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no
waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a
waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
10.9. No Fiduciary Relationship. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters
are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the offering of the Company’s securities. The
Company further acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual
relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis and in no event
do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company,
its management, shareholders, creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that
the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the offering of the Company’s
securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any
fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company
hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company and the Underwriters
agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any
such transactions, and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company
regarding such transactions, including but not limited to any opinions or views with respect to the
price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the
Company. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims
that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of
any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.
44
Maxim Group LLC
September 24, 2007
Page 45 of 45
September 24, 2007
Page 45 of 45
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the
Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter
shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
Very Truly Yours, SEANERGY MARITIME CORP. |
||||
By: | /s/ Panagiotis Zafet | |||
Name: | Panagiotis Zafet | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||
Agreed to and accepted
as of the date first written above:
as of the date first written above:
MAXIM GROUP LLC, as Representative
of the several Underwriters
of the several Underwriters
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Director of Investment Banking | |||
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement, dated September 24, 2007]
45
SCHEDULE A
22,000,000 Units
Number of Firm Units | ||||
Underwriter | to be Purchased | |||
Maxim Group LLC |
15,000,000 | |||
Ramius
Securities, L.L.C. |
4,500,000 | |||
I-Bankers Securities, Inc. |
700,000 | |||
Xxxx Capital Partners, LLC |
700,000 | |||
Broadband Capital Management, LLC |
550,000 | |||
Pali Capital, Inc. |
260,000 | |||
Legend Merchant Group, Inc. |
170,000 | |||
Charden Capital Merkets, LLC |
100,000 | |||
Jesup & Xxxxx
Securities Corporation |
20,000 | |||
22,000,000 |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF LOEB & LOEB OPINION
FORM OF LOEB & LOEB OPINION
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx | Direct | 212.407.4000 | ||||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000 | Main | 212.407.4000 | ||||
Fax | 000.000.0000 |
September 28, 2007
Maxim Group LLC
as representative of several underwriters
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
as representative of several underwriters
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Seanergy Maritime Corp., a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the
“Company”), in connection with (a) the public offering (the “IPO”) being underwritten by you and
the other Underwriters of 23,100,000 Units (“Units”), each Unit consisting of one share of the
Company’s common stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one warrant to
purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Warrants”), which includes 1,100,000 Units (the
“Over-Allotment Units”) for which the Underwriters have exercised their over-allotment option
(including all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable on exercise of Warrants issued as part of
the Units and Over-Allotment Units and the Warrants so issued), pursuant to that certain
Underwriting Agreement by and among the Company, the Representative and the other Underwriters
party thereto, dated September 24, 2007 (the “Underwriting Agreement”); and (b) the Private
Placement (“Private Placement”) of 16,016,667 Warrants pursuant to a certain Amended and Restated
Subscription Agreement between the Company and each of its executive officers (“Subscription
Agreement”). This opinion is being delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.2.1 of the Underwriting
Agreement. All capitalized terms used herein, but not defined herein, shall have the respective
meanings given them in the Underwriting Agreement.
In connection with the rendering of our opinion, we have:
(a) examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to
our satisfaction of:
1. | the Underwriting Agreement; | ||
2. | the Subscription Agreement; | ||
3. | the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”); | ||
4. | resolutions of the board of directors of the Company authorizing the IPO and Private Placement, including, among other things, the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement and the Subscription Agreement; | ||
5. | the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement; and |
Maxim Group LLC as representative of several underwriters
September 28, 2007
Page 2
September 28, 2007
Page 2
6. | such other corporate records, certificates and other records and documents that we have deemed appropriate; |
(b) made such inquiries of officers and representatives of the Company and investigated such
questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth
below
In connection with our examination and in rendering the opinions expressed below, we have
assumed, with your approval and without any independent investigation, the genuineness of
signatures on all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
legal capacity of natural persons to execute and deliver documents, and the conformity to original
documents of all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed, photographic or telecopied copies.
