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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 19, 2025

 

Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   001-41293   33-3467744

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File No.)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

23150 Fashion Drive, Suite 232

Estero, Florida 33928

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(415) 592-7399

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 

194 Candelaro Drive, #233

Humacao, PR 00791

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share   ASBP   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each exercisable for one share of common stock   ASBPW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01- Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On August 19, 2025, Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company sold to the Purchasers certain notes in an aggregate principal amount of $9,687,500 for a subscription price of $7,750,000 (the “Notes”) with a maturity date of February 19, 2026. The Notes have a 20% original issue discount and do not bear an interest rate. The Notes are convertible into common stock of the Company commencing 31 days from issuance at 80% of the lowest Closing Price on any Trading Day during the five Trading Days prior to conversion. The Company has the right to prepay the Notes at a 20% premium to the principal amount.

 

The Notes were offered in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes were not, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, as applicable. The Company paid RBW Capital Partners, a Division of Dawson James Securities, Inc. an 8% commission and a 1% non-accountable expense allowance in connection with the raise. The Company intends to utilize the proceeds to pay off debt and for working capital purposes.

 

In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement, dated as of August 19, 2025 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file the initial resale registration statement by no later than September 18, 2025, to register the resale of the Common Stock underlying the Notes.

 

The foregoing descriptions above are only a summary of the material provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Notes, and the Registration Rights Agreement and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the form of the Note, and the Registration Rights Agreement which are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 to this current report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement
10.2   Form of Note
10.3   Registration Rights Agreement
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Ernest Scheidemann
    Ernest Scheidemann
    Chief Financial Officer
     
Date: August 22, 2025    

 

 

 

EX-10.1 2 ex10-1.htm EX-10.1

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated and/or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of August 19, 2025, by and between Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), and each investor identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A. The board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of the Company has authorized the issuance to each of the Investors of certain Notes (as defined below).

 

B Each Investor desires to purchase certain Notes on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Investor hereby agree as follows:

 

1.DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings specified or indicated below, and such meanings shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of such defined terms:

 

“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.

 

“Aggregate Outstanding Amount” means the sum of (a) the outstanding Aggregate Principal Amount plus (b) the aggregate accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts owing to all Investors under the Notes as of the applicable measurement date.

 

“Aggregate Principal Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Board of Directors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City.

 

“Change of Control” means, with respect to the Company:

 

(a) other than a shareholder that holds such a position at the date of this Agreement, if a Person comes to have beneficial ownership, control or direction over more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of the Company; or

 

 

 

(b) the sale or other disposition in a single transaction, or in a series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to any Person.

 

“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

“Closing Equity Conditions” means, during the period in question, (a) there is a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved Common Stock for the issuance of all of the shares then issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents, (b) there has been no Event of Default and no existing event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default, and (c) the Common Stock shall be DWAC Eligible.

 

“Code” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

 

“Common Stock Equivalent” means any convertible security or warrant, option or other right to subscribe for or purchase any share of Common Stock or any convertible security convertible into Common Stock.

 

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Conversion Shares” means the Common Stock issuable upon the full or any partial conversion of a Note.

 

“DWAC Eligible” means that (a) the Common Stock is eligible at the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for full services pursuant to DTC’s Operational Arrangements, including, without limitation, transfer through DTC’s Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) service, (b) the Transfer Agent is approved as an agent in DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, (c) the Conversion Shares are otherwise eligible for delivery to the third-party purchaser in the resale thereof by the Investor via DWAC, and (d) the Transfer Agent does not have a policy prohibiting or limiting delivery of the Conversion Shares via DWAC.

 

“Effectiveness Date” means the date on which the Registration Statement covering the resale of the Conversion Shares by the Investor has been declared effective by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the use of the prospectus contained therein has been issued by the SEC and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the SEC.

 

“Equity Interests” means and includes the Common Stock and any Common Stock Equivalents.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

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“Exempted Securities” means (a) equity securities issued by reason of a dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on Common Stock, (b) Common Stock or rights, warrants or options to purchase Common Stock issued to employees or directors of, or consultants or advisors to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a plan, agreement or arrangement approved by the Board of Directors (“Equity Plans”), (c) Common Stock or rights, warrants or options to purchase Common Stock issued to a seller of stock or assets to the Company or any of its subsidiaries as acquisition consideration pursuant to the acquisition of another corporation by the Company by merger, purchase of substantially all of the assets or other reorganization or to a joint venture agreement, (d) Common Stock or rights, warrants or options to purchase Common Stock issued to banks, equipment lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction resulting in aggregate proceeds, in a single or multiple transactions, not to exceed $1,000,000.00, or (e) securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities or Exempted Securities issued hereunder and/or rights or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement as disclosed on Schedule 1 hereto or in flings made by the Company with the SEC, provided that such rights and securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities or to extend the term of such securities; and provided, further, that such securities shall not constitute Exempt Securities if they are registered for public resale.

 

“Funding Amount” shall mean, in respect of any Investor, the amount identified as such on the signature page hereto executed by such Investor.

 

“Investor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Investor Group” shall mean, in respect of each Investor, such Investor plus any other Person with which such Investor is considered to be part of a group under Section 13 of the 1934 Act or with which the Investor otherwise files reports under Sections 13 and/or 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

“Investor Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(a).

 

“Investor Shares” means the Conversion Shares, and any other shares issued or issuable to the Investors pursuant to this Agreement or the Notes.

 

“IP Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10.

 

“Law” means any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree, including, without limitation, any federal and state securities laws.

 

“Lead Investor” means Target Capital 16 LLC.

 

“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(a).

 

“Market Capitalization” means, as of any date of determination, the product of (a) the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of such date (exclusive of any Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants or conversion of any convertible securities), multiplied by (b) the closing price of the Common Stock on the Trading Market on the date of determination.

 

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“Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the businesses, properties, assets, operations, results of operations or financial condition of the Company, or the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or, (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform its obligations hereunder or under the Notes; provided, however, that none of the following shall be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be, a Material Adverse Effect: (a) any adverse effect resulting from or arising out of general economic conditions; (b) any adverse effect resulting from or arising out of general conditions in the industries in which the Company and the Subsidiaries operate; (c) any adverse effect resulting from any changes to applicable Law; or (d) any adverse effect resulting from or arising out of any natural disaster or any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war or any escalation or worsening thereof; provided, further, that any event, occurrence, fact, condition or change referred to in clauses (a) through (d) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the extent that such event, occurrence, fact, condition or change has a disproportionate effect on the Company and/or the Subsidiaries compared to other participants in the industries in which the Company and the Subsidiaries operate.

 

“Maximum Percentage” means 4.99%; provided, that if at any time after the date hereof an Investor Group beneficially owns in excess of 4.99% of any class of Equity Interests in the Company that is registered under the 1934 Act (excluding any Equity Interests deemed beneficially owned by virtue of a Note), then the Maximum Percentage shall automatically increase to 9.99% so long as the Investor Group owns in excess of 4.99% of such class of Equity Interests (and shall, for the avoidance of doubt, automatically decrease to 4.99% upon the Investor Group ceasing to own in excess of 4.99% of such class of Equity Interests).

 

“Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.25.

 

“New Securities” means, collectively, equity or debt securities of the Company, whether or not currently authorized, as well as rights, options, or warrants to purchase such equity or debt securities, or securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity or debt securities.

 

“Note” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“OFAC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23.

 

“Offer Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

“Principal Amount” means the principal amount of the Note(s) as of the applicable date of determination.

 

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“Proceedings” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

 

“Required Minimum” means, as of any date of determination, one and a half (1.5) times the maximum aggregate number of Common Stock then issued or potentially issuable in the future pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including any Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion in full of the Notes at the Floor Price (as defined in the Note), without giving effect to any conversion limits as set forth therein..

 

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the Investors, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

“Requisite Holder” means the Lead Investor or any successor in interest to the Lead Investor that is mutually agreed to by the Lead Investor and the Company. For the purposes of clarity hereunder, only one entity shall serve as the Requisite Holder at any time hereunder and the affirmative action or consent by the Requisite Holder shall bind all Investors hereunder.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).

 

“Securities” means the Notes and the Investor Shares.

 

“Securities Termination Event” means either of the following has occurred:

 

(a) trading in securities generally in the United States has been suspended or limited for a consecutive period of greater than three (3) Business Days; or

 

(b) a banking moratorium has been declared by the United States or the New York State authorities and is continuing for a consecutive period of greater than three (3) Business Days.

 

“Stockholder Approval” means the majority approval of the holders of the requisite number of the outstanding Common Stock to ratify and approve (i) all of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including as may be required to approve the issuance of securities in excess of 19.99% of the outstanding Common Stock or voting power; (ii) the issuance of all of the Investor Shares (as such term is defined in the applicable Transaction Documents) issued and potentially issuable to the Investor thereunder, all as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or any successor entity); (iii) the amendment of the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or other applicable charter document), in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, to either (A) remove any limitation on the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, or (B) increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to such number as is necessary to ensure that, after giving effect to the issuance of all securities contemplated by the Transaction Documents and assuming the full conversion, exercise, and/or exchange of all outstanding securities of the Company (whether or not presently convertible, exercisable or exchangeable) that are, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable for, or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, and the reservation of such shares for issuance in accordance with the terms of such securities, the Company will have a sufficient number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to satisfy the Required Minimum (including the Investor Shares);and (iv) the implementation of a reverse stock split of the Common Stock at such ratio necessary or appropriate to complete the transactions contemplated hereunder and by the other Transaction Documents, for which the Company shall file a proxy statement with the Commission within ten within ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date.

 

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“Subsidiaries” and “Subsidiary” have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b).

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

“Trading Market” means whichever of the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE American, or the Nasdaq Stock Market (including the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market), on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question.

 

“Tranche” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, Registration Rights Agreement, the Transfer Agent Instruction Letter, and any other documents or agreements executed or delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

“Transfer Agent” means Colonial Stock Transfer Co, Inc. with an address at 7840 S. 700 E., Sandy, UT84070.

 

“Transfer Agent Instruction Letter” means a letter of irrevocable instructions addressed by the Company to the Transfer Agent, acceptable to the Investor in its sole discretion.

 

“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Stock is traded on OTCQB or OTCQX , the volume weighted average sales price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock is then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Lead Investor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

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2.PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE NOTES.

 

2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company shall issue and sell to each Investor, and each Investor shall purchase from the Company, convertible promissory notes, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Note” and together, the “Notes”), in an amount up to the principal amount set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Investor. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the sale and purchase of the Notes at the initial Closing (as defined below) and each funding thereof hereunder may be conducted in tranches (each, a “Tranche,” and collectively, the “Tranches,” comprised of the Initial Tranche, the Second Tranche, and the Third Tranche, each as defined below) consisting of (x) an initial tranche (the “Initial Tranche”) of an aggregate Principal Amount of Five Million Six Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($5,625,000.00) and including an original issue discount of One Million One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand United States Dollars ($1,125,000.00), to cover the Investors’ accounting fees, due diligence fees, monitoring, and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with such Tranche, payable at signing; (y) an additional tranche (the “Second Tranche”) of an aggregate Principal Amount of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000) and including an original issue discount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and Zero/100 United States Dollars ($250,000.00), to cover the Investors’ accounting fees, due diligence fees, monitoring, and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the funding of such Second Tranche, to be consummated following the filing of the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement, and (z) an additional tranche (the “Third Tranche”) of an aggregate Principal Amount of Two Million Eight Hundred Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,812,500) and including an original issue discount of Five Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred and Zero/100 United States Dollars ($562,500.00), to cover the Investors’ accounting fees, due diligence fees, monitoring, and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the funding of such Third Tranche; provided, however, that (a) such Third Tranche shall be consummated only after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, and (b) the Company’s receipt of Stockholder Approval in compliance with applicable Trading Market rules.

 

2.2 Closings. The closing and funding of each of the Tranches shall occur in one or more closing (each, a “Closing”) with the date upon which such Closing shall occur being referred to as, a “Closing Date”, and more specifically as follows:

 

(a) Generally, in Respect of Closings. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Closing, including payment for and delivery of the Notes and funding thereof in respect of such Closing for each Tranche, shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures.

 

2.3 Priority of Obligation. As an inducement for the Investor to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the Note, all obligations of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Notes until repaid or otherwise satisfied shall be senior in payment to any subsequent Indebtedness (as defined in the Notes).

 

2.4 Pro Rata Payments. The Company and each Investor hereby agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Notes, to the extent the Company is obligated to make any payments hereunder or under the Notes to the Investors (or offers to make any prepayments hereunder or thereunder), all such payments shall be applied to outstanding principal amount of the Notes held by all Investors on a pro rata basis based on the Aggregate Outstanding Amount at the time of such prepayment. If any Investor shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of outstanding amounts under the Notes resulting in such Investor receiving payment of a proportion of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount at the time of such prepayment greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Investor receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the other Investors of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the principal amount owing to the other Investors under the applicable Notes, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Investors ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Notes and other amounts owing them. The Company consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Investor acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangement may exercise against the Company rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Investor were a direct creditor of the Company in the amount of such participation.

