GRANITE FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC 12220 El Camino Real, Suite 400 San Diego, California 92130 [Fax No. ]
GRANITE
FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC
00000
Xx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
[Fax
No.
]
May
22,
2007
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
President
Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
000-000
Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Dear
Xxxxx:
This
letter agreement (the “Agreement”) confirms our understanding with respect to
the engagement by Microwave Satellite Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) of
Granite Financial Group, LLC (“Granite”) as placement agent in connection with
the sale of up to $12.5 million of equity or equity-linked securities on a
best
efforts basis through a private placement or similar unregistered transaction
on
terms that have been or will be determined by the Company and its advisors
as
set forth in the Company’s Confidential Private Placement Memorandum dated May
7, 2007, as may be revised by the Company from time to time (the “Transaction”)
to investors (the “Investors”). For purposes hereof, the term “Transaction” also
includes a convertible loan or other type of investment convertible into or
exchangeable for or otherwise linked to the equity of the Company. The term
of
the Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for a period of twelve (12) months from the
date hereof or until earlier terminated by either party as described below
in
Section 7.
1. |
Scope.
The Company hereby engages Granite to act as placement agent during
the
Term in connection with the Transaction(s). The goal of the engagement
is
to raise up to $12.5 million in capital for the Company to be used
for
growth opportunities and general working capital purposes. Granite
shall
assist the Company and shall, on behalf of the Company, contact such
potential investors as Granite and the Company agree in advance.
Granite
shall assist the Company in effecting the Transaction(s), and shall
use
its best efforts to offer and sell the securities in accordance with
this
Agreement. Granite shall market to those, and only those investors
listed
in Addendum A hereto, as may be amended by mutual agreement of the
parties
from time to time, and the Company shall retain the right, in its
sole
discretion, to accept or reject investors identified by Granite.
Granite’s
engagement by the Company shall be exclusive solely as to the potential
investors included in Addendum A. Granite shall receive written approval
from the Company prior to marketing to any other investors who have
not
been included on Addendum A. It is anticipated that the Company shall
also
engage its own legal counsel and may require the services of an accounting
firm.
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2. |
Company
Information.
The Company shall cooperate with Granite in connection with its financial
review and analysis of the Company and shall provide Granite with
such
information concerning the Company as Granite deems necessary or
appropriate for such review and analysis (collectively, the
“Information”).
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Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
Granite
shall keep in confidence and shall use only for the purposes of performing
its
obligations pursuant to this Agreement, and shall not, without the Company's
consent, disclose to any person any non-public Information furnished by the
Company to Granite except (a) its own counsel and other advisors on a
confidential basis, (b) to the Investors approved by the Company in accordance
with the terms hereof and (c) to such other persons as such counsel has advised
is required by applicable law, and then only after informing the Company of
such
legal requirement and providing the Company sufficient time to seek a protective
order or otherwise prevent or restrict such disclosure.
All
Information provided by the Company shall be accurate and complete in all
material respects and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact
or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading.
Granite does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of
the
Information, including but not limited to any disclosure materials related
to
the Transaction(s) except for such information that is provided in writing
by
Granite to the Company that is independently produced by Granite and not based
on Information provided by the Company or information available from generally
recognized public sources. The Company acknowledges and agrees that Granite
will
rely primarily on the Information and on information available from generally
recognized public sources in performing its services hereunder, without having
any obligation to independently verify the same and that Granite has no
obligation to undertake an independent evaluation, appraisal or physical
inspection of any assets or liabilities of the Company. If at any time prior
to
the completion of a Transaction an event occurs which would cause
the
Information (as supplemented or amended) to contain an untrue statement of
a
material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make
the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, the Company will notify Granite immediately of such
event.
3. |
Fees.
The Company shall pay Granite the following
amounts:
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a. |
Private
Placement Fee.
Granite shall be paid upon consummation of the Transaction(s) a
transaction fee, payable in cash, of 7.0% of the Gross Proceeds (as
defined below) from the capital received, directly or indirectly,
by the
Company solely from investors identified on Addendum A, with respect
to a
Transaction (the “Transaction Fee”). For purposes hereof, “Gross Proceeds”
shall mean the fair market value of all of the consideration (including,
without limitation, cash, securities, other assets and contingent
payment
amounts actually paid, plus debt and liabilities assumed (including,
without limitation, indebtedness for borrowed money, pension liabilities
and guarantees, license fees, royalty fees, joint venture interests
or
other property, obligations or services, but excluding payments made
to
exercise any convertible securities) received by the Company or any
of its
security holders in connection with any Transaction, directly or
indirectly, from the sale or exchange of the Company’s securities issued
in a Transaction before the deduction of expenses related to such
Transaction, including but not limited to the fee payable to Granite.