As to certain factual matters, unless otherwise indicated, we have relied, to the extent we have
deemed proper, only on statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the
Company, upon certificates of officers of the Company and public officials, and the factual
representations set forth in the Underwriting Agreement and the Subscription Agreement. In making
our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, including the
Company, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder
and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the
execution and delivery by such parties of such documents, and the validity and binding effect
thereof on such parties, excluding the Company. We have assumed that the Company has been duly
organized and is validly existing in good standing, and has requisite legal status and legal
capacity, under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. We have also assumed that the
Company has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of all relevant jurisdictions
(including the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands) in connection with the transactions
contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under all executed documents, other than
the laws of the United States of America and the State of New York insofar as we express our
opinions herein. We have also assumed the extension of consideration under the Underwriting
Agreement and the Subscription Agreements by the parties thereto other than the Company.
Based on the foregoing assumptions, and subject to the qualifications and exceptions stated
below, we are of the opinion that:
(i) The offers and sales of the outstanding shares of Common Stock were at all relevant times
either registered under the Act and the state securities or Blue Sky Laws or exempt from such
registration requirements.
(ii) When issued, the Warrants, Representative’s Purchase Option and the Representative’s
Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon
exercise thereof and payment therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for
thereby and the Warrants, Representative’s Purchase Option and Representative’s Warrants, when
issued, are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (a)
as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under the United States and foreign and state laws; and (c) that the
remedy of specific performance and
Maxim Group LLC as representative of several underwriters
September 28, 2007
Page 3
September 28, 2007
Page 3
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may
be brought.
(iii) The Placement Warrants constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue
and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment therefor, shares of Common Stock called for thereby,
and such Placement Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification
or contribution provision may be limited under foreign, federal and state laws; and (c) that the
remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may
be brought.
(iv) The Underwriting Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services
Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Right of First
Refusal and Corporate Opportunities Agreements set forth on Exhibit A hereto (“Right of
First Refusal Agreements”), the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement when
executed and delivered by the Company, constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (a) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provisions may be limited under the foreign, federal and state laws; and (c) that the remedy of
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the
equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
(v) Assuming due authorization, execution and delivery in accordance with applicable law, the
Insider Letters, the Subscription Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Right of First Refusal
and Corporate Opportunities Agreements (to the extent applicable) constitute the valid and binding
obligations of the respective Directors/Officers party thereto, enforceable against them in
accordance with their respective terms, except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b)
as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provisions may be limited under the
foreign, federal and state securities laws; and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
(vi) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, Right
of First Refusal Agreements, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby (including the issuance and sale of the Units
[including the Common Stock and Warrants comprised therein], the Placement Warrants and the
Representative’s Purchase Option), and compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions
thereof, do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both,
to our knowledge violate any statute or any judgment, order or decree, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company of any United States federal or state regulatory authority or other
governmental
Maxim Group LLC as representative of several underwriters
September 28, 2007
Page 4
September 28, 2007
Page 4
body having jurisdiction over the Company, its properties or assets; provided, we
express no opinion in this paragraph as to any federal securities laws.
(vii) The Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any
post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (other than the financial statements included
therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) each as of their respective dates complied as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and Regulations.
(viii) To our knowledge, there are no contracts or documents of a character required to be
described in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement not so described or filed as required.
(ix) The Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-144436) has been declared effective
under the Act and any required filing of the Prospectus, and any supplements thereto, pursuant to
Rule 424(b) promulgated under the Act has been made in the manner and in the time period required
by Rule 424(b). To our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending
or threatened under the Act or applicable state securities laws.
(x) To our knowledge, there is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court or
governmental agency authority or body, or any arbitrator, domestic or foreign, now pending, or
threatened against the Company or its property that is required to be described in the Registration
Statement.
(xi) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing, qualification, license
or permit of or with any court or any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or
body, foreign or domestic, is required for the execution, delivery and performance of the
Underwriting Agreement or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except
for (1) such as may be required under foreign and state securities or blue sky laws in connection
with the purchase and distribution of the Units by the Underwriters (as to which such counsel need
express no opinion), (2) such as have been made or obtained under the Securities Act and (3) such
as are required by the NASD.
