INVESTOR Rights Agreement
Exhibit 10.2
Final
THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2022, is made and entered into by and among [PubCo], a Cayman Islands exempted company f/k/a [SPAC] (the “Pubco”), Galata Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Xxxx Xxxxx Oktem (“Oktem”), Cankut Durgun (“Durgun” and, together with Oktem, the “Founders”) and the undersigned parties listed under Holder on the signature page hereto (each such party, together with the Founders, the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder”).
WHEREAS, [Target], a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of [●], 2022 (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “BCA”), by and among the Company, Pubco and Merger Sub (as defined in the BCA) in connection with the business combination of Pubco and the Company (the “Business Combination”) and other transactions contemplated therein;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the BCA, at the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), among other things, (i) the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco and (ii) the holders of equity securities of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the BCA) received Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Pubco (the “Ordinary Shares”);
WHEREAS, Pubco, the Sponsor and Pubco’s independent directors prior to the Effective Time (the “SPAC Independent Directors”) entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2021 (the “RRA”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the execution of this Agreement, Pubco, the Sponsor and the SPAC Independent Directors desire to terminate the RRA and replace it with this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, as of the Effective Time, the Holders desire to set forth their agreement with respect to governance, registration rights and certain other matters, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article 1 shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of Pubco, after consultation with counsel to Pubco, (a) would be required to be made in (i) any Registration Statement in order for the applicable Registration Statement not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any Prospectus in order for the applicable Prospectus not to include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (b) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed and (c) Pubco has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
“Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise; provided that no Holder shall be deemed an Affiliate of Pubco or any of its subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“BCA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Beneficially Own” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and any Person’s beneficial ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule as in effect as of such time.
“Board” shall mean the board of directors of Pubco.
“Business Combination” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Callaway Representative” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Confidential Information” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.12.
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“Durgun” shall have the meaning given in the preamble.
“Durgun Ownership Threshold” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Durgun Representative” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“EBRD” means the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and its Affiliates.
“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning given in subsection 5.1.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Family Member” means with respect to any Person, (a) any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and shall include adoptive relationships or (b) any trust created for the benefit of any such Person or of which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary.
“Financial Counterparty” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.6.
“Founders” shall have the meaning given in the preamble.
“Governmental Entity” means a unit, subdivision or entity of any federal, national, state, county, or municipal government, including any agency, department, board or commission.
“Holder” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Holder Indemnified Persons” shall have the meaning given in subsection 6.1.1.
“Holder Information” means such information and affidavits as Pubco reasonably requests for use in connection with any Registration.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.4.
“Minimum Underwritten Offering Threshold” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.5.
“Misstatement” shall mean, in the case of a Registration Statement, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and in the case of a Prospectus, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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“Necessary Action” means, (x) with respect to any Person and a specified result, all actions (to the extent such actions are not prohibited by applicable Law and within such Person’s control, and in the case of any action that requires a vote or other action on the part of the Board to the extent such action is consistent with fiduciary duties that Pubco’s directors may have in such capacity) necessary to cause such result, including (a) calling special meetings of shareholders, (b) voting or providing a written consent or proxy, if applicable in each case, with respect to Ordinary Shares, (c) causing the adoption of shareholders’ resolutions and amendments to the Organizational Documents, (d) executing agreements and instruments, (e) making, or causing to be made, with Governmental Entities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result and (f) nominating certain Persons for election to the Board in connection with the annual or special meeting of shareholders of Pubco and (y), with respect to Pubco and a specified result, taking all necessary corporate actions (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law), to effectuate such result, and including (A) including the Persons designated pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 of this Agreement in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election at any meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (B) nominating and recommending each such individual to be elected as a director as provided herein, (C) soliciting proxies or consents in favor thereof, and (D) without limiting the foregoing, otherwise using its reasonable best efforts to cause such nominees to be elected to the Board, including providing at least as high a level of support for the election of such nominees as it provides to any other individual standing for election as a director.
“Oktem” shall have the meaning given in the preamble.
“Oktem Ownership Threshold” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.
“Oktem Representative” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Organizational Documents” means the memorandum and articles of association of Pubco as in effect from time-to-time.
“Permitted Transferee” means with respect to any Person, (i) any Family Member of such Person and (ii) any Affiliate of such Person (including any partner, shareholder, member controlling or under common control with such Person).
“Person” means any person or entity.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.2.1.