 

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3.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules or (not withstanding anything to the contrary herein including references to the Disclosure Schedules) filings made by the Company with the SEC which Disclosure Schedules and filings with the SEC shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation or otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, theCompany represents and warrants to each Investor and covenants with each Investor that, the following representations and warranties are true and correct that as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date:

 

3.1 Organization and Qualification. The Company is a company duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the Laws of Delaware, and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the ownership of its property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.2 Authorization; Enforcement; Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company and each Subsidiary has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute the Transaction Documents, and if applicable, to issue and sell the Notes pursuant hereto, and to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including issuing the Investor Shares on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company and each Subsidiary and the issuance and sale of the Securities by the Company pursuant hereto have been duly and validly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, or member(s), as applicable and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors, its shareholders or members or any other Person in connection therewith, assuming the accuracy of each Investor’s representations in Section 4, and except such as have been waived and other than such filings as are required to be made under applicable Laws. The Transaction Documents have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company to which they are a party and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar Laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies.

 

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3.3 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and each Subsidiary and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not (a) conflict with or result in a violation of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, (b) conflict with, or constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a material default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party, or (c) violate in any material respect any Law or any rule or regulation of the Trading Market applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or by which any of their properties or assets are bound or affected. Assuming the accuracy of each Investor’s representations in Section 4 and subject to the making of the filings referred to in Section 6 and receipt of the Stockholder Approval, (i) no approval or authorization will be required from any governmental authority or agency, regulatory or self-regulatory agency or other third party (including the Trading Market) in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the issuance of the Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Notes), and (ii) the issuance of the Notes and the issuance of the Conversion Shares upon the conversion of the Notes will be exempt from the registration and qualification requirements under the 1933 Act and all applicable state securities Laws.

 

3.4 Capitalization and Subsidiaries.

 

(a) As of the date hereto, the Company expects that 49,525,970 shares of Common Stock will be issued and outstanding. The Conversion Shares, when issued upon conversion of a Note in accordance with its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. No Common Stock is subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws on file with the SEC are true and correct copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws as in effect as of the date hereof. The Company is not in violation of any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws nor is any Subsidiary in violation of its organization documents.

 

(b) Schedule 3.4(b) lists each direct and indirect subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Subsidiary” and collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) and indicates for each Subsidiary (i) the authorized capital stock or other Equity Interest of such Subsidiary as of the date hereof, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other ownership interests of such Subsidiary that are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and (iii) the owner of such shares or other ownership interests as of the date hereof. No Subsidiary has any outstanding stock options, warrants or other instruments pursuant to which such Subsidiary may at any time or under any circumstances be obligated to issue any shares of its capital stock or other Equity Interests. Each Subsidiary is duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, except to the extent that the failure to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and has all requisite power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

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(c) Other than as provided in the filings made by the Company with the SEC neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is bound by any agreement or arrangement pursuant to which it is obligated to register the sale of any securities under the 1933 Act. There are no outstanding securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem or purchase any security of the Company or any Subsidiary. Other than as provided in Schedule 3.4(c), there will be no outstanding securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Notes or the Investor Shares. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement.

 

(d) The issuance and sale of any of the Securities will not obligate the Company to issue Common Stock or other securities to any Person other than the Investors and will not result in the adjustment of the exercise, conversion, exchange, or reset price of any outstanding securities.

 

3.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements.

 

(a) As of the date hereof and each Closing Date and , the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act since October 2, 2023 (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof, as they have been amended since the time of their filing, and all exhibits included therein and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). As of their respective filing dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(b) As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and audited by a firm that is a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, during the periods involved (except as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, except in the case of pro forma statements or, in the case of unaudited interim statements, except to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

 

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(c) Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) reasonable controls to safeguard assets are in place and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

3.6 Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.6, or filings made by the company with the SEC there are no actions, causes of action, suits, claims, proceedings, inquiries or investigations (collectively, “Proceedings”) before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of Company or any of the Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Common Stock or any other class of issued and outstanding shares of the Company, or any of the Company’s or the Subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, which adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) would, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the knowledge of the executive officers of the Company, there is no reason to believe that there is any basis for any such Proceeding.

 

3.7 No Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 3.7, no event, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or to the knowledge of the executive officers of the Company is reasonably anticipated to occur or exist that (a) would reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities Laws and which has not been publicly announced.

 

3.8 Compliance with Law. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries have conducted and are conducting their respective businesses in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and are in compliance in all material respects with the rules and regulations of the Trading Market. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8 Documents, the Company is not aware of any facts which could reasonably be anticipated to lead to a delisting of the Common Stock by the Trading Market in the future.

 

3.9 Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is involved in any union labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any such dispute threatened. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement. No executive officer (as defined in Rule 501(f) of the 1933 Act) has notified the Company that such officer intends to leave the Company’s employ or otherwise terminate such officer’s employment with the Company.

 

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3.10 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each Subsidiary owns or possesses or can acquire on reasonable terms adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “IP Rights”) used in or reasonably necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. None of the material IP Rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are expected to expire or terminate within three (3) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice alleging that it is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any IP Rights of any other Person. No written notice of a claim has been received by, and no Proceeding is pending against, the Company or any Subsidiary alleging that the Company or any Subsidiary is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the IP Rights of any other Person, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such claim or Proceeding is threatened, and the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any such claim or Proceeding. The Company and the Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their material IP Rights.

 

3.11 Environmental Laws. Except, in each case, as would not be reasonably anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Subsidiaries (a) are in compliance with any and all applicable Laws relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, (b) have received and hold all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under all such Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (c) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval.

 

3.12 Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all personal property (other than IP Rights, which is addressed in Section 3.10) owned by them which is material to their respective businesses, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except those set forth on Schedule 3.12 or filings made by the Company with the SEC. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company or any Subsidiary are held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

3.13 Insurance. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company reasonably believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew all existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers.

 

3.14 Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries have in full force and effect all certificates, approvals, authorizations and permits from all regulatory authorities and agencies necessary to own, lease or operate their respective properties and assets and conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of Proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, approval, authorization or permit, except for such certificates, approvals, authorizations or permits with respect to which the failure to hold would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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3.15 No Materially Adverse Contracts, Etc. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (a) subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree or order which in the judgment of the Company’s officers has or would reasonably be expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) a party to any contract or agreement which in the judgment of the Company’s management has or would reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.16 Taxes. The Company and the Subsidiaries each has made or filed, or caused to be made or filed, all United States federal, and applicable state, local and non-U.S. tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, required to be paid by it, regardless of whether such amounts are shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which it has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no basis for any such claim.

 

3.17 Solvency. After giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the Company’s book value of its assets exceeds the Company’s book value of existing debts and other liabilities (ignoring any potential contingent liabilities) as they mature; and (b) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets at book value, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its debt at book value when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). Except as disclosed as set forth in Schedule 3.17, the Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction.

 

3.18 Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

3.19 Certain Transactions. Other than as disclosed in Schedule 3.19 or filings made by the Company with the SEC, there are no contracts, transactions, arrangements or understandings between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any director, officer or employee thereof on the other hand, that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC in the Company’s Form 10-K or proxy statement pertaining to an annual meeting of shareholders.

 

3.20 No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting on its behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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3.21 Acknowledgment Regarding the Investors’ Purchase of the Notes. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved the execution of the Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of the Notes, based on its own independent evaluation and determination that the terms of the Transaction Documents are reasonable and fair to the Company and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Company is entering into this Agreement and is issuing and selling the Notes voluntarily. The Company has had independent legal counsel of its own choosing review the Transaction Documents and advise the Company with respect thereto. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to its Notes and the transactions contemplated hereby and that neither such Investor nor any person affiliated with such Investor is acting as a financial advisor to, or a fiduciary of, the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to execution of the Transaction Documents or the issuance of the Notes or any other transaction contemplated hereby.

 

3.22 No Brokers’, Finders’ or Other Advisory Fees or Commissions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, no brokers, finders or other similar advisory fees or commissions will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary or by any of their respective agents with respect to the issuance of the Notes or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.23 OFAC. None of the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the best knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company and/or any Subsidiary has been or is currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use any proceeds received from the Investor, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to its Subsidiaries or to any affiliated entity, joint venture partner or other person or entity, to finance any investments in, or make any payments to, any country or person currently subject to any of the sanctions of the United States administered by OFAC.

 

3.24 No Foreign Corrupt Practices. None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly: (a) made or authorized any contribution, payment or gift of funds or property to any official, employee or agent of any governmental authority of any jurisdiction except as otherwise permitted under applicable Law; or (b) made any contribution to any candidate for public office, in either case, where either the payment or the purpose of such contribution, payment or gift was, is, or would be prohibited under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or under any other legislation of any relevant jurisdiction covering a similar subject matter applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries and their respective operations and the Company has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with such legislation.

 

3.25 Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of each of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, regulations, rules and guidelines in its jurisdiction of association and in each other jurisdiction in which such entity, as the case may be, conducts business (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental authority involving the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to any of the Money Laundering Laws is, to the best knowledge of the Company, pending, threatened or contemplated.

 

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3.26 Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it, nor to its knowledge, any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Investor or its agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representations and covenants in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All disclosures provided to the Investor regarding the Company, its business and the transactions contemplated hereby, furnished by or on behalf of the Company (including the Company’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

3.27 Available Common Stock. As of the date hereof, the Company has capacity under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market to issue up to at least 9,905,194 shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock) without obtaining Stockholder Approval.

 

3.28 Indebtedness. Except for as listed on Schedule 3.28, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any outstanding Indebtedness or filings made by the Company with the SEC. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $250,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $10,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.28, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.

 

3.29 Non-Shell Status. The Company represents that it is not a “shell” issuer as defined under Rule 144.

 

3.30 Trading Market. As of the date hereof, the Common Stock is not a “penny stock” as defined in SEC Rule 240.3a51-1 (17 CFR § 240.3a51-1). If at any time the Common Stock shall become such a “penny stock”, the Company shall pay Investor in cash, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to the amount of shares then remaining under the Warrant multiplied by the then exercise price thereunder and Investor shall surrender the Warrant to the Company.

 

3.31 No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in other Transaction Documents, the Company makes no other representations or warranties to the Investors.

 

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4.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH INVESTOR. Each Investor represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

4.1 Organization and Qualification. Such Investor is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its association or formation.

 

4.2 Authorization; Enforcement; Compliance with Other Instruments. Such Investor has the requisite power and authority to enter into the Transaction Documents and to perform its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery by such Investor of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly and validly authorized by such Investor’s governing body, as necessary, and no further consent or authorization is required. The Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Investor and constitute valid and binding obligations of such Investor, enforceable against such Investor in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar Laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies.

 

4.3 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party by such Investor and the purchase of a Note by such Investor will not (a) conflict with or result in a violation of such Investor’s organizational documents, if applicable, (b) conflict with, or constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a material default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, contract, indenture mortgage, indebtedness or instrument to which such Investor is a party, or (c) violate any Law applicable to such Investor or by which any of such Investor’s properties or assets are bound or affected. No approval or authorization will be required from any governmental authority or agency, regulatory or self-regulatory agency or other third party in connection with the purchase of a Note and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

4.4 Investment Intent; Accredited Investor. Each Investor is purchasing its Note and Warrant for its own account, for investment purposes, and not with a view towards distribution. Such Investor is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act. Such Investor has, by reason of its business and financial experience, such knowledge, sophistication and experience in financial and business matters and in making investment decisions of this type that it is capable of (a) evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in its Notes and the Investor Shares and making an informed investment decision, (b) protecting its own interests and (c) bearing the economic risk of such investment for an indefinite period of time. Such Investor is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring its Notes and the Investor Shares.

 

4.5 Acknowledgement of Risk; Opportunity to Discuss. Each Investor acknowledges that an investment in the Company is speculative and subject to numerous risks, including those risks described in the SEC Documents. Each Investor has reviewed and understands the risks related to the Company and its business as described in the SEC Documents. Each Investor has received all materials relating to the business, finance and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as it has requested and has had an opportunity to discuss the business, management and financial affairs of the Company and the Subsidiaries with the Company’s management. In making its investment decision, such Investor has relied solely on its own due diligence performed on the Company by its own representatives.

 

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4.6 Restricted Securities. Each Investor understands that its Notes and the Investor Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the 1933 Act and that its Note and the Investor Shares may not been registered under the 1933 Act except as otherwise required under the Transaction Documents. The Investor understands that its Notes and the Investor Shares may not be offered, resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by the Investor absent an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, except (i) to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, (ii) to non-U.S. persons pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the 1933 Act or (iii) pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, and, in each of cases (ii) and (iii), in accordance with any applicable securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions of the United States, and that any book-entry position or certificates representing its Notes or Investor Shares shall contain a notation or restrictive legend, as applicable, to such effect substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and as a result of these transfer restrictions, the Investor may not be able to readily offer, resell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of its Notes or Investor Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in its Notes and Investor Shares for an indefinite period of time. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that (i) its Note and Investor Shares will not be eligible for offer, resale, transfer, pledge or disposition pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144”) until the date that is at least one year from the date that the Company filed “Form 10 information” with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is no longer an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i)) and (ii) additional conditions to any such transaction may apply under Rule 144 and other applicable securities laws to the extent that the Investor is at such time, or has been at any time in the immediately preceding three months, an “affiliate” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 144. The Investor understands that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge or transfer of any of its Notes or Investor Shares.

