Exhibit No. 10.16
Exhibit No. 10.16
CONFIDENTIAL
April 9,
2008
Xx. Xxxxx
X Xxxxxx
Chairman
of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer
Blackhawk
Capital Group BDC, Inc.
00 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000X
New York,
NY 10005
Dear Xx.
Xxxxxx,
This
letter (the “Agreement”) will confirm the engagement of Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Associates, Inc. (“Xxxxxxxxxxx”), by Blackhawk Capital Group BDC, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and a business development company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Company”), as placement agent
in connection with the Company’s Regulation E Offering (the "Offering") of $5
million in common stock (“Securities”) to qualified institutional buyers only
(the "Investors"). The Offering will be pursuant to Forms 1-E and
1-E/A, which shall include the required Offering Circular for the Offering,
filed with the SEC (collectively the "Form 1-E"). The maximum amount
to be raised in the Offering is $5,000,000; there is no minimum offering
amount. As of April 8, 2008, the Company has sold 698,112 shares of
Common Stock in the Offering at $1.00 per share for gross proceeds of
$698,112.
1.
|
Scope
of Xxxxxxxxxxx’x Services. Xxxxxxxxxxx will distribute Offering
Materials (as hereinafter defined) to potential investors, report the
status of the Offering to the Company, and assist in consummating the
Offering, including, but not limited
to:
|
a.
|
familiarizing
itself to the extent it deems appropriate and feasible with the business
operations, properties, financial condition, and prospects of the
Company,
|
b.
|
assisting
the Company in preparing Offering Materials for distribution by
Xxxxxxxxxxx to potential investors selected by Xxxxxxxxxxx and the
Company,
|
c.
|
screening
and contacting prospective
investors,
|
x.
|
assisting
in negotiations with prospective investors,
and
|
e.
|
advising
and assisting the Company in structuring and pricing the
Offering.
|
The
Offering will be conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Form
1-E. It is understood by both parties that Xxxxxxxxxxx intends to
solicit interest from a limited number of potential Investors and on a
“best-efforts” only basis. Xxxxxxxxxxx will, in its sole discretion,
determine the reasonableness of its efforts and is under no obligation to
perform at any level other than what it deems reasonable. The Company
shall retain control of the Offering and shall have the right to determine (a)
whether to accept and close the sale of the Securities to a specific Investor,
(b) whether to close or terminate the Offering, and (c) the content of the
Offering Materials.
2.
|
Fees. In return
for Xxxxxxxxxxx’x services in the placement of Securities, the Company
will pay Xxxxxxxxxxx a cash fee equal to 10.00% of the gross proceeds (the
“Financing Fee”) of any Securities placed by
Xxxxxxxxxxx.
|
Any
Financing Fees payable to Xxxxxxxxxxx will be due at the closing date of the
Offering and shall be payable to Xxxxxxxxxxx by the
Company. Xxxxxxxxxxx shall not be entitled to receive the
reimbursement of any expenses from the Company.
3.
|
Term. The term of
this Agreement shall begin on the date hereof and shall terminate 60 days
("Sixty Day Period") from the date that the Form 1-E is available to be
sent to prospective investors (“Termination Date”). The Company
and Xxxxxxxxxxx mutually retain the right to renew this Agreement upon
written notification to prior to the Termination
Date.
|
For a
period up to 5 years from the Termination Date and if Xxxxxxxxxxx enters into a
selling group of any subsequent securities offerings of the Company, then
Xxxxxxxxxxx shall receive additional financing fees (“Additional Fees”) if the
Company sells securities to those investors previously introduced by Xxxxxxxxxxx
(“Protected Investors”). Prior to the Termination Date, Xxxxxxxxxxx
will furnish the Company with a written list of the Protected
Investors. The Additional Fees will be equal to any underwriting or
placement fees that are listed in any future offering circular or
prospectus.
4.
|
Company
Information. The Company
will furnish Xxxxxxxxxxx such information concerning the Company as
Xxxxxxxxxxx reasonable determines to be appropriate with respect to the
Offering (“Information”). The Company shall afford Xxxxxxxxxxx
and its counsel and representatives full and complete access to its books
and records and will use commercially reasonable efforts to afford
Xxxxxxxxxxx with full and complete cooperation of management to gather the
Information on a reasonable basis. The Company recognizes and
confirms that Xxxxxxxxxxx (a) will use and rely on the Information in
performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, without
independently verifying the accuracy and completeness of the same, (b)
does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the
Information, and (c) will not make an appraisal of any assets or liability
of the Company.
|
The
Company hereby represents to Xxxxxxxxxxx that all solicitation materials
prepared by the Company and used in connection with the Offering, including,
without limitation, the Form 1-E (the “Offering Materials”) will not, as of the
date of any offer or sale in connection with the Offering, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit a material fact necessary to make the
statements contained therein, not misleading, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made. If at any time an event occurs as a
result of which the Offering Materials, as then amended or supplemented, would
include an 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 when such Offering Materials are delivered to a
prospective purchaser pursuant hereto, not misleading, the Company will promptly
notify Xxxxxxxxxxx to suspend solicitation of prospective purchasers in
connection with the Offering; and if the Company decides to amend or supplement
the Offering Materials, it will promptly advise Xxxxxxxxxxx by telephone (with
confirmation in writing) and will promptly prepare an amendment or supplement
that will correct such statement or omission.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
will not violate, or cause the Company to violate, any applicable federal and
state securities laws in connection with the Offering.