(xii) Our opinion as filed as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement continues to be our
opinion, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein and herein.
(xiii) The Securities have been duly authorized for trading on AMEX.
We have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company,
representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and representatives of the
Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed and, although we are not passing upon and do
not assume any responsibility for the accuracy,
Maxim Group LLC as representative of several underwriters
September 28, 2007
Page 5
September 28, 2007
Page 5
completeness or fairness of the statements
contained in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus, no facts
have come to our attention which leads us to believe that either (i) the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the date of this opinion or (ii) the
Sale Preliminary Prospectus as of its date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being
understood that we need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and schedules
and other financial and statistical data included in the Registration Statement, Sale Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus).
The foregoing opinions are subject to the following exceptions and qualifications:
We express no opinion as to (i) any provision which provides that oral modifications will be
unenforceable or which limits the applicability of the doctrine of promissory estoppel; (ii) choice
of law or venue provisions; (iii) any provision that prohibits assignment by operation of law or in
any other respect that may be deemed unreasonable under the circumstances; (iv) indemnification
provisions to the extent such provisions might be violate statutes or public policy; (v) any
arbitration provisions; (vi) matters relating to any state securities laws or blue sky laws, except
New York State securities laws; (vii) matters relating to environmental or intellectual property
laws or matters or (viii) the value of the consideration provided for the Securities.
The opinions we express above are based upon a review only of those laws, statutes, rules,
ordinances and regulations which, in our experience, a securities lawyer who is a member of the bar
of the State of New York and practices before the Securities and Exchange Commission exercising
customary professional diligence would reasonably recognize as being applicable to the type of
transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement. We have not examined and we do not
express any opinion herein concerning any laws other than applicable federal securities laws and
the laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to the extent to which the laws of
any jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject matter hereof.
Insofar as opinions expressed herein relate to matters governed by laws other than those set forth
in the preceding sentence, we have assumed without having made any independent investigation, that
such laws do not affect any of the opinions set forth herein.
In rendering the opinions set forth above which are based upon our knowledge of factual
matters, we have advised you only as to such knowledge as we have obtained from (a) discussions in
the course of representation with officers and responsible employees of the Company and lawyers
presently in our firm whom we have determined are likely, in the ordinary course of their
respective duties, to have knowledge of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Subscription
Agreements, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Right of
First Refusal Agreements and the Escrow Agreement and the matters covered by this opinion and (b)
such other investigation that we specifically set forth herein.
Maxim Group LLC as representative of several underwriters
September 28, 2007
Page 6
September 28, 2007
Page 6
Nothing in this opinion should be interpreted as expressing any opinion as of any date later
than the date of this opinion.
This opinion is furnished to you as representative of the Underwriters and is solely for the
Underwriters’ benefit and only in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement. This opinion is not to be used, disclosed, relied upon or otherwise referred to by any
other person without our prior written consent.
U.S. Treasury Department Circular 230 Disclosures
The opinion set forth in (xii) above is not intended or written to be used, nor can it be
used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax-related penalty that may be
imposed on the taxpayer. Such opinion is written to support the promotion or marketing of the
transactions or matters addressed therein, and a taxpayer should seek advice based on the
taxpayer’s circumstances from an independent tax adviser.
Such opinion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax issues addressed therein, and
additional issues may exist that could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the
transactions or matters that are the subject of the opinion. Such opinion does not consider or
provide a conclusion with respect to any such additional issues (or any state or local income, or
other, tax issues).
Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the disclosure of the tax treatment or
tax structure of the transactions or matters addressed in such opinion.
Very truly yours,
Loeb & Loeb LLP
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF XXXXXX & XXXXXXX P.C. OPINION
XXXXXX & XXXXXXX P.C.