All
cash compensation payable by the Company to Granite hereunder shall
be
paid by wire transfer.
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b.
|
Placement
Warrants.
Upon consummation of a Transaction, the Company will issue to Granite
five-year stock purchase warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants”),
equivalent to 7% of the shares issued in the Transaction to investors
listed
in Addendum A,
taking into consideration any increase in shares under a ratchet
or
similar provision pursuant to which the number of shares initially
purchased is subsequently increased, with an “exercise price” equal to
100% of the exercise price of the warrants issued in the Transaction.
The
exercise price is defined as the price at which Granite may convert
the
Placement Agent Warrants into common stock of the Company. In addition
to
the exercise price, Granite shall pay a “warrant cost” of $0.001 per share
(one-tenth of a cent) to the Company upon the issuance of Placement
Agent
Warrants.
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Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
A
separate Placement Agent Warrant Agreement shall be prepared after consummation
of the Transaction, and shall take the form of Granite’s standard warrant
agreement, but shall be acceptable to the Company, which contains the following
terms, among others: the Placement Agent Warrants are not transferable by the
warrantholder other than to a limited number of employees and affiliates of
Granite subject to compliance with all applicable securities laws; the Placement
Agent Warrants may be exercised as to all or any lesser number of shares of
equity securities commencing immediately after the date of the consummation
of
the Transaction; the Placement Agent Warrants may be exercised on a cash-less
basis if not registered within 1 year of the closing of the Transaction and
be
redeemable on the same terms as the Transaction warrants; and the warrant
agreement will contain provisions for change of control, weighted average based
anti-dilution and customary piggy-back registration rights.
c. |
In
the event consideration is to be paid in whole or in part by installment
payments, the portion of Granite’s fee relating thereto shall be
calculated and paid when and as such installment payments are
made.
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d. |
Consideration
received by the Company paid in whole or in part in the form of securities
or other noncash consideration will be valued at its fair market
value, as
reasonably determined by an independent third party to be mutually
agreed
upon by the Company and Granite, as of the day prior to the closing
of the
Transaction (or later date on which a contingent payment is made),
provided, however, that if such consideration consists of securities
with
an existing trading market, such securities will be valued at the
average
of the last sales price for such securities on the five trading days
prior
to the date of the closing (or later date on which a contingent payment
is
made).
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e. |
The
foregoing fees (including the Placement Agent Warrants) are payable
for
any Transaction that occurs during the Term or within 12 months thereafter
with respect to investors included in Addendum A.
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4.
|
Expenses.
In addition to the Transaction Fee and the Warrants, the Company
agrees to
reimburse Granite for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection
with
this engagement approved in advance in writing by Company. These
expenses
generally include travel costs and other customary expenses for this
type
of transaction. Such expenses shall not exceed $25,000 in the aggregate
without the prior written consent of the Company. Legal fees incurred
by
Granite to prepare, review and finalize this letter agreement will
not be
reimbursable by the Company.
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5.
|
Advertisements.
Upon a closing of a Transaction, the Company agrees that Granite
has the
right to place advertisements in financial and other newspapers and
journals (whether in print or on the internet), and to publicize
on its
website and in its marketing materials, at its sole expense, describing
its services to the Company hereunder, provided that the Company
has the
right to review, comment on and approve all such advertisements,
website
postings and publications prior to publication.
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6.
|
Indemnification.
The Company shall indemnify Granite, its agents and affiliates in
accordance with Annex A attached hereto and made a part hereof.
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Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
7. |
Termination;
Survival.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party
hereto upon
five days prior written notice to the other party, effective
upon receipt
of such notice to that effect by the other party, or automatically
upon
the consummation of the Transaction. Upon termination or expiration
of
this Agreement, the Company shall have no further obligation
to Granite
other than with respect to fees payable to Granite as provided
herein,
provided that the provisions of Sections 3 through 9, inclusive,
and
Granite’s obligation to preserve the confidential information provided
to
it by Company for an indefinite period, shall survive any such
expiration
or termination. The indemnification provisions in Annex A shall
survive
the termination or expiration of this Agreement for the earlier
of (i)
forty months after such termination or expiration or (ii) the
applicable
statute of limitations period.
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8.
|
Venue.
The Company and Granite agree that any legal suit, action, or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement and/or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in
the
state or federal courts located in New York County, New York. The
parties
further irrevocably consent to the service of any complaint, summons,
notice or other process relating to any such action or proceeding
by
delivery thereof to such party by hand or by registered or certified
mail
in the manner prescribed in Section 9(f) hereof. The parties further
irrevocably consent that any judgment rendered by such court in the
State
of New York may be entered in other courts having competent jurisdiction
thereof. Without in any way limiting the indemnification provisions
in
Annex A hereto, the prevailing party shall have the right to recover
any
costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, in the event of any action
brought to enforce any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
The
parties agree that service may be made by overnight mail at its address
set forth herein in any action to enforce any of the provisions herein.