“Private Placement SPAC Warrants” means the 7,250,000 warrants issued pursuant to the Private Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2021, entitling the holders thereof to purchase one Class A Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.4.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Pubco” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
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“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of any SPAC Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement SPAC Warrants (including any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such Private Placement SPAC Warrants), (c) any outstanding Ordinary Shares or any other equity security (including the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of Pubco held by a Holder, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include any Ordinary Shares received by a Holder on or after the date hereof as a distribution from the Sponsor in connection with its liquidation and dissolution, (d) any equity securities (including the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of Pubco issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans in an amount up to $[●] made to Pubco by a Holder and (e) any other equity security of Pubco issued or issuable with respect to any such Ordinary Shares by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by Pubco and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; or (iv) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations).
“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any such registration statement having been declared effective by, or become effective pursuant to the rules promulgated by, the Commission.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(a) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and any securities exchange on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed);
(b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(c) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(d) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Pubco;
(e) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of Pubco incurred specifically in connection with such Registration or Underwritten Offering;
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(f) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of any Registrable Securities on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by Pubco are then listed;
(g) the fees and expenses incurred by Pubco in connection with any road show for any Underwritten Offerings; and
(h) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected jointly by the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Demand, the Requesting Holders participating in an Underwritten Offering and the Holders participating in a Piggyback Registration, as applicable.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement under the Securities Act that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.3.
“RRA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.1.
“SPAC Founder Shares” means Pubco’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
“SPAC Independent Directors” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Sponsor Director” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.3.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Demand” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.3.
“Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of Pubco are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
“Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.8.
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Article 2
Governance
(i) the Class I directors shall include [●], [●] and [●];
(ii) the Class II directors shall include [●] and [●]; and
(iii) the Class III directors shall include [●] and the Sponsor Director.
The initial term of the Class I directors shall expire immediately following Pubco’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected. The initial term of the Class II directors shall expire immediately following Pubco’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected. The initial term of the Class III directors shall expire immediately following Pubco’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected.
1 | 25% or more of the ordinary shares of Pubco held by Xx. Xxxxx and his Permitted Transferees immediately following the Closing |
2 | 25% or more of the ordinary shares of Pubco held by Xx. Xxxxxx and his Permitted Transferees immediately following the Closing |
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3 | 25% or more of the ordinary shares of Pubco held by Callaway and its Permitted Transferees (including the Sponsor) immediately following the Closing |
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2.1.12 Sharing of Information. To the extent permitted by antitrust, competition or any other applicable Law, Pubco agrees and acknowledges that the director designated by [Callaway] may share confidential, non-public information about Pubco and its subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”) with Callaway. Callaway recognizes that it, its Affiliates and its and their respective representatives has acquired or will acquire Confidential Information the use or disclosure of which could cause Pubco substantial loss and damages that could not be readily calculated and for which no remedy at Law would be adequate. Accordingly, Callaway covenants and agrees with Pubco that it will not (and will cause its Affiliates and its and their respective representatives not to) at any time, except with the prior written consent of Pubco, directly or indirectly, disclose any Confidential Information known to it to any third party, unless (a) such information becomes known to the public through no fault of Callaway, (b) disclosure is required by applicable Law or court of competent jurisdiction or requested by a Governmental Entity; provided that Callaway (x) promptly notifies Pubco of such requirement or request, (y) reasonably cooperates with Pubco to obtain a protective order, confidential treatment or similar protection with respect to such Confidential Information at the sole expense of PubCo and (z) takes commercially reasonable steps, at the sole cost and expense of Pubco, to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure, (c) such information was available or becomes available to Callaway before, at or after the Effective Time, without restriction, from a source (other than Pubco, its subsidiaries or its or their respective representatives) without any breach of duty to Pubco or any of its subsidiaries or (d) such information was independently developed by Callaway or its representatives without the use of or reference to any Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Investor Rights Agreement shall prohibit Callaway from disclosing Confidential Information to any Affiliate, representative, limited partner, member or shareholder of Callaway; provided that such Person shall be bound by an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such Confidential Information and Callaway shall be responsible for any breach of this subsection 2.1.12 by any such Person. No Confidential Information shall be deemed to be provided to any Person, including any Affiliate of [Callaway], unless such Confidential Information is actually provided to or used by such Person.
Article 3
Required Approvals.
