Exhibit No. 10.6
Exhibit
No. 10.6
CONFIDENTIAL
January
16, 2009
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") and EquitySmith, Inc. ("ESI"), 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 agents in connection with the Company's Rule 506
offering under Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), of up to $10 million in common stock ("Securities") to
qualified institutional buyers ("QIBs") and "accredited investors" (as those
terms are defined under the Securities Act) (the "Investors"). The
Offering will be pursuant to a Confidential Private Placement Memorandum and a
subscription agreement and purchase questionnaire ("Subscription
Agreement"). The maximum amount to be raised in the Offering is
$10,000,000. The minimum amount is $3,000,000. The Company
reserves the right to lower the minimum or increase the maximum at its sole
discretion. The purchase price shall be $5.00 per share.
1.
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Scope
of Xxxxxxxxxxx'x and ESI's Services. Each of Xxxxxxxxxxx
and ESI 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:
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a.
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familiarizing
itself to the extent it deems appropriate and feasible with the business
operations, properties, financial condition, and prospects of the
Company,
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b.
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assisting
the Company in preparing Offering Materials for distribution by
Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI to potential investors selected by Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI
and the Company,
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c.
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screening
and contacting prospective
investors,
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x.
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assisting
in negotiations with prospective investors,
and
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e.
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advising
and assisting the Company in structuring and pricing the
Offering.
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It is
understood by both parties that Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI intend to solicit interest
from a limited number of potential Investors (QIBs and accredited
investors). Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI will, in their sole discretion,
determine the reasonableness of their efforts and are under no obligation to
perform at any level other than what each 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.
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Fees. In return
for Xxxxxxxxxxx'x and ESI's services in the placement of Securities, the
Company will pay Xxxxxxxxxxx and/or ESI a cash fee equal to 10% of the
gross proceeds (the "Financing Fee") of any Securities placed by
Xxxxxxxxxxx or ESI. Any Financing Fees payable to Xxxxxxxxxxx
and ESI will be due at the closing date of the Offering and shall be
payable to Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI by the Company. Xxxxxxxxxxx and
ESI shall not be entitled to receive the reimbursement of any expenses
from the Company. It is anticipated that ESI will purchase for
its own account 600,000 shares for $3,000,000. ESI has the
option to syndicate all or part of its $3,000,000 investment to
third-party QIBs. The Financing Fee associated with the sale of
shares up to $3,000,000 to ESI shall be payable to
Xxxxxxxxxxx. Financing Fees for all remaining Shares sold in
the Offering will be split 70% to Xxxxxxxxxxx and 30% to ESI for sales of
shares of $3,000,001 to $4,000,000, and 100% to ESI for the sales of the
remaining shares up to the maximum offering of
$10,000,000.
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3.
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Term. Unless
extended or earlier terminated by mutual agreement in writing of the
parties, the term of this Agreement shall commence January 15, 2009 and
terminate on the earliest to occur of: (i) ten (10) calendar
days after written notice given to the Company by Xxxxxxxxxxx or ESI of a
potential Investor purchasing at least 600,000 Shares that will close on
the purchase of Shares within five (5) calendar days of the date of such
written notice; (ii) twenty-eight (28) calendar days from January 15,
2009; or (iii) the date of closing and funding by any Investor of a
Subscription Agreement for a minimum of 600,000 Shares (the
"Term"). The parties may extend the Term by mutual
agreement. Upon any termination or expiration of this
Agreement, neither the Company, a potential Xxxxxxxxxxx or potential ESI
Investor, shall have any obligation or liability to any other party under
this Agreement. For a period of twenty-eight (28) calendar days
from January 15, 2009 ("Period"), Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI shall have the
exclusive right on behalf of the Company to solicit prospective Investors
who are QIBs and/or accredited investors regarding the possible sale to
such Investors of shares. During the Period, Xxxxxxxxxxx and
ESI shall not have the right to conduct any other discussions on behalf of
the Company regarding any matter other than the sale of the Shares to the
prospective Investors. For purposes of clarification, the
Company during the Period shall deal exclusively with Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI
concerning the sale of the shares and discontinue any discussions with
respect to any previously received third party proposals with respect to
the sale of such shares. If this exclusivity provision is
breached, in addition to any other compensation for damages, Xxxxxxxxxxx
and ESI and/or its shareholders, jointly and severally, shall promptly
upon demand pay to the Company an amount equal to all expenses incurred by
the Company in connection with the Offering, including the expenses of the
Company's agents, advisors, bankers, attorneys, accountants and the other
representatives.
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For a
period up to one year from the termination of this Agreement and if Xxxxxxxxxxx
and ESI enters into a selling group of any subsequent securities offerings of
the Company, then Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI shall receive additional financing fees
("Additional Fees") if the Company sells securities to those Investors
previously introduced by Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI ("Protected
Investors"). Prior to the termination date, Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI 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.