Without in any way limiting the indemnification provision in Annex
A
hereto, and subject to Section 7 hereof, any action arising under
or
related to this Agreement for compensation must be brought prior
to six
months following the later of (i) the closing of the Transaction,
(ii)
notice of the claim giving rise to such action, or (iii) termination
of
this Agreement, or such action shall be barred as
untimely.
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9. |
Miscellaneous.
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a. |
Successors
and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of each
party's agents, affiliates, successors and assigns, but may not be
assigned without the prior written consent of the other
party.
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b. |
Governing
Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the
internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts
of
laws or principles thereof.
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c. |
Amendment.
This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in writing signed
by
the parties hereto.
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d.
|
Granite’s
Obligations.
The obligations of Granite and the Company hereunder are solely corporate
obligations, and no officer, director, employee, agent, member,
shareholder, or controlling person shall be subject to any personal
liability whatsoever to any person, nor will any such claim be asserted
by
or on behalf of Granite or the Company or any of their respective
affiliates. The Company acknowledges and agrees that Granite is acting
as
an independent contractor under this Agreement and that the engagement
of
Granite is not intended to confer rights on any person or entity
other
than the Company and Granite. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall
limit or restrict the right of Granite or of any member, employee,
agent
or representative of Granite, to be a member, shareholder, partner,
director, officer, employee, agent or representative of, or to engage
in,
any other business, whether of a similar nature or not, nor to limit
or
restrict the right of Granite to render services of any kind to any
other
corporation, company, firm, individual or association. Granite is
a
registered broker-dealer in good standing with the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1934 and in all jurisdictions in which the nature
of its
activities or the substance of its actions would require such registration
or qualification pursuant to the blue-sky laws of such jurisdiction.
Granite will comply with all laws, rules and regulations related
to its
activities on behalf of Company pursuant to this Agreement. All consents,
authorizations, and approvals necessary or appropriate for Granite
to
undertake its obligations set forth in this Agreement have been obtained
by Granite prior to execution of this Agreement and Granite shall
immediately use its best efforts to secure investors for the Company
as
set forth herein.
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Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
e.
|
Entire
Agreement.
This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of
the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings whether
written or oral, relating to matters provided herein, including the
Placement Agent Agreement, dated May 9, 2007, between the parties
hereto.
This Agreement is entered into by each of the parties hereto without
reliance on any statement, representation, promise, inducement or
agreement not expressly contained within this Agreement. Except as
set
forth in Annex A hereof, nothing in this Agreement is intended to
confer
upon any other person (including the stockholders, employees or creditors
of the Company) any rights or remedies hereunder or by reason hereof.
In
case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or
impaired
thereby.
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f.
|
Notices.
All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing and mailed,
sent by fascimile or delivered to the Company and to Granite at their
respective addresses set forth above (with a copy (if to the Company)
to
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq., Xxxxxx and Xxxxx, LLP, 000 Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, facsimile: (000)-000-0000).
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g.
|
Opinions
and Advice.
Granite is acting as financial advisor and is not an expert on, and
cannot
render opinions regarding, legal, accounting, regulatory or tax matters.
The Company should consult with its other professional advisors concerning
these matters before undertaking the proposed Transaction. Granite
will
not have any rights or obligations in connection with the sale and
purchase of the securities contemplated by this Agreement except
as
expressly provided in this Agreement. In no event will Granite be
obligated to purchase the securities for its own account or for the
accounts of its customers.
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h.
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No
Waiver.
The failure or neglect of the parties hereto to insist, in any one
or more
instances, upon the strict performance of any of the terms or conditions
of this Agreement, or their waiver of strict performance of any of
the
terms or conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as
a waiver
or relinquishment in the future of such term or condition, but the
same
shall continue in full force and
effect.
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i.
|
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of
which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
shall be deemed one and the same
instrument.
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Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
If
the
foregoing correctly sets forth your understanding and intentions, please so
indicate by returning to us a signed copy of this letter.