 

4.7 Exculpation Among Investors. Each Investor acknowledges that it is not relying upon any Person, other than the Company and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. Each Investor agrees that neither the Lead Investor, any Investor nor the respective controlling Persons, officers, directors, partners, agents, or employees of any Investor shall be liable to any other Investor for any action heretofore taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Notes.

 

4.8 No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in other Transaction Documents, such Investor makes no other representations or warranties to the Company.

 

5.OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

 

5.1 Restrictions on Transfer. The Investor Shares, when issued, will be restricted and book-entry positions or certificates relating to the same shall bear a restrictive legend unless sold pursuant to an effective registration statement or available for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act.

 

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5.2 Furnishing of Information. For a period of three years from the date hereof, the Company covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the 1934 Act. For a period of three years from the date hereof, if the Company is not required to file reports pursuant to the 1934 Act, it will prepare and furnish to such Investor and make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c) such information as is required for such Investor to sell the Investor Shares under Rule 144. The Company further covenants that it will take such further action as any holder of Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Person to sell such Investor Shares without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or other applicable exemptions.

 

5.3 Integration. The Company shall not, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no Affiliate of the Company shall, sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the 1933 Act) that will be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the 1933 Act of the sale of the Securities to the Investor.

 

5.4 Notification of Certain Events. The Company shall give prompt written notice to each Investor of (a) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or (b) any Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against a party relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

5.5 Available Shares. The Company shall at all times keep authorized and available for issuance, free of preemptive rights, the Required Minimum of Common Stock. If the Company determines at any time that it does not have a sufficient number of authorized Common Stock to keep available for issuance as described in this Section 5.5, the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to increase the number of authorized Common Stock by seeking approval from its shareholders for the authorization of such additional shares.

 

5.6 Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to fund its general working capital and to re-pay certain liabilities as set forth in Schedule 5.6 hereof.

 

5.7 Repayment of Notes. If the Company issues any debt, including any subordinated debt or convertible debt (other than the Notes) or Equity Interests, then the Investors will have the option (exercisable in writing by the Requisite Holders) to cause the Company to immediately, utilize the aggregate proceeds of such issuance to repay the Notes on a pro rata basis in an amount equal to 110% of the Aggregate Principal Amount and accrued, but unpaid, Interest (as defined in the Notes) outstanding on the date of funding of such debt or equity issuance. The Company will notify the Investors no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the public announcement of any such debt or Equity Interest financing and provide the Investors (with the written approval of the Requisite Holders agree) to opportunity to exercise the option set forth in the preceding sentence; it being agreed, however, that, notwithstanding such notice to the Investors, the Company shall not be under an obligation to make a public announcement regarding such debt or Equity Interest financing until it is legally required to do so.

 

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5.8 Piggy Back Rights. If, at any time on or after the date hereof until the Investor Shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without volume limitation, and provided the Notes have been purchased by the Investors if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, or v) a Registration Statement for an underwriting offering, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Investors as soon as practicable but not less than five (5) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice offer to all of the Investors the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Investor Shares as such Investor may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration.

 

5.9 Variable Rate Transaction. The Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holder, directly or indirectly effect, enter into, agree to enter into, or announce the intention to effect or enter into, any Variable Rate Transaction while the Note are outstanding. For purposes of this Section 5.9, “Variable Rate Transaction” means any transaction involving the issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) of any debt or equity securities (including, without limitation, any convertible, exchangeable or exercisable securities, options or rights) that are convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable to acquire shares of Common Stock at a conversion, exchange, or exercise price (or with a conversion, exchange or exercise rate) that is based upon, determined by, or varies with the market price of the Common Stock, or is subject to reset or adjustment upon the occurrence of future events (including, without limitation, so-called “floorless” convertibles, equity lines of credit, at-the-market offerings, and similar transactions), other than a transaction that has been specifically approved in writing by the Holder in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

5.10 Subsequent Equity Sales.

 

(a) From the date hereof until one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the filing of the Registration Statement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or (ii) file any registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, in each case other than (a) as contemplated pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (b) solely with respect to securities issued pursuant to any share or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by the Board of Directors or a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, on Form S-8, or (c) in connection with an underwritten public offering; provided, however, that the proceeds of any such offering shall be used to pay in full any and all amounts outstanding under the Notes pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Notes.

 

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(b) While the Notes remain outstanding, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction without the consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes. Any Investor shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages. For purposes of this Agreement, “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any equity or debt securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price, exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such equity or debt securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such equity or debt security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (including, without limitation, any “full ratchet” or “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions, but not including any standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), (ii) issues or sells any equity or debt securities, including without limitation, Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, either (A) at a price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (other than standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), or (B) that are subject to or contain any put, call, redemption, buy-back, price-reset or other similar provision or mechanism (including, without limitation, a “Black-Scholes” put or call right, other than in connection with a “fundamental transaction”) that provides for the issuance of additional equity securities of the Company or the payment of cash by the Company, or (iii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an “equity line of credit” (other than with the Investor) or “at the market offering” or other continuous offering or similar offering of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, whereby the Company may sell shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at a future determined price.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.10 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance.

 

5.11 Reserved.

 

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5.12 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall, within four (4) Trading Days following the date hereof, file a Form 8-K report or other public disclosure disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and including this Agreement as an exhibit thereto; provided, that the Company may not issue such press release or file such Form 8-K or other public disclosure without the prior written consent (including by electronic mail) of the Requisite Holder, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company shall not issue any press release nor otherwise make any such public statement regarding the Investors or the Transaction Documents without the prior written consent (including by electronic mail) of the Requisite Holder, except (i) if such disclosure is required by Law, in which case the Company shall (a) ensure that such disclosure is restricted and limited in content and scope to the maximum extent permitted by Law to meet the relevant disclosure requirement and (b) provide a copy of the proposed disclosure to the Requisite Holders for review prior to release and the Company shall incorporate the reasonable comments of the Requisite Holder or (ii) to the extent such press release or public statement contains only information previously disclosed in a press release or public statement previously approved in accordance with the foregoing clause (i). Each Investor will promptly provide any information reasonably requested by the Company or any of its Affiliates for any regulatory application or filing made or to be made or approval sought in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including filings with the SEC). Following the execution of this Agreement, each Investor and its Affiliates and/or advisors may, upon receiving the prior written consent of the Requisite Holder, place announcements on their respective corporate websites and in financial and other newspapers and publications (including, without limitation, customary “tombstone” advertisements) describing such Investor’s relationship with the Company under this Agreement and including the name and corporate logo of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to comply with United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(3)(i), each of the Company and each Investor, and each employee, representative or other agent of the Company or such Investor, may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment, and the U.S. federal and state income tax structure, of the transactions contemplated hereby and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure insofar as such treatment and/or structure relates to a U.S. federal or state income tax strategy provided to such recipient.

 

5.13 Indemnification of the Investors.

 

(a) The Company will indemnify and hold each Investor, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, managers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents and permitted successors and assigns (each, an “Investor Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation and defense (collectively, “Losses”) that any such Investor Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to:

 

(i) any material breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company in any Transaction Document;

 

(ii) any material misrepresentation made by the Company in any Transaction Document or in any SEC Document;

 

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(iii) any material omission to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made in any SEC Document, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(iv) any Proceeding before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body based upon, or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, and whether or not such Investor is party thereto by claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, as a defendant or otherwise, or if such Proceeding is based upon, or results from, any of the items set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above;

 

except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such misrepresentation or omission is based upon information regarding such Investor furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein or the Investor has omitted a material fact from such information or otherwise violated the 1933 Act, 1934 Act or any state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder.

 

(b) If any action shall be brought against any Investor Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Investor Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Investor Party. Any Investor Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Investor Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Investor Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Investor Party under this Agreement (i) for any settlement by an Investor Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Investor Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Investor Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents.

 

(c) In addition to the indemnity contained herein, the Company will reimburse each Investor Party for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation, preparation and travel in connection therewith) incurred in connection therewith, as such expenses are incurred.

 

(d) The provisions of this Section 5.12 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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5.14 Non-Public Information. Except to the extent necessary to fulfill its notice, disclosure or similar obligations hereunder or under any Transaction Document, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf will provide the Investors or their agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material, non-public information. Except in connection with the fulfillment of its notice, disclosure or similar obligations hereunder or under any Transaction Document, to the extent the Company provides an Investor with material, non-public information, the Company shall publicly disclose such information within forty-eight (48) hours of providing the information to such Investor, provided that if the last day of any such time period is not a Trading Day, such time period shall be extended to 9:30 a.m., New York City Time, on the next Trading Day following the day on which it would otherwise end. The Company understands and confirms that the Investors shall be relying on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. In the event that the Company fails to comply with its obligations under this Section 5.13, a liquidated damages charge of 1.5% of the outstanding principal balance of each Note will be assessed and will become immediately due and payable each month while such failure remains uncured to the Investors at their election in the form of a cash payment or added to the balance of the respective Note

 

5.15 Share Transfer Agent. The Company’s share transfer agent is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. To the Company’s knowledge, such transfer agent participates in the Depository Trust Company Fast Automated Securities Transfer program. For so long as any Investor holds Investor Securities, the Company shall not change its share transfer agent without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holder.

 

5.16 Reserved.

 

5.17 Set-Off.

 

(a) Each Investor may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4 hereof, set off any of its obligations to the Company (whether or not due for payment), against any of the Company’s obligations to such Investor (whether or not due for payment) under this Agreement and/or any other Transaction Document.

 

(b) Each Investor may do anything necessary to effect any set-off undertaken in accordance with this Section 5.17 (including varying the date for payment of any amount payable by the Investor to the Company).

 

(c) The Company may set off any of its obligations to an Investor (whether or not due for payment), against any of such Investor’s obligations to the Company (whether or not due for payment) under this Agreement and/or any other Transaction Document.

 

(d) The Company may do anything necessary to effect any set-off undertaken in accordance with this Section 5.17 (including varying the date for payment of any amount payable by the Company to an Investor).

 

5.18 Reserved.

 

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5.19 Stockholder Approval. The Company shall hold a special meeting of stockholders (which may also be at the annual meeting of stockholders) at the earliest practicable date for the purpose of obtaining Stockholder Approval as required by the rules and regulations of the Principal Market (the “Approval Date”), with the recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors that such proposal be approved, and the Company shall solicit proxies from its stockholders in connection therewith in the same manner as all other management proposals in such proxy statement and all management-appointed proxyholders shall vote their proxies in favor of such proposal. Within ten (10) Business Days following the Approval Date, the Company shall file with the Commission a preliminary proxy statement to request for the purpose of obtaining Stockholder Approval, and the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain such Stockholder Approval. In the event Stockholder Approval (or board approval in lieu thereof following six months after the Approval Date) does not occur, the Company will be required to hold additional meetings at least once every sixty (60) days until the earlier of the date Stockholder Approval is obtained, with printed and mailed proxy statements sent to shareholders for such meetings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in lieu of holding a special meeting of stockholders as aforesaid, obtain the written consent of a majority of its stockholders covering the Stockholder Approval so long as prior to sixty (60) days after the Approval Date, such written consents are obtained and in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 14c-2 at least twenty (20) days shall have transpired from the date on which a written information statement containing the information specified in Schedule 14C detailing such Stockholder Approval shall have been filed with the SEC and delivered to stockholders of the Company.”

 

5.20 Most Favored Nations. From the date hereof until the Note is no longer outstanding or has been otherwise been satisfied, upon any issuance by the Company of its securities for cash consideration, (a “Subsequent Financing”), Investor may elect, in its sole discretion, to exchange (in lieu of conversion), if applicable, all or some of the Securities then held for any securities or units issued in a Subsequent Financing on a $1.00 for $1.00 basis. The Company shall provide the Investor with notice of any such Subsequent Financing in the manner set forth below. Additionally, if in such Subsequent Financing there are any contractual provisions or side letters that provide terms more favorable to the investors than the terms provided for hereunder, then the Company shall specifically notify the Investor of such additional or more favorable terms and such terms, at Investor’s option, shall become a part of the transaction documents with the Investor. The types of terms contained in another security that may be more favorable to the holder of such security include, but are not limited to, terms addressing stock sale price, price per share, and warrant coverage. For purposes of illustration, if a Subsequent Financing were to occur whereby the Company sells and issues a convertible note with a conversion price that includes a discount to the market price of its Common Share, the Investor will be entitled to receive the same convertible note on the exact same terms on a dollar for dollar basis via the exchange of the Securities the Investor holds on the date of the sale and issuance of the convertible note. This Section 5.20 Most Favored Nations, shall not be applicable to offers, issuances, sales or other transactions related to Exempted Securities.