Attorneys-at-Law
Attorneys-at-Law
RRE Commercial Center | X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
X.X. Xxx 000 | 0 Xxxxxxxxxx Xx., Xxxxxxxxx 000 00 | |||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx | |||||
Telephone:
|
x000 000 0000 | Telephone: | x00 000 000 0000 | |||
Fax:
|
x000 000 0000 | Fax: | x00 000 000 0000 | |||
E-mail:
|
xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx | E-mail: | xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xx | |||
Mobile phone: | x00 0000 000 000 |
September 28, 2007
Maxim Group LLC
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
As Representative of the Underwriters
named on Schedule A hereto
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
As Representative of the Underwriters
named on Schedule A hereto
Re: | SEANERGY MARITIME CORP. Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to Seanergy Maritime Corp., a corporation organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands (the “Company”), in connection with (i) the
Company’s public offering of 22,000,000 units (the “Units”) each consisting of one share of its
common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”) and one warrant to purchase one share of
common stock (the “Warrant(s)”), (ii) the Underwriting Agreement dated September 27, 2007 (the
“Underwriting Agreement”) between the Company and Maxim Group LLC, as Representatives of the
underwriters listed on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”) and (iii) the
registration statements on Form F-1 (File Nos. 333-144436 and 333-146281), including the prospectus
of the Company (the “Prospectus”), with respect to the offering of the Units included therein (as
amended, the “Registration Statement”). This opinion is furnished to the Underwriters pursuant to
Section 4.2.1 of the Underwriting Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, capitalized
terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement.
(a) | the Registration Statement; | ||
(b) | the Underwriting Agreement; | ||
(c) | the Warrant Agreement; | ||
(d) | the Trust Agreement; | ||
(e) | the Services Agreement; | ||
(f) | the Subscription Agreement; | ||
(g) | the Insider Letters; | ||
(h) | the Representatives Purchase Option; | ||
(i) | the Escrow Agreement; | ||
(j) | the Registration Rights Agreement; and | ||
(k) | the articles of incorporations and bylaws of the Company. |
We have also examined and relied, as to factual matters, upon originals, or copies certified to our
satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates of officers of the Company and of public
officials and other instruments, and made such other inquiries, as, in our judgment, are necessary
or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to questions of fact
material to this opinion, we have, with your approval, where relevant facts were not independently
established, relied upon, among other things, the representations made in the Underwriting
Agreement and certificates of officers of the Company.
For the purpose of this opinion, we have further assumed:
(a) | the power, authority and legal right of all parties to the Underwriting Agreement (other than the Company) to enter into and to perform their respective obligations thereunder and that the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each such party; | ||
(b) | the genuineness of all signatures on all documents and the completeness, and the conformity to original documents, of all copies submitted to us; | ||
(c) | due compliance of the Underwriting Agreement with all matters of, and the validity and enforceability thereof under, all such laws as govern or relate to them (other than the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands as to which we are opining); | ||
(d) | that each of the parties to the Underwriting Agreement (other than the Company) has duly and validly executed and delivered the Underwriting Agreement and has complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to seek benefits of and enforce the Underwriting Agreement against the Company; | ||
(e) | that any required consents, licenses, permits, approvals, exemptions, qualifications or authorizations of or by, and any required registrations or filings with, any governmental authority or regulatory body of any jurisdiction other than the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands in connection |
with the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement have been duly obtained or made; | |||
(f) | that with respect to opinion 8 only, none of the Underwriters are deemed to be resident, domiciled, or carrying on any commercial activity in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands. |
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and having regard to legal considerations we deem relevant,
we are of the opinion that, insofar as the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands are
concerned:
1. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, with full power and authority to own
its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus
2. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company (including, without limitation, the
Placement Securities) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such
holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any
shareholder of the Company arising by operation of law or under the Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. The authorized and outstanding capital stock of the
Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus.