5.
|
Confidentiality. In
connection with this engagement, it is contemplated that Xxxxxxxxxxx will
receive from the Company certain information (including certain business
planning, product, marketing, technical, financial, and other information
and materials) the Company considers confidential. Xxxxxxxxxxx
shall use this confidential information solely for the purpose of
providing services to the Company and will not disclose to any party
(other than Xxxxxxxxxxx’x officers, directors, employees, affiliates, and
counsel who have a need to know such information, herein
“Representatives”) any such confidential information, except with the
prior written approval of the Company; provided, however, that the
foregoing restrictions shall not apply to any information that: (a) is
included in the Offering Materials and disclosed pursuant to the
distribution of the Offering Materials as permitted by the Company, (b)
the Company consents to having disclosed in connection with the Offering,
(c) is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly
available other than through disclosure by Xxxxxxxxxxx or its
Representatives, or (d) is required to be disclosed by Xxxxxxxxxxx by
judicial or administrative process in connection with any action, suit,
proceeding, or investigation; and provided, further, however, that
Xxxxxxxxxxx shall give the Company notice of any such requirement
immediately upon the becoming aware of same and shall not disclose such
information except only to the extent required after the maximum time
permitted. Information shall be deemed “publicly available” if
it becomes a matter of public knowledge or is contained in materials
available to the public or is obtained by Xxxxxxxxxxx from any source
other than the Company or its representatives, provided that such source
was not to Xxxxxxxxxxx’x actual knowledge subject to a confidentiality
agreement with the Company. Xxxxxxxxxxx will take reasonable
steps to assure that the Offering Materials are not distributed to any
persons not permitted to receive them pursuant to the terms
hereof. Xxxxxxxxxxx will not provide any confidential
information to prospective Investors or any other third party without the
express written consent of the
Company.
|
6.
|
Representations
and Warranties of Xxxxxxxxxxx. Xxxxxxxxxxx represents
and warrants to the Company as follows: (a) it is a licensed
broker-dealer registered with the SEC and FINRA; (b) there are
no judgments, orders, decrees, or like actions, or any proceedings
pending, before the SEC, FINRA, any State, or any court or arbitration
panel that prohibit or effect Xxxxxxxxxxx from carrying out its
obligations under this Agreement; and (c) this Agreement has been duly
authorized and approved by Xxxxxxxxxxx, does not contravene its
organizational documents or any agreement or order to which it is a party,
and is a legal and valid obligation binding on
Xxxxxxxxxxx.
|
7.
|
Indemnification. The Company
acknowledges that Xxxxxxxxxxx will be acting on behalf of the Company and
will require indemnification by the Company. The Company
further acknowledges that Xxxxxxxxxxx’x indemnification provisions
attached hereto as Exhibit A are incorporated by reference herein or are
made a part hereof for all purposes as though set forth entirely
herein.
|
8.
|
Miscellaneous. The
Offering will be completed in accordance with Regulation E under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which is the securities offering
registration exemption applicable to business development companies
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
("Investment Company Act"), and all applicable state or other
jurisdictional securities laws (i.e. “blue sky” laws). All
investors in the Transaction will be persons who qualify as accredited
investors under all applicable federal and state securities laws and who
execute a subscription agreement and investor
questionnaire.
|
The
Company shall have the right to identify investors with which it has
affiliations who would be suitable accredited investors for the Offering
("Company-Introduced Investors"). In the event that the Company decides that
these investors are suitable for the Offering and these investors purchase
Securities in the Offering, no fees shall be due to Xxxxxxxxxxx respecting
Securities purchased by Company-Introduced Investors pursuant to Section 2
above.
The
Company agrees that, following the closing of the Offering, Xxxxxxxxxxx shall
have the right to place advertisements in financial and other newspapers and
journals at its own expense describing its services to the Company hereunder,
provided that Xxxxxxxxxxx will submit a copy of any such advertisement to the
Company for its approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
The
parties agree that their relationship under this Agreement is a placement agent
relationship only, and nothing herein shall cause Xxxxxxxxxxx to be partners,
agents or fiduciaries of, or joint venture partners with, the Company or with
each other.
This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except in writing and shall be governed
by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
If this
Agreement reflects our mutual understanding, please execute two copies in the
space indicated below and return one to us.
Very
truly yours,
XXXX
X. XXXXXXXXXXX ASSOCIATES, INC.
/s/ Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
_____________________________
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
President
Accepted
and agreed to as of April 9, 2008:
BLACKHAWK
CAPITAL GROUP BDC, INC.
/s/ Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
____________________________________
Xx.
