VOTING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.11
EXECUTION VERSION
THIS VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 30 day of May, 2013, by and among Trunity Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each of the investors listed on Schedule A hereto (the “Investors”) and those certain stockholders of the Company listed on Schedule B (together with any subsequent stockholders or any transferees, who become parties hereto as “Key Holders” pursuant to Section 5.2, the “Key Holders”, and together with the Investors, collectively the “Stockholders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and the Investors are entering into separate subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”), to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) together with warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the execution and delivery of the Subscription Agreements, the parties desire to provide the Investors with the right, among other rights, to designate the election of certain members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Investors to enter into the Subscription Agreements and to invest funds in the Company pursuant to such Subscription Agreements, the Stockholders and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Voting Provisions Regarding Board of Directors.
1.1 Size of the Board. Each Stockholder agrees to vote, or cause to be voted, all Shares (as defined below) owned by such Stockholder, or over which such Stockholder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to ensure that the size of the Board shall be set and remain at five directors and may be increased only with the written consent of (a) PIC (as defined below) and (b) Stockholders holding at least 50% of the shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Shares” shall mean and include any securities of the Company the holders of which are entitled to vote for members of the Board, including without limitation, all shares of Common Stock, by whatever name called, now owned or subsequently acquired by a Stockholder, however acquired, whether through stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations, similar events or otherwise.
1.2 Board Composition. Each Stockholder agrees to vote, or cause to be voted, all Shares owned by such Stockholder, or over which such Stockholder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to ensure that at each annual or special meeting of stockholders at which an election of directors is held or pursuant to any written consent of the stockholders, for one person designated by Pan-African Investment Company, LLC (“PIC”) to serve as a member of the Company’s Board, which individual shall initially be Xxxx X. Xxxx, for so long as PIC and its Affiliates continue to own beneficially at least 2% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, which number is subject to appropriate adjustment for all stock splits, dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like. To the extent that the foregoing sentence shall not be applicable, any member of the Board who would otherwise have been designated in accordance with the terms thereof shall instead be voted upon by all of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon in accordance with, and pursuant to, the Company’s certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate”).
For purposes of this Agreement, an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity (collectively, a “Person”) shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of another Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
1.3 Failure to Designate a Board Member. In the absence of any designation by PIC as specified in Section 1.2, the director previously designated by it and then serving shall be nominated for reelection at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders if still eligible to serve as provided herein.
1.4 Removal of Board Members. Each Stockholder also agrees to vote, or cause to be voted, all Shares owned by such Stockholder, or over which such Stockholder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to ensure that:
(a) no director elected pursuant to Section 1.2 of this Agreement may be removed from office unless (i) such removal is directed or approved by the affirmative vote of the Person entitled under Section 1.2 to designate that director or (ii) the Person(s) originally entitled to designate or approve such director pursuant to Section 1.2 is no longer so entitled to designate or approve such director;
(b) any vacancies created by the resignation, removal or death of a director elected pursuant to Section 1.2 shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of this Article 1; and
(c) upon the request of any party entitled to designate a director as provided in Section 1.2 to remove such director, such director shall be removed.
All Stockholders agree to execute any written consents required to perform the obligations of this Agreement, and the Company agrees at the request of any party entitled to designate directors to call a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing directors.
1.5 No Liability for Election of Recommended Directors. No Stockholder, nor any Affiliate of any Stockholder, shall have any liability as a result of designating a person for election as a director for any act or omission by such designated person in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, nor shall any Stockholder have any liability as a result of voting for any such designee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
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2. Vote to Increase Authorized Common Stock. Each Stockholder agrees to vote or cause to be voted all Shares owned by such Stockholder, or over which such Stockholder has voting control, from time to time and at all times, in whatever manner as shall be necessary to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from time to time to ensure that there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock available for conversion of all Warrants outstanding at any given time.
3. Remedies.
3.1 Covenants of the Company. The Company agrees to use its best efforts, within the requirements of applicable law, to ensure that the rights granted under this Agreement are effective and that the parties enjoy the benefits of this Agreement. Such actions include, without limitation, the use of the Company’s best efforts to cause the nomination and election of the directors as provided in this Agreement.