 

6.CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

6.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of each Investor. The obligation of each Investor to fund its Note at each Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Investor, at or before such Closing, or, as specified below, only at or before the initial Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a) General Conditions Precedent.

 

(i) Required Documentation. Solely with respect to the initial Closing, the Company must have delivered to the Investor (i) copies of duly executed resolutions or consents of the directors, members or manager, as applicable, of such party, approving and consenting to such party’s execution, performance of its obligations under the applicable Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (ii) copies of each Transaction Document, duly executed by the Company, or the Transfer Agent, as applicable;

 

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(ii) Consents and Permits. The Company must have obtained and delivered to such Investor copies of all necessary permits, approvals, and registrations necessary to effect this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(iii) Stockholder Approval. The Company shall have obtained and delivered to the Investor the requisite Stockholder Approval, evidenced by written consent and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor.

 

(iv) No Event(s) of Default. No Event of Default has occurred and no Event of Default would result from the execution of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(v) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of such Closing as though made on and as of such date;

 

(vi) Performance. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to such Closing;

 

(vii) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents;

 

(viii) No Suspensions of Trading in the Common Stock; Listing. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC or any Trading Market (except for any suspensions of trading of not more than one day on which the Trading Market is open solely to permit dissemination of material information regarding the Company) at any time since the date of execution of this Agreement, and the Common Stock shall have been at all times since such date listed for trading on a Trading Market;

 

(ix) Limitation on Beneficial Ownership. The issuance of a Note or Warrant to such Investor shall not cause such Investor Group to become, directly or indirectly, a “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) of a number of Equity Interests of a class that is registered under the 1934 Act which exceeds the Maximum Percentage of the Equity Interests of such class that are outstanding at such time; and

 

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(x) Funds Flow Request. The Company shall have delivered to the Lead Investor a flow of funds request, substantially in the form set out in Exhibit C.

 

(xi) Non-Public Information. The Company shall, on or before 9:30 a.m., New York City Time, on or prior to the fourth business day after the date of each Closing, release or file, as applicable, a press release or a Current Report on Form 8-K or other applicable public disclosure describing the terms of the Closing (the “Cleansing Release”). From and after the filing of the Cleansing Release, the Company shall have disclosed all material, non-public information (if any) provided up to such time to each Investor by the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents. In addition, upon the filing of the Cleansing Release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or as otherwise disclosed in the Cleansing Release, whether written or oral, between the Company, or any of its officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Investors or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.

 

(xii) Reserved

 

(xiii) Closing Equity Conditions. Each of the Closing Equity Conditions shall have been satisfied.

 

(b) Specific Closing Conditions. The closing conditions set forth in Section 2.2 relating to the Tranche being funded on such Closing Date shall be met.

 

6.2 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to issue a Note to an Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company, at or before such Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a) Required Documentation. Such Investor must have delivered to the Company copies of each Transaction Document to which the Investor is a party, duly executed by the Investor;

 

(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of such Investor contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of such Closing Date as though made on and as of such date;

 

(c) Performance. The Investors shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to such Closing; and

 

(d) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

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7.EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

7.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:

 

(a) an Event of Default under a Note;

 

(b) any of the representations or warranties made by the Company or any of its agents, officers, directors, employees or representatives in any Transaction Document or public filing being inaccurate, false or misleading in any material respect, as of the date as of which it is made or deemed to be made, or any certificate or financial or other written statements furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Investor or any of its representatives, is inaccurate, false or misleading, in any material respect, as of the date as of which it is made or deemed to be made, or on any Closing Date; or

 

(c) a failure by the Company to comply with any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, including those set forth in Section 5 in all material respects.

 

7.2 Investor Right to Investigate an Event of Default. If in the reasonable opinion of the Requisite Holder, an Event of Default has occurred, or is or may be continuing:

 

(a) the Requisite Holder may notify the Company that it wishes to investigate such purported Event of Default;

 

(b) the Company shall cooperate with the Requisite Holder in such investigation;

 

(c) the Company shall comply with all reasonable requests made by the Requisite Holder to the Company in connection with any investigation by the Requisite Holder and shall (i) provide all information requested by the Requisite Holder in relation to the Event of Default to the Requisite Holder; provided that the Requisite Holder agrees that any materially price sensitive information and/or non-public information will be subject to confidentiality, and (ii) provide all such requested information within three (3) Business Days of such request.; and

 

(d) the Company shall pay all reasonable costs incurred by the Requisite Holder in connection with any such investigation.

 

7.3 Remedies Upon an Event of Default

 

(a) If an Event of Default occurs pursuant to Section 7.1(a), each Investor shall have such remedies as are set forth in their Note.

 

(b) If an Event of Default occurs pursuant to Section 7.1(b) or Section 7.1(c) and is not remedied following written notice provided by the Requisite Holder to the Company within (i) two (2) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring by the Company’s failure to comply with Section 7.1(c), or (ii) ten (10) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 7.1(b), the Requisite Holder may declare, by written notice to the Company, effective immediately, all outstanding obligations by the Company under the Transaction Documents to be immediately due and payable in immediately available funds and the Investors shall have no obligation to consummate any Closing under this Agreement or to accept the conversion of any Note into Conversion Shares.

 

(c) If any Event of Default occurs and is not remedied following written notice provided by the Requisite Holders to the Company within (i) two (2) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring by the Company’s failure to comply with Section 7.1(c), or (ii) ten (10) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 7.1(b), the Requisite Holders may, by written notice to the Company, terminate this Agreement effective as of the date set forth in the Requisite Holder’s notice.

 

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8.TERMINATION

 

8.1 Events of Termination. This Agreement:

 

(a) may be terminated:

 

(i) by the Requisite Holder on the occurrence or existence of a Securities Termination Event or a Change of Control;

 

(ii) by either the Company or the Requisite Holder, by written notice to the other party, effective immediately, if the applicable Closing has not occurred within thirty (30) Business Days of the date specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement or such later date as the Company and the Requisite Holder agree in writing, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(a)(iii) is not available to any party that is in material breach of or material default under this Agreement or whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the principal cause of, or has resulted in the failure of the applicable Closing to occur; or

 

(iii) by the Requisite Holder, in accordance with Section 7.3(c).

 

(b) will automatically terminate, without further action by the parties, on the date that is twenty-four (24) from the date of this Agreement.

 

8.2 Effect of Termination.

 

(a) Upon termination of this Agreement, no Investor will be required to fund any further amount after the date of termination of the Agreement, provided that termination will not affect any undischarged obligation under this Agreement, and any obligation of the Company to pay or repay any amounts owing to the Investor hereunder and which have not been repaid at the time of termination.

 

(b) Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to release any party from any liability for any breach by such party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to impair the right of any party to compel specific performance by any other Party of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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9.RESERVED

 

10.RIGHTS TO FUTURE STOCK ISSUANCES. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section and applicable securities laws, if at any time during the period ending on the sooner of the date the Note is repaid in full, or otherwise satisfied or 18 months after the Closing Date of the initial Closing, the Company proposes to offer or sell any New Securities, the Company shall offer to the Investors the opportunity to purchase up to ten percent (10%) of such New Securities (such amount, the “Offered Securities”). Such offer may only be accepted with the prior written approval of an Investor. If accepted by an Investor, it shall be afforded the opportunity to purchase its Pro Rata Portion (as defined below). The Investors shall be entitled to apportion the right of first offer hereby granted to them in such proportions as they deem appropriate among themselves and their Affiliates. This right shall not be applicable to an underwritten public offering , provided that all outstanding Indebtedness has been repaid in full.

 

10.1 The Company shall give notice no fewer than three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed date of the sale of New Securities (the “Information Notice”) to the Requisite Holder and each Investor, requesting if such Requisite Holder and Investors would desire to receive further information regarding the proposed sale. In the event that any Investor does not affirmatively respond to the Information Notice within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, the Company may proceed with the sale; provided that obligations and rights set forth in this Section 10 shall not be in force and effective for a period with respect to any non-affirming Investor for a period of 45 days following the delivery of the Information Notice; provided, further that the obligations and rights set forth in this Section 10 shall automatically renew following the expiration of such period. If an Investor affirmatively responds to the Information Notice, such sale shall be subject to the obligations and rights set forth in this Section 10.

 

10.2 The Company shall give notice no fewer than two (2) Business Days following receipt of an affirmative response to the Information Notice (the “Offer Notice”) to the Requisite Holder and each Investor, stating (a) its bona fide intention to offer such New Securities, (b) the number of such New Securities to be offered, and (c) the price and terms, if any, upon which it proposes to offer such New Securities.

 

10.3 By notification to the Company within five (5) days after the Offer Notice is given, the Requisite Holder and each Investor may elect to purchase or otherwise acquire, at the price and on the terms specified in the Offer Notice, up to their Pro Rata Portion of the Offered Securities. “Pro Rata Portion” means the ratio of (x) Securities purchased by an Investor participating under this Section 10.3 and (y) the sum of the aggregate Securities purchased by all Investors participating under this 10.3. The closing of any sale pursuant to this Section shall occur within the later of ninety (90) days of the date that the Offer Notice is given and the date of initial sale of New Securities pursuant to Section 10.4.

 

10.4 The Company may, during the ninety (90) day period following the expiration of the period provided in Section 10.3, offer and sell the remaining portion of such New Securities to any Person or Persons at a price not less than, and upon terms no more favorable to the offeree than, those specified in the Offer Notice. If the Company does not enter into an agreement for the sale of the New Securities within such period, or if such agreement is not consummated within thirty (30) days of the execution thereof, the right provided hereunder shall be deemed to be revived and such New Securities shall not be offered unless first reoffered to the Investors in accordance with this Section .

 

10.5 The right of first offer in this Section shall not be applicable to offers, issuances, sales or other transactions related to Exempted Securities, or any New Securities registered for sale under the 1933 Act.

 

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11.GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

11.1 Fees and Expenses. At the initial Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Lead Investor for actual and reasonably documented due diligence, travel and legal fees and expenses related to the preparation and negotiation of the Transaction Documents and disbursements of its counsel, Lucosky Brookman LLP not to exceed $100,000 it being understood that Lucosky Brookman LLP have not rendered any legal advice to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and that the Company has relied for such matters on the advice of its own counsel; provided that the foregoing cap maybe increased if in the reasonable discretion of the Lead Investor the legal services required to draft and negotiate the Transaction Documents exceeds those initially contemplated by the Parties. In the event that this Agreement is terminated prior to the occurrence of the initial Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Lead Investor for all actual and reasonably documented due diligence and legal fees and expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of its counsel, Lucosky Brookman LLP. Except as specified above, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents. The Company shall pay all stamp and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the sale of the Notes.

 

11.2 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Business Day, (b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on such date, (c) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

Email: kraig@kittsgroup.com

Attention: Kraig Higginson, Interim CEO

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP

1185 Avenue of Americas, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10036

 

Attention: Arthur Marcus, Esq.

 

If to an Investor, such address set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Investor; or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such Person.

 

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11.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

11.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Arizona, without reference to principles of conflict of laws or choice of laws.

 

11.5 Jurisdiction and Venue. Any action, proceeding or claim arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York (Commercial Division), or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company and the Investors irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive, and hereby waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. The prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses relating to such action or proceeding.

 

11.6 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL. THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS.

 

11.7 Survival. The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained herein shall survive the Closing and the delivery of the Securities.

 

11.8 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the Exhibits and Schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.

 

11.9 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended except in a written instrument signed by the Company and the Requisite Holders. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of either party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

 

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11.10 Construction. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. This Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents.

 

11.11 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the Company and the Investors and their respective successors and assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders. Each Investor may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Investor assigns or transfers any Securities, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions hereof that apply to the “Investor” and such transferee is an accredited investor.

 

11.12 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other parties. Signature pages delivered by facsimile or e-mail shall have the same force and effect as an original signature.

 

11.14 Specific Performance. Each of the Company and each Investor acknowledges that monetary damages alone would not be adequate compensation to the other parties hereto for a breach of this Agreement and the Company or the Requisite Holders may seek an injunction or an order for specific performance from a court of competent jurisdiction if (a) the Company or an Investor fails to comply or threatens not to comply with this Agreement or (b) on the one hand, the Company has reason to believe that an Investor will not comply with this Agreement or, on the other hand, the Requisite Holders have reason to believe that the Company will not comply with this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Securities Purchase Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

COMPANY:  
     
ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.  
     
By:    
Name: Kraig Higginson  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

Name of Investor:

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investor:

 

Name of Authorized Signatory:

 

Title of Authorized Signatory: Authorized Signatory

 

Email Address of Authorized Signatory:

 

Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory: N/A

 

Address for Notice to Investor:

 

Address for Delivery of Securities to Investor (if not same as address for notice):

 

Funding Amount:

 

Principal amount of Note:

 

EIN Number:

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF NOTE

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

FLOW OF FUNDS REQUEST

 

Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.– Securities Purchase Agreement – Flow of Funds Request

 

In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated [_], 2025 (the “Agreement”) between Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), ____________ (the “Investor”) and the other investors signatory thereto, the Company irrevocably authorizes the Investor to distribute such funds as set out below, in the manner set out below, at the Closing.