3. The Securities and the Representative’s Securities have been duly authorized and, when
issued and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to
personal liability by reason of being such holders. The Securities are not and will not be subject
to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company arising by operation of law
or under the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or, to our
knowledge, similar rights that entitle or will entitle any person to acquire any security from the
Company upon issuance or sale thereof. When issued, the Warrants and the Representative’s Warrants
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise
thereof and payment therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby
and such Warrants and Representative’s Warrants, when issued, are enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their respective terms, except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b)
as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under Xxxxxxxx
Islands laws; and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of
equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before
which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The certificates representing the Securities and the
Representative’s Securities are in due and proper form. A sufficient number of shares of Common
Stock have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants and Representative’s Warrants.
The shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants and
Representative’s Warrants will, upon exercise thereof and payment of the exercise price
therefor, be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not have
been issued in violation of or subject to preemptive or, to such counsel’s knowledge, similar
rights that entitle or will entitle any person to acquire any securities from the Company upon
issuance thereof.
4. The Placement Warrants constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and
sell, upon exercise thereof and payment therefor, shares of Common Stock called for thereby, and
such Placement Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification
or contribution provision may be limited under Xxxxxxxx Islands laws; and (c) that the remedy of
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the
equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought. A sufficient number of shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon
exercise of the Placement Warrants. The shares of Common Stock underlying the Placement Warrants
will, upon exercise of the Warrants and payment of the exercise price thereof, be duly authorized
and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not have been issued in violation of or
subject to preemptive or, to such counsel’s knowledge, similar rights that entitle or will entitle
any person to acquire any securities from the Company upon issuance thereof.
5. The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver the Underwriting
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription
Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement and to perform its obligations thereunder, and all corporate action required to be taken
for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and as described in the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus have been duly and validly taken.
6. The Insider Letters, the Subscription Agreement and the Escrow Agreement have been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Initial Shareholders (or, if applicable, their
affiliates) party thereto and constitute the valid and binding obligations of such Initial
Shareholders enforceable against them in accordance with their respective terms, except: (a) as
such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provisions may be limited under Xxxxxxxx Islands laws; and (c) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
7. The Underwriting Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services
Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement have each been duly and validly authorized and, when executed
and delivered by the Company, constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (a) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provisions may be limited under Xxxxxxxx Islands laws; and (c) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
8. The execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement, the Warrant
Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the
issuance and sale of the Securities, the Placement Securities and the Representative’s Shares, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance by the Company
with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not, with or without the giving
of notice or the lapse of time, or both, (a) conflict with, or result in a breach of, any of the
terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or modification of
any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the
Company pursuant to the terms of, any mortgage, deed of trust, note, indenture, loan, contract,
commitment or other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (b)
result in any violation of the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or
the Bylaws of the Company, or (c) violate any statute or any judgment, order or decree, rule or
regulation of the Xxxxxxxx Islands applicable to the Company of any court, , or of any or
regulatory authority or other governmental body of the Xxxxxxxx Islands having jurisdiction over
the Company, its properties or assets.
9. We have no reason to believe that on the Effective Date the Registration Statement
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and that the Sale
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as of their respective dates and the Closing Date contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
10. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing, qualification, license
or permit of or with any court or any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or
body of the Xxxxxxxx Islands is required for the execution, delivery and performance of the
Underwriting Agreement or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
11. The statements under: (i) the caption “Description of Securities,” (ii) the caption
“Xxxxxxxx Islands Company Considerations”; (iii) the risk factors captioned “Risk Factors—Risks
Associated with this Offering—We are incorporated in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, which
does not have a well-developed body of corporate law, causing our public shareholders to have more
difficulty in protecting their interests,” and “Risk Factors—Risks Associated with Our Current
Business—Because all our directors and officers reside outside of the United States and, after the
consummation of a business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located outside of
the United States, it may be difficult for investors to enforce their legal rights against such
individuals,”; (iv) the caption “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities; and (v) the statement under the
subheading “Xxxxxxxx Islands Tax Consideration” under the caption “Taxation”, insofar as such
statements constitute a summary of the legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings referred
to therein, fairly and accurately present the information called for with respect to such legal
matters, agreements, documents and proceedings.
