STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.8
STOCK
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of __________ __, 2008 (“Agreement”), by and among
CHINA ASCENDANCE ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Cayman Islands corporation
(“Company”), BRIGHT ELITE ENTERPRISES LIMITED, CHENG XXX XXX,
XXXXX
XXXXXXXX,
HUI XX
XX, XXXXXXX
XXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXXX, XXXX XXXXX, XXXXX XXXXXXX, XXXXX XXXX, XXX XXXXXXX, XXX
XXXXXX, XXXX XXXXXX, MERRY XXX XXXXXXX, ANCORA GREATER CHINA FUND, XXXX X.
MICKLITISH, XXXX XXXXX, XXXXX XXXXXXX, XXXXX XXX, CENTAUR VALUE FUND, LP AND
UNITED CENTAUR MASTER FUND (collectively
“Initial Shareholders”) and CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
a
New
York corporation (“Escrow
Agent”).
WHEREAS,
the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated _________ __,
2008
(“Underwriting Agreement”), with Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP
(“Susquehanna”) and Ladenburg
Xxxxxxxx & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”) acting as representatives of the
several underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which,
among other matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 10,000,000 units
(“Units”) of the Company. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share of the
Company, par value $.0001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”), and one Warrant, each
Warrant to purchase one Ordinary Share, all as more fully described in the
Company’s final Prospectus, dated ________ __, 2008 (“Prospectus”) comprising
part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-_______) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(“Registration Statement”), declared effective on ________ __, 2008 (“Effective
Date”).
WHEREAS,
the Initial Shareholders have agreed as a condition of the sale of the Units
to
deposit their Ordinary Shares of the Company, as set forth opposite their
respective names in Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively “Escrow Shares”), in
escrow as hereinafter provided.
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Initial Shareholders desire that the Escrow Agent accept
the
Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter
provided.
IT
IS
AGREED:
1. Appointment
of Escrow Agent.
The
Company and the Initial Shareholders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act
in
accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject
to such terms.
2. Deposit
of Escrow Shares.
On or
before the Effective Date, each of the Initial Shareholders shall deliver to
the
Escrow Agent certificates representing his respective Escrow Shares, to be
held
and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each
Initial Shareholder acknowledges that the certificate representing his Escrow
Shares is legended to reflect the deposit of such Escrow Shares under this
Agreement.
3. Disbursement
of the Escrow Shares.
The
Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Shares as follows: (i) with respect to
500,000 of the Escrow Shares, until six months after the consummation of a
business combination and (ii) with respect to the remainder of the Escrow
Shares, one year after the consummation of a business combination (collectively,
the “Escrow Period”). On each of such dates, upon written instructions from each
Initial Shareholder, the Escrow Agent shall disburse such amount of each of
the
Initial Shareholder’s Escrow Shares (and any applicable stock power) to such
Initial Shareholder. If the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company pursuant
to
Section 6.7 hereof that the Company is being liquidated at any time during
the
Escrow Period, then the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates
representing the Escrow Shares; provided further, however, that if, after the
Company consummates a Business Combination (as such term is defined in the
Registration Statement), it (or the surviving entity) subsequently consummates
a
liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results
in all of the shareholders of such entity having the right to exchange their
Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property, then the Escrow Agent
will, upon receipt of a certificate, executed by the Chief Executive Officer
of
the Company, in form reasonably acceptable to the Escrow Agent, that such
transaction is then being consummated, release the Escrow Shares to the Initial
Shareholders upon consummation of the transaction so that they can similarly
participate. The Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after
the
disbursement or destruction of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section
3.
4. Rights
of Initial Shareholders in Escrow Shares.
4.1 Voting
Rights as a Shareholder.
Subject
to the terms of the Insider Letter described in Section 4.4 hereof and except
as
herein provided, the Initial Shareholders shall retain all of their rights
as
shareholders of the Company during the Escrow Period, including, without
limitation, the right to vote such shares.
4.2 Dividends
and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares.
During
the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow
Shares shall be paid to the Initial Shareholders, but all dividends payable
in
stock or other non-cash property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to
the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein,
the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends
distributed thereon, if any.
4.3 Restrictions
on Transfer.
During
the Escrow Period, no sale, transfer or other disposition may be made of any
or
all of the Escrow Shares except (i) to an entity’s members upon its liquidation,
(ii) by bona fide gift to a member of an Initial Stockholder’s immediate family
or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is an Initial Stockholder or a member
of
an Initial Stockholder’s immediate family, (iii) by virtue of the laws of
descent and distribution upon death of any Initial Stockholder, (iv) pursuant
to
a qualified domestic relations order or (v) by private sales of the Escrow
Shares made at or prior to the consummation of a Business Combination at prices
no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased;
provided,
however,
that
such permissive transfers may be implemented only upon the respective
transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and of the Insider Letter signed by the Initial Shareholder
transferring the Escrow Shares. During the Escrow Period, the Initial
Stockholders shall not pledge or grant a security interest in the Escrow Shares
or grant a security interest in their rights under this Agreement.