3.2 Specific Enforcement. Each party acknowledges and agrees that each party hereto will be irreparably damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed by the parties in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that each of the Company and the Stockholders shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent breaches of this Agreement, and to specific enforcement of this Agreement and its terms and provisions in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state having subject matter jurisdiction.
3.3 Remedies Cumulative. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
4. Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue in effect until and shall terminate at the time when neither PIC nor its Affiliates hold beneficially or of record, at least two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Additional Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company issues additional shares of Common Stock after the date hereof, as a condition to the issuance of such shares, the Company shall require that any purchaser of Common Stock in an amount leaving such purchaser with over 0.5% of the shares issued and outstanding of Common Stock of the Company become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering (a) the Adoption Agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A, or (b) a counterpart signature page hereto agreeing to be bound by and subject to the terms of this Agreement as an Investor and Stockholder hereunder. In either event, each such person shall thereafter be deemed an Investor and Stockholder for all purposes under this Agreement.
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5.2 Transfers. Each transferee or assignee of any Shares subject to this Agreement shall continue to be subject to the terms hereof, and, as a condition precedent to the Company’s recognizing such transfer, each transferee or assignee shall agree in writing to be subject to each of the terms of this Agreement by executing and delivering an Adoption Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon the execution and delivery of an Adoption Agreement by any transferee, such transferee shall be deemed to be a party hereto as if such transferee were the transferor and such transferee’s signature appeared on the signature pages of this Agreement and shall be deemed to be an Investor and Stockholder, or Key Holder and Stockholder, as applicable. The Company shall not permit the transfer of the Shares subject to this Agreement on its books or issue a new certificate representing any such Shares unless and until such transferee shall have complied with the terms of this Section 5.2. Each certificate representing the Shares subject to this Agreement if issued on or after the date of this Agreement shall be endorsed by the Company with the legend set forth in Section 5.12.
5.3 Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
5.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of New York.
5.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
5.6 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
1.1 Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (a) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (b) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party) or (c) one business day after deposit with an overnight courier service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Chairman and CEO
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, P.A.
Miami Tower
000 XX Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
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If to PIC:
Pan-African Investment Company, LLC
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (___) ____-_____
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxx, Co-CEO
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxx Xxxxx, LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Yvan Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
If to any other Stockholder, to its address and facsimile number set forth on Schedule A or Schedule B, as applicable or to such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (i) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (ii) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (iii) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (a), (b) or (c) above, respectively.
5.7 Consent Required to Amend, Terminate or Waive. This Agreement may be amended or terminated and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument executed by (i) the Company; (ii) PIC and (iii) the holders of no less than 50% of the shares of Common Stock of the Company then issued and outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(a) this Agreement may not be amended or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may not be waived with respect to any Investor or Key Holder without the written consent of such Investor or Key Holder unless such amendment, termination or waiver applies to all Investors or Key Holders, as the case may be, in the same fashion;
(b) the consent of the Key Holders shall not be required for any amendment or waiver if such amendment or waiver either (A) is not directly applicable to the rights of the Key Holders hereunder or (B) does not adversely affect the rights of the Key Holders in a manner that is different than the effect on the rights of the other parties hereto; and
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(c) any provision hereof may be waived by the waiving party on such party’s own behalf, without the consent of any other party.
The Company shall give prompt written notice of any amendment, termination or waiver here-under to any party that did not consent in writing thereto. Any amendment, termination or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 5.8 shall be binding on each party and all of such party’s successors and permitted assigns, whether or not any such party, successor or assignee entered into or approved such amendment, termination or waiver. For purposes of this Section 5.8, the requirement of a written instrument may be satisfied in the form of an action by written consent of the Stockholders circulated by the Company and executed by the Stockholder parties specified, whether or not such action by written consent makes explicit reference to the terms of this Agreement.
5.8 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default previously or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
5.9 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
5.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules hereto), the Certificate and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Subscription Agreements) constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled.
5.11 Legend on Share Certificates. Each certificate representing any Shares issued after the date hereof shall be endorsed by the Company with a legend reading substantially as follows:
“THE SHARES EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO A VOTING AGREEMENT, AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, (A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST FROM THE COMPANY), AND BY ACCEPTING ANY INTEREST IN SUCH SHARES THE PERSON ACCEPTING SUCH INTEREST SHALL BE DEEMED TO AGREE TO AND SHALL BECOME BOUND BY ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THAT VOTING AGREEMENT, INCLUDING CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP SET FORTH THEREIN.”