12. No stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains, income,
withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of the underwriters to the Republic of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands or to any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in
connection with the sale and delivery by the Company of the Units to or for the respective accounts
of the underwriters or the sale or delivery by the underwriters of the Units to the initial
purchasers thereof.
13. All dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the shares of Common Stock
of the Company may under the laws and regulations of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands be paid
in United States dollars and may be freely transferred out of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands,
and all such dividends and other distributions will not be subject to withholding or other taxes
under the laws and regulations of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands and are otherwise free and
clear of any other tax, withholding or deduction in or without the necessity of obtaining any
consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, licenses, registrations, clearances and qualifications
of or with any governmental agency or body in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands.
14. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as set forth in the
Registration Statement, the Sale Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, to the best of our
knowledge, the Company has not paid any dividends on its capital stock.
15. No relevant authority or case law under Xxxxxxxx Islands law exists that would restrict a
company’s ability to require itself to make quarterly dividends or distributions to equity holders.
Furthermore, we are not aware of any successful challenges to similar requirements in a company’s
articles of incorporation by a SPAC or other companies.
We also qualify our opinion to the extent that (i) the enforceability of the rights and
remedies provided for in the Underwriting Agreement (a) may be limited by insolvency, bankruptcy,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws
affecting generally the enforceability of creditors’ rights from time to time in effect
and (b) is subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability
is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, including application of principles of good
faith, fair dealing, commercial reasonableness, materiality, unconscionability and conflict with
public policy and other similar principles; (ii) while there is nothing in Xxxxxxxx Islands law
which prohibits a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation from submitting to the jurisdiction of a forum other
than the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, the validity and enforceability of the submission to
jurisdiction provisions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement are not dependent upon Xxxxxxxx
Islands law and such provisions may not be enforceable under the laws of a particular jurisdiction;
and (iii) different results might be obtained under laws other than those of the State of New York
by which the Underwriting Agreement is expressed to be governed.
This opinion is limited to matters of law of the Republic of Xxxxxxxx Islands. We express no
opinion with respect to the law of any other jurisdiction.
Very truly yours, XXXXXX & XXXXXXX P.C. By |
||||
SCHEDULE A
20,000,000 Units
Number of Firm Units | ||||
Underwriter | to be Purchased | |||
Maxim Group LLC |
EXHIBIT C
Form of Target Business Letter
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Seanergy Maritime Corp. (the “Company”), dated
, 2007 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned to them in Prospectus.
We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established the Trust Account,
initially in an amount of at least $200,000,000 for the benefit of the Public Shareholders and the
underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for a
portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Company may disburse
monies from the Trust Account only: (i) to the Public Shareholders in the event of the redemption
of their shares or the dissolution and liquidation of the Company; (ii) to the Public Shareholder
from the interest income earned on the Trust Account, as determined by the Board of Directors; or
(ii) to the Company and the Underwriters after it consummates a Business Combination.
For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate the undersigned for purposes of
consummating a Business Combination with it, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have
any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account (each, a
“Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of,
any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the
Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.
Print Name of Target Business | ||||
Authorized Signature of Target Business |
EXHIBIT D
Form of Vendor Letter
Seanergy Maritime Corp.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Seanergy Maritime Corp. (the “Company”), dated
, 2007 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned to them in Prospectus.
We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established the Trust Account,
initially in an amount of at least $200,000,000 for the benefit of the Public Shareholders and the
underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “Underwriters”) and that, except for a
portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Company may disburse
monies from the Trust Account only: (i) to the Public Shareholders in the event of the redemption
of their shares or the dissolution and liquidation of the Company; (ii) to the Public Shareholder
from the interest income earned on the Trust Account, as determined by the Board of Directors; or
(ii) to the Company and the Underwriters after it consummates a Business Combination.
For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to use the services of the undersigned, the
undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in
or to any monies in the Trust Account (each, a “Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in
the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not
seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.
Print Name of Vendor | ||||
Authorized Signature of Vendor |