 

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this letter will have the meaning given to such terms in the Agreement.

 

Item   Amount  
Closing   $              
    $    
Total   $    

 

Please transfer the net amount of US $________due at the Closing, to the following bank account:

 

Bank ID type:

Bank ID:

Bank Name:

Bank Address 1:

Bank Address 2:

Recipient Account (if appropriate enter the IBAN):

Recipient name:

Recipient Address 1:

Recipient Address 2:

 

Yours sincerely,  
     
ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.  
     
By:    
Name Kraig Higginson  
Title Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

EX-10.2 3 ex10-2.htm EX-10.2

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS NOTE IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.

 

Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.

 

[Form of] Convertible Promissory Note

 

Dated: August 19, 2025 (the “Issuance Date”) Up to $9,687,500.00

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Maker” or the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to the order of [*], or its registered assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of up to Nine Million Eight Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Zero/100 United States Dollars ($9,867,500.00) the “Principal Amount”) pursuant to the terms of this Convertible Promissory Note (this “Note”). The Principal Amount constitutes the aggregate principal amount of this Note, and the disbursement thereof, whether in a single funding of a Tranche (as defined in the Purchase Agreement, as defined below) or of an additional Tranche , shall be made in such amounts and at such times as provided in, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of, the Purchase Agreement. The aggregate consideration to the Maker for this Note is up to Seven Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars ($7,750,000.00) (the “Consideration”) in United States currency, due to original issuance discount of up to $1,937,500.00 (the “OID”).

 

The maturity date of this Note shall be February 19, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”) and is the date upon which the Principal Amount shall be due and payable unless otherwise accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Note.

 

This Note may not be repaid in whole or in part except as otherwise explicitly set forth herein.

 

All payments under or pursuant to this Note shall be made in United States Dollars in immediately available funds to the Holder at the address of the Holder set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as hereinafter defined) or at such other place as the Holder may designate from time to time in writing to the Maker or by wire transfer of funds to the Holder’s account designated in writing by Holder to the Maker.

 

 

 

1.1 Purchase Agreement. This Note has been executed and delivered pursuant to, and is one of the Notes issued pursuant to, the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2025 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Maker, the other “Investors” (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) and the Holder. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth for such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

1.2 Default Interest. If any amount payable by Company under any Transaction Document is not paid when due, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at the Past Due Rate (as hereinafter defined) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In addition, following any Event of Default, any Outstanding Principal Amount shall bear interest at the Past Due Rate. In either case, accrued and unpaid Interest or past due amounts (including interest on past due Interest) shall be due and payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal to eighteen percent (18%) accruing annually and computed on the basis of a 360-day year (the “Past Due Rate”), provided that, in no event shall the rate of interest hereunder exceed the maximum rate permitted by applicable law (the “Past Due Rate”).

 

1.3 Payment on Non-Business Days. Whenever any payment to be made shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

1.4 Transfer. This Note may be transferred or sold, subject to the provisions of Section 5.8 of this Note, or pledged, hypothecated or otherwise granted as security by the Holder.

 

1.5 Replacement. Upon receipt of a duly executed and notarized written statement from the Holder with respect to the loss, theft or destruction of this Note (or any replacement hereof), or, in the case of a mutilation of this Note, upon surrender and cancellation of such Note, the Maker shall issue a new Note, of like tenor and amount, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note.

 

1.6 Use of Proceeds. The Maker shall use the proceeds of this Note as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

1.7 Status of Note. The obligations of the Maker under this Note shall rank senior to all future Indebtedness and equity of the Company except that the obligations of the Maker under this Note shall rank pari passu with all other Indebtedness owing to the other Investors under the other Notes (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) (the “Other Notes”). Upon any Liquidation Event (as hereinafter defined), but subject in all cases to the Purchase Agreement, the Holder will be entitled to receive, before any distribution or payment is made upon, or set apart with respect to, any Indebtedness of the Maker (other than Indebtedness in respect of the Other Notes) or any class of shares of the Maker, an amount equal to the sum of the Outstanding Principal Amount. For purposes of this Note, “Liquidation Event” means a liquidation pursuant to a filing of a petition for bankruptcy under applicable law or any other insolvency or debtor’s relief, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Maker.

 

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ARTICLE 2

 

2.1 Events of Default. An “Event of Default” under this Note shall mean the occurrence of any of the Events of Default defined in the Purchase Agreement, and any of the additional events described below (unless the Event of Default is waived in writing by the Requisite Holder):

 

(a) Any default in the payment of (i) the Principal Amount hereunder when due; or (ii) interest as and when the same shall become due and payable (whether on the Maturity Date or by acceleration or otherwise);

 

(b) the Maker shall fail to observe or perform any other material covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Note or any Transaction Document;

 

(c) the Maker’s notice to the Holder, including by way of public announcement, at any time, of its inability to comply (including for any of the reasons described in Section 3.6(a) hereof) or its intention not to comply with proper requests for conversion of this Note into Common Stock;

 

(d) the Maker shall fail to (i) timely deliver the Common Stock as and when required in Section 3.2; or (ii) make the payment of any fees and/or liquidated damages under this Note, the Purchase Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;

 

(e) at any time the Maker shall fail to have the Required Minimum of Common Stock authorized, reserved and available for issuance to satisfy the potential conversion in full (disregarding for this purpose any and all limitations of any kind on such conversion) of this Note;

 

(f) any representation or warranty made by the Maker or any of its Subsidiaries in the Purchase Agreement, this Note, or any other Transaction Document shall prove to have been false or incorrect or breached in a material respect on the date as of which made or deemed to be made;

 

(g) the Maker or any of its Subsidiaries shall (A) default in any payment of any amount or amounts of principal of or interest (if any) on any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness hereunder), the aggregate principal amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $300,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) or (B) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness to cause with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity, in each case, prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such Indebtedness;

 

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(h) the Maker or any of its Significant Subsidiaries shall: (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property or assets; (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (iii) commence a voluntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic); (iv) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (v) acquiesce in writing to any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic); (vi) issue a notice of bankruptcy or winding down of its operations or issue a press release regarding same; or (vii) take any action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing;

 

(i) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the Maker or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, without its application or consent, in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking: (i) the liquidation, reorganization, moratorium, dissolution, winding up, or composition or readjustment of its debts; (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial part of its assets in connection with the liquidation or dissolution of the Maker or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or (iii) similar relief in respect of it under any law providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or case described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of thirty (30) days or any order for relief shall be entered in an involuntary case under United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) against the Maker or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to the Maker or any of its Subsidiaries and shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) days;

 

(j) one or more final judgments, settlements, or orders for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $200,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) are rendered against or entered into one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries, where such judgment, settlement or order is not discharged or stayed within thirty (30) days;

 

(k) the failure of the Maker to instruct its transfer agent to remove any legends from the Common Stock and issue such unlegended certificates to the Holder within one (1) Trading Days of the Holder’s lawful request so long as the Holder has provided reasonable assurances to the Maker that such Common Stock can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 or any other applicable exemption;

 

(l) the Maker’s Common Stock is no longer publicly traded or cease to be listed on the Trading Market or, after the six month anniversary of the Issuance Date, any Investor Shares may not be immediately resold under Rule 144 without restriction on the number of shares to be sold or manner of sale, unless such Investor Shares have been registered for resale under the 1933 Act and may be sold without restriction;

 

(m) the Maker consummates a “going private” transaction and as a result shares of Common Stock are no longer registered under Sections 12(b) or 12(g) of the 1934 Act;

 

4

 

(n) there shall be any SEC or judicial stop trade order or trading suspension stop-order or any restriction in place with the transfer agent for the Common Stock restricting the trading of such Common Stock;

 

(o) the Depository Trust Company places any restrictions on transactions in the Common Stock or the Common Stock is no longer tradeable through the Depository Trust Company Fast Automated Securities Transfer program;

 

(p) following the date that the Effectiveness Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) was required to occur pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Maker shall fail to comply with the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act (including but not limited to becoming delinquent in its filings); and/or the Maker shall cease to be subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act for a period of twenty (20) or more Business Days; or

 

(q) the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Maker, or the Maker and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole which would reasonably be considered to substantially impair the ability of the Maker to satisfy its obligations in the Transaction Documents.

 

2.2 Remedies Upon an Event of Default. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default that has not been remedied by the earlier of (i) two (2) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of written notice (the “Event of Default Notice”) from the Holder of such Event of Default, or (ii) ten (10) calendar days after the occurrence of such Event of Default, the Maker shall be obligated to pay to the Holder immediately the Mandatory Default Amount.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

CONVERSION.

 

3.1 Conversion. This Note shall be convertible (in whole or in part) at any time on or after the thirty-first (31st) day following the Issuance Date into such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock as shall be determined by dividing (x) that portion identified by the Maker of (A) the Outstanding Principal Amount, plus (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note and any other amounts owing under this Note or the Transaction Documents (the “Conversion Amount”) by (y) the Conversion Price then in effect on the date on which the Holder delivers a notice of conversion, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Conversion Notice”), in accordance with this Section 3.1 to the Maker. The Holder shall deliver this Note to the Maker at the address designated in the Purchase Agreement at any such time that this Note is converted. With respect to partial conversions of this Note, the Maker shall keep written records of the amount of this Note converted as of the date of such conversion (each, a “Conversion Date”).

 

The “Conversion Price” means the greater of (i) eighty (80%) percent of the lowest Closing Price on any Trading Day during the five (5) Trading Days prior to the applicable Conversion Date or (ii) the Floor Price.

 

3.2 Delivery of Conversion Shares. As soon as practicable after any conversion or payment of any amount due hereunder in the form of Common Stock in accordance with this Note, and in any event no later than one (1) Trading Day following the Maker’s receipt of a Conversion Notice from the Holder (such date, the “Share Delivery Date”), the Maker shall, at its expense, cause to be issued in the name of and delivered to the Holder, or as the Holder may direct, book-entry statements evidencing the number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled on such conversion or payment (the “Conversion Shares”), in the applicable denominations based on the applicable conversion or payment; provided that, if the Common Stock are then DWAC Eligible and such Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note have been registered for resale pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, upon request of the Holder, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to electronically transmit such Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note to [(i) the third-party purchaser in the resale thereof by the Investor or (ii) by crediting the account of the Holder’s (or its designee’s) broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system (provided that the same time periods herein as for book-entry statements shall apply) as instructed by the Holder (or its designee, in which case such Common Stock (x) shall only be used by such broker to deliver such Common Stock to DTC for the purpose of settling the Holder’s share delivery obligations with respect to the sale of such Common Stock, which may include delivery to other accounts of such broker and inclusion in the number of Common Stock delivered by that broker in “net settling” that broker’s trading of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, including its positions with the brokers of the respective persons who purchase such Common Stock from the Holder, and (y) shall remain “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act until so delivered). In the event that the Maker fails to comply with its obligations under this Section 3.2, a liquidated damages charge of 2% of the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note will be assessed and will become immediately due and payable each month while such failure remains uncured to the Holder at its election in the form of a cash payment or added to the balance of this Note.

 

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3.3 Caps on Conversion Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Holder shall not be entitled to receive shares representing Equity Interests upon conversion of this Note to the extent (but only to the extent) that:

 

Ownership Cap. Such exercise or receipt would cause the Holder Group (as defined below) to become, directly or indirectly, a “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) of a number of Equity Interests of a class that is registered under the 1934 Act which exceeds the Maximum Percentage (as defined below) of the Equity Interests of such class that are outstanding at such time. Any purported delivery of Equity Interests in connection with the conversion of this Note prior to the termination of this restriction in accordance herewith shall be void and have no effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that such delivery would result in the Holder Group becoming the beneficial owner of more than the Maximum Percentage of the Equity Interests of a class that is registered under the 1934 Act that is outstanding at such time. If any delivery of Equity Interests owed to the Holder following conversion of this Note is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of this limitation, the Company’s obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished and the Company shall deliver such Equity Interests as promptly as practicable after the Holder gives notice to the Company that such delivery would not result in such limitation being triggered or upon termination of the restriction in accordance with the terms hereof; provided that no liquidated damages will be assessed or become due and payable pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof with respect to any such Equity Interests not being delivered solely as a result of this limitation. To the extent limitations contained in this Section 3.3(a) apply, the determination of whether this Note is convertible and of which portion of this Note is convertible shall be the sole responsibility and in the sole determination of the Holder, and the submission of a notice of conversion shall be deemed to constitute the Holder’s determination that the issuance of the full number of Conversion Shares requested in the notice of conversion is permitted hereunder, and the Company shall not have any obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. For purposes of this Section 3.3, (i) the term “Maximum Percentage” shall mean 4.99%; provided, that if at any time after the date hereof the Holder Group beneficially owns in excess of 4.99% of any class of Equity Interests in the Company that is registered under the 1934 Act, then the Maximum Percentage shall automatically increase to 9.99% so long as the Holder Group owns in excess of 4.99% of such class of Equity Interests (and shall, for the avoidance of doubt, automatically decrease to 4.99% upon the Holder Group ceasing to own in excess of 4.99% of such class of Equity Interests); and (ii) the term “Holder Group” shall mean the Holder plus any other Person with which the Holder is considered to be part of a group under Section 13 of the 1934 Act or with which the Holder otherwise files reports under Sections 13 and/or 16 of the 1934 Act. In determining the number of Equity Interests of a particular class outstanding at any point in time, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding Equity Interests of such class as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Form 10-K or Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) a more recent notice by the Company or its transfer agent to the Holder setting forth the number of Equity Interests of such class then outstanding. For any reason at any time, upon written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall, within one (1) Business Day of such request, confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of Equity Interests of any class then outstanding. The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall be construed, corrected and implemented in a manner so as to effectuate the intended beneficial ownership limitation herein contained. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note, Borrower and Holder agree that the total cumulative number of shares of Common Stock issued to Holder hereunder together with all other Transaction Documents may not exceed the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (“Nasdaq 19.99% Cap”), except that such limitation will not apply following Approval (defined below). If the number of shares of Common Stock issued to Holder reaches the Nasdaq 19.99% Cap, so as not to violate the 20% limit established in Listing Rule 5635(d), Borrower will use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain stockholder approval of the Note and the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the portion of this Note, if necessary, in accordance with the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (the “Approval”). If the Borrower is unable to obtain such Approval, any remaining outstanding balance of this Note must be repaid in cash.