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The Company, by its execution of this Agreement, agrees that it will cause the certificates evidencing the Shares issued after the date hereof to bear the legend required by this Section 5.12 of this Agreement, and it shall supply, free of charge, a copy of this Agreement to any holder of a certificate evidencing Shares upon written request from such holder to the Company at its principal office. The parties to this Agreement do hereby agree that the failure to cause the certificates evidencing the Shares to bear the legend required by this Section 5.12 herein and/or the failure of the Company to supply, free of charge, a copy of this Agreement as provided hereunder shall not affect the validity or enforcement of this Agreement.
5.12 Stock Splits, Stock Dividends, etc. In the event of any issuance of Shares of the Company’s voting securities hereafter to any of the Stockholders (including, without limitation, in connection with any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, or the like), such Shares shall become subject to this Agreement and shall be endorsed with the legend set forth in Section 5.12.
5.13 Manner of Voting. The voting of Shares pursuant to this Agreement may be effected in person, by proxy, by written consent or in any other manner permitted by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, voting of the Shares pursuant to the Agreement need not make explicit reference to the terms of this Agreement.
5.14 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the parties hereunder.
5.15 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of New York and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of New York and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
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5.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
5.17 Costs of Enforcement. If any party to this Agreement seeks to enforce its rights under this Agreement by legal proceedings, the non-prevailing party shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing party, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees.
5.18 Aggregation of Stock. All Shares held or acquired by a Stockholder and/or its Affiliates shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement, and such Affiliated persons may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Voting Agreement as of the date first written above.
| TRUNITY HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
| Title: Chairman and CEO | ||
SIGNATURE PAGE TO VOTING AGREEMENT
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Voting Agreement as of the date written adjacent to such parties’ signature page.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Voting Agreement as of the date written adjacent to such parties’ signature page.
SCHEDULE A
INVESTORS
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Name and Address
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Number of Shares Held
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Pan-African Investment Company, LLC
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxx, Co-CEO
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SCHEDULE B
KEY HOLDERS
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Name and Address
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Number of Shares Held
|
|
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Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Fax: (____) ____-_______
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4,550,412 | |
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RRM Ventures LLC
0000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Fax: (____) ____-_______
|
2,068,859 | |
|
Aureus Investments LLC
0000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Fax: (____) ____-_______
|
4,907,683 |
EXHIBIT A
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
This Adoption Agreement (“Adoption Agreement”) is executed on _________________ 20__, by the undersigned (the “Holder”) pursuant to the terms of that certain Voting Agreement dated as of [_________, 201__] (the “Agreement”), by and among the Company and certain of its Stockholders, as such Agreement may be amended or amended and restated hereafter. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Adoption Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement. By the execution of this Adoption Agreement, the Holder agrees as follows.
1.1 Acknowledgement. Holder acknowledges that Holder is acquiring certain shares of the capital stock of the Company (the “Stock”), for one of the following reasons (Check the correct box):
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as a transferee of Shares from a party in such party’s capacity as an “Investor” bound by the Agreement, and after such transfer, Holder shall be considered an “Investor” and a “Stockholder” for all purposes of the Agreement.
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as a transferee of Shares from a party in such party’s capacity as a “Key Holder” bound by the Agreement, and after such transfer, Holder shall be considered a “Key Holder” and a “Stockholder” for all purposes of the Agreement.
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as a new Investor in accordance with Section 5.1 of the Agreement, in which case Holder will be an “Investor” and a “Stockholder” for all purposes of the Agreement.
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1.2 Agreement. Holder hereby (a) agrees that the Stock, and any other shares of capital stock or securities required by the Agreement to be bound thereby, shall be bound by and subject to the terms of the Agreement and (b) adopts the Agreement with the same force and effect as if Holder were originally a party thereto.
1.3 Notice. Any notice required or permitted by the Agreement shall be given to Holder at the address or facsimile number listed below Holder’s signature hereto.
| HOLDER: | ACCEPTED AND AGREED: | ||||||
| By: | TRUNITY HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||||
| Name and Title of Signatory | |||||||
| Address: | By: |
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| Title: | |||||||
| Facsimile Number: | |||||||