3.1.1 For so long as (x) the Founders and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, at least [●]4 Ordinary Shares (as such number may be equitably adjusted for stock splits, combinations, etc. following the date hereof) (the “Founder Ownership Threshold”) and (y) either Oktem or Durgun is an officer of Pubco or a member of the Board, in addition to any vote or consent of the Board or the shareholders of Pubco required by applicable Law or the Organizational Documents of Pubco, the Board may not approve, or cause Pubco or any of its subsidiaries to approve, and neither Pubco nor any of its subsidiaries may take, any action set forth on Exhibit A (whether directly or indirectly by amendment, merger, recapitalization, consolidation or otherwise) without the prior written consent of each Founder, other than as explicitly contemplated by the BCA.
4 | 25% or more of the ordinary shares of Pubco held by the Founders and their Permitted Transferees immediately following the Closing |
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3.1.2 For so long as either (a)(x) the Founders and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, at least 14,600,000 Ordinary Shares (as such number may be equitably adjusted for stock splits, combinations, etc. following the date hereof) and (y) either Oktem or Durgun is an officer of Pubco or a member of the Board, or (b)(x) the Founders and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, at least 11,700,000 Ordinary Shares (as such number may be equitably adjusted for stock splits, combinations, etc. following the date hereof) and (y) each of Oktem and Durgun is an officer of Pubco or a member of the Board, in addition to any vote or consent of the Board or the shareholders of Pubco required by applicable Law or the Organizational Documents of Pubco, the Board may not approve, or cause Pubco or any of its subsidiaries to approve, and neither Pubco nor any of its subsidiaries may take, any action set forth on Exhibit B (whether directly or indirectly by amendment, merger, recapitalization, consolidation or otherwise) without the prior written consent of each Founder, other than as explicitly contemplated by the BCA.
3.1.3 In the event that (x) the prior written consent of the Founders is required hereunder pursuant to subsection 3.1.1 or subsection 3.1.2, as applicable, and (y)(i) a Founder has been removed from his position as an officer and/or director of Pubco for cause or (ii) a Founder dies or becomes disabled, then any decision of the Founders hereunder shall be exercised only by the other Founder.
3.1.4 For so long as the Founders and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own a number of Ordinary Shares at least equal to the Founder Ownership Threshold, except in the event of a removal for cause, neither Oktem nor Durgun shall be removed from his position as an officer of Pubco without the written consent of the other Founder.
3.1.5 For the avoidance of doubt, upon the occurrence of an event causing the forfeiture of any right granted under any of subsections 3.1.1 through 3.1.4 (a “Forfeiture Event”), such right shall not be reinstated by developments subsequent to such Forfeiture Event, such as increased holdings of Ordinary Shares or subsequent appointments as an officer or director; provided that, if either Founder’s consent rights are forfeited due to disability such that, pursuant to subsection 3.1.3 the other Founder exercises the consent rights and such Founder subsequently is no longer so disabled, then such Founder’s consent rights will be reinstated.
Article 4
Registrations
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(a) If the Underwritten Offering is undertaken for Pubco’s account, Pubco shall include in any such Underwritten Offering (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of Pubco that Pubco desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders requesting a Piggyback Registration pursuant to subsection 4.2.1 of this Agreement, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of Pubco, if any, as to which inclusion in the Underwritten Offering has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights of other shareholders of Pubco, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
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(b) If the Underwritten Offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then Pubco shall include in any such Underwritten Offering (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of Pubco, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders requesting a Piggyback Registration pursuant to subsection 4.2.1, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of Pubco that Pubco desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of Pubco for the account of other persons or entities that Pubco is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; or
(c) If the Underwritten Offering is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, then Pubco shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities in the priority set forth in subsection 4.1.7.