 

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3.4 Adjustments to Floor Price.

 

(a) Until the Note has been paid in full or converted in full except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.4, the Conversion Price and Floor Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

 

(i) Adjustments for Stock Splits. If the Maker shall at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date (but whether before or after the Issuance Date) effect a split of the outstanding Common Stock, the applicable Floor Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split shall be proportionately decreased. For avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Floor Price be increased as a result of any reverse stock split, combination or other reduction in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock. Any adjustments under this Section 3.4(a)(i) shall be effective at the close of business on the date the stock split or combination occurs.

 

(ii) Adjustments for Certain Dividends and Distributions. If the Maker shall at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date (but whether before or after the Issuance Date) make or issue or set a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, then, and in each event, the applicable Floor Price in effect immediately prior to such event shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in the event such record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, by multiplying the applicable Floor Price then in effect by a fraction:

 

(1) the numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date; and

 

(2) the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution.

 

(iii) Adjustment for Other Dividends and Distributions. If the Maker shall at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date (but whether before or after the Issuance Date) make or issue or set a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in securities or property other than Common Stock, then, and in each event, an appropriate revision to the applicable Floor Price shall be made and provision shall be made (by adjustments of the Floor Price or otherwise) so that the Holder of this Note shall receive upon conversions thereof, in addition to the number of Common Stock receivable thereon, the number of securities of the Maker or other issuer (as applicable) or other property that it would have received had this Note been converted into Common Stock in full (without regard to any conversion limitations herein) on the date of such event and had thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the Conversion Date, retained such securities (together with any distributions payable thereon during such period) or assets, giving application to all adjustments called for during such period under this Section 3.4(a)(iii) with respect to the rights of the holders of this Note; provided, however, that if such record date shall have been fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, the Floor Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this paragraph as of the time of actual payment of such dividends or distributions.

 

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(iv) Adjustments for Reclassification, Exchange or Substitution. If the Common Stock at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date (but whether before or after the Issuance Date) shall be changed to the same or different number of shares or other securities of any class of shares or other property, whether by reclassification, exchange, substitution or otherwise (other than by way of a stock split or combination of shares or stock dividends provided for in Sections 3.4(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) hereof, or a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of assets provided for in Section 3.4(a)(viii) hereof), then, and in each event, an appropriate revision to the Floor Price shall be made and provisions shall be made (by adjustments of the Floor Price or otherwise) so that the Holder shall have the right thereafter to convert this Note into the kind and amount of shares or other securities or other property receivable upon reclassification, exchange, substitution or other change, by holders of the number of Common Stock into which such Note might have been converted immediately prior to such reclassification, exchange, substitution or other change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

 

(v) Adjustment Due to Dilutive Issuance. If, at any time while this Note is outstanding the Company issues or sells, or in accordance with this Section 3.4(a)(v) hereof is deemed to have issued or sold, except for Common Stock issued in an issuance of Exempted Securities (except for issuances under clauses (d), (e), or (f) of the definition of Exempted Securities in the Purchase Agreement), any Common Stock for a consideration per share (before deduction of reasonable expenses or commissions or underwriting discounts or allowances in connection therewith) less than the Floor Price in effect on the date of such issuance (or deemed issuance) of such Common Stock (a “Dilutive Issuance”), then immediately upon the Dilutive Issuance, the Floor Price will be reduced to the amount of the consideration per share received by the Company in such Dilutive Issuance.

 

The Company shall be deemed to have issued or sold Common Stock if the Company in any manner issues or grants any warrants, rights or options (not including employee stock option plans), whether or not immediately exercisable, to subscribe for or to purchase Common Stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (“Convertible Securities”) (such warrants, rights and options to Common Stock or Convertible Securities are hereinafter referred to as “Options”) and the price per share for which such Common Stock are issuable upon the exercise of such Options is less than the Floor Price then in effect, then the Floor Price shall be equal to such price per share. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the “price per share for which such Common Stock are issuable upon the exercise of such Options” is determined by dividing (i) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the issuance or granting of all such Options, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the exercise of all such Options, plus, in the case of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options, the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration payable upon the conversion or exchange thereof at the time such Convertible Securities first become convertible or exchangeable, by (ii) the maximum total number of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all such Options (assuming full conversion of Convertible Securities, if applicable). No further adjustment to the Floor Price will be made upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of such Options.

 

8

 

Additionally, the Company shall be deemed to have issued or sold Common Stock if the Company in any manner issues or sells any Convertible Securities, whether or not immediately convertible (other than in an issuance of Exempted Securities (except for issuances under clause (d) of the definition of Exempted Securities in the Purchase Agreement)), and the price per share for which such Common Stock issuable upon such conversion or exchange is less than the Floor Price then in effect, then the Floor Price shall be equal to such price per share. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the “price per share for which such Common Stock issuable upon such conversion or exchange” is determined by dividing (i) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the issuance or sale of all such Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion or exchange thereof at the time such Convertible Securities first become convertible or exchangeable, by (ii) the maximum total number of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities. No further adjustment to the Floor Price will be made upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

(vi) Share Combination Event Adjustment. If at any time and from time to time on or after the Issuance Date there occurs any share split, share dividend, share combination recapitalization or other similar transaction involving the Common Stock (each, a “Share Combination Event”, and such date thereof, the “Share Combination Event Date”) and the Event Market Price is less than the Floor Price then in effect (after giving effect to the adjustment in clause 3.4(a) above), then on the sixteenth (16th) Trading Day immediately following such Share Combination Event, the Floor Price then in effect on such sixteenth (16th) Trading Day (after giving effect to the adjustment in clause 3.4(a) above) shall be reduced (but in no event increased) to the Event Market Price. For the avoidance of doubt, if the adjustment in the immediately preceding sentence would otherwise result in an increase in the Floor Price hereunder, no adjustment shall be made.

 

(vii) Other Events. In the event that the Company (or any Subsidiary (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) shall take any action to which the provisions hereof are not strictly applicable, or, if applicable, would not operate to protect the Holder from dilution or if any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 3.4 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of share appreciation rights, phantom share rights or other rights with equity features), then the Company’s board of directors shall in good faith determine and implement an appropriate adjustment in the Floor Price and the number of Conversion Shares(if applicable) so as to protect the rights of the Holder, provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 3.4 will increase the Floor Price or decrease the number of Conversion Shares as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 3.4 provided further that if the Holder does not accept such adjustments as appropriately protecting its rights hereunder, then the Board of Directors and the Holder shall agree, in good faith, upon an independent investment bank of nationally recognized standing to make such appropriate adjustments, whose determination shall be final and binding absent manifest error and whose fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company.

 

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(viii) Consideration for Stock. In case any Common Stock or any Common Stock Equivalents shall be issued or sold:

 

(1) in connection with any merger or consolidation in which the Maker is the surviving corporation (other than any consolidation or merger in which the previously outstanding Common Stock of the Maker shall be changed to or exchanged for the stock or other securities of another corporation), the amount of consideration therefor shall be deemed to be the fair value, as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Maker and approved by the Requisite Holder, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, of such portion of the assets and business of the non-surviving corporation as such Board of Directors may determine to be attributable to such Common Stock, rights or warrants or options or other Convertible Securities, as the case may be; or

 

(2) in the event of any consolidation or merger of the Maker in which the Maker is not the surviving corporation or in which the previously outstanding Common Stock of the Maker shall be changed into or exchanged for the stock or other securities of another corporation or other property, or in the event of any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Maker for stock or other securities or other property of any corporation, the Maker shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock, at a price per share equal to the valuation of the Maker’s Common Stock based on the actual exchange ratio on which the transaction was predicated, as applicable, and the fair market value on the date of such transaction of all such stock or securities or other property of the other corporation. If any such calculation results in adjustment of the applicable Floor Price, or the number of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note, the determination of the applicable Floor Price or the number of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or sale, shall be made after giving effect to such adjustment of the number of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note. In the event Common Stock issued with other shares or securities or other assets of the Maker for consideration which covers both, the consideration computed as provided in this Section 3.4(a)(viii) shall be allocated among such securities and assets as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Maker, and approved by the Requisite Holder.

 

(ix) Record Date. In case the Maker shall take record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities, then the date of the issue or sale of the Common Stock shall be deemed to be such record date.

 

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(b) No Impairment. The Maker shall not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Maker, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 3.4 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the conversion rights of the Holder against impairment. In the event the Holder shall elect to convert this Note as provided herein, the Maker cannot refuse conversion based on any claim that the Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with the Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, violation of an agreement to which the Holder is a party or for any reason whatsoever, unless, an injunction from a court, or notice, restraining and or adjoining conversion of this Note shall have issued and the Maker posts a surety bond for the benefit of the Holder in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Principal Amount of the Note the Holder has elected to convert, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to the Holder (as liquidated damages) in the event it obtains judgment.

 

(c) Certificates as to Adjustments. Upon occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Floor Price or number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note pursuant to this Section 3.4, the Maker at its expense shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to the Holder a certificate setting forth such adjustment and readjustment, showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Maker shall, upon written request of the Holder, at any time, furnish or cause to be furnished to the Holder a like certificate setting forth such adjustments and readjustments, the applicable Floor Price in effect at the time, and the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other securities or property which at the time would be received upon the conversion of this Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Maker shall not be obligated to deliver a certificate unless such certificate would reflect an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) of such adjusted amount.

 

(d) Issue Taxes. The Maker shall pay any and all issue and other taxes, excluding federal, state or local income taxes, that may be payable in respect of any issue or delivery of Common Stock on conversion of this Note pursuant thereto; provided, however, that the Maker shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes resulting from any transfer requested by the Holder in connection with any such conversion.

 

(e) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of this Note. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the Holder would otherwise be entitled, the Maker shall pay cash equal to such fractional shares multiplied by the Conversion Price then in effect.

 

(f) Reservation of Common Stock. The Maker shall at all times while this Note shall be outstanding, keep available out of its authorized Common Stock a number of shares of Common Stock equal to at least one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the number of shares of Common Stock necessary to effect the conversion of the Outstanding Principal Amount and accrued interest owing hereunder into Conversion Shares at the then applicable Floor Price (disregarding for this purpose any and all limitations of any kind on such conversion). The Maker shall, from time to time, increase the authorized number of Common Stock or take other effective action if at any time the unissued number of authorized shares shall not be sufficient to satisfy the Maker’s obligations under this Section 3.4(f).

 

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(g) Regulatory Compliance. If any Common Stock for the purpose of conversion of this Note require registration or listing with or approval of any governmental authority, stock exchange or other regulatory body under any federal or state law or regulation or otherwise before such shares may be validly issued or delivered upon conversion, the Maker shall, at its sole cost and expense, in good faith and as expeditiously as possible, secure such registration, listing or approval, as the case may be.

 

3.5 Prepayment Following a Change of Control.

 

(a) Mechanics of Prepayment at Option of Holder in Connection with a Change of Control. No later than fifteen (15) days following the entry by the Company into an agreement for a Change of Control, but in no event prior to the public announcement of such Change of Control, the Maker shall deliver written notice describing the entry into such agreement (“Notice of Change of Control”) to the Holder. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a Notice of Change of Control, the Requisite Holder may require the Maker to prepay, effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, an amount equal to the Mandatory Default Amount on such date (the “COC Repayment Price”), by delivering written notice thereof (“Notice of Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon Change of Control”) to the Maker.

 

(b) Payment of COC Repayment Price. Upon the Maker’s receipt of a Notice(s) of Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon Change of Control from the Holder, the Maker shall deliver the COC Repayment Price to the Holder immediately prior to the consummation of the Change of Control; provided that the Holder’s original Note shall have been so delivered to the Maker, and, provided, further that all payments shall be subject to the provisions of the Purchase Agreement with respect to the holders of the Other Notes.