4.4 Insider
Letters.
Each of
the Initial Shareholders has executed a letter agreement with Susquehanna,
Ladenburg and the Company, dated as indicated on Exhibit A hereto, and
which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (“Insider Letter”),
respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial Shareholder in certain
events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the
Company.
5. Concerning
the Escrow Agent.
5.1 Good
Faith Reliance.
The
Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and may rely conclusively
and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate,
opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent),
statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its
due
execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as
to
the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is
believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by
the
proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice
or
demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement
unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper
party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected,
unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.
2
5.2 Indemnification.
The
Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and
against any expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered
by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding
involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of
or
relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the
Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after
the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the
commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify
the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice,
the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature
of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition
of
the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any
appropriate court or it may retain the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final,
non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties
hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are
to
be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive
in
the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5
or
5.6 below.
5.3 Compensation.
The
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company
for
all services rendered by it hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled
to reimbursement from the Company for all expenses paid or incurred by it in
the
administration of its duties hereunder including, but not limited to, all
counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees and disbursements and all taxes or other
governmental charges.
5.4 Further
Assurances.
From
time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Initial
Shareholders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent such
further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further
acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more effectively
the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith
or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.
5.5 Resignation.
The
Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow
agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice and such
resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such resignation
shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall turn over to
a
successor escrow agent appointed by the Company, the Escrow Shares held
hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within the 60 day period
following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent may deposit
the Escrow Shares with any court it reasonably deems appropriate.
5.6 Discharge
of Escrow Agent.
The
Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent
hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the other parties hereto,
jointly, provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only
upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in
Section 5.5.
3
5.7 Liability.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not
be
relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own
willful misconduct.
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application
of
the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.
6.2 Third
Party Beneficiaries.
Each of
the Initial Shareholders hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are third
party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may not be modified
or
changed without the prior written consent of Susquehanna and Ladenburg.
6.3 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to
the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly provided herein, may not
be
changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
to
the charged.
6.4 Headings.
The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.
6.5 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective
parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and
assigns.
6.6 Notices.
Any
notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall
be
in writing and either be delivered personally or be mailed, certified or
registered mail, or by private national courier service, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered
personally or, if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, as
follows:
|
If
to the Company, to:
|
China
Ascendance Acquisition Corporation
108
North
4th Ring East Road
QianHe
XxxXxxx
Xxxxxxxx
0, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
000000, Xxxxx
Attn: Chairman
If
to a
Shareholder, to his address set forth in Exhibit A.
and
if to
the Escrow Agent, to:
Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
00
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Chairman
4
A
copy of
any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to:
and:
Susquehanna
Financial Group, LLLP
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General
Counsel
and:
Ladenburg
Xxxxxxxx & Co. Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: General
Counsel
and:
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
The
Chrysler Building
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
and:
Blank
Rome LLP
The
Chrysler Building
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx, Esq.
The
parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other
communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in
the
manner provided herein for giving notice.
6.7 Liquidation
of the Company.
The
Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation
and
dissolution of the Company in the event that the Company fails to consummate
a
Business Combination within the time period(s) specified in the
Prospectus.
5
WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| CHINA
ASCENDANCE
ACQUISITION
CORPORATION
|
||
| |
|
|
| By: | ||
|
|
||
| INITIAL SHAREHOLDERS: | ||
| BRIGHT ELITE ENTERPRISES LIMITED | ||
| |
|
|
| By: | ||
|
|
||
| |
|
|
|
|
||
|
CHENG
XXX XXX
|
||
| |
|
|
|
XXXXX XXXXXXXX |
||
| |
|
|
|
HUI XX XX |
||
6
|
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX
|
|
|
XXXXX
XXXXXX
|
|
|
XXXX XXXXX |
|
|
XXXXX XXXXXXX |
|
|
XXXXX XXXX |
|
|
XXX
XXXXXXX
|
|
|
XXX
XXXXXX
|
|
|
XXXX
XXXXXX
|
|
|
MERRY
XXX XXXXXXX
|
7
|
ANCORA
GREATER CHINA FUND
|
|
|
XXXX X. MICKLITISH |
|
|
XXXX XXXXX |
|
|
XXXXX XXXXXXX |
|
|
XXXXX
XXX
|
|
|
CENTAUR
VALUE FUND, LP
|
|
|
UNITED
CENTAUR MASTER FUND
|
CONTINENTAL
STOCK TRANSFER
&
TRUST COMPANY
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
8
EXHIBIT
A
|
Name
and Address of
Initial
Shareholder
|
Number
of
Shares
|
Stock
Certificate
Number
|
Date
of
Insider
Letter
|