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Article 5
PUBCO Procedures
5.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission after the consummation of the Business Combination a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective in accordance with Section 4.1, including filing a replacement Registration Statement, if necessary, and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or are no longer outstanding (such period, the “Effectiveness Period”);
5.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, (a) as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least five-percent (5%) of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement, any Underwriter or the Sponsor (provided that at the time of such request, [Callaway] and its Permitted Transferees holds at least 25% of the amount of outstanding Ordinary Shares of Pubco that they held immediately after the Closing), or (b) as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by Pubco or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the plan of distribution provided by the Holders and as set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or are no longer outstanding;
5.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or Underwritten Offering, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus) and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or Underwritten Offering or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided that Pubco will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this subsection 5.1.3 that is available on the Commission’s XXXXX system;
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5.1.4 prior to any Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of Pubco and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that Pubco shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
5.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by Pubco are then listed;
5.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering;
5.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
5.1.8 during the Effectiveness Period, furnish a conformed copy of each filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, promptly after such filing of such documents with the Commission to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel; provided that Pubco will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this subsection 5.1.8 that is available on the Commission’s XXXXX system;
5.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 5.4 of this Agreement;
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5.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering (including an underwritten block trade) or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration, permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the Holders), the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating such Underwritten Offering or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and cause Pubco’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters or financial institutions agree to confidentiality arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Pubco, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
5.1.11 obtain a comfort letter from Pubco’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering (including an underwritten block trade) or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration (subject to such Financial Counterparty providing such certification or representation reasonably requested by Pubco’s independent registered public accountants and Pubco’s counsel), in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
5.1.12 in the event of an Underwritten Offering (including an underwritten block trade) or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing Pubco for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the Financial Counterparty, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, Financial Counterparty or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to such participating Holders, Financial Counterparty or Underwriter;
5.1.13 in the event of an Underwritten Offering (including an underwritten block trade) or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration to which Pubco has consented, to the extent reasonably requested by such Financial Counterparty in order to engage in such offering, allow the Financial Counterparty to conduct customary “underwriter’s due diligence” with respect to Pubco;
5.1.14 in the event of any Underwritten Offering (including an underwritten block trade) or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting or other purchase or sales agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter or the Financial Counterparty of such offering or sale;
5.1.15 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of Pubco’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
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5.1.16 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to subsection 4.1.5 use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of Pubco to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering;
5.1.17 in the case of certificated Registrable Securities, cooperate with the Holders and the managing Underwriters to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any legends) representing Registrable Securities to be sold after receiving written representations from the Holders participating in such offering that the Registrable Securities represented by the certificates so delivered by such Holders will be transferred in accordance with the Registration Statement, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as such Holders or managing Underwriters may reasonably request at least two business days prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities; and
5.1.18 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Pubco shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter or Financial Counterparty if such Underwriter or Financial Counterparty has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a registration as an Underwriter or Financial Counterparty, as applicable.
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5.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.
5.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from Pubco that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains or includes a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Registration Statement or Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that Pubco hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by Pubco that the use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus may be resumed.
5.4.2 Subject to subsection 5.4.4, if the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration or Underwritten Offering at any time would (a) require Pubco to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to Pubco for reasons beyond Pubco’s control, or (c) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board, be seriously detrimental to Pubco and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, Pubco may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by Pubco to be necessary for such purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Pubco may delay or suspend continued use of a Registration Statement or Prospectus in respect of a Registration or Underwritten Offering in order to file and make effective a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement in connection with the filing of Pubco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and such suspension shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection 5.4.4. In the event Pubco exercises its rights under the preceding sentences in this Section 5.4, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notices referred to in this Section 5.4, their use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus in connection with any resale or other disposition of Registrable Securities. Pubco shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 5.4.
5.4.3 Subject to subsection 5.4.4, (a) during the period starting with the date thirty (30) days prior to Pubco’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date sixty (60) days after the effective date of, a Pubco-initiated Registration and provided that Pubco continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement, or (b) if, pursuant to subsection 4.1.5, Holders have requested an Underwritten Offering and Pubco and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, Pubco may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to subsection 4.1.5 or Section 4.4.
5.4.4 The right to delay or suspend any filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement pursuant to subsection 5.4.2 or a registered offering pursuant to subsection 5.4.3 shall be exercised by Pubco on not more than two (2) occasions and, in the aggregate, for not more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days or more than one hundred-twenty (120) total calendar days in each case, during any twelve (12)-month period, except with the consent of the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration.
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Article 6
Indemnification and Contribution
6.1.1 Pubco agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) (collectively, the “Holder Indemnified Persons”) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and inclusive of all reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of the enforcement of each such persons’ rights under this subsection 6.1.1) resulting from any Misstatement, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained or included in any information furnished in writing to Pubco by or on behalf of such Holder Indemnified Person specifically for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus in which the Misstatement was made.
6.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to Pubco in writing such information and affidavits as Pubco reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify Pubco, its officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, representatives and each person who controls Pubco (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and inclusive of all reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of the enforcement of each such persons’ rights under this subsection 6.1.2) resulting from any Misstatement, but only to the extent that the same are made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to the Holder so furnished in writing to Pubco by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus in which the Misstatement was made. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
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6.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (a) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (b) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim or there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
6.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities.
6.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 6.1 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall to the extent permitted by law contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the Misstatement relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or such indemnified party and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 6.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 6.1.1, 6.1.2 and 6.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 6.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 6.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 6.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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Article 7
Miscellaneous
7.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
7.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of Pubco hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by Pubco in whole or in part.
7.2.2 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors.