Xxxxx X Xxxxxx
Chairman
of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit
A
Indemnification
Blackhawk
Capital Group BDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless Xxxxxxxxxxx Inc. (“Xxxxxxxxxxx”), together with its
affiliates, directors, officers, agents, and employees (Xxxxxxxxxxx and each
such entity or person, an “Indemnified Person”), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, judgments, and liabilities, expenses, or costs (and all
actions in respect thereof and any legal or other expenses in giving testimony
or furnishing documents in response to a subpoena or otherwise), including the
cost of investigating, preparing for, or defending any such action or claim,
whether or not in connection with litigation in which an Indemnified Person is a
party, as and when incurred, directly or indirectly caused by, relating to,
based upon, or arising out of Xxxxxxxxxxx’x performance of its engagement by the
Company under the letter agreement dated as of April 9, 2008, as it may be
amended from time to time (the “Agreement”), or otherwise arising out of or in
connection with advice or services provided or to be provided by Indemnified
Persons pursuant to the Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby, or any
Indemnified Person’s actions or inactions in connection with any such advice,
services, or transactions, including any indemnified person’s sole or
contributory negligence, if such activities were performed (i) in good faith and
(ii) in such manner reasonably believed by such Indemnified Person to be within
the scope of the authority conferred by the Agreement or by law and to be on
behalf of the Company or in furtherance of the performance of Xxxxxxxxxxx’x
services under the Agreement; provided, however, such indemnity agreement shall
not apply to any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or cost incurred by any
Indemnified Person to the extent it is found in a final judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal) to have resulted
primarily and directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct or bad
faith of such Indemnified Person. The Company also agrees that no
Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in
contract or tort or otherwise) to the Company for or in connection with the any
advice or services provided by any Indemnified Persons in connection with the
Agreement, the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, or any Indemnified
Persons’ actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services, or
transactions except for any such liability for losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, or costs found in a final judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal) to have resulted primarily and
directly from such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct
or bad faith in connection with such advice, actions, inactions, or
services.
These
Indemnification Provisions shall be in addition to any liability that the
Company may otherwise have to any Indemnified Person and shall extend to the
following: Xxxxxxxxxxx, its affiliated entities, directors, officers, employees,
agents, legal counsel and controlling persons of Xxxxxxxxxxx within the meaning
of the federal securities laws, and the respective successors, assigns, heirs,
beneficiaries, and legal representatives of each of the foregoing indemnified
persons or entities. All references to Xxxxxxxxxxx or Indemnified
Persons in these Indemnification Provisions shall be understood to include any
and all of the foregoing indemnified persons or entities.
If any
action, proceeding, or investigation is commenced, as to which an Indemnified
Person proposes to demand such indemnification, it will notify the Company with
reasonable promptness; provided, however, that any failure by an Indemnified
Person to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from its obligations
hereunder except if and only to the extent that the Company’s defense of such
action, proceeding or investigation is actually prejudiced by the Indemnified
Person’s failure so to notify the Company. Xxxxxxxxxxx will have the right to
retain counsel of its own choice to represent it; however, such firm shall be
acceptable to the Company, which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld,
and unless the Company assumes Xxxxxxxxxxx’x defense as provided below, the
Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, and such
counsel shall to the fullest extent consistent with its professional
responsibilities cooperate with the Company and any counsel designated by it.
The Company will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense,
or if it so elects, to assume and control the defense of any action, proceeding,
or investigation, but if the Company elects to assume the defense, such defense
shall be conducted by counsel reasonably acceptable to Xxxxxxxxxxx. Any
Indemnified Person may retain additional counsel of its own choice to represent
it but shall bear the fees and expenses of such counsel unless the Company shall
have specifically authorized the retaining of such counsel. The
Company will not be liable for any settlement of any claim against an
Indemnified Person made without its written consent.
In order
to provide for just and equitable contribution, if a claim for indemnification
pursuant to these Indemnification Provisions is made but it is found in a final
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal)
that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case, even though the
express provisions hereof provide for indemnification in such case, then the
Company, on the one hand, and any Indemnified Person, on the other hand, shall
contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or costs to which the
Indemnified Persons may be subject in accordance with the relative benefits
received by the Company, on the one hand, and Xxxxxxxxxxx, on the other hand,
and also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and Xxxxxxxxxxx, on
the other hand, in connection with the statements, acts or omissions that
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or costs, and the
relevant equitable considerations shall also be considered. No person
found liable for a fraudulent misrepresentation shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who is not also found liable for such
misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Xxxxxxxxxxx shall
not be obligated to contribute any amount hereunder that exceeds the amount of
fees received by Xxxxxxxxxxx pursuant to the Agreement.
Neither
termination nor completion of the engagement of Xxxxxxxxxxx or any Indemnified
Person under the Agreement shall affect the provisions of these Indemnification
Provisions, which shall then remain operative and in full force and effect for
two years.
If any
provision contained in this Exhibit A is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable, or against
its regulatory policy, the remainder of the provisions contained in this Exhibit
A shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,
impaired, or invalidated. These Indemnification Provisions may not be amended or
modified in any way, except by subsequent agreement executed in
writing.