 

3.6 Inability to Fully Convert.

 

(a) Holder’s Option if Maker Cannot Fully Convert. If, upon the Maker’s receipt of a Conversion Notice or as otherwise required under this Note, including with respect to repayment of principal in Common Stock as permitted under this Note, the Maker cannot issue Common Stock for any reason, including, without limitation, because the Maker (x) does not have a sufficient number of Common Stock authorized and available or (y) is otherwise prohibited by applicable law or by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange, interdealer quotation system or other self-regulatory organization with jurisdiction over the Maker or any of its securities from issuing all of the Common Stock which are to be issued to the Holder pursuant to this Note, then the Maker shall issue as many Common Stock as it is able to issue and, with respect to the unconverted portion of this Note or with respect to any Common Stock not timely issued in accordance with this Note, the Holder, solely at Holder’s option, can elect to:

 

(i) require the Maker to prepay that portion of this Note for which the Maker is unable to issue Common Stock or for which Common Stock were not timely issued (the “Mandatory Prepayment”) at a price equal to the number of Common Stock that the Maker is unable to issue multiplied by the Conversion Price on the date of the Conversion Notice (the “Mandatory Prepayment Price”) (provided all payments shall be subject to the provisions of the Purchase Agreement with respect to the holders of the Other Notes); provided that an election under this clause (i) shall not be available in the event that the Maker is unable to issue Common Stock solely pursuant to the caps set forth in Section 3.3 above;

 

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(ii) void its Conversion Notice and retain or have returned, as the case may be, this Note that was to be converted pursuant to the Conversion Notice (provided that the Holder’s voiding its Conversion Notice shall not affect the Maker’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice); or

 

(iii) defer issuance of the applicable Conversion Shares until such time as the Maker can legally issue such shares; provided that the Principal Amount underlying such Conversion Shares shall remain outstanding until the delivery of such Conversion Shares; and provided, further, that if the Holder elects to defer the issuance of the Conversion Shares, it may exercise its rights under either clause (i) or (ii) above at any time prior to the issuance of the Conversion Shares upon two (2) Business Days’ notice to the Maker.

 

(b) Mechanics of Fulfilling Holder’s Election. The Maker shall immediately send to the Holder, upon receipt of a Conversion Notice from the Holder, which cannot be fully satisfied as described in Section 3.6(a) above, a notice of the Maker’s inability to fully satisfy the Conversion Notice (the “Inability to Fully Convert Notice”). Such Inability to Fully Convert Notice shall indicate (i) the reason why the Maker is unable to fully satisfy the Holder’s Conversion Notice; and (ii) the amount of this Note which cannot be converted. The Holder shall notify the Maker of its election pursuant to Section 3.6(a) above by delivering written notice to the Maker (“Notice in Response to Inability to Convert”).

 

(c) Payment of Mandatory Prepayment Price. If the Holder shall elect to have its Note prepaid pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(i) above, the Maker shall pay the Mandatory Prepayment Price to the Holder within five (5) Business Days of the Maker’s receipt of the Holder’s Notice in Response to Inability to Convert; provided that prior to the Maker’s receipt of the Holder’s Notice in Response to Inability to Convert the Maker has not delivered a notice to the Holder stating, to the satisfaction of the Holder, that the event or condition resulting in the Mandatory Prepayment has been cured and all Conversion Shares issuable to the Holder can and will be delivered to the Holder in accordance with the terms of this Note. If the Maker shall fail to pay the applicable Mandatory Prepayment Price to the Holder on the date that is two (2) Business Days following the Maker’s receipt of the Holder’s Notice in Response to Inability to Convert, in addition to any remedy the Holder may have under this Note and the Purchase Agreement, such unpaid amount shall bear interest at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Until the full Mandatory Prepayment Price is paid in full to the Holder, the Holder may (i) void the Mandatory Prepayment with respect to that portion of the Note for which the full Mandatory Prepayment Price has not been paid and (ii) receive back such Note.

 

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(d) Prepayment. The Maker may, at any time prior to its receipt of a Conversion Notice from the Holder with respect to all or any portion of this Note, prepay all or any such portion by paying to the Holder an amount equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the Outstanding Principal Amount being prepaid, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any other amounts then owing under this Note. Upon the Maker’s receipt of a Conversion Notice with respect to all or any portion of the Outstanding Principal Amount, the Maker shall have no right to prepay such portion of the Note covered by the Conversion Notice, and its prepayment right shall thereafter apply only to the remaining Outstanding Principal Amount, if any, not subject to such Conversion Notice.

 

(e) No Rights as Shareholder. Except as expressly set forth hereunder, nothing contained in this Note shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder, prior to the conversion of this Note, the right to vote or to receive dividends or to consent or to receive notice as a shareholder of the Company in respect of any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors of the Maker or of any other matter, or any other rights as a shareholder of the Maker.

 

3.7 Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Conversion Shares. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to deliver or cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder, Conversion Shares or any other shares pursuant to a conversion on or before the Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Conversion Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such conversion (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (a) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Conversion Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the conversion at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (b) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Note and equivalent number of Conversion Shares for which such conversion was not honored (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its conversion and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Common Stock upon conversion of the Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 4

 

4.1 Covenants. For so long as any Note is outstanding, without the prior written consent of the Holder:

 

(a) Compliance with Transaction Documents. The Maker shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with its obligations under this Note and the other Transaction Documents.

 

(b) Payment of Taxes, Etc. The Maker shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, when due and payable, all lawful taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the income, profits, property or business of the Maker and the Subsidiaries, except for such failures to pay that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that any such tax, assessment, charge or levy need not be paid if the validity thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Maker or such Subsidiaries shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto, and provided, further, that the Maker and such Subsidiaries will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any lien which may have attached as security therefor.

 

(c) Corporate Existence. The Maker shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights and franchises and all licenses and other rights to use property owned or possessed by it and reasonably deemed to be necessary to the conduct of its business.

 

(d) Investment Company Act. The Maker shall conduct its businesses in a manner so that it will not be required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

4.2 Set-Off. This Note shall be subject to the set-off provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

4.3 Usury. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable provision shall automatically be revised to equal the maximum rate of interest or other amount deemed interest permitted under applicable law. The Maker covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not seek to claim or take advantage of any law that would prohibit or forgive the Maker from paying all or a portion of the principal or interest, if any, on this Note.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

5.1 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Business Day, (b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on such date, (c) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The addresses for notice shall be as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

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5.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Arizona, without reference to principles of conflict of laws or choice of laws. This Note shall not be interpreted or construed with any presumption against the party causing this Note to be drafted.

 

5.3 Headings. Article and section headings in this Note are included herein for purposes of convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Note for any other purpose.

 

5.4 Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Note shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Note, at law or in equity (including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), no remedy contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy and nothing herein shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Maker to comply with the terms of this Note. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the holder thereof and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Maker (or the performance thereof). The Maker acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable and material harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach would be inadequate. Therefore, the Maker agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available rights and remedies, at law or in equity, to equitable relief, including but not limited to an injunction restraining any such breach or threatened breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

5.5 Enforcement Expenses. The Maker agrees to pay all costs and expenses of enforcement of this Note, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses.

 

5.6 Binding Effect; Assignment. The obligations of the Maker and the Holder set forth herein shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each such party, whether or not such successors or assigns are permitted by the terms herein. The Holder shall have the right to assign this Note hereunder without notice to or the consent of the Maker.

 

5.7 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Note may be waived or amended except in a written instrument signed by the Company and the Holder and approved by the Requisite Holder (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Note shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of either party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

 

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5.8 Compliance with Securities Laws. The Holder of this Note acknowledges that this Note is being acquired solely for the Holder’s own account and not as a nominee for any other party, and for investment, and that the Holder shall not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Note in violation of securities laws. This Note and any Note issued in substitution or replacement therefor shall be stamped or imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS NOTE IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.”

 

5.9 Jurisdiction; Venue. Any action, proceeding or claim arising out of, or relating in any way to this Note shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company and the Holder irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive, and hereby waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. The prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses relating to such action or proceeding.

 

5.10 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of the Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.

 

5.11 Maker Waivers. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Maker and all others that may become liable for all or any part of the obligations evidenced by this Note, hereby waive presentment, demand, notice of nonpayment, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note, and do hereby consent to any number of renewals of extensions of the time or payment hereof and agree that any such renewals or extensions may be made without notice to any such persons and without affecting their liability herein and do further consent to the release of any person liable hereon, all without affecting the liability of the other persons, firms or Maker liable for the payment of this Note, AND DO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(a) No delay or omission on the part of the Holder in exercising its rights under this Note, or course of conduct relating hereto, shall operate as a waiver of such rights or any other right of the Holder, nor shall any waiver by the Holder of any such right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a waiver of the same right or rights on any future occasion.

 

(b) THE MAKER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TRANSACTION OF WHICH THIS NOTE IS A PART IS A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION, AND TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO NOTICE AND HEARING WITH RESPECT TO ANY PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WHICH THE HOLDER OR ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS MAY DESIRE TO USE.

 

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5.12 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Closing Price” means the closing price of the Common Stock on the Trading Market on the date of determination.

 

(b) “Event Market Price” means, with respect to any Share Combination Event Date, the quotient determined by dividing (x) the sum of the VWAP of the Common Stock for each of the five (5) lowest Trading Days during the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the sixteenth (16th) Trading Day after such Share Combination Event Date, divided by (y) five (5). All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any share dividend, share split, share combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(c) “Floor Price” means [$___, as subject to adjustment as provided herein.1 ]

 

(d) “Indebtedness” means: (a) all obligations for borrowed money; (b) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments; (c) reserved; (d) all obligations or liabilities secured by a lien or encumbrance on any asset of the Maker, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed; (e) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of assets, other than trade debt and other accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business; (f) all synthetic leases; and (g) any obligation guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted or sold with recourse) any of the foregoing obligations of any other person.

 

(e) “Mandatory Default Amount” means an amount equal to 120% of the Outstanding Principal Amount, accrued interest and all other amounts owning in respective of this Note.

 

(f) “Outstanding Principal Amount” means, at the time of determination, the Principal Amount outstanding after giving effect to any conversions or prepayments pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

(g) “Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that constitutes, or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, in the aggregate, would constitute, a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the 1934 Act) of the Company.

 

(h) “Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock are traded on a Trading Market.

 

(i) “VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Stock are traded on OTCQB or OTCQX , the volume weighted average sales price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holder and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

[1 Insert 20% of the Closing Price upon Closing]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has caused this Note to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above indicated.

 

  ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By:              
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE

 

(To be Executed by the Registered Holder in order to Convert the Note)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert $ ________________ of the principal amount of the above Note No. ___ into Common Stock (the “Maker”) according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below.

 

Date of Conversion:

 

Conversion Price:

 

Number of Common Stock beneficially owned or deemed beneficially owned by the Holder on the Conversion Date:

 

  [HOLDER]
     
  By:             
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  Address:

 

 

 

EX-10.3 4 ex10-3.htm EX-10.3

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 19, 2025, between ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), and each of the several purchasers signatory hereto (each such purchaser, a “Purchaser” or “Holder” and, collectively, the “Purchasers”).

 

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2025, the Company and each Purchaser (the “Purchase Agreement”).

 

In consideration of the premises, the mutual provisions of this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Purchaser agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Advice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(d).

 

“Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Conversion Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note.

 

“Effectiveness Deadline” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed hereunder, the 30th calendar day following the Filing Deadline and with respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 2(c), the 30th calendar day following the date on which an additional Registration Statement is required to be filed hereunder; provided, however, that in the event the Company is notified by the Commission that one or more of the above Registration Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the Effectiveness Deadline as to such Registration Statement shall be the fifth Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the dates otherwise required above, provided, further, if such Effectiveness Deadline falls on a day that is not a Trading Day, then the Effectiveness Deadline shall be the next succeeding Trading Day.

 

“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).

 

“Event Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Filing Deadline” means: (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement, the thirtieth (30th) calendar day following the date of this Agreement, and (ii) with respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 2(c), the earliest practical date on which the Company is permitted by SEC Guidance to file such additional Registration Statement related to the Registrable Securities.

 

“Holder” or “Holders” means the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.

 

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“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).

 

“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).

 

“Initial Registration Statement” means the initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

 

“Note” shall have the same meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement

 

“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

“Registrable Securities” means, as of any date of determination: (a) all of the Conversion Shares then issued and issuable upon conversion in full of the Note; and (b) any securities issued or then issuable upon any antidilution provisions, stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing; provided, however, that any such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (and the Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of any, or file another, Registration Statement hereunder with respect thereto) for so long as: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Registrable Securities is declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of by the Holder in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Registrable Securities have been sold in accordance with Rule 144 and the Company has delivered certificates representing such securities that no longer bear a legend and/or for which the Transfer Agent has not instituted a stop order restricting further transfer, or (iii) such securities become eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and without current public information pursuant to Rule 144 as set forth in a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed, delivered and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the affected Holders (assuming that such securities and any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of which, or as a dividend upon which, such securities were issued or are issuable, were at no time held by any Affiliate of the Company, as reasonably determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel to the Company).