7.2.3 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and this Section 7.2 hereof.
7.2.4 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate Pubco unless and until Pubco shall have received (a) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 7.1 hereof and (b) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Pubco, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 7.2 shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights, duties and obligations under Article 2 and Article 3 may not be assigned or delegated by the parties thereto in whole or in part.
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7.4.1 SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION 7.4.3, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION; PROVIDED THAT SUBSECTION 7.4.3 AND SECTION 7.10 OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF ENGLAND AND WALES.
7.4.3 EACH PARTY AGREES THAT, WITH RESPECT TO EBRD, ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE INTERPRETATION, MAKING, PERFORMANCE, BREACH OR TERMINATION THEREOF, SHALL BE SETTLED BY ARBITRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNCITRAL ARBITRATION RULES AS REVISED IN 2010 (THE “RULES”). THERE SHALL BE ONE (1) ARBITRATOR AND THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY SHALL BE LCIA (LONDON COURT OF INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION). THE SEAT AND PLACE OF ARBITRATION SHALL BE LONDON, ENGLAND AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHALL BE USED THROUGHOUT THE ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS UNDER THE ARBITRATION XXX 0000 OR OTHERWISE TO APPEAL ANY ARBITRATION AWARD TO, OR TO SEEK A DETERMINATION OF A PRELIMINARY POINT OF LAW BY, THE COURTS OF ENGLAND. THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO GRANT, AND EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK FROM ANY JUDICIAL AUTHORITY, ANY INTERIM MEASURES OR PRE-AWARD RELIEF AGAINST EBRD, ANY PROVISIONS OF THE RULES NOTWITHSTANDING. THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER AND INCLUDE IN ANY PROCEEDING, DECISION OR AWARD ANY FURTHER DISPUTE PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE IT BY EBRD INSOFAR AS SUCH DISPUTE ARISES OUT OF ITS OWNERSHIP OF EQUITY SECURITIES, BUT, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, NO OTHER PARTIES OR OTHER DISPUTES SHALL BE INCLUDED IN, OR CONSOLIDATED WITH, THE ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RIGHTS OF EBRD ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, MAY, AT THE OPTION OF EBRD, BE ENFORCED BY EBRD IN THE DELAWARE CHANCERY COURT.
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5 NTD: PIPE investors to be added as an exception.
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[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
PUBCO: | |||
[SPAC] | |||
a Delaware corporation | |||
By: | |||
Name: | [●] | ||
Title: | [●] | ||
SPONSOR: | |||
GALATA ACQUISITION SPONSOR, LLC | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By: | |||
Name: | [●] | ||
Title: | [●] | ||
Title: | [●] | ||
OKTEM: | |||
By: | |||
Xxxxx Öktern | |||
DURGUN: | |||
By: | |||
Cankut Durgun |
[Signature Page to Investor Rights Agreement]
HOLDERS: | |||
By: | |||
Name: | [●] | ||
Title: | [●] |
[Signature Page to Investor Rights Agreement]
Exhibit A
1. | Any liquidation, dissolution, receivership, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of Pubco or any of its subsidiaries. |
2. | Any material change in the nature of the business of Pubco and its subsidiaries. |
3. | Any repurchase of Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of Pubco, except for repurchases pursuant to a repurchase plan or certain repurchases from employees, in each case, which are approved by the Board |
4. | Incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money by Pubco and/or any of its subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5 million, other than borrowings under an existing revolving credit facility |
5. | Any amendment of the organizational documents of Pubco or any of its subsidiaries |
6. | Designation of any class of equity securities |
7. | Any issuance of equity securities or rights to acquire equity securities, other than pursuant to employee incentive plans approved by the Board |
8. | Declaration of dividends or reclassification of equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities (other than any such declaration or reclassification with respect to a wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco) |
9. | Establishment of, or amendment or modification to, any employee incentive plans of Pubco or any of its subsidiaries |
Exhibit B
1. | Entering into or effecting a transaction in which any one Person, or more than one Person that are Affiliates or that are acting as a group, acquire ownership of equity securities of Pubco which, together with the equity securities of Pubco held by such Person, such Person and its Affiliates or such group, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power or economic rights of the equity securities of Pubco |
2. | Entering into agreements providing for or consummating the acquisition or divestiture of assets or equity security of any Person, with aggregate consideration in excess of $5 million in a single transaction or series of related transactions, whether by purchase, sale, contribution, merger or otherwise |
3. | Entering into any joint venture or similar business alliance having a fair market value in excess of $5 million |