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Company
Information. The Company
will furnish Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI such information concerning the Company
as Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI reasonable determine to be appropriate with respect
to the Offering ("Information"). The Company shall afford
Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI and their counsel and representatives full and
complete access to its books and records and will use commercially
reasonable efforts to afford Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI with full and complete
cooperation of management to gather the Information on a reasonable
basis. The Company recognizes and confirms that Xxxxxxxxxxx and
ESI (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.
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The
Company hereby represents to Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI that all solicitation materials
prepared by the Company and used in connection with the Offering, including,
without limitation, the Confidential Private Placement Memorandum (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 and ESI 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 and ESI by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and will
promptly prepare an amendment or supplement that will correct such statement or
omission.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
and ESI will not violate, or cause the Company to violate, any applicable
federal and state securities laws in connection with the Offering.
5.
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Confidentiality. In
connection with this engagement, it is contemplated that Xxxxxxxxxxx and
ESI will receive from the Company certain information (including certain
business planning, investment, product, marketing, technical, financial,
and other information and materials) the Company considers
confidential. Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI 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 and ESI's
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
ESI or their Representatives, or (d) is required to be disclosed by
Xxxxxxxxxxx and/or ESI by judicial or administrative process in connection
with any action, suit, proceeding, or investigation; and provided,
further, however, that Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI 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 and ESI from any source other than the Company or its
representatives, provided that such source was not to Xxxxxxxxxxx'x or
ESI's actual knowledge subject to a confidentiality agreement with the
Company. Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI 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 and ESI will not provide any confidential
information to prospective Investors or any other third party without the
express written consent of the Company unless the prospective Investor has
executed a confidentiality agreement acceptable to the
Company.
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6.
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Representations
and Warranties of Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI. Each of
Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI 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 it from
carrying out its obligations under this Agreement; and (c) this Agreement
has been duly authorized and approved by it, 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
it.
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7.
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Indemnification. The Company
acknowledges that Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI will be acting on behalf of the
Company and will require indemnification by the Company. The
Company further acknowledges that Xxxxxxxxxxx'x and ESI's 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.
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8.
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Miscellaneous. The
Offering will be completed in accordance with Rule 506 under Regulation D
under the Securities Act and all applicable state or other jurisdictional
securities laws (i.e. "blue sky" laws). All prospective
Investors will be persons who qualify as QIBs and/or accredited investors
under all applicable federal and state securities laws and who execute a
Subscription Agreement.
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The
Company shall have the right to identify Investors with which it has
affiliations who would be suitable QIBs and/or 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 and/or ESI
respecting Securities purchased by Company-Introduced Investors pursuant to
Section 2 above.
The
Company agrees that, following the closing of the Offering, Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI
shall have the right to place advertisements in financial and other newspapers
and journals at their own expense describing its services to the Company
hereunder, provided that Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI will submit a copy of any such
advertisement to the Company for its approval, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, and that such action is not in violation of
Rule 506 under Regulation D or other federal and state securities
laws.
The
parties agree that their relationship under this Agreement is an advisory
relationship only, and nothing herein shall cause Xxxxxxxxxxx and/or ESI to be
partners, agents or fiduciaries of, or joint venture partners with, the Company
or with each other.
This
Agreement replaces in its entirety the Term Sheet the parties executed on
January 15, 2009.
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
EQUITYSMITH,
INC.
/s/ Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
_____________________________
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
President
Accepted
and agreed to as of January 16, 2009:
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") and EquitySmith,
Inc. ("ESI"), together with their affiliates, directors, officers, agents, and
employees (Xxxxxxxxxxx, ESI 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 or ESI's performance of its engagement by the Company under the
letter agreement dated as of January 16, 2009, 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 or ESI's 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, ESI, their affiliated entities, directors, officers,
employees, agents, legal counsel and controlling persons of Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI
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, ESI 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 and ESI will
have the right to retain counsel of their own choice to represent them; however,
such firm shall be acceptable to the Company, which acceptance shall not be
unreasonably withheld, and unless the Company assumes Xxxxxxxxxxx'x and/or ESI's
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 and ESI. 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 and ESI, on the other
hand, and also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and
Xxxxxxxxxxx and ESI, 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, neither
Xxxxxxxxxxx nor ESI shall be obligated to contribute any amount hereunder that
exceeds the amount of fees received by Xxxxxxxxxxx or ESI pursuant to the
Agreement.
The
liability of the Company under the indemnification provisions set forth in this
Exhibit A shall be
limited to $25,000.
Neither
termination nor completion of the engagement of Xxxxxxxxxxx or ESI 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 one year.
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.