Sincerely,
Granite
Financial Group, LLC
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||
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By: | /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | |
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
[Title]
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APPROVED
AND ACCEPTED
On
May
22, 2007:
MICROWAVE
SATELLITE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Print
name: Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
[Addendum
A and Annex A follow]
Page
6 of 9
Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
Addendum
A
ANNEX
A
The
Company agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless Granite, its affiliates,
and their respective directors, members, officers, employees, agents,
representatives and controlling persons (collectively “Granite” and each such
entity or person being an “Indemnified
Party”)
from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or
several, as incurred, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject, and
related to or arising out of the engagement of Granite hereunder, the activities
performed or omitted by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party pursuant to this
Agreement, the Transactions contemplated thereby or Granite’s role in connection
therewith; provided
that the
Company will not be liable to the extent that any loss, claim, damage or
liability is found in a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) by a
court to have resulted primarily from actions taken or omitted to be taken
by
Granite in bad faith or from Granite's gross negligence or willful misconduct
in
performing the services described above. The Company also agrees to reimburse
any Indemnified Party for all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and
disbursements) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of,
preparation for or defense of any pending or threatened claim, or any action,
investigation, suit or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such
Indemnified Party is a party, whether or not liability resulted and whether
or
not such claim, action or proceeding is initiated or brought by or on behalf
of
the Company. The Company also agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any
liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to
the
Company or its security holders or creditors related to or arising out of the
engagement of Granite pursuant to, or the performance by Granite of the services
contemplated by, this Agreement except to the extent that any loss, claim,
damage or liability is found in a final judgment (not subject to further appeal)
by a court to have resulted primarily from actions taken or omitted to be taken
by Granite in bad faith or from Granite's gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
If
the
indemnification provided for in this Agreement is for any reason held
unenforceable, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages
and liabilities, as incurred by any Indemnified Person, for which such
indemnification is held unenforceable in such proportion as is appropriate
to
reflect the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and Granite,
on
the other hand, of the Transaction (whether or not the Transaction is
consummated). The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the
relative benefits to the Company and Granite of the Transaction shall be deemed
to be in the same proportion that the total value of the Transaction or
contemplated Transaction by the Company as a result of or in connection with
the
proposed Transaction bears to the fee paid or to be paid to Granite under this
Agreement; provided
that, to
the extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall the Indemnified
Parties be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the aggregate
fees actually paid to Granite under this Agreement.
Promptly
after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of any claim or the commencement
of any action, suit or proceeding with respect to which an Indemnified Party
may
be entitled to indemnity hereunder, such Indemnified Party will notify the
Company in writing of such claim or of the commencement of such action or
proceeding, and the Company will
assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding and will employ counsel
satisfactory to the Indemnified Parties and will pay the fees and disbursements
of such counsel, as incurred. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any
Indemnified Party will be entitled to employ counsel separate from counsel
for
the Company and from any other party in such action if such Indemnified Party
reasonably determines that a conflict of interest exists which makes
representation by counsel chosen by the Company not advisable or if such
Indemnified Party reasonably determines that the Company’s assumption of the
defense does not adequately represent its interest. In such event, the fees
and
disbursements of such separate counsel will be paid by the Company, but in
no
event will the Company be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one
counsel (in addition to local) for all Indemnified Parties in connection with
any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general claims or circumstances.
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Microwave
Satellite Technologies, Inc.
May
__, 2007
The
Company agrees that, without Granite’s prior written consent, it will not
settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or
threatened claim, action or proceeding in respect of which indemnification
could
be sought under the indemnification provision of this Agreement (whether or
not
Granite or any other Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such
claim, action or proceeding), unless such settlement, compromise or consent
includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liability
arising out of such claim, action or proceeding. Granite agrees that, without
the Company’s prior written consent, it will not settle, compromise or consent
to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or
proceeding in respect of which indemnification could be sought under the
indemnification provision of this Agreement (whether or not the Company is
an
actual or potential party to such claim, action or proceeding), unless such
settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each
Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim, action or
proceeding.
In
the
event any Indemnified Party is requested or required to appear as a witness
in
any action, suit or proceeding brought by or on behalf of or against the Company
or any affiliate or any participant in a Transaction covered hereby in which
such Indemnified Party is not named as a defendant, the Company agrees to
reimburse Granite and such Indemnified Party for all reasonable disbursements
incurred by them in connection with such Indemnified Party’s appearing and
preparing to appear as a witness, including, without limitation, the reasonable
fees and disbursements of their legal counsel, and to compensate Granite and
such Indemnified Party in an amount to be mutually agreed upon.
In
the
event that any amounts due under these indemnification provisions contained
in
this Annex A are not paid within thirty days after written notice of such event
giving rise to the indemnification obligations, such amounts shall bear interest
at a rate of 1.5% per month or at the highest rate permitted under the laws
of
the State of New York, whichever rate is lower.
The
provisions of Annex A shall be in addition to any liability which the Company
may otherwise have. These provisions shall be governed by the law of the State
of New York and shall be operative, in full force and in full effect, regardless
of any termination or expiration of this agreement, subject to Sections 7 and
8
of the Agreement.
GRANITE FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC | MICROWAVE SATELLITE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
[Name, Title] |
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx,
President
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