 

“Registration Statement” means any registration statement required to be filed hereunder pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 3 and any additional registration statements contemplated by Section 2(c), including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to any such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in any such registration statement.

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission under the 1933 Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit the Holders to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration.

 

“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis.

 

“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“Selling Stockholder Questionnaire” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

 

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“SEC Guidance” means: (i) any publicly-available written or oral guidance of the Commission staff, or any comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff; and (ii) the Securities Act.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal national securities exchanges on which the Registrable Securities is listed or admitted to trading, are open for the transaction of business or, if the Registrable Securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

 

Section 2. Required Registration.

 

(a) The Company shall prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Filing Deadline, file with the Commission a Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities (the “Initial Registration Statement”); provided that the Initial Registration Statement shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to 200% of the sum of the maximum number(s) of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note at the Floor Price (the “Initial Required Registration Amount”). Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall cause each Registration Statement required to be filed under this Agreement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event no later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, and shall keep such Registration Statements continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earlier of: (i) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement no longer constitute Registrable Securities, or (ii) the two year anniversary of the date of this Agreement (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall telephonically request effectiveness of a Registration Statement as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on a Trading Day. The Company shall promptly notify the Holders via facsimile or by e-mail of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement on the same Trading Day that the Company telephonically confirms effectiveness with the Commission, which shall be the date requested for effectiveness of such Registration Statement. The Company shall, by 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the Trading Day after the effective date of such Registration Statement, file a final Prospectus with the Commission as required by Rule 424. Failure to so notify the Holders within one (1) Trading Day of such notification of effectiveness or failure to file a final Prospectus as foresaid shall be deemed an Event under Section 2(d).

 

(b) Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in Section 2(a), if the Commission informs the Company that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, the Company agrees to promptly inform each of the Holders thereof and use its reasonable best efforts to file amendments to the Initial Registration Statement as required by the Commission, covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the Commission, on such form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e); with respect to filing on such appropriate form; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment, the Company shall be obligated to use diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the SEC Guidance, including without limitation, Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation 612.09 of the Commission. Notwithstanding the obligations of the Company under this Section 2(b), the provisions of Section 2(d) shall apply with respect to the payment of the Liquidated Damages.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Commission or any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation on the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Company used diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all or a greater portion of Registrable Securities), unless otherwise: (i) directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities, or (ii) directed by the Commission as to the limitations or restrictions that it would require, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced as follows:

 

  a. First, the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities to be included by any Person other than a Holder;

 

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  b. Second, the Company shall reduce or eliminate Registrable Securities contemplated by clause (c) of the definition of Registrable Securities (applied, in the case that only some such Registrable Securities may be registered, to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of such unregistered Registrable Securities held by such Holders); and
     
  c. Third, the Company shall reduce Registrable Securities represented by Conversion Shares (applied, in the case that some Conversion Shares may be registered, to the Holders on a pro-rata basis based on the total number of unregistered Conversion Shares held by such Holders); and

 

In the event of a cutback hereunder, the Company shall give the Holder at least five (5) Trading Days prior written notice along with the calculations as to such Holder’s allotment. In the event the Company amends the Initial Registration Statement in accordance with the foregoing, or determines to file an additional Registration Statement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by Commission or SEC Guidance provided to the Company or to registrants of securities in general, one or more Registration Statements on such other form available to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Initial Registration Statement, as amended, as a result of any cutback of Registrable Securities of the Holders or any Registrable Securities not included in the Initial Registration Statement. In any additional Registration Statement filed because of a cutback in the number of Registrable Securities included in the Initial Registration Statement, all holders of shares of Common Stock included in such additional Registration Statement shall be subject to any additional cutbacks that may be required by the Commission on a pro rata basis.

 

(d) If: (i) the Initial Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to its Filing Deadline, or (ii) the Company fails to file with the Commission a request for acceleration of a Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, within five (5) Trading Days of the date that the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review, or (iii) a Registration Statement registering for resale all of the Initial Required Registration Amount is not declared effective by the Commission by the Effectiveness Deadline of the Initial Registration Statement, or (iv) after the effective date of a Registration Statement, such Registration Statement ceases for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, or the Holders are otherwise not permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein to resell such Registrable Securities, for more than ten (10) consecutive calendar days or more than an aggregate of fifteen (15) calendar days (which need not be consecutive calendar days) during any 12-month period (any such failure or breach being referred to as an “Event”, and for purposes of clauses (i) and (iii), the date on which such Event occurs, and for purpose of clause (ii) the date on which such five (5) Trading Day period is exceeded, and for purpose of clause (iv) the date on which such ten (10) or fifteen (15) calendar day period, as applicable, is exceeded being referred to as “Event Date”), then, in addition to any other rights the Holders may have hereunder or under applicable law, on each such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date until the applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay to Holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the product of: (1) 2.00% multiplied by (2) the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement for all Registrable Securities that are then not covered by a Registration Statement that is then effective and available for use by such Holder (the “Liquidated Damages”). The total amount of Liquidated Damages shall not exceed 20%. The parties agree that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Purchase Agreement, no liquidated damages shall be payable due to any Holder’s actions that delay or prevent the Company from performing its obligations under this Agreement. In the event that any payment of any amount of Liquidated Damages is not made when due, such amount shall accrue interest at the rate of fifteen (15%) percent per annum from the date of non-payment until the date such amount is paid in full.

 

The Liquidated Damages shall accrue pursuant to the terms hereof on a daily pro rata basis for any portion of a month prior to the cure of an Event. Further, amounts payable as Liquidated Damages to each Holder hereunder with respect to each share of Registrable Securities shall cease when the Purchaser no longer holds such shares of Registrable Securities. No Event shall be deemed to occur or continue if such Registration Event is caused by delays which are solely attributable to (i) the failure of a Holder to timely advise the Company of any information regarding such Holder for inclusion in the Registration Statement, but any such failure shall apply only to that particular Holder, or (ii) the resolution of comments from the Commission pertaining to the Holders.

 

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For the purposes of clarity, it is hereby agreed that Liquidated Damages shall not accrue during, and none shall be due as a result of, any period not to exceed (i) five (5) consecutive days or (ii) ten (10) days in total during any twelve-month period (such periods, an “Allowed Delay”) during which the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Registration Rights Agreement is suspended or otherwise unavailable.

 

Section 3. Company Obligations. In connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company shall:

 

(a) Not less than five (5) Trading Days prior to the filing of each Registration Statement and not less than two (2) Trading Days prior to the filing of any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (including any document that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall: (i) furnish to each Holder copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of such Holders, and (ii) cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent registered public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective counsel to each Holder, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to provide the Holders advance copies of any universal shelf registration statement registering securities in addition to those required hereunder, or any Prospectus prepared thereto.

 

(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, to a Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period and prepare and file with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities, (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and, as so supplemented or amended, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424, (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, and (iv) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance (subject to the terms of this Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.

 

(c) If during the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable Securities at any time exceeds 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock then registered in a Registration Statement, then the Company shall file as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any case, prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, an additional Registration Statement covering the resale by the Holders of not less than the number of such Registrable Securities.

 

(d) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which notice shall, pursuant to clauses (iii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made) as promptly as reasonably possible: (i) (A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement has been filed; (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement; and (C) with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information, in each case, after the such Registration Statement has been declared effective, (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible for inclusion therein or any statement made in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of a Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with respect to the Company that the Company believes may be material and that, in the determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow continued availability of a Registration Statement or Prospectus, provided, however, in no event shall any such notice contain any information which would constitute material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(e) Use its reasonable best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order stopping or suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.

 

(f) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission; provided, that any such item which is available on the EDGAR system (or successor thereto) need not be furnished. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after the Company has given notice pursuant to Section 4(d).

 

(g) The Company shall cooperate with any broker-dealer through which a Holder proposes to resell its Registrable Securities in effecting a filing with the FINRA Corporate Financing Department pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110, as requested by any such Holder.

 

(h) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that, the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

(i) If requested by a Holder, cooperate with such Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holder may request.

 

(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by clause (v) or (vi) of Section 4(d), as promptly as reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into account the Company’s good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its stockholders of the premature disclosure of such event, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor such Prospectus will contain an 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses (iii) through (vi) of Section 4(d) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable.

 

(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

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(l) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and, if required by the Commission, the natural persons thereof that have voting and dispositive control over the shares. During any periods that the Company is unable to meet its obligations hereunder with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities solely because any Holder fails to furnish such information within three Trading Days of the Company’s request, any liquidated damages that are accruing at such time shall be tolled and any Event that may otherwise occur solely because of such delay shall be suspended until such information is delivered to the Company.

 

Section 4. Obligations of the Holders.

 

(a) Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a completed questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Appendix A (a “Selling Stockholder Questionnaire”) on a date that is not less than ten (10) days prior to the Filing Deadline or by the end of the fourth (4th) Trading Day following the date on which such Holder receives draft materials in accordance with Section 2(a). Each Holder shall furnish in writing to the Company such additional information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration, as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities. A Holder shall provide such information to the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement if such Holder elects to have any of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement. The Company shall not be required to include the Registrable Securities of a Holder in a Registration Statement, and no Event shall be deemed to occur and or continue solely as a result of the failure to include the Registrable Securities of such Holder in the Registration Statement, if such Holder fails to furnish to the Company a fully completed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Filing Deadline.

 

(b) Each Holder agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Holder has notified the Company in writing of its election to exclude all of its Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

 

(c) Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

 

(d) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of either: (i) the commencement of an Allowed Delay, or (ii) the happening of an event pursuant to Section 4(d)(iii) – (vi) hereof, such Holder will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities, until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable.

 

Section 5. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with, this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent registered public accountants) (A) with respect to filings made with the Commission, (B) with respect to filings required to be made with any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, and (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of the Company, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder. In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions of any Holder or, except to the extent provided for in the Transaction Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the Holders.

 

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Section 6. Indemnification.

 

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, members, partners, agents, brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees of the Company, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, members, stockholders, partners, agents, investment advisors and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to: (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein (it being understood that such information shall only consist of the name of the Holder, the number of offered shares (excluding percentages), the address and other information with respect to the Holder and the information included on Appendix A hereto, each only to the extent which such information appears in an effective Registration Statement or any Prospectus), or (B) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 4(d)(iii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 5(d). The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified person and shall survive the transfer of any Registrable Securities by any of the Holders in accordance with Section 7(e).

 

(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon: (i) such Holder’s failure to comply with any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act through no fault of the Company, or (ii) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus (it being understood that such information shall only consist of the name of the Holder, the number of offered shares (excluding percentages), the address and other information with respect to the Holder and the information included on Appendix A hereto, each only to the extent which such information appears in an effective Registration Statement or any Prospectus), such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 4(d)(iii)-(vi), to the extent, but only to the extent, related to the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 5(d). In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder under this Section 7(b) be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder.

 

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(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that, the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party. An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding, or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall reasonably believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within thirty (30) calendar days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that, the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) not to be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification under Section 7(a) or 7(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(d), no Holder shall be required to contribute pursuant to this Section 7(d), in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

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(e) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.

 

Section 7. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder of any of their respective obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. Each of the Company and each Holder agrees that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall not assert or shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

(b) Prohibition on Filing Other Registration Statements. The Company shall not, other than as provided in the Purchase Agreement, file any other registration statements (specifically excluding a registration statement on Form S-8) until all Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to a Registration Statement that is declared effective by the Commission, provided that this Section 8(b) shall not prohibit the Company from filing amendments to registration statements filed prior to the date of this Agreement and shall not prohibit the Company from filing a registration statement for a primary offering by the Company, provided that the Company makes no offering of securities pursuant to such registration statement prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement required hereunder that includes all of the Registrable Securities.

 

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and the Holders of 51% or more of the then outstanding Registrable Securities (for purposes of clarification, this includes any Registrable Securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of any Security). If a Registration Statement does not register all of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a waiver or amendment done in compliance with the previous sentence, then the number of Registrable Securities to be registered for each Holder shall be reduced pro rata among all Holders and each Holder shall have the right to designate which of its Registrable Securities shall be omitted from such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of a Holder or some Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given only by such Holder or Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the first sentence of this Section 8(c). No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

 

(d) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign (except by merger) its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of all of the Holders of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under the Purchase Agreement.

 

(f) [Intentionally Omitted]

 

(g) Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

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(h) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.

 

(i) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

 

(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

(k) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

(o) Independent Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or transactions. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement with respect to the obligations of the Company contained was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Holder, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Holder. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement is between the Company and a Holder, solely, and not between the Company and the Holders collectively and not between and among Holders.

 

********************

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By:               
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page of Holders Follows]

 

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[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS]

 

   
Name of Holder:

 

   
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Holder:

 

   
Name of Authorized Signatory:

 

   
Title of Authorized Signatory:

 

   

 

[Signature Pages Continue]

 

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